Meredith’s stomach dropped.He must have searched her backpack.“That’s not mine.”
“Did you steal it?”
“No.”
“What about that truck?”
“What about it?”
“It’s registered to Victor Chisolm.”
“I just bought it.The pink slip is in the glove compartment.”
“We’ll take your prints and photo when we run you through the system.It will save time if you cooperate now.”
Meredith fell silent.She wasn’t interested in saving them time, but she was worried about her sister in Oklahoma.She hadn’t even made it halfway to the border.She needed to expedite this unfortunate detour, and she needed help.
She needed Wade.
“I work for Wynona,” she said finally.“And I know the sheriff’s son.I know Wade.”
Deputy Slate gave her a closer study.His gaze traveled from her wet, bedraggled hair to her muddy boots.“How do you know Wade?”
“We both live at his mother’s ranch in Lost Lake.If you call him, he’ll clear this up.”
Meredith held her breath as Slate considered his new information.She hoped to avoid the arrest process and be released, but she was taking a risk.Wade didn’t get along with his father.Mentioning his name might not have the impact she anticipated.
Slate pushed away from his desk, ID in hand, and disappeared from sight.
*
Wade paced thedriveway in anxious strides.
Daisy brought the tennis ball, eager to help him relieve tension.He tossed the ball high into the sky.Wynona joined him after a few moments.She’d put on a pair of jeans and a concert tee from a 1980s metal band.Something had changed between them, like a wind shifting directions.
“I’m sorry I hit you yesterday,” she said.
Wade shrugged, as if it hadn’t bothered him.“I’m sorry for saying Billy followed your footsteps.”
“He had a drinking problem.”
“Yes.”
“Then you weren’t wrong.”
“He was a criminal.That wasn’t your fault.”
She wrapped her arms around her middle, seeming unconvinced.“Why did Eric take you off the case?”
Wade tossed the ball again.“He didn’t care for my methodology.”
“What did you do?”
“I requested a forensic sketch without informing him, and I let Meredith help me with research.Those were the reasons he gave, anyway.”
“You think he has other reasons?”
“Maybe,” Wade said.“How long have you known him?”
