Page 15 of Sutton's Shadow

“Schedule an appointment? That would allow Dodd too much time to concoct a story to cover things up,” Dylan grumbled. “It’s so much better this way.” She stopped and tilted her head; a smile lifted her lips. “Everybody loves a surprise.”

Wyatt couldn’t help the chuckle that burst free. Ian’s gaze snapped up to him, his eyes narrowed. Wyatt shrugged.

Seizing on his distraction, Dylan attempted to step around Ian, but the deputy blocked her path again.

She placed her hands on her hips and huffed. “Fine, if you won’t get out of my way, I’ll just talk to him from here.” She inhaled deeply, and Wyatt flinched as her voice echoed off the walls. “Sheriff Dodd! Youwilltalk to me. I can’t believe you’d let a child suffer. Shame on you.”

Ian lowered his arms, his posture stiffening. “What are you talking about? What child?” He glanced at the dispatcher, who shook her head.

“There have been no reports,” she stated.

“Really, Ms. Solis, why the ruse?” he disparaged, his scowl furious.

Dylan speared him with an angry glare. She pushed her shoulders back and stepped toe to toe with Ian. Wyatt held his breath, waiting for her next move.

“This is no ruse.” Ian scoffed, and Dylan tilted her head. “Did you or did you not remove the minor, Bethany Tinsley, from the dangerous situation at her mother’s house?”

Ian’s gaze shot over to Wyatt before he answered. “I did.”

“And did you or did you not release said minor into CPS’s care instead of her adult brother’s?”

“It was necessary at the time. My hands were tied.” He glanced at Wyatt again, apology in his eyes.

“At which time CPS promised my client he would see his sister the very next day. Is that true?”

“I’m not privy to that information. Whatever arrangement they set up with Mr. Tinsley was between him and CPS. It was none of my concern.”

Dylan leaned closer to Ian. “Perhaps, Deputy McClintock, you should have made it your concern, seeing as Bethany Tinsley is now missing.”

Ian sucked in a breath, glanced over to Wyatt again, and arched his brow. “What is she talking about, Tin Man?”

“You will not address my client directly,” Dylan ordered. “Bethany Tinsley has not been seen or heard from since the night they removed her from Ronnie Tinsley’s home. Furthermore, Myra Hannigan with Child Protective Services has informed my client that at present, they do not know where Bethany Tinsley is. You see, deputy, CPS has had a little computer snafu... well, not so little since their system crashed and they’ve lost the majority of their records, including Bethany’s.”

Ian’s gaze shot back and forth between Dylan and Wyatt to ascertain if what she’d told him was true. Wyatt nodded, confirming the information. Ian opened his mouth as if to say something, but Dylan spoke first.

“Not only that, but the man sent from CPS to escort Bethany to a temporary foster home has disappeared and is not answering his phone.” Ian’s mouth slackened again. “This whole situation reeks of incompetence.”

At that moment, Sheriff Dodd stepped out of his office. He took one look at the situation in the hall, cursed, and turned to head back into his office. But Dylan had spotted him and ducked past Ian to reach the man. Wyatt had never seen anyone in stilettos move so fast.

“Sheriff Dodd, I insist you tell me what you intend to do about Bethany Tinsley.”

“Who?”

“Bethany Tinsley.”

“What about her?”

“She’s missing.”

Sheriff Dodd peered over her shoulder to Ian, a blank expression on his face.

Dylan sighed. “Honestly, your incompetence knows no bounds.”

“Now listen here, missy,” he sputtered, his complexion growing ruddy as his cheeks flushed with anger.

“Bethany Tinsley, age fourteen, removed from her home six days ago.” She continued to state the facts to Sheriff Dodd, who kept seeking confirmation from Ian, having no knowledge of the case.

When she completed her account and Dodd had nothing to say, she threw her arms up in the air. “I see the incompetence is as rampant in the sheriff’s office as it is in CPS.”

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