Harm’s Reach. Alex Barclay

      They walked through the parking lot.

      ‘Looks like someone jizzed up the side of that one,’ said Ren, pointing to another black car.

      ‘How do you just come out with things like that?’ said Robbie.

      ‘It’s shameful,’ said Ren. ‘I apologize. But it’s a ranch for teens … hormones are rampant.’

      ‘That doesn’t mean—’

      ‘Robbie, I’m kidding. Jesus. I don’t think a kid’s been out here jacking off. It doesn’t even look like jizz. Relax.’

      They went into the reception of the main building, showed their badges and asked to speak with Kristen Faule.

      ‘Sure,’ said the girl at the desk, ‘please, take a seat.’

      Kristen Faule arrived within ten minutes. She looked to be in her mid-forties, her snowy blonde hair tied back into a plait that reached halfway down her back. The only makeup she wore was to define her eyebrows and darken her lashes.

      ‘I’m Special Agent Ren Bryce,’ said Ren, ‘and this is Detective Robbie Truax. We’re from the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force in Denver. Thank you for seeing us.’

      ‘My pleasure,’ she said. ‘Come on through to my office. My husband is on his way, he’ll join us there.’

      ‘Thank you,’ said Ren.

       But why are you talking like you’re auditioning for a Disney movie and/or musical? Disney ways. I get it. Janine, I love you.

      Ren and Robbie followed Kristen Faule into a large room that was like a combination living space, office and bookstore. It had a beautiful stone fireplace with a yellow ceramic jug of flowers in the hearth. There was a smell of freshly cut wood and oil. Everything looked rugged, rustic, but new.

      ‘This is a beautiful room,’ said Ren.

      ‘Thank you,’ said Kristen. ‘We’ve just had it remodeled. I only moved back into it a month ago.’

      ‘It will age real well,’ said Ren. ‘I love the shelves.’

      ‘Hand-crafted,’ said Kristen. ‘They’re my favorite feature.’

      ‘And they must be custom file cabinets,’ said Ren.