Page 142 of Stone

The sheriff began to bluster. “Well, the witness was anonymous. Just said they’d seen these men leaving—”

“On their bikes? The tip-off said they saw these men riding off on their motorcycles? Actually saw all of their faces?” I questioned.

He nodded, confused.

“I doubt that,” I replied, saccharine sweet. “They always wear helmets.”

You could hear a pin drop, apart from a cackle coming from somewhere in the room.

“So, seeing as I saw Adele Stone in the coffee shop earlier, took her and her son back to the compound, and was invited in for refreshments, staying there with them until Mrs. Decker was brought in for surgery, I can categorically state, they haven’tcommitted arson.” I tapped my lip. “Now, also, I waved at Emmie Dixon when Adele and I got in the car in Main Street. I’m sure she’d corroborate that if you ask.” I smiled again. “Why don’t you run along and speak to her and maybe stop trying to arrest innocent men on the basis of tip-offs that are obviously false. I’d hate for you to lose your position due to a miscarriage of justice, and so would my husband.”

Soft chuckles filled the room.

The sheriff’s face burned beet red as he stared at me in confusion. Then, with a nod, he turned on his heel and left.

“I’m going for coffee,” I announced. “Anyone want anything?” My stare fell on Bandit, who stood next to John with a wide smirk covering his face. “Don? Coffee?”

His shoulders deflated, and he smiled sadly at me. “Balls of steel,” he muttered.

John’s golden eyes veered to his dad, and he frowned. “Told ya, Pop. Iron will.”

Bandit scraped a hand down his face and mouthed,I’m sorry.

I couldn’t stop the tears welling in my eyes because, finally, after all these years, I’d proven myself to him. Except it was too late. Me and John were over. It didn’t matter anymore.

All that mattered to me now was Constance.

I blinked away the moisture in my eyes, turned, and started down the corridor.

“Elise!” a deep voice called from behind.

Slowly, I closed my eyes, braced, fixed a smile on my face, and turned. “You want coffee?” I asked brightly.

“No, Leesy,” John murmured, walking closer. “Wanna know how you knew about the Sinners.”

“I told you already,” I replied. “Though, I need to ask something. In the parking lot that day, they were bothering a young woman, jeering and frightening her. The ringleader had a name on his cut. Something like Scalp, I think. He frightenedme, too. Do I need to worry I’ll see him there again? Because if so, I’ll steer clear.”

John’s face blanked. “No,” he said flatly. “You don’t have to worry about Scalp.” He suddenly smiled. “Thank you for today. I know Iris is in a bad way, but at least we got to her in time.”

“It’ll be a long road ahead for her,” I murmured, my gaze locking with John’s.

The look in his eyes said everything. They conveyed love, loss, despair, and anguish, and I’m sure mine did, too. My soul reached out to him one more time, but I still felt empty. This man, the love of my life, wasn’t mine anymore. He belonged to Adele and Xander now, even though, in my heart, I’d always be his.

His family needed him. If I told him about Constance, he’d burn the world down to find her and, by doing that, probably get her killed and himself put in prison. Robert had me over a barrel, and John, too, though he didn’t know it.

I had to play the long game. Constance was happy and cared for. I could live with that for now if it meant protecting her the way I promised that night down at the creek when we watched the stars, and John told me the story of Cassiopeia and Andromeda. My daughter would always come first.

He reached out to touch me, but I stepped back. I couldn’t take it. I’d break.

“Take care, John,” I whispered.

“You too, Leesy,” he croaked.

Then I turned, and with my heart bleeding out inside my chest, I walked away from the love of my life.

For evermore.

Two days later, Robert beat the shit out of me.

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