Caleb finally backed away. But he remained near the doorway, his arms crossed and his gaze distant. If she had to guess, he was running through a mental checklist—things to secure, people to notify, problems to solve.
He always looked like that when something went wrong.
“I need to get back outside,” he said after a moment, his voice low. “Just to give you a heads-up, the sheriff will want to talk to everyone staying in the house last night. You included.”
Millie lifted her eyes to his. “That’s fine.”
That update didn’t really surprise her.
“I know this is a lot,” Caleb continued. “But just answer his questions honestly. You don’t have anything to hide.”
She nodded, though her chest tightened at the words.
You don’t have anything to hide.
But was that really true?
She’d accessed Garrick’s calendar. She’d hidden in a closet when she heard someone coming. She’d kept quiet about the light in the woods because she’d been afraid of looking paranoid.
How much of that would matter now?
Caleb started toward the door, then paused, turning back. “If you need anything?—”
A knock interrupted him.
Sharp. Deliberate.
Caleb’s shoulders tensed before he crossed to the door and pulled it open.
The sheriff stood on the other side, his hat tucked under one arm, his expression carefully neutral.
Millie knew what was coming.
Questions.
And she knew she’d need to tell the truth.
chapter
twenty-seven
Caleb bracedhimself for what would come next.
“Caleb.” Sheriff Sutherland nodded once. “Mind if I come in? My deputies are still processing the scene outside.”
“Of course.” Caleb stepped aside, holding the door.
The sheriff entered, his gaze sweeping the kitchen. He nodded hello to Naomi before his attention landed on Millie. His expression softened slightly—not pity, exactly, but something close to it.
Compassion, maybe. Understanding.
Caleb had briefed him earlier about Millie’s situation. What she was running from. Why she was here.
The sheriff knew. And that knowledge showed in the careful way he approached her now.
“Ma’am.” He nodded. “I’m Sheriff Sutherland.”
“I’m Millie Anderson.” Her voice was steadier than Caleb expected.
