Will glances nervously at the sheriff. They didn’t discuss how to answer such a question.
Nate says, “You think that the sheriff wants something like that on the news? Sheryl was wounded, andtwo junkies kidnapped her nephew. It will make us look bad, and the department doesn’t need any more bad press.”
“I see. And what about Owen?”
Will grinds his teeth at how casually the man who ordered Owen murdered dares to ask about his condition.
“He’s resting at home,” Nate says. “I think you should let it go, sir. You dodged a bullet there.”
“Perhaps. You keep me updated if anyone starts connecting the dots.”
“Will do, sir.”
They hang up the call, and Nate returns the phone to the sheriff. “I did my part,” he says. “Can I leave?”
“Of course. On Saturday.”
“What the hell? We had a deal!”
“Don’t raise your voice at me, you son of a bitch. Did you forget that all our phone calls are being recorded?”
Nate’s mouth drops. “I… shit.”
“I want to take down Ray and his partners for their drug operation, but if I can’t get that, I’ll settle for kidnapping and attempted murder. You’ll stay right here until we get more evidence against those fuckers, and you’ll be quiet like a mouse, or I’ll come down on you harder than a hammer.”
Will wants to be out of there. Although the sheriff’s rage isn’t aimed at him, it reminds him of too many times when hewasthe subject of that rage, and howpowerless he felt to fight back.
“I’m done here.” He walks out of the holding area, then out of the station. He takes deep breaths, feeling lightheaded and so deeply tired. He worries he might collapse if he just closes his eyes.
“We need to talk about Friday’s event,” the sheriff says as he comes to stand beside him.
“Not now.”
“Okay, we have time. I prefer that you be the one updating Owen on what we discussed, since I won’t be welcome at Sheryl’s house for a while.”
Will nods, dreading that conversation but knowing he must face it. “I’ll do that. Let’s catch up tomorrow.”
He begins to walk to his truck when the sheriff says, “We need to talk about what Nate said. About… the truth of Joel’s death.”
Will stops but doesn’t turn around. No sort of conversation could erase the years of abuse he received from that man and his employees. “I’m not ready to have that conversation, Mitch. Maybe someday. Maybe never.”
Without waiting for a response, he enters his truck and drives away.
*
It’s almost evening by the time he parks in front of Sheryl’s house. He stopped by his place earlier to shower and to grab some clothes, since he’s not going to leaveOwen alone tonight, and it would be unfair to ask him to leave his aunt and stay at Will’s.
He knocks on the door, and Owen opens it after unlocking two different locks. He seems refreshed, wearing a dark sweater that is a bit too big on his lean frame. “You’ve been gone a long time.”
“I stopped by my house to grab some things.”
Owen moves to let him in. “Are you staying the night?”
“I’d rather not leave you alone if that’s okay. I can sleep on the couch.”
“Since it’s not big enough to fit both of us, you’ll be sleeping in my bed.”
“Your aunt might have other ideas.”
