Page 16 of Engaging the Deputy

Without questioning her intentions, she pulled into the first parking place she came to, got out and followed him. Jaden’s questioning had more than bothered her. He’d gotten personal at the end and she’d seen how much it had upset him. He’d been trying so hard to keep it professional.

He’d left her feeling as if maybe he did still care. That gave her hope. If it wasn’t for this investigation… That, she told herself, was why she was headed into the bar to see Emery. This wouldn’t end until whoever had killed Rob and attacked Cody was found and arrested. And, like she’d told Jaden, she’d been away too long and didn’t know what had been going on in her absence.

That first night in the bar, it had felt like old times. But by the time they’d reached Starling, she’d sensed that it wasn’t—and not just for her and Cody. The old gang wasn’t as close as they’d been. Still, she couldn’t believe that one of them was a murderer.

Stepping into the dimly lit bar, she had to give her eyes a moment to adjust before she spotted Emery. He had taken a stool at the bar some distance from anyone else. He had a drink in front of him, even though it was still morning. All his attention seemed to be on his drink, as if he could find answers in the glass in front of him.

As she approached, she wondered if he was meeting someone. She’d never been as close with Emery as she had been with the others back in high school. He was the bad boy, the biker, the kid who’d lived, so to speak, on the wrong side of the tracks. Even in small towns without railroad tracks, there was sometimes a part of town less desirable.

“Is this stool taken?” she asked as she started to join him.

He seemed surprised to see her but smiled and appeared glad for the company. “Have a seat. What are you drinking?”

“I’d take a cola.”

He laughed. “Teetotaler,” he joked and signaled the bartender. Like her, he had scrapes and bruises but had miraculously survived the tornado, as had the two young women with him and Rob. “You been over to the hospital?”

She nodded. “They wouldn’t tell me anything about his condition or let me see him.”

He gave a shake of his head. “I heard he’s still unconscious. My aunt knows someone who works there. I can’t believe what happened.”

Olivia wasn’t sure if he was talking about Rob’s murder, Cody’s injury, Dean’s disappearance or the tornado. “I know what you mean,” she said as the bartender put a napkin and her drink in front of her. She thanked him and turned to Emery. “What happened after I left town?”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“The old gang. I picked up on what I thought was good-natured jabs that first night at the bar, so I didn’t think too much about it. Rob was leaving town, going to his dream job. Now I realize that not everyone was happy for him.”

“I was. Why wouldn’t I be?” Emery said almost irritably as he reached for his glass. He drained it and signaled the bartender for another.

“I know you and Rob have been best friends almost since you were born. At least, you were best friends when I left. Did that change?”

“Why are you asking me these questions?” He eyed her suspiciously.

“I’m just trying to understand what might have changed since I left.”

He sighed. “A lot changes in six years.” The bartender took his empty and left a fresh drink, but Emery didn’t pick it up right away. He seemed lost in thought.

Olivia took a sip of her soft drink and waited.

“Rob and I weren’t as tight as we used to be, maybe.” He shrugged. “That’s why I was excited about going out to Starling on Halloween. We hadn’t done anything like that in a very long time. As for the old gang… We’re not in high school anymore. We all have jobs, responsibilities.”

She definitely knew that feeling of a job becoming her entire life. She’d thought it would make her happy. She was making money, and she had her own place, though it was small and the neighbors noisy, and the hours at work long. She’d woken up one morning to realize she wanted more.

Emery looked down the bar for a moment before he said, “A lot of our friends left, greener grass, like I have to tell you. It’s not like only the losers stay.” He picked up his drink and took a gulp, his eyes on the back bar.

“Have you ever thought about leaving?”

He shook his head. “I left for a while after you did. Just got on my bike and checked out other places.” He smiled over at her. “I found out that there is no place like Montana, and I hightailed it back. You’re thinking that whoever killed Rob was jealous he was getting out of here and they weren’t?” His expression said he didn’t believe that was the case.

She was reminded that it was Rob who had wanted to go out to Starling and stay until midnight. If he’d been worried that one of the others resented his success, he certainly hadn’t shown it. “Do you really believe there is gold still hidden out in Starling?”

Emery chuckled. “Doubtful. But it’s like the other legends about the place. It gives people something to talk about, dream about.”

“What would you do if you found the gold?” she asked and took another swallow.

“Depends on how much is there.”

She smiled over at him. “Enough to take a trip around the world.”

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