Snippet #2625146

Anna whirled toward the doorway as soon as she heard footsteps, her hand on her holster, but she relaxed as soon as she saw Thompson. One small favor from the Lord, at least. Better he be the one to learn of the mayor's death first, and then the townsfolk would hear the news from someone they knew.

She let Horatio explain what had happened as she continued to look around the office, paying no mind to the cooling corpse still in its chair. There was nothing obvious to see, but Chesterfield had certainly been no fool, aside from the actions that led to his death.

Looking back as Horatio spoke to her, Anna frowned to herself. There was certainly a chance that Chesterfield had accomplices in town. And once they knew he was dead, they would be sure to destroy any evidence he'd left behind. Of course, they might instead ride out to warn whoever was holding the children.

And if Anna was to do nothing else in Red Road, she had to find those children. "We need to save those children. Sheriff Thompson can lock up the office here and we'll search it later. Right now we have to find out where the children are being kept and round up the posse, before it's too late."