Page 29 of Searching for Valor

Rylan’s bullshit detector pinged like crazy. Every word out of Parker’s mouth sounded rehearsed, calculated. This was the attorney general of California, not some small-town politician. He had an army of lackeys to handle things like this. For him to show up personally, with a security detail no less? Something stank to high heaven. “How do you already know about Monica’s children?”

Parker nodded toward one of his bodyguards. “My security team picked up police chatter about fifteen minutes go.” He scanned the lot again, his gaze briefly settling on Zak and the rest of the team as they filed out of the cabin. “But it looks like we beat Sheriff Rawlings here. Something needs to be done about this sheriff’s slow response times. It’s unacceptable.”

Rylan’s gut twisted. Ash’s department would have faster response times if he hadn’t needed to fire half his deputies for corruption after the previous sheriff’s crimes came to light. “And you just happened to be in the area?”

The politician’s smile turning faintly condescending. “I travel frequently, Mr. Cross. All over the state. But, if you’re asking why I’m here, specifically, I have friends in this area and own a vacation home nearby. It’s not unusual for me to be here.”

Before Rylan could respond, another vehicle pulled into the now-crowded driveway—a familiar Tahoe flanked by a dark green police cruiser with the Lost County Sheriff’s Department emblem on the door. Ash Rawlings slid from behind the wheel of his Tahoe, his trademark scowl firmly in place as he took in the scene before him.

“Sheriff Rawlings,” Parker said, spreading his hands in mock welcome. “You made it. What a surprise.”

Ash’s gaze locked with Parker’s, and the air crackled with tension. “Tom,” he greeted, his voice flat. “What brings you all the way out here? Awful long way from Sacramento.”

Parker’s smile remained firmly in place, but his eyes hardened. “As I was just explaining to Mr. Cross and Miss Delgado, I’m here to check on my employee. Monica’s children are missing. That warrants my personal attention, don’t you think?”

Ash’s jaw tightened, his gaze flicking to Izzy before returning to the attorney general. “We’ll handle it. This is my jurisdiction.”

“Of course it is.” Parker’s tone dripped with condescension. “And I’m sure you’ll do a thorough job, just like you did with that nasty business with your predecessor.”

Ash’s hands curled into fists at his sides and a muscle ticked in his jaw like he was grinding his teeth. He was fast reaching the fraying end of his temper.

Ash took a step forward, his voice low and dangerous. “I know what you’re implying, Tom. And I suggest you watch your mouth. This is my county, my case. I won’t have you interfering.”

Rylan’s eyes narrowed as he watched the tense exchange between Ash and Parker. The attorney general’s barbs were clearly designed to get under the sheriff’s skin, and from the looks of it, they were working.

Rylan stepped forward, putting himself between the two men. “I’m sure we all have the same goal here— finding those kids and bringing them home safe. Why don’t we focus on that?”

Parker clasped his hands behind his back, unperturbed. “Yes, of course. I simply wanted to offer the full resources of my office to assist in your investigation.”

Ash all but snarled. “We don’t need the Attorney General’s office getting involved.”

Parker’s smile turned razor-sharp. “Forgive me, Sheriff, but given your department’s track record, I think a little oversight might be in order. Wouldn’t want any more… missteps.”

“I assure you, there will be no missteps in this investigation,” Ash gritted out. “My department has this under control.”

The bodyguards stiffened, their hands hovering near their weapons. Parker held up a hand, signaling them to stand down. “Then I won’t take up any more of your time,” he said, his tone clipped. “But do keep me updated. My office is invested in Monica’s well-being.”

Without waiting for a response, Parker turned and climbed back into his SUV. His convoy followed suit, the vehicles retreating into the trees as quickly as they’d appeared.

Ash watched them go, visibly trying to rein in his temper. “That man’s so fucking dirty,” he said finally, turning to Rylan and Izzy. “I just can’t prove it.”

“You think he’s involved?” Rylan asked.

“I think he knows more than he’s letting on,” Ash said. He leveled a hard look at Izzy. “And so do you. Why the fuck didn’t you come to me first?”

“You fired me,” she reminded, unflinching. “Threw me to the wolves.:

“I didn’t throw you to the wolves, Delgado. You jumped into the den all on your own,” he growled. “You broke protocol, put lives at risk. I couldn’t keep you around just because I happen to like you. Not after spending the last year cleaning my house of corruption. And especially not with that fucker”—he motioned toward the retreating SUVs—“breathing down my neck, waiting for me to make a wrong move.“

“I made a mistake. I know that, and I’ve been busting my ass to make it right. To be better.” Her voice broke slightly. “But if I had brought this to your attention this morning after Monica contacted me, would you have helped?”

Ash actually looked wounded for a split-second before his scowl returned. “There are kids missing. Of course I would have. Despite what people think of me, I’m not that much of an asshole.”

She shook her head and some of the defiance drained out of her. “Except you wouldn’t have believed me. Not at first. I knew going to you would waste time, so I went to Rylan. Because I knew hewouldbelieve me.”

Rylan’s heart squeezed at her words, but he kept his expression neutral. Despite everything that had happened between them, despite the anger and betrayal still simmering in his veins, she’d trusted him with this. Trusted that he would have her back when, until a couple hours ago, he hadn’t even known he had it in him to stand up for her.

Ash’s gaze flicked between them, assessing. After a long, tense moment, the sheriff sighed and rubbed a hand over his beard. “We’re going to find those kids, but we’re doing it my way. By the book. No vigilante bullshit. Which means you”—he pointed at Izzy—”are going to have to come down to the station to give a formal statement.”

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