“I feel bad about what I did to her,” Nate said. “I think I was mad at your dad and—”
“No,” Rowan said, “I mean I really, really like her. Are you sure it’s over between you two?”
Nate was beginning to smile. “Absolutely over.”
Rowan stopped. ?
?Listen, I, uh... They’ll call me when forensics finds anything, so I’m going back. I have, uh, some questions I’d like to ask her.” Turning, he started walking backward. “From what I’ve seen, you need to hire some new deputies. How much is your salary and what’s the town’s budget for your department?”
“How would I know? I’m not the sheriff.”
“You’ve been sworn in now, so you are until someone else takes over. I—” Rowan’s phone buzzed and he looked at it. “It’s Dad. I’ll meet you later.” He put the phone to his ear and turned back to the courthouse, but Nate could hear him. “Yeah, Dad, I met her. Yes! I like her. What about the forensics? Yes, I think she’s quite spunky. Is that a word today? What about the case?”
Smiling, Nate went back to the sheriff’s office. His office.
Chapter 23
The sun was barely rising and Rowan was already at Terri’s house. “I’ll be honest with you,” he said. “I don’t know how we’re going to investigate this. The time is overwhelming.”
“Our one lead was based on Della’s snooping,” Nate said. “We—” He broke off as his phone buzzed and he looked at it. “It’s one of my—” he swallowed “—deputies.” He declined the call and looked back at Terri. “My guess is that it was caused by something that happened in a single moment. Maybe your mother saw a robbery or a—”
“Or a murder,” Rowan said. “We’re running everything through a database to see what went on in this area at that time.”
“He made her write a note?” Terri was skeptical, disbelieving.
“Maybe,” Nate said. “She could have—Holy hell.” His phone had started ringing, then buzzing. Two texts, three emails and a call came through. At the same time, the doorbell rang.
“That will be food and a plea for info,” Terri said. “You two better go or you’ll never get out.”
“You can’t stay here alone,” Nate said. “Your dad—”
“Is a mess,” Terri said. Her phone started ringing, then Rowan’s. Nate’s had never stopped. “Go! Now. Out the back, around the side.”
Nate gave Terri a quick kiss, then left the house, Rowan right behind him. She took a deep breath and went to the door to let in the first of the visitors. As she knew they would, they carried containers of food. She couldn’t help but think that the dishes were like a movie ticket. They were paying for a show. In this case it was information about the car found in the lake. And the people who’d been there for years wanted to know about Billy. And Stacy. Was it true that Terri and Billy were back together? Had Nate really dropped sweet Stacy flat? Good for Terri to dump him and go back to Billy.
More than one person admitted he/she was torn about Nate. “He fished our son/daughter/dog out of the water” was said many times. But they also said, “Stacy has always been so nice to us. I hate to see her hurt.”
Terri did her best to be gracious and thank them for yet another casserole—and she listened to all the gossip they told her. The only surprise was when they said that Billy Thorndyke was now a minister. “And he’s taking over St. Anne’s Church.”
“I can’t believe he didn’t tell you!” They waited for Terri to make a comment but she didn’t.
She called Nate three times to see how he was doing, but it went to voice mail. She figured he was as overwhelmed as she was and couldn’t answer the phone.
After lunch—eaten cold and quickly—she called Elaine and asked about her dad.
“He ranges between depression and relief. His beloved wife did not leave him, but she was murdered. He’s been talking about her all day. I’m taking good care of him.”
Terri wanted to hug Elaine. Most women would have been jealous, but not her. “Thank you,” she whispered as she choked up.
“Anytime, honey.”
Her talk with Elaine gave her new energy and she greeted the next batch of well-wishers with a smile.
At three, Nate called.
“You can’t believe how busy it is here,” she said. “I—”
“Terri! Where is the Chinese bowl?”