Icy Betrayal Read Free Page A

was just one of several that made up the Rocklin County Justice Center complex. The two main floors of the RCSO building were above ground and served largely as office space for investigators, support staff, and administration. The underground area, known commonly as the dungeon, housed the RCSO shooting range, two squad rooms, and the intake center where arrestees were processed. Adjacent to the dungeon were the holding cells, jail lockup facility, and the “tag and bag” evidence room.
    Mia nodded to the deputies as she made her way through the dungeon, carrying the .22 rifle and the ammunition she had found on the body of the deceased. Normally, the crime scene guys would bring it in, but she wanted to have someone take a quick look at it, so she had taken the initiative.
    She walked through the large double doors leading into the RCSO shooting range, giving Matt Nolan a quick nod. The range was Nolan’s world, and he ruled it in black SWAT fatigues, clear wraparound protective eye wear, and big black earmuffs draped around his very large neck. Though just 5’6”, Nolan was still an imposing figure. He was a walking encyclopedia when it came to weapons, and while not a sworn officer, he had earned a tremendous level of respect within the department.
    “Whatcha got for me, Mia?”
    "I got called out this morning on a TC. It looks like our victim was hunting with this rifle. What can you tell me about it?"
    “Your victim picked a hell of a day to go huntin’ squirrels,” he said, looking over the weapon. “Too damn cold out there if you ask me.”
    Mia nodded but didn’t say anything.
    “I’ll bet you this was his first real rifle. It’s just like the one my dad gave me when I was a kid,” he said, lost in memories of hunting trips in the mountains with his father years earlier. “But you got a bit of a problem here, Mia.”
    “What’s that?” she asked.
    Mia qualified each month on her department issued Glock but beyond that didn’t have much interest in firearms. Too many bad memories.
    Nolan continued, “Was this the only rifle he had out there this morning? And is this the only ammo your boy had with him?”
    “Yes and yes,” she responded.
    “It’s deer season, so he’s got the right ammo. It’s .243 boat tail soft point, hundred grain. But this ammo doesn’t fit in that rifle.”
    Mia felt a little silly at her ignorance about weapons. “And the rifle?” she asked.
    “Mia, unless you sneak up on that whitetail buck and put this thing right up to his temple, it ain’t killin’ no deer.”
    Mia stood there processing what Nolan had just told her.
    “Okay, thanks, Matt. Just book it into evidence for me.”

    Captain Mick McCallister’s day wasn’t off to a great start having spent the last forty-five minutes reviewing overtime logs with staff. As he stepped inside the elevator to return to his second floor office, he heard a female voice calling out to hold the elevator. He extended his arm to hold the doors open and was surprised to see his lead traffic investigator as she stepped inside.
    “Hey, Mia, I thought you were out on a pedestrian TC.”
    “I was, but I just got back. Had to run some stuff by Matt Nolan.”
    “Nolan? Was there a gun involved?”
    “Yeah, sort of… Stuff doesn’t really add up. I’m hoping to get more from the autopsy tomorrow, and then I’ll be able to fill you in.”
    “Can’t wait,” the captain said with a smile as the elevator door opened to the second floor.
    “I’ll keep you posted, Boss,” Mia responded.
    Mick McCallister was a rising star within the RCSO. Barely forty years old, he had advanced through the ranks faster than anyone else at the department. The current sheriff, Cole Connelly, was set to retire in less than a year and while McCallister hadn’t announced his intentions, it was pretty clear he’d be the guy to beat—if he chose to run.
    Standing 6’4” tall, McCallister was a formidable figure. His light brown hair had