West

His jaw clenched. For a long moment, his cold stare was his only response. "You are involved in something you cannot possibly hope to escape alive. If any part of you thinks I'm telling the truth, come talk to me."

I shivered. What the hell is going on?

"Nell!" he called, standing. "She's here."

I shook my head to clear it and pushed myself to my feet. The sheriff stood back. Nell appeared around the corner and dashed to me.

"My god!" she exclaimed. "Miss Josie, don't you never, ever run off like this again! If I had to tell your father -" She flung her arms around me, almost hysterical.

I listened to her babble, eyes on the silent man watching me. The well was still whispering. There was one way to know what its secret was, but I didn't look forward to digging around for a dead girl.

What to do about the sheriff …

This is what happens when a madman puts things in your brain. How did he know what Carter did to me? More importantly, was my nosebleed a sign of something more than an oncoming sinus infection?

"Miss Josie!"

"I am well," I told her, forcing my attention back to my babysitter. "I got dizzy."

"Dizzy? Again?"

"I'm just tired."

"You need to see the doctor," Nell declared. "Your father and Philip await you for breakfast. After, I'll send for Doctor Green."

"Ugh. Philip," I said with a tired smile. I looked around, not certain if I wanted to invite the sheriff or not. His touch had sent a thrill through me, but he scared me a little. "No doctor, Nell." He can't help me anyway, if something is wrong with the brain chips.

"Quiet, child. You need help." Turning to the sheriff, Nell asked politely, "Will you join us, Sheriff Hansen?"

Please say no, I willed him. I didn't feel ready for the talk he wanted to have. I trusted Carter, despite the occasional misgivings I had about him. I didn't know what to think about the sheriff, except that I needed time and space to clear my head.

"Much obliged but no. Give Mr. John my regards," he said. "Tell him we found those missing sheep of his."

"He'll be pleased to hear it."

The sheriff tipped his hat and started the other way around the barn, as if he, too, needed to put distance between us.

I walked with Nell around the barn and entered the house. She accompanied me to the dining parlor, where a small breakfast feast waited.

"You stay here," she said brusquely. "Your father and Philip must be smoking cigars."