Devon and Bonnie were in the Home Office, with Bruce Ainsworth, the local sheriff. The Summers had accused Michael of kidnapping their niece, and darkly implied he had done so for unseemly reasons. Devon didn't believe the accusations for a second. Though he would have preferred to talk with Michael alone before talking with local authorities.

Kitt pulled into the bay. Michael got out and walked around to the trunk, where he pulled something out. Devon wasn't able to see what it was as he, Bonnie, and Ainsworth approached Kitt's hood.

Quietly, Michael said, "Kitt, I'm gonna need you to take some photos for me shortly."

"Of what, Michael?"

"You'll know."

Michael walked around to the passenger side and opened the door. A young girl, whom Devon presumed was Nicole Brinley, got out. She was wearing Michael's jacket. And she seemed very ill at ease. Michael put his hands on her shoulders and walked her towards the front of the bay. Then, he knelt next to her, keeping himself between her and the other three adults.

"Okay, time to give me back my jacket. And since you aren't wearing a shirt, I'm giving you one of mine."

Ainsworth crossed his arms and frowned. Devon and Bonnie exchanged glances, concerned where this was heading, in light of the Summers's allegations. But no one said anything. Nicole started to unzip the jacket, but Michael shook his head and twirled his finger. She turned her back on him (and the other adults) and unzipped the jacket. Michael helped her take it off. Devon managed not to gasp when he saw the obvious injuries on the girl's back. Ainsworth uncrossed his arms and deepened his frown. Bonnie pressed her hands tightly over her mouth. Nicole put Michael's t-shirt on, which was big enough to be a dress on her.

Michael stood up. "Now, I'm sure you need to use the bathroom." He pointed the way and Nicole went. Michael leaned heavily against Kitt's hood, next to Ainsworth. "Kitt –"

"Yes, Michael," was the soft reply. "I have taken the . . . photographic evidence that you requested."

"Good. I don't want to go through that again anytime soon." He turned to face the sheriff, putting out his hand. "Michael Knight. We'll print you copies of the photos."

Ainsworth shook his hand. "Sheriff Bruce Ainsworth. I believe we weren't ever supposed to meet."

Before Michael could ask, Nicole came back. Michael walked over to where she was, kneeling next to her again.

"Nicole, do you see that tall man over there?" Michael pointed to Devon. "That's my boss, Devon Miles. Now, he may look very stern and severe, but he has a sweet tooth. So he always keeps a box of cookies around. And I'll bet if you were to ask him nicely, he'd let you have one."

Nicole asked so softly Devon almost couldn't hear her, "Can you ask him for me, please, Michael?"

Michael looked over at Devon. "Devon, may Nicole have one of your cookies?"

Devon was surprised that Michael knew about his stash of biscuits. He smiled at Nicole and said, "Of course, child, you may have a cookie."

Michael gave Devon an odd look, like he had somehow let down the team. Devon wasn't sure what he had – or hadn't – done. Michael picked up Nicole and carried her to the cabinet with the cookies. He had her pull the tin from the top shelf and let her pick out a cookie before putting the tin back.

"Okay, Nicole, now I need to talk with Devon and Sheriff Ainsworth."

Nicole sounded panicky. "Am I in trouble?" Then she gasped. "Are youin trouble, Michael?"

"No, you aren't in trouble. Neither of you are in trouble," said Ainsworth reassuringly.

"Sheriff Ainsworth wants to hear what happened today. But he needs to hear my story from me and your story from you. And he's going to talk with me first, okay?" Nicole nodded, and Michael pointed to Bonnie. "Now, you see that woman over there? That's Dr. Bonnie Barstow, and she takes care of Kitt. In fact, she's going to check him now. And I'm sure she could use your help."

"I'm not smart enough to help Dr. Barstow," said Nicole, shaking her head.

Michael replied kindly but firmly. "Yes, Nicole, you are. Now, you and Bonnie can go sit in Kitt until it's your turn to talk with Sheriff Ainsworth."

Michael put Nicole down. She went over to the passenger side and got back inside Kitt. Bonnie forced a smile as she got in on the driver's side. Michael, Devon, and Ainsworth moved towards the front of the workroom. Michael made a point of standing where Nicole could see him and his face.

"Mr. Miles," said Ainsworth, "whatever you are paying this man is not enough."

Michael laughed, "Can I get that in writing?"

"I spent over 30 years on the Denver police force. Retired from there and moved out here, to be closer to my daughter and son-in-law. And my grandkids, of course. I have, unfortunately, a lot of experience with child abuse cases. You're handling Nicole like a pro."

"Thanks, Sheriff."

"Call me Bruce."

"Which reminds me. Devon, you have a habit of using endearments rather than names. But the Summers's likely never call Nicole by her name."

Ainsworth nodded his agreement. "Typical in these cases. The abuser – or abusers – refer to their victim by pronouns. To destroy the victim's sense of self-identity and self-worth."

"Or by generic words like 'child' or 'girl'. So, Devon, try to call her Nicole."

"Of course, Michael." And now Devon understood Michael's odd look from before.

Michael shared all that had happened. He first brought Ainsworth up to speed on why the Foundation was there investigating and what had happened yesterday. Including nearly being driven off the road. He then explained about the mine on the Summers's land, the secret meeting with the unknown man from Andringa Mining, and seeing Eddie beat Nicole. He ended with waking up in the cave with Nicole and how they found their way out.

"I'm just not sure of Kylie's role in all this, Bruce. She may be as much a victim as Nicole."

"Or she could be Eddie's willing partner."

Both men sighed, each remembering cases from their past.

Devon said, "Michael, I have finished reading Jess and Daniel Brinley's will. If Nicole dies before she turns 25, the trust is dissolved, and the land goes to the state. To be added to the park lands."

"So they need her alive."

"Mr. Miles? What kind of resources does the Foundation have available?"

"We can certainly arrange for Nicole's care, mental and physical."

Ainsworth shook his head. "I was thinking more along the lines of investigating old cases."

"Old as in two years?" asked Michael.

"Yes. I had moved here shortly before the accident. In fact, I was running for sheriff at the time. I do remember the accident. And how miraculous it was that Nicole was thrown clear of the car before it tumbled to the bottom of a very steep cliff and was smashed to pieces."

"Miraculous?" asked Michael. "Or suspicious?"

"In retrospect, very suspicious."

"I believe we can help with that," said Devon.

"Right. Now I need to talk with Nicole. Then, I want to take her to a local pediatrician, Alex Hodgson."

"Can you trust him?"

"He's my son-in-law. He and my daughter have four kids of their own. So there's always a crowd at their house. We can leave Nicole with them, and no one will be the wiser. And I know neither will talk to the Summers without my permission."

"Works for me. Devon?"

"I believe that would be the best course of action while you two decide how to deal with Kylie and Eddie Summers."