Darkness First by James Hayman Page A

Blakemore’s. She also told him about the injury to Emily. McCabe had met Em a number of times and liked her a lot.
    He listened without comment as she described the details of what had gone down in the parking area of Machias State Park and about her conversation with Sergeant Sean Carroll of the Maine State Police.
    â€˜What’s Carroll like?’
    â€˜Don’t really know. Aside from being way too handsome for his own good.’
    â€˜I see. And Sergeant Handsome agreed to let you help?’
    â€˜He agreed. But just through Monday. After that it’s on a let’s see what happens basis. I may want to put in for some vacation days next week, assuming you’ll approve them.’
    McCabe didn’t answer immediately. Seemed to be considering what she’d told him about the killings.
    â€˜Okay,’ he finally said. ‘I’ll let the higher-ups know what you’re doing. Not that much going on at the moment so they should be okay with it.’ He told her he and Cleary could handle the arraignment of Kyle Carnes. If anything else came up, he’d do his best to cover for her. Or, if necessary, let her know it was time to come back to Portland.
    â€˜One last thing,’ he said. ‘Did Carroll assign you a partner or you gonna be working up there on your own?’
    â€˜Supposedly directly with and for Carroll. Whether he’s going to hang back and play supervisor or get down in the weeds and work with me is still unclear.’
    McCabe waited a beat. She could tell he wasn’t happy with her answer. ‘I see,’ he finally said. ‘In that case I want you to give me a call if things start getting hairy.’
    â€˜Not necessary, McCabe.’
    â€˜Necessary. I’m not crazy about you being the new kid on the block working alone in what sounds like it could be a dangerous situation.’
    â€˜I’ll be fine,’ Maggie insisted. ‘I have no intention of dragging you into this.’
    â€˜No dragging required. Just let me know and I’ll be there in a heartbeat. You’d do the same for me.’
    She didn’t argue. He was right. She would.
    N o cop ever volunteers for next of kin notification. There’s never an easy way to tell someone their husband or wife or especially their child is dead. All the standard phrases – ‘I’m sorry for your loss’, ‘She didn’t suffer very much’, ‘She’s probably in a better place’ – no matter how sincere, always come out sounding wooden and rehearsed. Given the tragedies the Stoddard family had already suffered, this NOK promised to be one of the worst.
    The only response to Maggie’s knocking on the Stoddards’ door was a series of deep-throated barks. She knocked again. The barking got louder. She was debating going around back when the door opened a crack. The black and tan muzzle of a big Rottweiler pushed into the crack, its barking replaced by a low, threatening growl. Above the dog’s head, at wheelchair height, a pair of dark, suspicious eyes and a gaunt, white face.
    â€˜Pike Stoddard?’
    â€˜Who wants to know?’
    Maggie held up her Portland shield and ID. ‘Detective Margaret Savage,’ she said.
    â€˜Portland?’
    â€˜I’m on special assignment with the state police.’
    â€˜Savage, huh? You related to the Sheriff ?’
    â€˜I’m his daughter.’
    â€˜Jesus,’ Stoddard snorted. ‘Another Savage. How many damn Savages they got down there in Machias? All right, Sheriff’s daughter, what do you want?’
    â€˜May I come in?’
    â€˜No. Not unless you tell me what the hell you want.’
    Stoddard was making this tougher than it had to be.
    â€˜Is your wife home?’
    â€˜What do you want her for?’
    â€˜I’d like to talk to you both at the same time.’
    Pike Stoddard’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. He ordered the dog to lie down and