Page 23 of Rules

"Thank you," I say, taking the bowl from him, grateful for the momentary distraction from my worries. "What's strange is they're not taking much. At the antique shop, they left Rolexes and took a sapphire jewelry set worth a fraction of the value. It's not making sense."

"Maybe it's not about the money," Dianna suggests, sprinkling cheese on her chili. "When I was in college, my roommate's car got broken into. They took her sociology textbook and left her stereo. Turned out it was her ex-boyfriend being petty."

"Huh, personal," Tim asks. "That's an interesting angle."

"Yeah," I admit. "That's what's bothering me, there are so many angles. The only thing that makes sense is that it doesn't add up."

"So, what else is going on with you?" Tim asks, clearly changing the subject. I know that look—it's the same one I get when I'm about to interview a reluctant witness.

"What he's trying to not say is that he wants to know romantically if anything is going on, and before he beats around the subject, he has a new lady in his office that he wants to set you up with," Dianna interjects, reaching for the sour cream as she smiles at Tim. "Isn't that right dear? What? I figured I'd rip the bandaid off, you would have maybe gotten around to mentioning it around the third bowl." she says to Tim's annoyed look. "Now, it's out there," She smiles an over exaggerated smile.

"Ah, umm, thanks, but no thanks." I quickly answer, trying to cut off the conversation before it starts. The last thing I need right now is a blind date when I can't stop thinking about Ruth.

"Come on, Dad, you should meet someone. Go out, have dates, do things." Tim's concern is genuine, which makes it harder to dismiss. "You'd have someone to come home to. Someone you could leave work at the jail for."

"I'm not wanting to meet someone new right now. I'm..." Before I answer, I take a bite of chili and take my time chewing it. "I'm fine, I'm, say, this tastes as good as it smells."

"You're what?" Tim asks, not letting it go.

"Huh?" I look at him, making the most innocent face I can manage.

"I'm what? You said 'I'm' but you didn't finish."

"Oh, let's see. Huh, I guess it slipped my memory." Taking another bite, I study my bowl intently. Reaching for the crackers I catch Dianna's eye and she smiles a small smile.

If I can't have the woman I want, then I don't want anyone. No other woman excites me like Ruth. I'd rather be on my own than settle.

"Wait a minute, wait just a minute." Dianna puts her spoon down on the table and leans over to look at me closer. "I know what's going on. You can't fool me." She points at me. "You don't want to meet anyone else because you already have someone." She narrows her eyes, "I'm right, aren't I?"

Tim is on this line of thinking faster than the blink of an eye. "Is that true? Who is it? Mrs. Johnson from the grocery store? Ellen from the hardware store?" Tim starts spewing out names. All of which are older women. Who are lovely in their own way, and I should be interested in them, but I'm not. And there is zero way I'm telling these two I'm only interested in a woman closer to their age than mine. "Let's see who else? Holly?" He looks at me with wide eyes." Oh, no, she's married."

Dianna sits back and crosses her arms, looking distinctly satisfied with herself. "I know people and their behaviors and I can tell something's up with you."

Lucky guess, but I'm the Sheriff. I interrogate criminals; I spend everyday, day in and day out with people and their behaviors. Checkmate dear daughter in law. There isn't a force on this planet that would make me tell you or confess to anything.

"I'm not seeing anyone."

"Now? Like currently or like you have no one you are seeing on a regular basis?" Dianna asks, still squinting.

"Both. I am not seeing anyone. In any way." I get up to get another bowl of chili. Do I want another bowl? No. But, do I want a break from her gaze and point on questioning? Yes.

"You're interested in someone?" She cocks her head to the side as she gets up and follows me.

"I'm interested in lots of people." I say, ladling more chili into my bowl.

"Let me rephrase that. Are you interested romantically in one certain person?"

"You're gay!" Tim jumps up blurting out. Both Dianna and I snap our heads to look at him. "I mean, are you? Because if you are, it's okay. We love you and accept you for who you are. And we would welcome and love your partner as well." Dianna looks at Tim like he's grown a second nose. He just raises his hands defensively. "What? He could be."

"True," Dianna continues to peer at her husband, "but, dear, we all know how unbelievably bad you are at figuring out mysteries. So, why don't you sit down and let the sheriff and I handle this."

Tim sinks back into his chair looking like a kid whose balloon just floated away on the breeze.

"Umm, thanks for the acceptance son, but I'm not gay." I sit back down, unable to hide my amusement at Tim's unexpected question and his following disappointment. If this was just Tim and I, I would find it amusing watching him flounder around searching for an answer. But Dianna is a bloodhound, when she gets a scent there's no stopping her.

"So, who is this lady you're interested in?" Dianna asks, still giving Tim side-eye for his outburst.

"No one." I say firmly.

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