Page 61 of Hidden Depths

“Sheriff—”

“No, Bennett, I’m sorry, but I have a huge workload. Chasing holiday makers because of an inconvenient acquaintance is not high on my list of priorities. I have an uncle who spent time in prison. Does that make me a bad guy?”

Sara jumped forward in her seat. “What about Balthazar? He was there. He was in my house, watching.”

“You want me to arrest a guy because he has the same fashion sense as a man involved in your tragedy? I’m sorry for your loss, but I can’t go around incarcerating everyone who reminds you of someone.”

“It’s him. I’m positive.” Her voice shook.

Tom put a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry for wasting your time,” he said.

“I appreciate you coming to see me, and I can promise you I’ll keep my eye out, but there’s not much else I can do.”

“I understand.” Tom stood.

“And Agent Bennett, I expect you to back off or I will be forced to put in a complaint against you. Unless an investigation is on the books, you’d both do best to enjoy a little R and R together, seeing as that’s why I assume this has all come up.”

“Sheriff?”

“It looks to me like you’re caught up in all of this because of her.” He nodded toward Sara. “Stop trying to create drama, and have a nice time together.”

“If you’re implying that I’m emotionally involved with a witness, I can assure you, I am not. Everything that I’ve seen points to the possibility that Sara’s life is in grave danger. Not to mention that I am certain these men have nefarious business in town.”

“Okay.” Dodd nodded to Tom. “But it may be advisable to look into your new friend here as well.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t mean to sound offensive, but Sara wouldn’t be the first con artist to pass through town.”

“I’m not a con artist. You think I’m lying about my parents’ murder?”

“Not at all, but maybe you have a beef with someone who justice failed to incarcerate, and you saw an opportunity to use Agent Bennett here to get back at him. But I won’t put up with vigilantism. You’ll have to go find another town to get away with that kind of behavior.”

“You think I—” Her voice caught in her throat, and Tom tugged at her.

“I think we’ve heard enough,” he said, trying to pull her to the door, but she was boiling with anger, and she resisted.

“I watched my parents murdered, and one of the men who was present is in this town, and I’m the bad guy?”

“Until you have proof—.”

“We should never have come,” Sara said and pushed past Tom out of the room.

* * *

Tom waited until she was out of earshot before saying, “You’ve handled this very unprofessionally.”

“I’m the one being unprofessional? You want me to arrest a couple of tourists for nothing more than their affiliation. I’m sorry, but this is a free country.”

“What if I get more evidence?”

“Look, Bennett, I hate to be harsh, but if I find out you’re snooping around, you might find yourself in one of my cells. Enjoy your holiday, or go home. Or,” he smiled, “keep Sara around and have even more fun.”

“I told you, it’s not like that.”

“You’re off duty. She’s an attractive woman. There’s no reason to keep going on this course.”

“She’s leaving on the first bus out of here.”

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