He didn’t turn on any lights, but felt around in the far corner of the drawer until his hand touched the cold steel. He froze, sensing something was wrong, but not knowing what.

He should have gone down to that FBI guy and showed it to him. But it was too late now.

It was probably nothing, just some guy pissing in the woods.

No, it wasn’t.

His fingers wrapped around the metal bird almost as if they had a mind of their own. And at that moment, he knew what he had to do, whom he needed to show the buckle to.

His father wasn’t the easiest person to talk to, but he was the smartest person Ryan knew. He was a judge. He’d know exactly what to do with the buckle, who should have it.

He started toward his parents’ bedroom, then smelled coffee downstairs. He detoured into the kitchen, hoping his father was there.

He was. “Hi, Dad.”

“You’re up early.”

He shrugged, fingered the belt buckle. “I was wondering… well, I found something and don’t really know what it is. I thought you might…” That sounded stupid. He knew it was a belt buckle, he just didn’t want to tell his dad where he’d found it.

“Sure, what is it?”

“There you are.”

Ryan jumped. His mother walked in wearing her robe, and frowned.

“Delilah,” his dad said, “I thought you were still sleeping.”

“I woke up and you weren’t there. I went to check on Ryan, and he wasn’t there, either.”

“I went to check on the horses, they seemed kind of spooked, and couldn’t get back to sleep so I made a pot of coffee. Can I get you a cup?”

“I can get it myself,” his mother said.

Ryan didn’t want to talk to his dad with his mother there. He was sure to be punished for going back near where that dead girl was found. His father’s punishments were usually lighter than his mother’s. He’d catch his dad tonight.

“I’m going to get ready for school,” he said.

“Didn’t you want to show me something?” his dad asked.

“It’s not important. I’ll show you tonight.”

“Okay.”

His mother leaned over for a kiss, and he brushed his lips against her cheek, then his father’s, before scrambling up the stairs.

I’ll ask Dad about the buckle tonight.