Page 43 of Deadly Revenge

“There’s no such thing. It’s important that he understands that taking responsibility for a horse is part of riding.” She grinned. “He’ll be happy the next time he comes—he gets to ride the pony at a walk all by himself around the ring.”

“Sounds like you’re making a difference in someone’s life too.”

“I hope so. His mother ...” Jenna shook her head. “The grandmother thinks she’s dead since they haven’t heard from her in almost a year—probably overdosed.”

“That’s sad. I’m glad he has you and the Big Brother you set him up with.” Max’s phone rang, and he glanced at the screen. “Oh, good, it’s a call I’ve been waiting for. I’ll be right back.”

While he was gone, Jenna stacked the plates they’d shoved aside and didn’t notice the diner owner approach.

“I’ll get those,” Ethel said. “I would’ve gotten them earlier, but you two looked like you didn’t want to be disturbed.”

“You were right.” Jenna tilted her head. “What can you tell me about Harrison Carter?”

“Other than I didn’t much care for him? He was ... oh, goodness, I don’t know where to start.”

Ethel snapped her fingers and then pointed to an older gentleman sitting in a corner booth. “Mr. Darby can tell you more than I can. That’s him sitting right over there.”

Mr. Darby was the one Taylor and Dylan had mentioned earlier. She looked up at Ethel. “Are you talking about our local hermit?”

“He wasn’t always a hermit—he used to be friendly as all get out.”

“Thanks.” It was worth a shot. She stood and approached the booth. He didn’t seem to notice Jenna, or he was simply ignoring her.

“Mr. Darby?”

He flinched when she called his name. He turned toward her with a frown. “Yes?”

She could tell by the puzzled expression that he was trying to place her.

“Jenna Hart,” she said. “You used to give me mints at church.”

He looked her up and down. “Little Jenna?”

“Yep, except I’m all grown up. I guess you’re retired now.”

He nodded.

“You worked at city hall, right?” She already knew he did, but it seemed like a good opening.

He nodded again.

Not very talkative, but Jenna couldn’t say she hadn’t been warned. “You were there when Harrison Carter first became mayor, right?”

She didn’t think the man could get any more still, but now he just froze, except for his gaze that darted to the door.

“That was a long time ago.”

She strained to hear him. “But you worked there back when he was mayor, and Joe Slater and Paul Nelson were councilmen?”

“Why are you asking me about them?”

If her father knew about the wreck, she figured Mr. Darby would have heard about it as well. “I’m sure you’ve heard that Joe Slater drove off the side of Eagle Ridge and—”

“What?” He swallowed hard.

So he hadn’t heard. She explained what had happened.

His bushy brows lowered in a frown. “You say both of them died?”

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