Page 51 of Home Town

An image hit her hard. That of Corey sitting on the curb, head in hand, misery, confusion and fear written clearly on his face as his mind failed him.

He had much more important things to worry about than her. Yet here he was, today and every other day this week. Helping her with her problem, which even with as horrible as it was that the founder’s compass was missing, paled in comparison to his own problems.

The compass. That thought caused the usual churning in her stomach. Sweaty palms. Beating heart.

As much as she’d hated the thought of him being guilty, Kirk had been their only suspect.

She really did believe he was innocent. Not just because of her gut feeling but also from the evidence. He hadn’t walked out carrying anything in his hand. Hadn’t been wearing a jacket to hide it.

He didn’t have it. And that meant it was still missing and they were out of leads.

What was she going to do?

She knew the answer to that. She didn’t like it but she knew what was right.

Drawing in a breath she flipped the two light switches in the front hall—one for the lamp on the table just inside the front door and one for the exterior light over the front stoop.

Then, leaving the door unlocked so she wouldn’t have to carry her key, she strode outside and headed directly for the Jacobs’ house.

She was walking so fast, and it had gotten so dark, she walked directly into the brick wall that was Corey’s chest. She would have bounced off him and might have even lost her balance and fallen if he didn’t grab both of her arms.

“Whoa. Where are you heading so fast in the dark?”

“Sorry.” She drew in a breath then let it out, torn between relishing the feeling of his hands on her and the misery of what she was about to do.

The decision was made. No use hiding it from him now.

“I’m coming over to tell your mother the truth. About the compass.”

“Are you sure you want to do that now?” he asked.

“What choice do we have? The compass is gone. You asked your mom if someone had taken it for any reason and she said no, right?”

He nodded. She could see him more clearly now that her eyes were adjusting to the dark.

“Then we’re out of leads. The event is in like two weeks and the main attraction is still missing.” She shook her head. “More than that. Us delaying reporting it missing was wrong. We just look more guilty for not reporting it immediately. And what if us—me—delaying reporting it cost the police a lead? Maybe the trail’s gone cold. I’m sorry I even suggested it. Sorry I got you involved in this at all. I’m just…sorry about everything.”

Her voice cracked and then, to her horror, the tears began to flow.

“Jeezus. Josie. Stop. You didn’t drag me into anything.” He cussed beneath his breath and pulled her tighter against him.

The more he tried to comfort her, the more she tried to stop, the harder she cried until it turned into one of those embarrassing gasping kind of uncontrollable ugly cries.

They ended up standing there in the dark between their two houses, him holding her, her hiccupping through her sobs.

When she quieted enough he pulled back and said, “Come on. Let’s get you back to your house.”

“Your mother,” she managed.

“Is out at book club tonight,” he said.

She felt guilty over her relief. Not that it was much of a reprieve. No confession tonight. But tomorrow. Bright and early. She’d tell the truth then.

They had no excuse for delaying what she should have done days ago.

Dejected, she let Corey lead her back inside her house.

He glanced around. “Quinn out?”

---