He waved a hand. “No worries. I’m sure this will be wrapped up before you know it.”
“Thank you for your help.” She kneaded her shoulders and rolled her head. “All of this is giving me a fierce headache.”
He’d been in this situation with her before. On the last day of Fowler’s trial. Ah, yes, that day. He smiled over the memory. Surprising amidst all this pain. Had his life really ever been so filled with the innocence of his younger days? Before he’d seen so many examples in his job of all that was wrong with mankind. Before he’d let down a woman he cared about. Before the loss of Diane.
He couldn’t even fathom it, and his good mood evaporated. He looked away before transmitting the change to Megan. His brother, Russ, dressed in his official khaki uniform, rounded the corner and charged their way like an approaching storm.
Good.Russ’s usual impatience and no-nonsense personality would keep Reid’s thoughts right where they needed to be. On Fowler.
Reid nodded a greeting and waited for his brother to arrive.
“Hey, bro.” Russ clapped Reid on the shoulder and gave Megan a quick once-over in a thorough appraisal only law enforcement officers made. “This Megan?”
Reid nodded and faced her. “My brother, Russ. He’s the sheriff of Emerson County, about an hour from here where Jessie and I live.”
“So you need my help,” Russ said.
Megan took a step back and looked between Russ and Reid. “I don’t know what you’re doing here.”
Russ rubbed his neck and stared at Reid. “Thought this was all arranged.”
Reid returned the stare. “I didn’t think you’d get here this fast, and I haven’t had a chance to tell her yet.”
“Tell me what?” Megan set her jaw.
“I asked Russ to stand guard outside Ella’s door so I can take you to get her bear.”
Megan blinked at Russ. “You drove all this way just so I could get Boo-Boo?”
“I know. Crazy, right?” Russ rolled his eyes.
Reid punched his brother in the arm, and a sheepish expression crept onto his face. “I owe Reid a few favors.”
“Whatever the reason, thank you.” A warm smile lit her face like a ray of sunshine that often glowed over Shadow Lake.
Reid drew in a breath and didn’t want to turn away, but he also didn’t want to give his nosy brother the wrong impression.
“Fill me in on this Fowler guy so if he shows up I can protect Ella,” Russ said.
And just like that, all warmth disappeared from Megan’s face and fear for her child’s and maybe her own life took over, drawing down her mouth.
Reid grabbed his phone and located a photo from a news story on the bank robbery for his brother. “Texting you Fowler’s picture. Can you also check DMV and confirm he owns a white pickup?”
Russ nodded. “I’ll do it while you’re getting that bear. I can also contact Chief Gleason if you want. Ask him to open an investigation. Don’t know if he will, but he might.”
“You think he’ll help?” Megan asked.
Russ shrugged. “Depends on how happy he is with his officer’s actions.”
Megan kept her attention on Russ. “Would you have handled things like the officer did when you were on patrol?”
“No,” Russ said. “But in those days we didn’t have the extreme staff shortages that exist today, and we could take more time at a call. Still, I would’ve flagged it for my sergeant. At the very least, he would want to know there could be a dangerous criminal in the area. And he could contact the probation officer to make him aware of the potential problem in hopes that they would make a follow-up call to Fowler. But again, they’re overworked too and might not act at all with the limited information we have.”
“Still, call the chief.” Reid’s phone rang, and he checked caller ID. Jack. Perfect. If he had good news it might erase Megan’s fearful expression.
“Excuse me a minute.” He stepped out of earshot. He couldn’t see Jessie any longer, but he had to risk it. “Please tell me you have something positive for me.”
“Afraid not,” Jack answered. “I’m emailing you Fowler’s judgment order. I took a quick glance at it, and he’s not violating his order by being there. Still, I assume his probation officer could be interested to know he’s in your neck of the woods. I could report it for you, but you have no proof he’s there, so it’ll probably go nowhere. Still, if he shows his face again…”
