He nodded. “He, or she. Laura didn’t get a look. ”
“So what’d the driver do?”
“A car approached from the other direction. When your sister saw it, she panicked. The Hummer managed to edge her over, off the road. That was how she lost control and flipped. ”
“Oh my God. ” She dropped her head into her hand. “Poor Laura. That should’ve been me doing errands. ”
“That’s the point,” he said, and the fierceness in his voice took them both aback. “Any other day it would have been you driving that car. Do you hear what I’m saying? Somebody did this on purpose. Somebody who thought you were driving. ”
Just the thought of it made him want to prowl the roads in his Sheriff’s SUV until he found the son of a bitch.
Her eyes were wide, her skin blanched of its color. “This has something to do with all the accidents at the lodge, doesn’t it?”
In that moment, she looked so vulnerable, he wished he could scoop her up and hide her away, protecting her until this was all over.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, tugging her close and kissing her head. “I believe it absolutely does. Listen to me, Sorrow. As sheriff, this is my only priority right now. ” Technically, it was in Silver City’s jurisdiction, but SCPD was being remarkably cooperative. And even if they weren’t, nobody could stop him from investigating on his own.
She ran a finger under her eyes, drying the moisture and wiping away a smudge of makeup. She was visibly gathering herself, and it made him feel good to see it. She was a strong one, his Sorrow.
She inhaled and exhaled sharply. “Okay, tell me what I need to do. ”
“I need you to be strong. Lay low. Stay off the roads as much as you can. And, Sorrow…” He hesitated. She wasn’t going to like what he had to say next. “I want you to stay away from Damien. ”
Her eyes popped wide. “What?”
Everyone loved Sorrow. Everyone wished her well. Everyone, with the possible exception of Damien.
“The accident happened near Simmons Timber land,” he said, and let the statement hang for a moment. “Who might have a grudge against you?”
“Nobody! Especially not Damien or his family,” she answered instantly. “They love me over there. ”
“Well, somebody doesn’t. And they’ve upped the ante. First all those small incidents, then a fire, now a hit-and-run. ” He raised his brows. “Have you considered how you might’ve hurt your ex more than you realized?”
“Are you saying you think Damien tried to run me off the road?”
He gave her a noncommittal shrug. “Think about it. ”
“That’s ridiculous,” she said in a flat voice.
He wondered if her expression was confusion or anger. He’d accept either. Sorrow could be mad at him all she wanted—he just wanted her safe. “It’s fine for you to think that, but right now, for me, everyone is a suspect. ”
The intake nurse popped her head through the door. “Miss Bailey?”
Sorrow hopped to her feet. “Thank God. ”
“You’re not mad at me?” he asked.
“Mad?” She looked down at him, her expression bewildered and rattled. “Of course I’m not mad. It doesn’t mean I believe Damien had anything to do with this. But I trust you. ”
“I’ll find out the truth. ”
“I know you will. ” She gave him a sad smile. She looked so tired, and it made his heart ache.
He stood up, cup
ped her cheek. “Don’t think about this now. I’m on it. And I promise you, I will find out who did it. I won’t stop until I see them behind bars. ”
She looked hesitant to leave him.