Page 70 of The Deputy's Secret Double

Sheriff Weaver tilted his head a little. He’d been rumored to be a quiet, loner of a man until he had met his now-wife, just as he was also rumored to be a no-nonsense man when it came to his job. JJ could see that no-nonsense man coming through now. He spoke right to the point.

“My people don’t talk idly. I don’t either. That said, I don’t think a person in this town could promise that your name won’t come up one way or the other.”

JJ sighed again.

“But we can slow talk down, at least,” she said. “It could give me time to…adjust.”

Price took a step closer to JJ so that he was facing the sheriff more directly at her side.

“I’ve already talked to everyone who saw her. They said they won’t say anything.”

JJ cast a quick look at Price.

How long had they been separated that he had that time?

He had been with her when the EMT had bandaged her arm. He had been with her when Detective Williams and Deputy Little had shown up. He had been with her when they had found the man she’d fought.

When had he left her side?

She had seen how tightly he’d hugged Winnie when they made it to the department. How all of him had dragged down in relief that she was really okay.

Was she missing time in between?

JJ didn’t ask. The sheriff looked between them. She couldn’t read his expression.

Was she even trying to?

JJ’s phone sat on the table between them.

She didn’t want to use it; she knew she would.

“I know someone who might be able to find out who that man is,” she went on. “But before I do, I have to warn you that he’s a source I need to protect. I wouldlikefor my name to stay out of all of this, but Ineedhis to stay absolutely clear of it. Will that be okay?”

She added the last part to feel more polite but, the truth was, even she heard the lack of wiggle room in what she phrased as a request.

Sheriff Weaver didn’t kick up a fuss.

“I’ll respect your terms as long as it doesn’t run the risk of harming anyone. Yourself included.”

That wasn’t a quick no.

That wasn’t a permanent yes.

JJ had little room to ask for more.

“Let me make the call and then I’ll tell you everything,” she added. “I’ll be right back.”

The sheriff okayed the move. JJ wasn’t sure what she would have done had he not. She felt like the world definitely wasn’t slowing down as her feet led her to the only room in the department that she thought would keep her shielded from the growing anxiety in her chest.

The ladies’ room had two stalls inside, and both were empty. JJ felt a tinge of disappointment. She didn’t have to pretend to be okay for a little longer. She didn’t have to play her role as calm and mysterious.

She didn’t have to pretend that she wasn’t spiraling.

Instead, she was faced with her reflection.

The bandage along her arm was long. She had been lucky to only get the long cut. Lucky that it hadn’t needed stitches. Her shirt was ruined, stained beyond saving, but it was her phone that pulled at her attention like a beacon in the darkness.

She went to her contacts, but couldn’t go past the first name on the list.