Mari found Ty in the street, scanning the walkways for her. He spotted her and joined her, explaining his tardiness by telling her Gil held him up with questions and a firm grip on his shoulder. Mari nodded, caring little about Ty's excuse. He'd been late, her path to task completion had changed, and there was nothing she could do about it now.

They made a b-line to the sheriff's office where Ty and Mari explained what happened in the alley that resulted in ...