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from the crime scene,” Ray said as he started to pull himself out of his chair.
    “Stay for a minute,” said Sue. “We need to talk.”
    Ray settled back into his chair.
    “I had a conversation with your doctor this morning on my way in.”
    “Which one?”
    “Feldman. He said he would have preferred to keep you hospitalized for a day or two longer for observation, but he knew that was impossible. He doesn’t want you to drive, and he directed me to make sure you had regular meals and get some sleep.”
    “So what’s he thinking, you’re my keeper?”
    “He said he told you the same thing.”
    “I don’t remember the driving bit.”
    “Ray, I’m not used to you being a grump,” Sue paused briefly. “I’m sure we can find something for you to eat here in one of the best-stocked larders in the north. Then we will be on our way.”

8.
     
    Ray carefully cleaned the large whiteboard in his office, using a spray bottle and special cloth. He moved slowly, thinking more about how to organize the investigation than the task at hand. After his initial pass, he wiped the board a second time, removing all traces of pigment.
    He eyed the collection of markers, finally settling on a dark blue. Moving to the top center he penned Brenda Manton. Then he moved to the left side of the board and started listing categories of people who might provide information that would lead them to Manton’s assailant: friends, family, neighbors, professional contacts, community (yoga, coffee shop, church, organization, medical, hair). After he had finished the list, Ray moved up to friends and wrote Molly Birchard and Tristan Laird.
    Moving to the left, he jotted snowplow and scene evidence .
    Sue entered the office, carrying Simone, the terrier, under her left arm, and stood at Ray’s side and viewed the board.
    “What have we got?” she asked taking in the information.
    “An early draft, just a sketch,” said Ray. “I’m not sure my brain is really here yet.” He looked at the dog, “Are you sure you shouldn’t drop her off at animal control?”
    “She’s no problem. I think that would be one more trauma. Are you okay with my keeping her around until we find a suitable place for her?”
    “Sure. We’ll make you our K-9 officer.”
    They settled at the conference table, the dog in Sue’s lap.
    “What’s happening with the press?” Ray asked.
    “I put out a brief statement that an area woman had been assaulted in a possible home invasion. I noted that the woman had sustained injuries and had been hospitalized. I also reported that a sheriff’s deputy had been injured near the scene and a department vehicle damaged by the likely assailant.”
    “You didn’t give away much.”
    “We hadn’t had a chance to talk about a media strategy. I didn’t know what you wanted out there. And at that point I hadn’t even confirmed that the victim we removed from the house was Brenda Manton.”
    “And you have?”
    “Yes,” said Sue, shifting the dog around on her lap. “Manton’s personal physician provided a positive identification before she was transported to Grand Rapids. I also notified the receiving hospital that Manton should be provided extra security. I didn’t know whether or not you would be available, so I told the TV reporters that I’d try to give them an update this afternoon, something they could run on the evening news. Do you want to do the interview?”
    “No, go ahead. You’ve done a good job developing your role as the department spokesperson.”
    “What more should I tell them?”
    “I think we disclose the victim’s name, that she’s been transported to a down-state hospital for treatment, and that we are pursuing a number of leads. And then the usual community appeal, anyone who might have information relevant to this case should contact us immediately. Have them put our phone number, the silent witness number, and our email address on screen. Think that will be enough to keep them