“Huh.” Truman was speechless. Mercy had believed Nick’s interest was relatively new.
“He’s got good character, that one. I remember when his wife died, and I wondered if he’d ever recover. I knew he’d wished they’d had children. Now with Rose pregnant, that man will have two people to cherish. That baby couldn’t have a better father.”
Truman could only nod, his throat thickening. Some men would struggle with the parentage of Rose’s baby. Nick wasn’t one of them.
Why am I surprised when Ina reveals how well she knows her people?
“What do you know about Sandy’s time before she moved to Eagle’s Nest?” he asked, hoping for Ina’s insight into the woman’s past.
Her eyes narrowed at him. “Is this about the vandalism at her place?”
“Partially.”
“What has she told you?” Ina asked cautiously.
She knows.
But he saw she was holding back, not wanting to betray a confidence. Ina knew when stories were appropriate to spread and when to hold her tongue.
Unlike some of the other gossips in town.
“She told us about Lionel.”
Ina relaxed back into her chair, tucking her cane between her knees as she considered Truman’s question. “It took me a few years to get the story out of Sandy. Anyone who met that woman could tell she had a past. I swear she looked over her shoulder for years, always expecting something horrible to come for her.”
“She’s suggested her ex might be responsible for the vandalism.”
Ina gazed out the window, her fingertips tapping the arch of her cane. “Maybe. But she hasn’t heard from him in ten years.” Her sharp eyes abruptly met his. “Right? Don’t tell me she knows he’s creeping around.” Fury burned in her gaze, and Truman worried for Lionel.
“She’s not positive about that. We had to pull the story out of her, she seemed—”
“Who’s ‘we’?”
“Samuel and me.”
“Ahhh.” A knowing look crossed her face, and she nodded.
“Don’t tell me . . .”
“Oh yes. I’ve noticed how your officer looks at her.”
“I feel like I’m constantly in the dark in this town. Not a good place for someone in my position,” Truman groused.
She brushed aside his comment with a flick of her wrist. “Don’t worry about it. I’d tell you if it was important. This is just people stuff.”
“The people of Eagle’s Nest are my business.”
“Their personal lives aren’t.”
He bit back his next comment. But they’re yours?
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Yes, they’re mine. You’re in charge of the laws and enforcement. The happiness of the people is mine. If I can do something to improve someone’s quality of life, I’m going to do it. Sometimes that means asking a lot of questions and maybe sticking my nose into places people don’t like. Anyway, Sandy told me about that jerk who beat on her and made me swear to keep it silent. I have until now. Do you think there’s any chance it’s him?”
“He’s got a recent assault conviction and lives about three hours away. It doesn’t rule him out.” He paused. “He doesn’t have a record from the time he was married to Sandy.”
Ina pressed her lips together and slowly nodded. “She wasn’t up to it. She has a lot of regret about not pressing charges. I hope that hasn’t come back to haunt her.”
“I’ll keep looking into it. We’re putting up cameras at her B&B tomorrow.”
“You’re looking into the problems at my daughter-in-law’s place too, right?”
This is the real purpose of her visit. Bree.
“We are . . . It’s possibly connected to the issues at the bed-and-breakfast,” Truman said. “We haven’t had vandalism reports for months, so it’s hard to believe that two completely unrelated but similar vandalism cases occurred within a week.”
“Doesn’t feel right.”
“I agree.” Truman sighed. “All the graffiti feels personalized to the victim. But it still could be the same person with two axes to grind.”
“Bree is upset. She feels her horses are in danger.” Exasperation filled Ina’s tone. “She’s more concerned about them than the X on her truck.”
“She has every right to be upset. I suspect it’s easier for her to focus on the horses than consider that the vandal intended a message for her. No one wants to feel targeted.”
“Lucas can’t be out there all hours of the day, watching out for his mother.”
“Neither can we,” Truman said gently.
Waves of dissatisfaction rolled off his visitor, and her knuckles whitened as she gripped her cane.
“I know you’re concerned,” Truman stated. “Bree is a priority to me. Sandy is too, and I’m doing my best to figure out what’s happening.”
Ina had the grace to look away. “I know you’re good at your job . . . but I had to say something,” she said in a low voice. “It’s my family.”
“You wouldn’t be the Ina I’ve always known if you hadn’t said something,” Truman said with sympathy. “I’d be worried if I hadn’t received a phone call or visit over this.”
“Not asking for special treatment.”
“Everyone gets the most special treatment I can give.”
The corners of her mouth slowly turned up. “You’re a good chief, Truman Daly.”
“Why do I feel like you’re not complimenting me?” he asked, raising his brows.
“Mighta been a compliment for myself. I knew you were the best for the job.” She stood, pushing up with one quivering arm to keep her balance.
“How are you doing, Ina?” Watching her struggle hurt something integral in his soul.
She glared at him, dark eyes flashing. “Why?”
He held up his hands. “Just asking.”
“Don’t want to be fussed over.”
“But you’ll keep me in the loop?” He held her gaze, relaying his concern.
She paused. “Of course. Now get back to work and let me say goodbye to my grandson.” She turned her back to him and shuffled out to the hall.
Truman stayed put at his desk, following her order and wondering if she’d actually tell him if she had any serious health problems.
She protected her privacy with an iron wall but could easily convince others to share their biggest secrets.
He turned back to his computer screen and studied the image from Lionel Kerns’s driver’s license, committing it to memory. He sent the photo to the rest of his officers. According to Kerns’s stats, he was six foot three and nearly three hundred pounds. He had a silvering beard and a wide nose. Truman studied the eyes, growing angry that the large man had believed he had the right to beat on his wife. Sandy was tall and strong, but not enough to defend herself against a man of that size.
If Lionel Kerns was messing with Sandy or Bree, Truman wanted to be the first person to lay a hand on him.
My town.
NINE
Sandy picked a bench in the sunshine, plopped down, and closed her eyes, lifting her face to the sun as she waited for Bree. After Truman and Samuel had left, her first phone call had been to her best friend, asking why she hadn’t mentioned her vandalism. Bree had gone quiet on the phone and asked if they could meet in person.
Toddler shouts made Sandy open her eyes. A young mom play-chased her two tots, who screamed in joy. Twin boys. And the mother’s stomach bulged with another new life. Sandy admired her. Kudos to a mom who would get pregnant when she already had toddler twins.