“He’s really got it bad for you,” Gina added.
“And he really thinks Tyler’s guilty,” Nick observed.
Brooke shook her head but stayed quiet. What made Adam so sure Tyler was guilty? Did he know more than he was saying? Of course, he probably did. He certainly wouldn’t tell her about all the evidence he had in an active investigation.
They drove to the small diner on the edge of town and slid into a booth in the back. They ordered sodas and a couple of appetizers to share.
“Talk to us,” Gina said once they were alone. “What are you thinking?”
Brooke traced patterns in the condensation on her water glass. “Adam’s a good guy, right? A good deputy?”
“Seems like it,” Nick said carefully.
“He truly believes Tyler’s guilty. He’s not lying to me or trying to manipulate me. He really thinks he’s protecting me from a dangerous man.”
“But?” Gina prompted.
“But that comment to Joe bothered me. ‘Once I’ve nailed him.’ Like it’s already decided. Like the investigation is just a formality.”
“He’s confident,” Joe said. “Law enforcement types often are.”
“Or he’s more interested in being right than finding the truth,” Brooke countered.
“That’s a serious accusation,” Nick pointed out.
“I know.” Brooke took a sip of her water. “And maybe I’m wrong. Maybe Adam is exactly what he seems—a good cop trying to protect the community. But something about tonight felt off.”
“What are you going to do?” Gina asked quietly.
Brooke’s thoughts drifted to her brother. Phil had always been blunt, sometimes to the point of rudeness, honest even when it hurt, and utterly incapable of lying convincingly.
Phil wouldn’t defend someone without reason. He’d known Tyler. There had to be a reason he’d been so certain of his innocence. After Tyler’s arrest earlier today, Phil had texted her several times and even left a voicemail. In each one of them, he’d basically said the same thing: They’ve got the wrong guy.
“I’m going to talk to Phil,” Brooke said. “I want to know why he was sure Tyler was innocent back then and what he thinks now.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Gina’s concern was evident. “Getting involved in this?”
“I’m already involved. I found the body. Adam arrested Tyler inmycoffee shop. The whole town is talking about me and speculating about my connection to all this, even calling my coffee shop murder central. I can’t ignore that.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to investigate,” Gina argued.
Nick cleared his throat. “Actually, maybe she does.”
Gina turned to him, surprised. “You think she should get involved?”
“I think she needs answers. And I think waiting for the sheriff’s department to find the truth might not be the best plan, especially if Adam’s already decided Tyler’s guilty.” Nick looked at Brooke. “I get it, wanting to know for yourself instead of taking someone else’s word.”
“Even if it’s risky?” Gina pressed.
“If she’s careful,” Nick said. “And if she’s not doing it alone.”
Joe had been quiet, but now he leaned forward. “Look, I’ll be honest. The journalist in me is fascinated by this story. But the friend part of me is worried about you, Brooke. You’ve been through a lot lately.”
“I know what you’re going to say—”
“Do you?” Joe interrupted gently. “Because I remember earlier this year how you were when you were training for the Moose Range Run 100. You were a nervous wreck. Your judgment was off. You made poor decisions.”
“Like not turning around when the storm started,” Gina added quietly. “That hike outside Bearwater. You insisted we keep going when we should’ve turned back.”
