Now that the pain meds were kicking in, she could admit she was glad she did. It justified her leaving, but at the time...
“I thought...he was going to kill me,” she told the officers, her voice weak and strained.
They asked more questions as they filled out the paperwork to press charges and file a restraining order.
After they left, Ms. Denton stepped close to Jessie’s bedside. “Do you have a safe place to go after you’re released from the hospital?”
“I need to borrow a phone to call my mom.”
The social worker pulled a cell phone from her bag. Jessie’s fingers trembled as she took the phone and attempted to punch in her mom’s number.
“Here, let me.” Ms. Denton took the phone and waited for Jessie to recite the number. As the call connected, she handed it back to Jessie. “I’ll wait outside.”
Jessie gave a grateful nod.
“Hello?” Her mom’s voice, soft and lilting, came through the phone.
“Mom—” Jessie’s voice broke, and then came the tears.
Chapter 2
Sheriff Robert Winters lifted his gaze from the budget report on his desk when Janice, the receptionist and dispatcher, stuck her head through his door. He welcomed the reprieve from the spreadsheet he’d been poring over for the past hour.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Department had more money than ever thanks to a generous, anonymous donation last year. He was responsible for ensuring the funds were spent wisely. He was up for re-election this year, and he didn’t want anything to hurt his chances of winning. Rumors were circulating that someone planned to run against him for Sheriff.
No paperwork had been filed yet, and the rumors had yet to supply a name, but Robert couldn’t afford to take any chances.
“You have avisitor,” Janice said, interrupting his thoughts.
The emphasis she placed on the last word meant not only did the visitor not have an appointment, but it was also someone he’d rather not see. In this close-knit community, there was only one person who met both requirements.
“Debbie Wheeler?” He leaned back in his chair and grimaced.
Janice gave a curt nod. “Bingo.”
Debbie always dropped in unannounced. Robert wanted to refuse to see the needy young widow but he didn’t want to get on her bad side—especially during an election year. Despite her flaws, Debbie did a lot of good in Providence with her money.
Her visits to his office were rarely police related. That’s why Widow Wheeler—as some people thought of her—was one of his least favorite people. Especially now that his cousin Ben and his brother Jake were both married.
Robert had always been straightforward in telling Debbie he wasn’t interested, but like a trained attack dog, she wouldn’t release until someone called her off. Unfortunately, there was no one to call Debbie off.
Stifling a groan, Robert rocked forward in his seat. “Send her in.”
“If she’s still here in ten minutes, shall I make sure you receive that important call you’ve been waiting for all day?” Janice winked.
“Please.”
Good manners brought him to his feet when Debbie entered his cramped office. He didn’t care for the woman, but his mother would box his ears if he didn’t show her respect.
“Debbie, what a surprise,” he said with only a tinge of sarcasm. He gestured to a chair opposite his desk. He knew from experience, if he didn’t keep the desk between them, Debbie would invade his personal space. “What can I do for you?”
Debbie sat and fluffed her red hair with a hand that sported three—or was it four?—flashy rings. “I’ve been thinking about the anonymous donations made in Providence last year.” She batted her eyelashes and licked her lips. “I’d like to make some similar contributions. I’d love your opinion on how my resources could benefit our town.”
Although the generous donations were given anonymously, it hadn’t taken the citizens of Providence long to figure out where the money had come from. Robert’s new sister-in-law, Emily, moved to town around the time the endowment was given. Both came on the heels of the sale of her father’s billion-dollar computer programming and software development company. A business deal that made national headlines.
“You give generously to the town already, Debbie. Everyone knows you funded the new community center, swimming pool, and city park.”
“That’s just it.” Debbie pouted and leaned forward in her chair, exposing her cleavage. “Everyone knows where and how I spend my money.”
