“Did you have any valuables in your truck?”
Stomach sinking, I slump a bit before I force my spine straight. “Actually, I have a big performance coming up this weekend. My clothing, special items that were all custom made for the event, were in the back seat.”
“I’m aware of the Valentine’s day show,” he says, scrubbing a hand over his beard.
Diesel makes a sound a lot like a growl. “Privacy concerns related to that line of questioning.”
“Right. Well… when did you last have your truck serviced?”
“About a month ago, an oil change.”
Diesel adds, “It’s a new truck. Purchased five months ago.”
A shiver crawls up my spine. How does he know that?
“Was anyone following you today?”
I’m quick to reply, “Not that I know of, but Mr. Drake arrived soon after the fire started.”
His gaze flicks to Diesel and he sets his pen next to thenotepad that’s got one line of text written on it.Truck fire, unknown cause.
“And how long have you been working with Ms. Smith?” the sheriff asks Diesel.
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
Okay if that’s not another red flag, I don’t know what is.
“Understood.”
No. Not understood. I don’t understand anything. But with these two, I can tell I’m stuck in nowhere-ville.
Sadly, I realize at this moment that with Diesel standing behind me, I won’t be able to pass a note that I’m being… kidnapped? Bossed?
Whatever this is, it is going to be impossible to tell the law officer unless I just blurt it out.
I get a weird tickle in my sixth sense with this thought, a warning. Like I would be causing trouble I can’t handle.
And that’s saying a lot. When you ride horses, you handle trouble. But Diesel’s not nearly as predictable.
Like why is he leaning over me right now?
His closer proximity makes my nerves fray like dry rotted rope.
A bear-sized hand comes to rest on my shoulder.
“Have anything else to add, Ms.Smith?” he rumbles close enough to have his breath wash over the crown of my head.
The squeeze he gives me isn’t hard but it’s a warning, clear as day.
I try to dislodge the burrs in my throat but can’t seem to with him touching me.
“That’s really all I know about the fire. After that, Mr. Drake here showed up, claiming he saved the day by keeping me from getting blown up. Then you arrived on the scene.”
The sheriff is staring right at me in the most unnerving way when he says, “You’ve got the best protection money can buy, ma’am.”
I go very still, and hear myself ask, “Excuse me? I didn’t buy any protection.”
Diesel squeezes again, but this time his other hand wraps around my elbow, tugging me to my feet. “We’ll be going now, Sheriff Baker. I’m sure you understand why I need to keep this stop brief.”
