Page 16 of What She Saw

“That’s Laurie. She’s here for the festival. She’s a singer. Hey, Laurie, this is Sheriff Taggart.”

Laurie looked up and waved. “Hey!”

“She’s trying to make a few bucks before the bands take the stage.”

“A little extra dough never hurts.” As Laurie moved toward them, her gaze sparkled with an enticing youthful excitement.

Taggart nodded. “I’m sure the help is appreciated.”

“It is.” Patty picked up a box of supplies. “Grills are cool again, but we’ll fire them up in a couple of hours. We’ll hook you up with a burger.”

“Thanks.”

Her grin was infectious. “Do you always look worried?”

“I do.” He watched her explain to Laurie how to set up the station.

Taggart drew in a breath. He wanted to believe that it was all going to be fine. Shit, one of his ex-girlfriends had accused him of negativity enough damn times. But experience told him there were too many factors that said otherwise.

He strode back to his Crown Vic and slid behind the wheel. Angling out of the festival lot took a minute or two of maneuvering. An incoming truck inched through the entrance, forcing him to wait as it passed. When it was all clear, he drove down the road.

A half hour later, he was parking in his spot at the sheriff’s office. He unlocked the back entrance and closed the door behind him. His footsteps blended with the ringing of phones and conversations in the front reception area. In his office, he hung up his hat and flipped on his Toshiba computer. As the machine booted up and the screen flickered to life, Deputy Paxton appeared in his doorway.

“What do you need, Deputy?” Taggart asked.

“I’m going to run home for an hour or two. It’s going to be a long weekend, and I’d like to take a load off while I eat lunch.”

“Sure, go ahead. Where’s Sean?”

“Not feeling well. At home, but says he’ll be good to go by showtime.”

“I’ve got the desk covered. We need to be back at the festival site by four.”

“Will do.”

As Paxton turned, Taggart asked, “What do you know about Woodward Security?”

Paxton considered the name. “Never heard of them. You check the Yellow Pages?”

“Colton says they’re sending twenty security guards. I hoped to learn more about them other than their address and phone number.”

“All the festival planning was done after the old sheriff left and before you arrived. I wasn’t included in any meetings with the mayor and festival promoter, but I can call my buddies in Roanoke.”

“Do that.” It was too late to make any changes, but at least he’d know who he was dealing with.

“I’ll get right on it.”

“After you do, take that break. It’s going to be a long night.”

Chapter Six

Sloane

Saturday, August 16, 2025, 7:30 a.m.

I shoved my gun back in the glove box and slammed it closed, then turned the key in the ignition and headed into town. As I coasted down the mountain, the road felt more familiar. I stopped at the convenience store and filled my tank. Inside the store, I walked past the coffee to the soda fridge.

I paid for the gas and a ginger ale, then drove toward Dawson. I was two hours ahead of schedule. I’d never been a great sleeper, and it turned out total darkness and quiet didn’t help.