Page 15 of Search for the Truth

Price was silent but was obviously not a fan of the story either.

“It’s up to you if you want to press charges, but just know he’s already talked about reaching out to a lawyer,” the sheriff said. “Plus, you did chase him into the woods. Even if you were only following him to talk.”

Blake already knew she looked like the instigator in the situation. Still, it made her snarl.

The sheriff didn’t directly address the less-than-professional noise. Then again, it wasn’t like she was at work here. She was just a citizen now.

“I’ll leave then,” she said, standing. “I assume talking to him beforehand would be discouraged.”

“Strongly so,” Weaver agreed. “Unless you want to keep dealing with him and his lawyer too.”

Blake didn’t want that. Plus, she needed to get home. Lola was already a saint for sacrificing her retirement to help Blake and the kids. She didn’t need to add a new stressor to their already chaotic lives.

“I think this morning was enough of a detour for us.”

The sheriff nodded.

“Good choice.”

A moment of silence bubbled up between them. Sheriff Weaver wasn’t the least talkative man she had met, but with his size and demeanor, that quiet had its own presence. One that made her feel a bit squirmy.

“Can I go now, or do I need to do anything else?” she asked, trying to move away from yet another uncomfortable feeling.

He nodded to Price.

“Price can drop you off at your house whenever you’re ready. We’ll let Mr. Reed go after you’ve already left.” He took something from his pocket and handed it over.

It was his business card.

Liam Weaver, Sheriff

“You can call the department or me directly if there’s any more trouble with him. It would be faster to call the department though.”

Blake nodded. She didn’t have her purse or a pocket to put it in, so she held it against the side of her dress. She suddenly felt a wave of vulnerability in wearing it. Or, really, wearing it without some kind of badge out in front.

Her eyes flitted to the sheriff’s star. She averted her gaze right after.

“Hopefully I won’t have to use it,” she said. “But thanks.”

The sheriff didn’t hesitate.

“Hopefully not.” He walked to the door and opened it wide. A deputy was walking by. The sheriff caught his attention. “Make sure Mr. Reed doesn’t leave until Miss Bennet here is gone. I don’t want him starting anything in the parking lot.”

Blake spied the deputy’s name tag: Mel Gavin.

He looked familiar, but the name wasn’t landing.

That was okay though. She had no intention of making friends at the moment. Even reconnecting with Price wasn’t going to go past their shared ride.

It couldn’t.

Blake had enough to deal with. Enough to juggle. Enough to worry about.

She smiled up at the sheriff, thanked him again, and started to walk on by.

His eyes followed her every step of the way.

Maybe if things had been different, Blake would have said something more. Done something more.