“Did you know that Sheriff Hudson had come to Silver Falls?”
“No,” I answered honestly.“I had no idea he had come here until officers showed up at my boyfriend’s cabin to tell me they had found Dale’s body and car in the river.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little suspicious that his body was foundhereand not in Coyote Creek, where you left him?”
“Not at all.Dale knew about Patrick and knew that he was my ex-boyfriend who lived in Silver Falls.I’m sure he figured that was where I headed when I left.It wasn’t a secret that I wanted out of our marriage, as I had asked for a divorce several times.I may not have ever admitted it out loud, but I’m sure Dale knew that I was still in love with Patrick.”
“If you were in love with someone else, why did you get married in Vegas?”
“I was drunk and stupid.I instantly regretted it the next day.But Dale was set on staying married, despite the fact that we weren't in love with each other.As you’ve already heard, there was a plan from the start with him and Paco, long before Dale and I ever got married.While it felt like a drunken, stupid mistake to me, it had been a calculated decision on Dale’s end.Come to think of it, it explains why he insisted on buying so many rounds that night.He wanted to make sure I was inebriated so I couldn’t say no to getting married.”
The agent jotted more notes down as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.I was exhausted and starving, just wanting to go home and get out of there.He opened his mouth to speak, but Keith held up a hand and stopped him.
“I think that’s enough for today,” he said, pinning the guy with a look.“She isn’t leaving town, so if you’d like to interview her further, you can set up a time at the office and do it then.She’s been more than accommodating as it is.”
The FBI agent nodded, then stood up and walked off with the other agent, leaving me alone with Keith.
“Thank you for that,” I said softly.“My head feels like it’s going to explode, so I don’t think I could handle much more right now.”
“Totally understandable.How about I take you home so you can get some rest?”
“That sounds wonderful.Thank you.”
I accepted his hand as I stood up, hating how weak I continued to feel.While I desperately wanted to see Patrick, at this point, I just wanted to find a warm spot and sleep for a few days.
Thirty-Eight
Patrick
The second I hearda car door closing, I flung open the door and raced out of the inn, rushing to Poppy’s side as she climbed out of the SUV.My eyes quickly scanned her face as I held my hand out to help her.She smiled softly at me, and I hated how weak she looked.What the fuck happened to her?
Keith climbed out and walked around the front of the SUV, giving me a nod as I held Poppy tucked into my side with my arm wrapped protectively around her.While I was thankful that he got her out safely, I was still seething that he’d made me sit on the sidelines, not knowing what was happening.
“Hey, baby,” I said softly to Poppy.“Are you okay?”
She nodded and looked up at me with tears in her eyes.
