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Eric stood in the reception areaoutside Mayor Jennings’s office. Before heading out for the night, the mayor’s secretary had told him Jennings was in a meeting and offered him a seat, but he preferred to stand. The meeting must be going over. Eric’s appointment was supposed to start five minutes ago, but the mayor was a busy man. He was just thankful he’d agreed to fit him in today.

A buzzing alerted him to an incoming call on his personal cell. He didn’t recognize the number, but it had a local area code, so he answered.

“Thornton.”

“Eric? It’s Allye J-Jessup. I just saw the guy who attacked me last night.”

He gripped his phone tighter. “Where are you? Did he see you?”

“No—at least, I don’t think so. I was taking photos at Kincaid Lake, but I’m almost to town now.”

“Tell me what happened.”

Tucking his phone between his shoulder and his ear, he withdrew his notebook and took down the details she gave him about what she’d overheard.

“So you didn’t actually see him?” he asked when she paused for a breath.

“Just his boots. But Iknowit was him. I recognized his voice.”

“Okay. Were they still there when you left?”

“I don’t know. I was afraid for them to see me, so I waited for them to leave the area before I returned to my car. And then I didn’t have signal, so I had to drive a couple miles before calling.”

So they were probably long gone or would be before someone could get out there. Unfortunate. “I’m about to conduct an interview. As soon as I’m finished, I’ll head over there and check out the area. Where exactly did everything happen?”

Keeping an eye on the mayor’s still-closed door, he jotted down the directions she gave him, then asked some clarifying questions. A few times during her responses, she paused awkwardly as if searching for the right word, but he didn’t comment on it.

He scanned his notes. “I think I have what I need for now. Where are you headed?”

“I hadn’t planned that far ahead. I was just trying to get out of there and get signal.” Although calmer than when she’d first called, she still seemed rattled. Understandable.

“Do me a favor. Go home. Lock your doors. Get some rest. You’ve dealt with a lot today.”

“You’ll check things out?”

“I will.”

Her relieved sigh came clearly across the line. “Okay.”

He raised his brows at her quick agreement. “Okay? Really?”

“I trust you. Good-bye, Eric. And thanks.” The line clicked softly in his ear before he had the chance to respond.

He lowered the phone but balanced it in his hand for a moment. He wasn’t sure if that had been a hint of humor pushing through the exhaustion in Allye’s voice, but her words warmed him. The feeling quickly faded. Whether she was right about her attacker or not, the conversation she’d just overheard clearly related to a drug deal.

Good news if he could use the information for a bust—which he doubted, based on the lack of many useful details. Very, verybad news if the men involved realized Allye had overheard and was a potential witness. And how had she gotten his number? Surely the station wouldn’t have given it out. Maybe from Bryce? That was probably it.

He clicked his pen a few times before sliding everything back into their respective pockets. Like he’d told Allye, he’d head to the park after he was finished here. If the mayor ever got out of his current meeting.

The mission statement mounted in large print on the opposite wall caught his eye. He’d already read it twice, but the first lines drew his attention again:To serve the citizens of Kincaid with excellence and integrity. To encourage job-creation and improve the average standard of living.

Allye’s report of the comment referencing the police force nagged at him. There was obviously another accomplice. Someone with connections? A dirty cop? Surely not.

The door to the office finally opened and local reporter Thomas Marshall stepped into the reception area, followed by Councilman Wesley Nieland.

“Eric! Or should I say Detective Thornton?” Wesley offered his hand as the reporter gave a quick wave and scurried outside. “Good to see you.”

“Councilman.” Eric returned the titled greeting and handshake with a smile.