Page 45 of Unforgiven

“Do you think that will keep him away?”

“I’m not going to lie to you, Tabitha. All I can say is that I hope so.” He opened a drawer, pulled out a folder, and then glanced at a sheet of paper with handwritten notes scribbled across the top half of it. “I spoke with a lieutenant over in Bowling Green. He said that Leon’s case is going to go before the grand jury in a week or two. A witness has come forward.”

“I don’t understand why he’s not in jail.”

“He’s got some people on his side, I guess. They put up the bail. It was a good amount, Tabitha.”

“How did he get so much money?” She’d always believed the root of Leon’s quick temper was his financial troubles. They hadn’t much to speak of when they’d been married. At least, she hadn’t believed they did.

“I asked the same thing.” Glancing down at his notes again, Sheriff Johnson frowned. “The lieutenant seemed just as concerned as I was. I’m not going to be shy about asking around, though, and neither are the folks in Bowling Green.” He exhaled. “But you and I know things like this take time.”

She nodded slowly. “I understand.”

He closed his folder, seemed to come to a decision, and walked around his desk to take the chair next to her. “Tabitha, I’m going to stop by your place as often as I can, and Deputy Ernst will too. You’ll see our cars driving by several times a day.”

She swallowed. “All right.” When he didn’t speak, merely studied her, feeling frustrated, she said, “If Leon decides to come to the house and one of you is there, he’s just going to wait until you leave.”

“I know.” He folded his hands on his lap. “Is there someplace else you can go for a spell?”

“No.”

“Are you sure? Isn’t your family still in the area?”

“I see my sister Mary some, but I can’t impose. She has four little boys. And her husband is nice and all, but he’s wary about being around me.”

“Because of the divorce.”

“Jah. Roy is kind of a stickler, you see.”

Sheriff Johnson frowned. “I’m afraid I don’t. Roy’s your brother-in-law?”

“He is, but rules are important to him. I wasn’t shunned, but divorce is very frowned upon. Plus, now that some time has passed, people’s memories twist and turn. They start remembering things differently.”

“Even Roy.”

“Jah.” As difficult as it was to admit it, she forced herself to be honest. “A couple of people told me that I was being disrespectful to Leon. They’ve painted me to be the culprit.”

Sympathy pinched his expression. “I’m sorry about that.”

“I am too.” She swallowed. “I think some folks feel guilty about never stepping in to help me. Maybe it’s easier for them to repaint the past instead of coming to terms with their own faults?”

“If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened. Glass houses and all that.”

Tabitha wasn’t sure exactly what he meant but thought she got the gist of it. “All that matters to me anymore is that I know the truth and so does God.” She took a deep breath and added, “And Leon. He knows what he did, Sheriff Johnson.”

“I do too, Tabitha. I won’t ever forget the state I found you in. Now, would you like me to find you someplace temporary? There are some agencies that provide safe houses.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to leave. If I do leave and he shows up, he’s liable to try to stay.”

“Deputy Ernst and I would help him move out.”

“I know, but it’s home now. I don’t want him there at all.”

He looked at her for the span of a heartbeat. “I understand,” he said at last. “You might not be safe, though.”

“I’ve also become friends with Seth Zimmerman.” She didn’t have to ask if he knew Seth. The answer was written all over Sheriff Johnson’s face. “He’s not afraid of Leon.”

“No, I don’t imagine he is.”

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