His jaw twitches again. Before he can answer, I continue, “Is that what you want? I’m not being facetious, Phil. Eric and I need you to take a long and hard look at your position and what is expected of you and whether you actually want what you’re requesting. You’re right. You and I are management level supporting Eric. But we’re not in charge of the same depar
tment. You actually don’t need to know new developments in a criminal case. It isn’t your department.”
“It is if it affects town security.”
“Does it?” I ease back. “Does it make an actual difference whether these settlers were murdered by hostiles or not? We’re keeping residents out of the forest. That covers all bases. And while Eric may be our CEO, he’s not on Rockton’s board. He works for them. We work for them. If Eric and I decide not to keep them abreast of every new development, that’s our choice. They expect it from us, to be honest. Do you want them to expect it of you?”
When he says nothing, I continue, “That’s what you need to decide, Phil. Where do you serve Rockton better? As the guy they can trust to pass on all new information? Or do you want to risk them finding out that you’ve jumped sides?”
I meet his gaze. “Have you jumped sides? Or is this your exit strategy?”
He blinks. “What?”
“Your exit strategy. Your way out of Rockton.”
“I know what an exit strategy is, Casey. I just don’t understand how it applies…” He trails off and then says, “You think I want the council to realize they cannot trust me. They’ll recall me and send someone else in my place. The problem with that is what they’ll do when they recall me.” He lifts a hand. “And, no, I don’t fear being buried in a shallow grave. What I fear, Casey, is the loss of my career. I was headhunted to the organization before I graduated from university. I interned there and immediately went to work for them upon my graduation. I have exactly one position on my résumé. A position I cannot use if they fire me.”
“You can always use them on a résumé. You just can’t use them as a reference.”
“They would deny ever having employed me, and a future employer would not find any record of such an organization. They’ve paid me very well for accepting this ‘quirk’ of my employment. Should I ever leave, they’ve promised to provide a proper reference from one of the board members’ corporations. That presumes, obviously, that we part on good terms. Otherwise…?” He shrugs. “I believe Eric would say they have me by the balls. In an iron grip.”
“Okay, then you need to decide how to handle that. Do you want us only to tell you things you can pass along? Or tell you everything and let you handle the fallout if they realize you withheld information? Take time to think about that, please, Phil. I will apologize for not letting you know about the bullet, but in my defense, we were still working through the implications.”
He nods. “Understood. I’m sorry if I overreacted.”
“You didn’t. It was a shitty way for you to find out.”
“You were putting Edwin on the spot. I realize that. And I will let you return to your investigation and decide, with Émilie’s input, how to handle this with the council.”
“Or, since she’s technically your boss, you could just let her handle it. If she decides not to pass the information along…”
A smile touches his lips. “I will consider that. Thank you.”
* * *
When I get to the station, it’s empty. I’m about to retreat when Dalton calls, “Back here,” from the rear deck.
I find him in his chair, boots braced on the railing. He’s wearing the hat I bought him for sun protection, which bears more than a passing resemblance to a Stetson. He has it pulled down to shade his eyes, and as I walk out, I have to smile.
“You should be on the front porch with that pose,” I say. “Put a shotgun across your lap, and you’d be the perfect Wild West sheriff.”
He tilts up the hat. “Nah, the perfect Wild West sheriff doesn’t need a shotgun. Just a steely-eyed glare.” He narrows his eyes. “How am I doing?”
“I’m thoroughly intimidated.”
I hop onto the railing next to his propped-up feet. Behind me, a raven croaks, and I toss her a piece of bread. She’ll gobble it down and retreat, knowing she only gets one each time she spots me. A moment later, Storm appears from wherever she’s been wandering. The dog climbs onto the porch and thumps down between us.
“Edwin lied about a standoff with a hunting party,” I say.
Dalton grunts.
“You figured that?”
He lifts one shoulder. “About as much as you did. Felicity confirmed?”
“Unwittingly.”
“So what do you think Edwin’s up to?”