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from his superior.
    “How about you, Sal? Got any leads?” Liz asked.
    “On the surface, it’s a lovefest at this job, too. Everyone singing the boss’s praises. But we all know that nobody likes to speak ill of the dead. I did a little digging and I found out that Henderson fired a couple of people this past year. Don’t think they’ll be singing his praises when I interview them.”
    Liz and Davenport absorbed the information and both nodded.
    Brian Walker, one of the men on Davenport’s team, spoke up. “I read in this morning’s paper that the Henderson boy is being released today.”
    Liz winced. She wished there was some legal way to muzzle the press. How was she supposed to run an investigation when every move was broadcast to the public? Didn’t the press know that killers read, too?
    “Is that true?” Davenport asked. “Has anyone even talked to the boy yet? Does he know anything pertinent to our investigation?”
    Liz spoke with authority. “Yes, it’s true that Jeremy is being released this afternoon. So far he has not been able to respond to any questions regarding the murders.”
    “Released? Where? To whom?” Sal’s expression looked annoyed that she hadn’t shared this information with him earlier.
    “Dr. Morgan is accompanying the boy to his home until we can make other arrangements.”
    Liz sighed deeply and leaned back in her chair, steeling herself to deliver the rest of her news.
    “We can’t ascertain yet if Jeremy witnessed the murder or not. But one thing we do know. That child saw his family lying dead. My goal is to bring the killer to justice and to help Jeremy feel safe again.”
    “Are you sure he saw what happened?”
    Liz answered Tom’s question. “The boy hasn’t spoken a word about the incident so we’re not sure yet what he witnessed, if anything at all.”
    “If he did witness his family’s murder, how do you plan to keep him safe?” Sal asked. “I mean, once the killer reads the papers or hears on the news that he’s been released, what’s going to stop him from making a second run at the boy?”
    “We are,” Liz answered, putting a don’t-dare-
question-me tone in her voice. “I will be arranging for 24-7 police protection.”
    A low murmur traveled around the table.
    Liz held up her hand for silence. “I know. Everyone’s been working double shifts as it is. We are a small department with a small staff. I understand.”
    She glanced around the table. “I have a plan. Most of the coverage has already been arranged.” Liz turned her attention to Davenport. “My team and I will be able to cover most of the time slots. I’ll need to utilize your men on the graveyard shift so I can get some sleep. Can I count on you, Sergeant?”
    “I’ll make it happen.”
    “Thanks.” Liz took a breath and prepared herself for dropping her next bombshell. “Dr. Morgan and I will be moving into the residence with the child.”
    Paul, who had been sipping coffee and eating doughnuts through the entire meeting, looked up. “You’re moving in, Sheriff? What does that mean?” Still looking a little sick, even five days after the incident, her youngest deputy scratched his head and looked puzzled. “Are you just sleeping over there or what?”
    “I’ll be moving my office to the house. With computers, visual teleconferences and cell phones, I feel confident I can temporarily run my office from there. When there is an occasion that requires my presence outside of the home, I will arrange for one of our team or one of the troopers to stand in for me until I return. Our goal is to provide 24-7 protection for Jeremy and to catch this killer as quickly as humanly possible.”
    “And just how long do you think you’re going to be able to run a sheriff’s office from the house?” Sal’s disapproval at this turn of events was evident in the sharp tone of his voice. “It’s going to be hard enough protecting the boy. Aren’t you making a target of yourself,