Page 62 of Dark Side of the River

He looked up as Pickett came through the stable door. “Something I think you’d better come see,” the ranch hand said, and motioned for Cooper to follow him. Once outside, he saw it immediately. Flames shooting up high into the air on the other side of the ravine that cut through the mountains.

Swearing, he knew exactly what was burning—all evidence of the meth lab and the men involved.

CHAPTER TWENTY

COOPERBLAMEDHIMSELF. If he hadn’t gotten involved with Tilly Stafford, the sheriff would have done his job. The moment he thought it, he knew this didn’t fall on his shoulders.

He caught the sheriff as he was coming out of the building. “What are you doing here?” Stu demanded. His uniform was wrinkled, and he looked tired, beaten down. Cooper had heard that he’d had a visit from the Feds. He hoped they’d chewed his ass good.

“They burned everything, getting rid of the evidence, didn’t they? You let that happen out of spite,” Cooper said, unable to hold back his anger.

“Unless you want me to lock you up, I suggest you get out of my way.”

“You let them get away. Now I’m wondering how much other evidence you let slide—over a woman.”

“I don’t have any idea what you’re insinuating, but—”

“Sure you do, Stu. Leann. I didn’t kill her, and she didn’t kill herself. The notes prove it. There was another man in her life. She was leaving with him. I wonder what happened. Did she see something in him that she didn’t like that day? Or had he changed his mind because he finally had her? He’d finally taken her away from me?”

“You’re accusing me of not just covering up evidence, but killing her? You think I was the other man?”

“She said I wouldn’t approve and she was right, if it was you. Because she wanted to leave town and you’re never leaving here.”

“You don’t know me.”

“You’re right,” Cooper said. “I don’t. I thought I did, but you’ve now reminded me of things about you that gave me pause that I ignored out of friendship.”

Stu let out a bitter laugh. “No one is as perfect as Cooper McKenna,” the sheriff said sarcastically. “Good thing you came back to town to save Tilly Stafford. Too bad you couldn’t save Leann, though. Isn’t that what really bothers you?”

“What really bothers me is that she was murdered, and you don’t seem to want to find her killer.”

Stu glared at him. “I think I already have. I’m starting to agree with the prosecutor. Maybe Iwillreopen the case. But what will Tilly do without you all those years you’re in prison?”

Other people were coming out of the sheriff’s department and courthouse as the day ended. This wasn’t the place or the time. But Cooper hadn’t been able to hold his anger in any longer. He’d felt like Stu had been dragging his feet on Oakley’s case, ignoring leads and now letting the men running the meth lab get away.

“I’m going to find out the truth, and not just about Leann’s murder, but Oakley’s shooting and who was running that meth lab in your county under your nose,” Cooper said.

“You get in my way again and I will put you behind bars,” Stu said as Cooper turned and walked away. “I mean it, Coop. I’ll lock you up and Tilly too.”

TILLYFELTSICKwhen she heard about the fire. She knew at once what was burning. All she could think was that Cooper must be beside himself with anger. He’d called Stuart and told him about the lab. Why hadn’t the sheriff done anything? Hugging herself, she feared she and Coop were the reason.

It made her furious with Stuart. It also made her wonder why she’d ever gone out with him. Because they’d been friends, and she had to admit, he’d been fun on the dates. Then her sister had been shot, Cooper had come back to town and she’d seen a side of Stuart that more than disturbed her.

He’d been instantly jealous of her spending any time with Cooper. But, looking back, he always had been jealous of him, she realized. She remembered him making remarks about how lucky ranchers’ sons were that they were born into land. Stuart’s father had been sheriff in Powder River County. The only land his family had owned was what was sitting under their house. So maybe this wasn’t entirely about her.

She’d been so deep in thought that she flinched when her phone rang.

“Coop?” She wasn’t surprised to hear the anger and frustration in his voice.

“You’ve heard?”

“Yes. Have you seen Stuart?” She knew Cooper. He would have gone straight to the sheriff.

“I saw him. How is your sister feeling?” he asked, quickly changing the subject. “You think she’s up for visitors?”

She could only guess how the confrontation between the two men had gone. At least Cooper wasn’t behind bars. “It will depend on if we can see Oakley without my mother being there. She isn’t on the same page as your father,” Tilly said regretfully.

“Has she said anything to you?”

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