Page 126 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“That’s not fair.”
“You’re defending him after what he did to you?”
Natalie didn’t appreciate Wade’s judgmental attitude or his obvious bias toward Jason.“You sound like your father.”
Wade stiffened at the accusation.“I’m just doing my job.”
“Why do you work here?”she asked.“Why do you work for him?”
“I’m a sheriff’s deputy.”
“You know what I mean.You could transfer to another town, another department.Why stay in Last Chance?”
He gave her a pointed look.“Why do you think?”
She studied his expression, which wasn’t as stony as usual.Along with grief, his face reflected a wealth of unrequited feelings.It dawned on her that he’d stayed here because of his promise to Mike.He’d stayed because ofher.
“Oh,” she said, her heart breaking for him.“Oh, Wade.”
“Don’t,” he said in a curt voice.“Not now.Not today.”
She respected his wishes and fell silent.She cared about Wade, and she could tell he was hurting.He’d lost his brother under shocking circumstances.The fact that Billy had been an awful person didn’t make his death easier to process.On top of that, Wade had to investigate the sordid details.She wondered if he’d broken the news to his mother.His parents were divorced and barely spoke to one another.
“Do you have any more questions?”she asked.
“No.You’re free to go.”
Wade returned her phone, which had been in his pocket.She left the station and drove home in a fog.The numbness started to wear off, and misery edged in.It was only mid-morning.She didn’t have to pick up Marcus until this afternoon.Although she hadn’t eaten breakfast, she couldn’t stomach the thought of food.Feeling queasy, she consulted her phone.She had to watch the footage and accept whatever evidence it revealed.
Her hands shook as she selected the footage from Camera2, which showed the side of the house and garage.A figure she recognized as Jason walked down the driveway with two longnecks.He returned to the apartment alone.She followed him for reasons that would be obvious to anyone watching the footage.She would come out disheveled and half dressed.A flush crept into her cheeks at the thought.
Her doorbell rang before she could continue the video.Natalie hit pause and glanced out the front window.
London was on her doorstep.
Natalie greeted the girl in surprise.London was as white as a ghost, with dark circles under her eyes.Her hair looked as tangled as always but with silver streaks.She wore a black cardigan with checkered pajama pants.
“I saw the police cars earlier,” London said.“What happened?”
Natalie was reluctant to share the news with London.The girl would probably post it all over social media.
“Is Marcus OK?”
She softened at the question.“Yes.”
London’s lips trembled.“What about Gabe?”
“Gabe?”
The girl appeared unsteady on her feet, so Natalie ushered her inside and sat her down.London’s stark expression indicated that she had some bad news of her own.
“Why are you worried about Gabe?”Natalie asked.
“I saw him and Billy last night.Gabe was acting weird, and…”
Natalie inhaled a sharp breath.London might have information about Billy’s murder.“Start at the beginning.”
She did, after a short pause.“I was with Jena at the liquor store, and Billy drove by.He was on his way to meet Gabe, so we got in the truck.Then we picked up Gabe, and we all went to Billy’s trailer.We were drinking and stuff.”
