Dan cupped Terry's face between his hands. "No buts, baby. Hiding isn't the answer. It makes you look guilty even if you aren't. You need to face this head-on. Hold your head up high."
"How can I?" Terry asked. "It's not like I'm being accused of shoplifting a candy bar here. Someone is accusing me of sexually harassing them."
"You know you didn't do this, Terry. I know you didn't do this, and I'd bet most of the town knows you didn't do this. Whoever is after you expects you to tuck tail and hide. Don't, because that's letting this asshole win."
"So, what am I supposed to do then?"
"Live your life and—"
"How?" Terry sounded like he had no clue.
"Well, by not kicking me to the curb for one."
The corners of Terry's mouth twitched. "I don't think you'd let me even if I wanted to."
Dan smirked. "I won't." He might not have a lot of time invested in Terry, but he damn sure had the emotion and desire for more. "I'll fight you every step of the way."
Terry sighed as he leaned into Dan again, only this time he wasn't so stiff. "I just can't believe someone would accuse me of something so horrible. I'd never do something like this."
"So, if you didn't do this, then why would someone say you did?"
"I don't know."
"Any ideas who it might be?" Dan had no issues with using his position in the DEA to dig a little deeper if he needed to.
"No, that's just it. I can't think of anyone who would accuse me of something like this."
Well, that wasn't helpful.
Dan gave Terry a tight squeeze. "We'll figure it out, baby. I promise."
"I hope you're right." Terry lifted his head. "Someone is supposed to be by to get my statement later today."
"Do you want me there?" He could take the day off. He had no problem with that. If Terry needed him, he was so there.
"Oh, you don't have to do that. I know you have to work."
That wasn't a no.
"Let me call my boss." Dan pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed his supervisor. "Hey, Mike, I need to take today off. Something has come up at home I need to deal with."
"Is everything okay?" Supervisory Agent Mike Ryan asked. "You're not moving again, are you?"
"No, no." Dan glanced at Terry. "I think I'm here to stay."
"Okay, good."
"I just need the day off. I have some stuff to deal with."
"Anything I can help with?"
"Maybe," Dan replied. "I'll let you know."
"Okay, give me a call if you need me."
Once Mike hung up, Dan slid his phone back into his pocket then grinned at Terry. "See, no problem. Now I can be here with you."
"Are you sure you won't get into trouble?"
