Page 135 of The Lilac River

A beat of stunned disbelief.

Then Dad’s face turned ghost white.

His glass fell from his hand and shattered on the floor.

“You traitorous bastards!” he screamed, jabbing his finger at us. “Breaking into my home?—”

“Michael,” Duke tried.

“Shut up, you ass wipe!” Dad bellowed.

He slammed his fists on the table. “I’ll have you arrested! I’ll?—”

“I think we’ve heard enough, Mr. Miller,” came a calm but firm voice from the doorway.

All heads turned.

Sheriff Jackson stood with two deputies: his eyes hard as flint.

He walked down the aisle with slow, unshakable steps, and gave me a short nod.

“Sorry, Nash. He looked like he was about to get violent. I couldn’t wait.”

“You can’t do this!” Dad screeched. “I’m your Mayor. I’ll have your badge!”

Sheriff Jackson didn’t flinch.

“Deputies, take him into custody.”

“And you,” he added to Duke, who had turned pale as milk, “sit your ass down. We’ll be having a little chat, too.”

People watched in stunned silence as Dad was cuffed and led away.

The Sheriff turned to the room. “Everyone else go home. Meeting’s over.”

We stood still as the room cleared around us. As whispers echoed and judgment passed quietly from neighbor to neighbor.

The truth was out.

I turned to the Sheriff as he pulled out two evidence bags.

“Thanks,” I said.

“You did good,” he replied. “But this is just the beginning. Will tampering alone? That’s going to court. As for the chemicals, we’ve already matched the credit card. We’re getting CCTV from the supplier now.”

“He’s a real shit criminal mastermind.” Gunner gave a lopsided grin. “Think it’ll stick?”

“Oh,” the Sheriff said grimly. “It’ll stick. The only question is how many years.”

He clapped me on the shoulder and walked off, barking orders at his deputies.

I turned to my brothers, breath catching in my throat.

“That’s it,” I said. “He’s out of our hair.”

“Let’s hope it’s for good,” Gunner muttered.

I nodded. “Let’s go home. Lily needs to hear this.”

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