I stormed out of Gretchen's office, furious, feeling impotent and as if I'd been assaulted, my stomach in knots. Typically, I could get people to talk to me, usually getting them to spill far more than they originally intended. This clamming up, walling off, tight-lipped action? Wasn't used to it, not even a little bit. I realized then, as I stalked toward the stable that hosted the crime scene, sun already set behind the mountains and real night rapidly approaching, this was how real cops usually felt and half-stumbled a step before catching myself in that truth. Up to now, I had the benefit of being an innocuous and non-threatening presence when I was "just" a bed and breakfast owner. Everyone I spoke to, all the suspects and hangers on and people I'd connected to the cases I'd poked my nose in didn't see a badge when they'd overshared. They'd seen a redhead in a ponytail and a dirty t-shirt with dishpan hands and an earnest, innocent expression they'd handed their info over to.