Page 44 of Unforgiven

Tabitha appreciated him being so direct. “That’s why I came to town. I wanted to speak to you. I mean, if I may.”

“Of course. Let’s go to my office.”

She nodded and stayed by his side as they walked the two blocks to the sheriff’s department.

“I promised Kristie I’d pick up a couple of things for supper,” he said when she eyed the canvas bag half filled with groceries that he carried. “Now we just have to hope I remember to take them out of the staff refrigerator when I leave.”

She chuckled. “If you forgot, that would be bad.”

“It sure would, because we’d end up having sandwiches instead of tacos tonight.” He winked. “A cold ham sandwich just isn’t the same.”

“I don’t think so either.”

Looking pleased that they were in agreement, Sheriff Johnson opened the door to the building and gestured for her to go first.

“Hey, Sheriff,” a woman called out with a thick drawl. She was around Tabitha’s age and wore about a dozen woven bracelets on both wrists. “You got a couple of messages.”

Tabitha tried to remember her name. Courtney? Yes, that was it.

“Can they wait? Tabitha and I are going to visit for a spell.”

She looked down at the stack of notes laid out in front of her. “Sure thing. None of these looks urgent.”

“Where’s Junior?”

The receptionist grinned. “He’s visiting with our favorite Bigfoot tracker.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“I know, right?” As if she was finally placing Tabitha, Courtney gentled her voice. “Hey. How are you?”

“I’m fine, thank you. And you?”

“I can’t complain.” Courtney stood and wiggled her fingers. “Hand over those groceries, Billy. I’ll put ’em in the fridge.” The phone rang and she picked it up. “Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department.”

After placing the bag on the corner of Courtney’s desk, Sheriff Johnson opened the door to his office. “Come on in, Tabitha. If we stay, Courtney’s going to decide I need to speak to someone and you’ll be waiting out here till the cows come home.”

She followed Sheriff Johnson in and then took a chair in front of his desk while he closed the door and got settled. “As you can see, things are just as busy as ever around here.”

“Sorry, I don’t want to be rude, but . . . we’ve got a Bigfoot tracker?”

“It’s nothing to worry about. There’s a lady out in Walker Woods who’s sure she’s seen Bigfoot. She calls in her reports a couple of times a month.” He shrugged. “She’s lonely, I’m afraid. Junior and I take turns paying her a call. We listen to her report while she serves us pie.”

“I see.”

“It’s okay if you don’t,” he said with a laugh. “But she’s harmless. Besides, everyone needs a little bit of help sometimes, right?”

“Right.” Her body relaxed a bit.

“Are you ready to talk, Tabitha?”

“Yes.”

“Anything in particular worrying you?”

“I’m afraid Leon’s going to show up at the house.” She clenched her hands, half prepared to defend herself when he shrugged off her worry.

Sheriff Johnson didn’t do that at all. Instead, he looked her in the eye. “I know you’re worried. I think that’s to be expected. There’s nothing wrong with being concerned, either. But as soon as I heard from Mia, I double-checked the status of his restraining order. It’s still in effect and it’s not going anywhere.”

---