Deputy Miller, a young man who looked like he was barely out of high school, stepped out, crunching through the snow.

“Sheriff Sterling,” Miller nodded respectfully. “Road crews said you flagged ’em down. You okay?”

“I’m fine, Miller. But I’ve got a boy in here. Found him on my porch last night. Nearly frozen to death.”

Miller’s face went pale. “A boy? About six years old? Brown hair?”

“That’s him.”

Miller took off his hat, running a hand through his hair. “Christ. We found the car about two miles east of here, down in the ravine. Looks like it skidded off the embankment.”

“The driver?” Arthur asked, though he already knew.

“Female. mid-thirties. Deceased on impact. No ID, but the car is registered to a Sarah Vance.” Miller sighed, shaking his head. “We found empty pill bottles in the footwell. Looks like another junkie mom lost control on the ice.”