The Midnight Tree

the long version

"When Rufus County sheriff Aaron Blaine is found murdered in plainclothes in front of a courthouse outside his jurisdiction, investigative reporter Deedra Masefield tackles the most heartbreaking story of her life. Not only was he the man she wanted to marry, but he was a man with secrets worth killing for. The brutality of his execution and clues to the missing contents of his briefcase help explain his recent strange behavior. Determined not to let his death be in vain, Deedra picks up on grim clues Aaron left for her about the case, involving missing children and a secret meeting place called the Midnight Tree. When a twelve-year-old boy is found dead under the same tree, Deedra uncovers the terrible truth about what's really happening in this small, quiet town. All while a clever killer puts a dark plan in motion to make sure she never tells"--Publisher.