Page 57 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

“I watched to make sure. That’s why I was there. I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her,” Buddy said proudly.

“Well, you won’t be there any longer because you’re going to find yourself behind bars.” Bend crossed his arms over his chest.

“I just went to the hotel to talk to her ex. To warn him to go away, but something came over me. Anger. I punched him.”

“You did more than punch him,” Rip said.

“Maybe more than once,” Buddy said innocently.

Rip leaned his shoulder against the wall. “Did you use something to knock him over the head?”

Buddy snickered. “No. He’s just weak. Skinny and weak. He fell and hit his head. You’re still my friend, right, Rip?”

“I need a hot coffee. Anyone else want one?” Bend looked at Rip and he understood what was going unsaid in his brother’s expression.

“I’ll take one,” Rip said.

“I don’t drink coffee. It gives me anxiety,” Buddy said.

“Well, you boys can chat while I’m gone.” Bend nodded pointedly at Rip.

Once the door closed, Rip grabbed the chair, rolled it back over and sat down in front of Buddy. “You might be in some hot water.”

His cheeks trembled. “Am I? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I tell you what. Since Bend is my brother, I think I might be able to help you.”

“You can? I knew you were still my friend.” A smile erupted over his expression.

Rip always liked Buddy. He’d always seemed like a good guy who wanted to help others. “But you must tell me the truth. I understand you admire Noelle. You took those pictures of her at the graduation party, didn’t you?”

He looked down at his tightly clasped hands. “She’s pretty. Like a rainbow and is photogenic.”

Rip rubbed the back of his neck as more anger built in him. “If you took the pictures, then who was the person with Noelle in the photo?”

Buddy averted his eyes. They’d gotten this far several times in the interview but then he’d clam up. Rip had no doubt he was protecting someone, and it wasn’t Noelle.

Searching his brain, Rip wondered who that would be? Who did Buddy have a loyalty to? Who would he risk everything to protect—

“Derry?” The name floated off Rip’s lips.

Buddy blinked.

Rip gritted his teeth thinking he might break a tooth. “You and Derry are friends, aren’t you?”

“He’s my friend,” Buddy admitted.

“And you protect your friends?”

“Yes.”

“So much that you’d never tell anyone if a friend did something very bad.”

“He was sorry for what he did,” Buddy uttered.

As the pieces started to fit together, Rip found himself sick. Although he and Derry had never been good friends, the man had been respected in town, and by Tuck. For God’s sake, Derry had a family. “He drugged Noelle that night, didn’t he?”

Buddy’s eyes misted over. The man had been carrying a weight around for years and Rip could see the reserve slipping. “He told me he was only curious. He didn’t hurt her. I made sure. He chased me, took my camera, and said he wouldn’t tell anyone that I took the photos. Derry said I could trust him. He’d never get me into trouble. I just had to be his friend. Friends don’t rat out each other. That’s what Derry says.”

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