Page 88 of Billionaire Protector

“Of course, everything would change if someone got hurt. Even if the arsonist isn’t trying to injure anyone, a tragedy could happen anytime. Fires don’t always stay where you want them to stay.” Carol turned to Sarah. “We haven’t had any significant leads in the case before today, correct?”

Before today.The implication was obvious, the consequences devastating. The only clue they had was the earring, the only lead,her. But she would not betray her vulnerability, as she stood taller, said in a steady voice, “No.”

The mayor peered closer. “No one you suspect, no one who saw anything?”

Sarah shook her head, although the truth edged just under total certainty. Her father had seen something, yet no one wouldbelieve him. Of course, there was Cole’s suspicion someone was trying to frame her. The criminal’s presence at the Renaissance fair supported that theory, yet she would sound defensive if she mentioned it now. If someone was trying to frame her, she didn’t want him or her aware of her suspicions. Not yet.

“I understand an earring was found at the crime scene.”

“It was mine,” Sarah admitted. “And no–” She didn’t wait for the question that would undoubtedly follow. “I don’t know how it got there. I haven’t been there.”

“So I heard.” The mayor looked at her deeply, and Sarah met her gaze. If she was going to be fired, she’d take it with dignity. Yet then the mayor softened. “Obviously there’s a lot to consider in a case like this. Sarah, I’ve known you since you were a kid, and I don’t believe you had anything to do with the fires.”

She didn’t?

“Neither do I.” Zoe stepped forward. “Sarah worked hard to get where she is, and I can’t imagine she’d do anything to jeopardize it. I’m behind you, Sheriff.”

“I am, too,” Annie spoke.

“As am I,” Scott added. “I don’t know who did it, but there must be some reasonable explanation.”

Sarah nodded at the three police officers. Maybe the situation wasn’t quite like her childhood after all. Of course, she didn’t waste a glance at Donovan. Obviously, he wasn’t going to defend her. Instead, she looked to Cole. So did everyone else.

He saidnothing.

Not a word, not a sound, not an utterance. Instead, he stared at her with heavy regard, impossibly close to suspicion. And that’s when it became clear…

He didn’t believe her.

He still thought she was a criminal, capable of setting their beautiful town ablaze. After all they’d shared, after how they’dconnected, after she’d fallenin lovewith him, he still believed she was the villain of the story.

She was not the only one who noticed. The suspicion spread like a deadly virus, as the others watched with renewed speculation, askingwhat ifsshe could not answer. The most respected man in Harmony Creek thought she was guilty. Did they now, too?

The mayor frowned deeply. “I’m not going to fire the sheriff over a single piece of circumstantial evidence, no matter how serious.”

Slight relief lightened the weight crushing her chest. Sarah exhaled slowly, focused on the mayor. There had to be abut.

It came a second later. “But I’m not the only one who makes these decisions. The town council has to weigh in, and they’ve convened a special meeting tomorrow. This is our only chance.” She addressed everyone. “If you want to help your sheriff, find out who is committing these crimes. The sooner we put the real criminal behind bars, the sooner your sheriff will be free to do her job.”

Everyone nodded. The mayor squeezed Sarah’s shoulder, then walked out of the office, followed by all the deputies except for Cole. This time he didn’t bother shutting the door, leaving their conversation visible, and audible, to the entire office.

It should’ve been wonderful to have a mayor who stood firm despite the evidence. To have three deputies who supported her, too. But there was only one person Sarah could think about right now, one person whose opinion, no matter how she fought it, mattered.

“You believe I’m guilty.” The words came on their own, whispered.

The response was no whisper. “I’m not your judge, Sarah.”

“But you didn’t defend me.” Her response rose in volume, even though she shouldn’t be having this conversation – nothere, not now, probably not ever. Yet, she couldn’t stop herself. “When the others said I was innocent you stayed silent. After everything we’ve been through, I thought you would stand behind me. What about what happened at the diner and the fair?”

Cole’s expression betrayed no emotion. “After what yousaidhappened. I didn’t see anything definitive in either place.”

She ground her teeth. “You actually believe I’m behind the fires? Why, Cole? Why would I deliberately sabotage the job I worked so hard to get?”

“Why does anyone commit a crime?” He shrugged. “I’ve never understood the criminal mind. Maybe you thought you’d make yourself look good by dealing with a serious matter.”

Criminal mind?“I’d look good if I solved the crime, not let it continue endlessly without a lead. And I certainly don’t look good now that I’m the prime suspect!” She was shouting now. “And that’s what I am, right? You think I did it, don’t you?”

She searched his eyes for the man she loved, the champion who stood behind her, but his expression remained unbending and hard. “You want me to judge you? Fine, I think you did it. You were a criminal then, and you’re a criminal now.”

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