“You’re assuming he was dead and in the barn when the chains were put on. Know something I don’t?”
Verna slammed the drawer closed and turned the key. She took a long time to lift her head and fire an angry glare at Mia. “I don’t like the tone of your voice, young lady. If you’ve got something to say, come right out and say it—or leave it alone.”
As much as Verna was acting all secretive and weird, Mia really didn’t think the woman was a murderer. A control freak, a pain in the rear, but not a murderer. But did she have something to do with the fire? Did she really have a way to steal the insurance money?
“By the way, I’m sorry to hear your daughter’s been sick,” Mia said, a lump in her throat from bringing up a sick daughter when she wanted to find out if Verna was stealing. How low was that?
Verna’s expression softened for a moment. “Yeah.”
“Is she doing better now?”
“Yeah,” she said.
“I know Uncle Wally let you leave work when needed and still be paid for the time off.”
“And?” Her chin went up higher.
“And if you still need time off to look after her, it’s fine with me.”
“Glad to hear that.” Her chin dropped, and her scowl disappeared, but she still fixed a stern look on Mia. “I’ve given a good chunk of my working life to this place, and it’s good to be appreciated this way.”
Mia didn’t know what else to say except to come right out and ask if she was stealing, and Mia just couldn’t do that. Best to leave that to Russ and end the conversation. “I know you’re busy. I’ll take the paperwork and go.”
Verna thrust the folder at Mia then turned her back to resume shredding.
Okay, fine. Mia might’ve said she was done, but she couldn’t walk out without one more question. “What are you shredding anyway?”
“Old records we don’t need anymore,” she said without turning back. “Figured you’d want this place shipshape when you took over.”
Mia questioned the truth of Verna’s answer but couldn’t argue with it. Not at all. She tugged on Bandit’s leash and stepped outside. A chill settled in. Not from the temperature dropping, but from the vulnerability of being out in the open. She turned and found Ryan leaning against the building.
“Are you okay?” He pushed off the wall and searched her high and low as if looking for injury.
She appreciated his concern, but… “I know you have this innate protector thing that makes you want to make sure I’m safe all the time, but sometimes it feels like you’re stalking me.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just something I have to do. Like breathing.” Concern reverberated through his words.
She understood that guilt over losing his fiancée motivated him. She’d rather he could let it go for his own sake, but she couldn’t fault him for not dealing with it. Not when she carried so much trauma around from her childhood. She might not be mad at him, but she wouldn’t let him pull her into a deep conversation like at the lodge. She would keep things light.
“As stalkers go, you’re bearable.” She grinned at him.
A broad smile crept across his face, and his shoulders lifted. “Let’s get this little guy settled in his crate so we’re not late for dinner.”
She tugged on Bandit’s leash to urge him in the right direction. Ryan fell into step beside her. A ruffling noise sounded ahead on the path. Bandit shot off, dragging Mia behind.
She jogged with him until he reached the porch and paused at the bottom step.
“Wonder what spooked him?” Ryan let his gaze rove over the area.
“Probably some animal.”
“Or not.” He stopped and let his eyes connect with hers. “In the future, I don’t want you out here alone. Especially not at night.”
She wanted to argue but she climbed the steps and the bullet holes in the door came into view. She needed to give Ryan’s wishes some serious consideration.
Starting with if she would be fine or if the person behind the threats would strike again. Not with a warning the next time, but with a deadly attack.
20
