Thats not good enough.
It has to be.
Peter clenched his teeth. I have a right to know who killed my father.
And you will. As soon as I know. The sheriff pinned a hard look on Peter. But I wont blow this case by tipping my hand prematurely or letting you or anyone else pressure me into making an arrest for the sake of making an arrest. My brother knows all too well what happens when vigilante justice is served rather than reason and law. My deputies and I are conducting a thorough investigation. Well find the person responsible. Dont doubt that.
Scoffing, Peter shook his head. Well, forgive me if I dont take you on your word, Sheriff Colton. I havent seen any progress on the case in weeks, and now Craig Warners been poisoned, too.
And you think the two
incidents are connected. A statement, not a question.
Damn straight. And Id hardly call my fathers murder and the attempted murder of a family friend incidents. Theyre felonies. Need I remind you that someone ran Mary off the road a couple months ago? How do we know that whoever is responsible wont come after someone else in my family?
We dont.
The sheriffs flat, frank response punched Peter in the gut. When he recovered the wherewithal to speak, he scowled darkly at Wes. And that doesnt bother you, Sheriff? You may not like me or my family, but I have a ten-year-old son at home. How are you going to feel if he gets hurt because you didnt do your job and find the scumbag who killed my father?
Wes hooked his thumbs in his pockets and rolled his shoulders. Believe it or not, Id feel terribleand not because I didnt do my job, because I am doing everything humanly possible to catch the bastard. No, because Im not the inept, hard-hearted fool you seem to think I am. I dont want to see anyone else hurt. But I have to work within the law. A proper investigation takes time. There are forces at work behind the scenes that you may not see, but which are busy 24/7 looking at this case from every angle.
Peter gritted his teeth, completely unsatisfied with the runaround and placating assurances he was getting from the sheriff. Heres an angle you may have missed. Not only do I think Craig Warners poisoning is related to my fathers murder, I think your family is involved. Id bet my life a Colton is behind everything.
Wess glare was glacial. Do you have any proof to back up that accusation?
Not yet. But I can get it.
The sheriffs eyes narrowed even further. Im warning you, Walsh. Dont interfere with my investigation. If you so much as stick a toe over the line, Ill throw the book at you.
Peter pulled his gloves from his pocket, signaling an end to the conversation. I would expect as much.
Chapter 3
He left Patrick in the capable hands of his mother, Jolene, and headed to the library to begin his research. In 1995, when his father went missing and was presumed dead, Peter had been a typically self-absorbed teenager. He hadnt cared what political causes or social events his family or the rival Coltons were involved in. But in hindsight, he thought maybe he could glean some helpful information to focus his investigation.
As he headed into the library from the parking lot, he noticed a number of large limbs and debris still cluttered the lawn. He frowned at the reminders of the tornado that had struck Honey Creek recently. Most of the brick and stone buildings in town had survived with minimal or no damage, but many homes, including his own, had sustained varying degrees of damage. He scanned the librarys brick exterior searching for signs of damage before mounting the steps to enter the front door.
He spotted his younger sister, Mary, near the front desk and made a beeline toward her. Well, if it isnt the future Mrs. Jake Pierson.
Marys head snapped up, and a broad smile filled her face. Peter! How are you?
Loveand Marys recent, significant weight losslooked good on his sister. She positively glowed with her newfound happiness.
Clearly not as well as you. Look at that radiant flush in your face. He tweaked his sisters cheek playfully, and she swatted his hand away. So what are you doing here? I thought your days as librarian were over now that you and Jake are opening the security biz.
She leaned a hip against the front desk and grinned. I may not work here, but I have friends who do. And I volunteer to lead the story time in the childrens area on Sunday afternoons. What brings you in today, and why didnt you bring my favorite nephew with you?
Moms watching Patrick so I can get some research done. Peter unbuttoned his coat and glanced around at the tables where people were scattered, reading and studying. An attractive dark-haired woman at one of the corner tables snagged his attention.
Lisa Navarre.
Patricks teacher was hunched over thick books, scribbling in a notebook and looking for all the world like a college co-ed the night before exams.
Her rich chocolate hair was pinned up haphazardly, wisps falling around her face. A pencil rested above her ear, and a pair of frameless reading glasses slid down her nose. Chewing the cap of her pen, she looked adorably geeky and maddeningly sexy at the same time.