Page 43 of Home Town Knight

The article said,Local authorities have pressured Ms. Blake to stay quiet, not only about the murder, but about her ongoing investigation into alleged corruption within the Hart County Sheriff’s Department.Sheriff Owen Douglas has restricted Ms. Blake to a remote property, the Last Refuge Inn, with instructions not to leave.

By the time I finished reading, I could barely breathe, I was so livid. They’d implied that I was holding her prisoner to stop her from investigating me for corruption.

The only person who could’ve given this information to theDailywas Genevieve herself.

Hands shaking, I scrolled up to check the time on the article. It had been published two hours ago.

She was risking her life by publicizing this. But not only that, she was risking the lives of others at Last Refuge too if the murderer came looking for her there. I’d trusted her not to endanger my friends. She had stabbed me, and them, in the back. And she’d done it after our dinner together. After looking into my eyes and making me believe every damn word she’d said.

I had bought all of it.

I jumped up from my chair, searching for my keys and about to dial River’s number. But he was already calling.

“You read it?” River said on the phone.

“Yes. You told Aiden and Trace?”

“Already done. I radioed them to be on the lookout. Trace hiked out twenty minutes ago to investigate something on the perimeter cameras. Don’t know if it’s connected.”

Cursing, I raced toward the exit, ignoring the concerned stares of the deputy on desk duty. “I’m on my way to Last Refuge,” I said to River. “You need to find Genevieve.Now.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Genevieve

It wasdark when Scarlett’s husband, Trace, came by my cabin to introduce himself. We sat on the small wooden chairs right outside. He was a big guy with unruly, chin-length hair and a battle worn weariness in his eyes. But he smiled a lot too. Like someone who had been through too much in his life, but had found the place he belonged.

I also noticed he was armed. He wore a concealed holster, but I knew how to spot one. A benefit of being a cop’s daughter.

Scarlett had mentioned Trace was ex-military, and he gave off serious elite warrior vibes. The kind of soldier who didn’t answer to regular authorities.

“This is River.” Trace showed me a photo of a dark-haired man on his phone, a different one from Jessi’s boyfriend, who I’d seen in the pictures on her office wall. “You’ll probably see him around tomorrow. I don’t believe you’ve met Aiden yet?”

“No, but I know what he looks like. I’m good.”

I knew what he was doing. Making sure I could recognize their “security” personnel, while also not overwhelming me with the presence of multiple heavily muscled men. Iwould’ve been fine, but I appreciated that they didn’t assume. It reminded me of Jessi’s offer of a therapist visit. They cared about mental wellbeing here, not just physical.

I remembered what Scarlett had said about her husband.He can be an absolute sweetheart, but if you intend to inflict harm on an innocent? Trace will be one of the scariest men you’ll ever meet.I didn’t doubt her assessment.

I’d also double-checked my notes, and Trace Novo was one of the people Owen had deputized in the past.

My journalistic instincts were pinging all over the place. It was hard not to ask for Trace’s life story and all the info on those controversial incidents last year. But I’d told Jessi and Scarlett I wouldn’t publicize their mission here, and anyway, he didn’t sit around chatting for long. The moment he’d finished reiterating their security measures and making sure I didn’t have any pressing concerns, he was up from his seat.

“You won’t be going anywhere,” he said. Very much a statement, not a question.

“I’m in for the night,” I assured him. I had no intention of leaving this cabin. Today had been too much of a roller coaster, and I wanted off the ride.

He nodded once. “Good. Stay here, and you’ll stay safe.”

Long after Trace had left, I sat there in front of the cabin, wrapped in my coat and scarf as the night settled in. It was only about ten o’clock. Some light and voices still came from the restaurant, and the surrounding scenery was just barely visible. More impressions than clear shapes. The woods were nearly pitch dark. I’d never been anywhere so peaceful, though. The solitude should’ve seemed unnerving, given what I’d witnessed outside the Alpine Hotel just that morning. Yet it wasn’t.

Everyone I’d met so far at Last Refuge had told me this place was special. A sanctuary. But sitting here now, I felt it.

I had my phone with me, and I’d been glancing atmessages as they came in, but I’d been ignoring the ones from Pam or anyone at work in Denver. The only person I might’ve wanted to hear from was Owen. But he didn’t write me, and I didn’t write him. Just as well. We needed some professional distance.

Sheriff Douglas, I thought, shaking my head. I’d never been so confused by one man before. Or so fascinated. Especially in this short a time period. While I’d been curious about Trace Novo, I wanted to knoweverythingabout Owen.

Just those journalistic instincts, I told myself.

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