Page 65 of Shadow Sabotage
Her expression softened. “I’m good.”
“Really?” I was doubtful.
She rolled her eyes, but her face stayed soft with a small smile. “Geez, Vance, you think I can’t handle a little acting? I agreed to a public dressing down. Don’t insult me by apologizing for doing it.”
Shit.“You’re right. You just looked upset.”
“I am,” she admitted. “But it has nothing to do with you or our little stunt in there. You played it beautifully and I’m sure he was eating out of your hand by the time it was all said and done. What did you find out?”
I shrugged. “Depends on how you look at it, I guess. I told him we’re trying to figure out why she came back here without Tony. Started by playing it off like I was checking in, making sure she hadn’t caused trouble for them. He said they hadn’t seen her other than the Christmas break trip.”
“Not surprised, though if they’re smart, they wouldn’t mention seeing her even if they had.”
“Exactly,” I agreed. “Then I said that we suspect she had a new boyfriend and asked if he knew who she might have met while she was here visiting. He said no, but he’s lying. He knows more than he’s letting on. I just don’t know why he isn’t telling me when doing so would take the heat off his own son.”
That was the head scratcher—unless Mayor Evanshimselfwas the new boyfriend. But he wasn’t some incredible catch compared to Tony. If Katelyn was after money, she probably would have been better off sticking with the son.
Claire leaned her head back and groaned. “I think I know.”
“Really?”
“I feel sick.” She was pale and looked like she might throw up any moment.
Worry struck again. “What’s going on, Claire?”
She scrubbed her hands over her face. “I went to get us some coffee and—oh, dammit, I completely forgot the drinks. Walked out and left the cups sitting on the counter.”
“Don’t worry about the coffee. What happened?”
She rubbed her temples like a headache was brewing. “The girl on shift today is kind of a friend of mine. She asked if we were investigating Katelyn’s death, because she had information that she was trying to decide if she should report or not.”
The look on Claire’s face made me very worried about what that information was.
She swallowed hard. “She said back around Christmas, Katelyn was in the shop. She had coffee with someone—a very cozy coffee.”
“Not Tony Evans?”
Claire shook her head. “No.”
“Then who?” My pulse quickened. If Katelyn’s new boyfriend really was from Wildwood, identifying him could crack this case wide open.
Claire’s misery was evident. “Sheriff McGrath.”
I sat back in my seat, my mouth open in shock. Sheriff McGrath knew Katelyn Brown and had withheld that from us.
It was unthinkable.
My mind raced. “Does she think they were having an affair?”
“That’s what she seemed to indicate.” Claire held her hands up in defense. “Now, for the record, Emily is a huge gossip. She loves drama, and I could totally see her embellishing the facts for attention. She said they were cozy, but it could have been innocent. Her saying something doesn’t mean it’s true.”
“No, it doesn’t,” I said, my tone sharpening. “But regardless, the fact that Sheriff McGrath didn’t disclose this to either of us sure doesn’t look good, does it?”
“Nope. Not at all.”
I closed my eyes, realization dawning. “That’s why the mayor lied and said he didn’t know who she had met. He didn’t want to throw a political ally under the bus.” I hit my steering wheel in frustration. “Small towns like this, you get a couple of corrupt leaders protecting each other and they think they can get away with anything.”
Claire’s face was wrecked with devastation. “So, what do we do now?”
