He pulled the sheet back up and returned to the deputies. “Any word on cause of death?”
Jarrad cleared his throat. “He had a cut on the back of his head, probably from passing out and falling down. Most likely something to do with his drinking. I’ll follow up with the coroner.”
“There was a bottle beside his head that was smashed, probably happened when he fell,” Paxley added, voice low.
Eastern shifted his attention to the broken glass, which had been taped off.
Jarrad followed his gaze. “I’ve already contacted the coroner. He said he’d do a rush on the autopsy report.”
“Good.” Eastern shot a look over his shoulder to see Scott still standing too fucking close to Sadie. “Did Sadie call it in?”
Paxley shook her head. “Scott Chase. Said he and Sadie were walking to her car when they saw the body across the road.”
A muscle ticked in Eastern’s cheek. He should probably be grateful Sadie hadn’t found Denny’s body alone, but he also had questions. Like why the hell Scott was with her at all.
“I’m gonna get her home.” He turned back to his deputies. “You got everything handled here?”
Paxley dipped her head. “Yeah, we’ve got it covered. Go.”
“We’ll let you know if we hear from the coroner,” Jarrad said.
Eastern headed back to Sadie.
“Come on, I’ll drive you home.”
Even though Scott’s words were low, Eastern heard them just fine. “She’s coming with me.”
Scott scowled, a glimmer of anger in his eyes. “Don’t you need to stay here and, I don’t know, do your job?”
“That’s not your concern.” He slipped an arm around Sadie’s waist and tugged her into him.
Scott stepped forward. “Hey—”
“Scott.” Sadie’s voice was low but firm. “Go home. ToAtlanta. I appreciate you staying with me until everyone got here, but your life isn’t in Misty Peak. This is the last time I’m going to say this—we’re over.”
Before Scott could respond, she turned toward Eastern and let him walk her to the car. They were halfway there when she suddenly stopped, eyes widening. “Oh God, Avery. I-I completely forgot. Tilly’s probably wondering what’s going on! I didn’t even text her to let her know—”
“Sadie…breathe.” When she just looked at him, he inched closer. “My officers called me and told me you were here. Kayden went to my house to help Tilly and let her know what was going on. Avery’s being fed and bathed. She might even be in bed by now.”
The air rushed from Sadie’s chest. “Good. I wasn’t thinking. I should have called you.”
He wished she’d called him too. He’d called her the second he’d gotten off the phone with Paxley but she hadn’t answered, so he’d raced here, praying she was okay.
“You were in shock.” She was probablystillin shock.
A hint of tears coated her eyes. “He was dead. I’ve never seen…”
“I know, honey. I’m sorry.”
She sucked in a deep breath. “You knew him.”
He nodded. “I did.”
“Are you okay?”
“No. And I won’t be until I learn his cause of death.” The man had died in Eastern’s jurisdiction, and he needed to know this wasn’t a crime scene. That his community was safe.
She leaned into his chest, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m sorry.”
