Lydia lived in a newly constructed condo on Oak Street as it drifted out of the main body of town and became the back road to neighboring Ridgway, ten miles away. The road ran parallel to the highway, with the Uncompahgre River separating the unpaved road from the main thoroughfare to the east. There were four units in the building that faced the waterway and walking paths that wound along the banks of the river. As Dean neared the structure, a figure emerged from the building. Even from this distance he recognized Acting Sheriff Fitzgerald. Close on his heels was Lydia Larkin, tucking in her blouse and adjusting her skirt. Dean stopped his Jeep beneath the trees and watched. Lydia glanced up and down and then took Fitzgerald's face in her hands and kissed him full on the mouth-no glad-to-see-you-grandpa embrace.
Detective Dean might have been on a roll, but his wagon had suddenly come to a stop.