Jessie wouldn’t feel right about dating Robert while she was still married to another man. Without Patrick’s cooperation, the process of getting a divorce was slow.
Robert’s smile had turned stiff before she’d answered him. “I’d love to go for a ride in the carriage with you.” She smiled to soften the rest of her response. “But I don’t think this is the right time.”
His face fell. “You’re right. I guess I keep forgetting that you’re still married.”
Jessie wished she could forget.
Patrick was always in the back of her mind. And until she was truly free of him, she couldn’t pursue a relationship with Robert.
* * *
Robert slumpedinto his office chair and let out a lengthy sigh. He’d just spent the last hour in the small conference room talking to Detective Harris, where he’d recounted the entire incident with Pendleton. He’d left nothing out—from the other man’s vile language to every punch, including nearly blacking out after being struck by the ax, to Pendleton’s threat that if he couldn’t have Jessie, no one would.
“He sounds like a real piece of work,” Harrison said.
“He is.” Robert was glad the detective seemed like an honest man who simply wanted to sort out this complaint.
“Do you think he’d actually kill her, given the chance?”
“Yes,” Robert said without hesitation. “The look I saw in his eyes that night...I’ve only ever seen that on one other man. A professional hit man.” Robert hadn’t planned on sharing this next part, but if it helped the detective understand the seriousness of the situation, he shouldn’t keep it to himself. “When I found Jess—uh Mrs. Pendleton, she was curled in a fetal position, crying, ‘Please, don’t hurt me anymore’.”
The detective’s jaw clenched. “It’s a good thing Pendleton is behind bars, then.”
“He was.”
“You’re kidding me. He made bail after being charged with aggravated assault?” Harris shook his head in disbelief.
“Half-a-million-dollar bail. He was out within a week.” It still chafed Robert that Pendleton had made bail at all. “And we’ve spotted him around town a few times since.”
Robert hadn’t told Jessie that Brady had seen Pendleton walking out of Knight’s Grocery store last week. He didn’t want to worry her, but it irritated Robert that they couldn’t touch Pendleton. That hadn’t stopped Brady from following Pendleton for the rest of the evening, though.
“He sounds determined,” Harrison said. “I don’t envy you, sheriff. I hope Mrs. Pendleton is somewhere safe.”
“As safe as can be.”
I hope.They’d done everything they could to keep Jessie safe, but it still didn’t feel like enough. He’d never forgive himself if something happened to Jessie, Emily, or Lottie.
Needing a distraction, he opened his laptop. He couldn’t think of a single thing he needed to do right now, but he needed to find something to occupy his mind.
As he’d feared, Harris had requested to speak individually with each of the deputies. He wasn’t afraid the deputies would slander him, but he worried Harris might find out he and Jessie used to be a couple. Because that might make it look like Robert had a motive to use excessive force on Pendleton.
Brady filled his doorway.
“You finished already?” Robert asked. “That didn’t take long.”
Brady sat in the chair opposite of Robert and shrugged. “He just wanted to know what kind of man you are in your personal and professional life. He asked if I had any idea why Pendleton would feel the need to file a federal suit against you for police brutality.”
Robert’s heart stalled. “What did you tell him?”
“Said I’d never met the man, but he seems to be a classic textbook narcissist displaying characteristics of entitlement, authoritarianism, and aggressive behaviors.”
Robert laughed. Brady always liked to use big words to confuse people, despite being one of the biggest rednecks Robert knew.
“So, you didn’t tell him Jessie and I...used to be a couple?”
“Should I have? You told me yourself that was a long time ago. You said you’d do your job, just like anybody else. And you are.” Brady looked Robert in the eye. “I don’t care if you’re sleeping with her...” He raised his hand to cut off Robert’s protest. “Of course I know you’re not sleeping with her. You’re not that kind of man. But my point is, no matter what happened between you and Jessie in the past, or may happen in the future, it doesn’t excuse Pendleton’s behavior. You’re an excellent sheriff who does things by the book, and Pendleton is just trying to avoid taking responsibility for his actions. That’s what I told the detective.” He waved his hand in the air. “Just the last part about doing things by the book, not the sleeping with Jessie part.”
“Thanks, man.” Robert picked up the weighted stress ball from his desk and threw it at Brady’s face.
