Page 23 of Among the Innocent

He nodded. “Take your time.”

Dalton pulled into the drive and they traversed the distance to the house. Every time Leah saw it, she was reminded of that frightened sixteen-year-old self who had come here for the first time after the worst moments of her life.

“You okay?” Dalton asked. She realized he’d been watching her closely and seeing far too much.

“Just thinking about the first time I came here. I was so scared.”

“I can’t even imagine,” he said softly.

Leah didn’t understand what was happening to her. Dalton had a quiet strength about him that made it easy for her to open up to him, and that scared her. Was it a ploy to get information or did he genuinely care?

She took out her key and realized Marge had forgotten to lock the door again.

Dalton saw it too.

“She’s becoming more forgetful,” she said and opened the door before he asked another question. The house appeared quiet. “Marge,” she called out.

“In here.”

Leah spared Dalton a glance before she headed to the kitchen.

When she entered the room, she found Marge seated at the table with a cup of coffee in front of her, a smile on her face. Yet Leah once again was taken aback by the years the woman had aged since her husband’s death.

Leah leaned down and kissed her cheek. “How are you today?”

Marge smiled up at her. “Better, now that you’re here.” She noticed the man next to her, and Leah made the introductions.

“This is Dalton Cooper. He’s the new chief,” she added reluctantly.

“I see,” Marge whispered then held out her hand. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Dalton. Is Leah showing you around?”

“Yes, ma’am, she is.”

Leah glanced around the room and noticed a second coffee cup on the counter. She moved to it and felt the side. Still warm.

“Did Sam have coffee with you?”

Marge turned her way. “Sam? No, why?”

“There’s a second cup.” Leah pointed to it.

The older woman’s brow knitted. “I must have poured it and forgot. Would you and Dalton like some? I can make another pot.”

Leah shook her head and sat down beside Marge. “We can’t stay that long. I just wanted to check on you.” She did her best to explain what had happened without mentioning the connection to her own past. She didn’t want to cast doubt on Ellis’s investigation of the case just yet.

Marge clutched her throat. “Oh my word, that’s terrible. The poor girl. Are you safe?”

No matter how old Leah was, Marge still remembered that frightened girl Leah had been back then.

“I am. I promise I won’t take any unnecessary risks.” Leah glanced up at Dalton. Time was quickly passing and they had a killer to catch. She reluctantly rose. “I hate to leave so soon, but we need to go. Sam will be here with you should you need anything.” She hugged Marge tight. The thought of losing thissweet woman to an enemy Leah couldn’t fight was terrifying. “I’ll be back to check on you again soon.”

A smile creased Marge’s weary face. “Okay, baby girl.” Leah wondered if her use of the pet name she’d given Leah when she first came here was deliberate, or had she forgotten her name?

Marge grabbed her arm, a fearful look on her face. “Be careful. I can’t lose you too.”

Leah placed her arms around her mother’s shoulders and hugged her. “I’m not going anywhere, and you aren’t losing me.” She gave Marge a kiss on the cheek.

Dalton’s phone rang and he answered it.

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