But she knew one thing for certain. Whatever may have started between her and Tyler in those few hours on the mountain, it was over before it had really begun.
It had to be.
For her own safety and sanity, she needed to walk away and never look back.
Even if part of her desperately wanted to understand the truth behind those green, haunted eyes.
Chapter 8
Tyler
Despite the grisly discovery the day before, Monday morning at the auto shop began like any other. Tyler had his head under the hood of a pickup truck, running diagnostics on a stubborn engine light, when he heard the bell over the front door chime.
He didn’t think much of it. Sue worked in the office most days and handled the customer interactions while Tyler, Robert, and the two part-timers focused on the actual repair work. Robert had another car on the lift and was checking the undercarriage.
Sue appeared between the cars. “Um, hey, guys, can you come up front for a minute?”
Something in her tone made Tyler straighten immediately and reach for a shop rag.
“What is it, hon?” Robert asked, not looking away from his work.
Sue looked toward the front. Tyler followed her gaze. Through the glass partition, he could see two figures.
Edi and Adam stood in the small waiting area, both in full uniform.
“The police,” she whispered. “They’re here.”
Robert sighed. “Why?”
“Follow up. They want to talk to all three of us.”
“Tell them I’m busy.”
“Robert. Please.”
“Fine.” Robert grabbed his own shop rag as he shook his head. “Can’t even let honest folks make a living.”
Somehow, Tyler knew the remark was meant for him, and it brought a smile to his face.
When he returned to Irma, there was no need to tell old man Morgan about his past. Stan Morgan already knew, just like everyone else in town. To Tyler’s shock, Morgan offered him a job minutes after he walked in the door.
When Robert bought the business, Tyler wasn’t sure he’d be kept on. Still, he knew that if he didn’t come clean from the start, it could cause trouble later. Talking about the fire and the loss of his family was hard enough. Admitting there had been accusations was harder.
Robert had only asked, “Did you do it?”
Tyler told him he hadn’t.
“Good enough,” Robert had said. “Let’s get back to work.”
And they had. No further discussion, no questions. Tyler wasn’t naive enough to think Robert hadn’t done an online search, and no doubt he told Sue, as a husband should when everyone had to work together. But she never said anything, and yesterday she seemed almost sad for him.
“Deputies,” Robert said, his voice neutral. “What can I do for you?”
“Just following up on yesterday.” Edi’s tone was professional but not hostile. “We have a few more questions.” She met Tyler’s eyes and gave him a small smile. “Hey, Tyler. Looks like you were hard at work. You have a smudge on your chin.”
He angled his sleeve to wipe at it. “Comes with the territory.”
“I suppose it does,” she agreed.
