Page 11 of Peak Suspicion
Could a conversation be any more banal? It couldn’t be over fast enough for her.
“Says the man who lives for excitement.” Bethany nudged him. “Don’t let him fool you, Mira. Carter is the real daredevil in the family.”
“She’s just trying to make me look bad,” Carter said.
“Ha!” Dalton said. “The way you drive I’m surprised you haven’t heard from whoever is sending scolding notes to people all over town.”
“Eldon’s girlfriend, May Delgado, got a letter yesterday,” Bethany said. “It said she was violating her lease agreement because Eldon is practically living with her.” She shuddered. “That’s just creepy, the way this guy is spying over everyone.”
Carter didn’t say anything. He wasn’t even looking at her.
“What makes you think it’s a guy?” Dalton asked. “It could be a woman.”
Mira turned to Aaron Ames. “What does the sheriff’s department think about all these letters?” she asked.
“They’re annoying,” he said. “But so far no one’s gotten into real trouble, and the letter writer hasn’t carried through on any of their implied threats.” He shrugged. “We’re collecting the letters people report to us, but we don’t have any leads on who might be writing them.”
“What about the boy who was almost abducted?” Carter asked. “Do they have any idea who tried to grab him?”
Why had Carter asked that question? Had he figured out who David was? How Mira was connected to him?
“I couldn’t tell you if we did,” Aaron said.
“You don’t have to tell me who your suspect is,” Carter said. “Just yes, or no, do you know who tried to grab the boy?”
“No,” Aaron admitted. “But whoever they were, they haven’t made a second attempt. That we know of.” He glanced behind Mira, to the clock on the wall. “It’s almost time for my shift to start. Thanks for the class. It’s going to be very useful.”
“We’d better go, too,” Bethany said. “Thanks, Mira.”
She said good-night, then returned to the front of the room to gather her papers.
The door to the room opened and Carter moved back in, leaving the door open behind him. “I came back to talk to you alone for a minute,” he said.
“I really don’t have time,” she said. She tried to pack up her things faster, but when she grabbed for a stack of handouts they slipped from her hand and cascaded to the floor.
She knelt to gather the scattered papers and Carter met her at floor level. He scooped up a handful and handed them to her. “You don’t have to be afraid of me,” he said. “I know I’ve been a jerk, but I never meant to add to your distress. I have a habit of not thinking before I shoot off my mouth.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “That remark at the start of class—about needing you—that was out of line.”
“It was.”
He nodded. “And so was my reading the note you were sent. But I’ve already apologized for that. What I came back tonight to say is that whatever is going on, your secret is safe with me. But if you ever do want to talk to someone about it, or you need help, I’m here for you.”
“Because you want to go out with me.”
“No!” He stood, and she rose also. He shoved both hands in his pockets. “I mean yes, I’d like to go out with you. But that’s not why I offered to help. Whether you believe it or not, I think of you as a friend. And I help my friends.” His expression wasdefiant, chin jutting, eyes fierce, but with a hint of pleading that threatened to melt at least some of the ice around her heart.
This was the Carter who had comforted her when she had been suspended so uncomfortably in her wrecked car. The man who volunteered his time to save the lives of strangers. “Thanks,” she said. “That means a lot.”
He took out his phone. “Let me give you my number. If you need help, call me. I don’t live far away. What’s your number?”
She hesitated. “I promise I won’t call and harass you,” he said. “I’m notthatfull of myself.”
The way he said the words—all injured pride—had her biting back a smile. “All right.” She gave him her number and a moment later her phone pinged with a text. “If you get any more nasty grams, or see anyone hanging around who makes you uncomfortable, call me,” he said. “It doesn’t matter when it is. Now, I’d better go.” He turned to leave.
“Carter?”
He stopped and looked back.
“Thanks,” she said.
