I took a deep breath. “I ran into Gavin Wickham.”
Everyone was silent for a moment before the remarks and questions came.
“Where?”
“Did you tell the police?”
“I can’t believe he would come back to Maple Ridge after what he did.”
I held up a hand and they quieted down.
“After I finished getting the float approved, I went to Charlotte’s cafe. He came in afterward.”
Jane’s fingers tightened briefly at my elbow. “And?”
“And he denied everything,” I said. “He pretended like I was the one who was confused about what had happened.”
Mom sat down heavily. “Of course he did.”
Kitty muttered something deeply uncharitable.
William rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Did you call the police?”
“I didn’t have to,” I said. “Ephram walked in.”
That caught their attention.
“He brought Gavin to the police station and questioned Wickham,” I revealed.
“And?” William pressed.
“And there wasn’t enough,” I said. “Gavin admitted to nothing and since there wasn’t a contract there is no documentation to prove what really happened. Gavin was let go.”
The silence that followed was thick and immediate.
“So he just walks away?” Kitty questioned in surprise.
“For now,” I said.
Mom shook her head, disbelief giving way to anger. “That can’t be right. He took money.”
“I know,” I said. “But not in a way that can be proven.”
Dad’s voice was quiet. “Did Ephram say the investigation was closed?”
“No,” I said quickly. “He said it wasn’t over. He still intends to follow up but he can’t arrest Gavin yet.”
Jane exhaled slowly, controlled but furious. “So Wickham gets to pretend none of this happened.”
“That’s how he wants it to look,” I said.
Lucy leaned forward. “And what did Ephram say? Exactly.”
I hesitated, choosing my words. “He said Gavin was very practiced with his responses. He thinks Gavin has done this to more people than us.”
Lucy looked between us all, her jaw tight. “I don’t like that nothing happened.”
“Neither do I,” I said. “But that doesn’t mean Ephram didn’t do his job.”
