She had just gotten to a spurned interest named Michael Lawrence when she began to lose it. Lorenzo let out a sigh but let her go on for a bit. Sometimes you just had to ride things out. When she started on letting her know if Sarah's body had been found the sheriff very gently took ahold of her shoulders.<br/><br/>"We don't know anything," he said, firmly but softly. "We don't know anything yet." His radio crackled again but Lorenzo switched it off, waiting for Mary to calm down. When he felt she had he tried to reassure her. "I will let you know," he promised. He didn't mention that if they did identify a body he would have inform next-of-kin first. But he could always inform her that there was a body without confirming an identity.<br/><br/>Lorenzo gave her shoulder another tight squeeze then walked outdoors, careful to close the door behind him. He kept his eyes on Mary as he switched the radio back on. "Go, Phil," he said.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"It's a female torso, Sheriff. I already called the crime scene guys."</span><br/><br/>Lorenzo closed his eyes briefly. "Okay," he replied. "Get on the horn to the state police. Tell 'em we'll need some extra manpower. I'm on my way. Lorenzo out." He then opened the station door a crack and leaned in, looked gravely at Mary.<br/><br/>"We have found someone, Ms. Stevens," he said quietly. Strictly speaking, he shouldn't be telling her anything just yet, but he had learned that news would travel fast in this town. "I have to go now. Once I know for certain we will let you know."<br/><br/>* * *<br/><br/>Phil Markovic had barely been able to keep his own breakfast down. But at least other people were getting to the scene. Bob had finally shown up, and he took charge of the two state troopers who had also appeared to help cordon off the crime scene. In the distance he thought he could make out the crime tech van.<br/><br/>He turned back to Betty, who he at first thought was going to have a complete panic attack. Turning to her also allowed him to look away from the torso-- he knew he'd have to look again sometime but not right away. And anyway there were real questions to ask.<br/><br/>"Betty," he said, none too calm himself. He had the presence of mind to pull her cigarette hand away from her hair; she was about to burn herself. "Did you see anyone else near the body?" he asked. "Anyone or anything at all?" She probably hadn't, but they had to check. Maybe the murderer wasn't far.