Page 43 of Among the Innocent

Dalton clasped his hands together on the table. “Fair enough.”

Leah leaned back in her seat and studied him as if she were watching something strange. “I think Kitty is going to like you, and she is very particular about who she lets get close.”

He chuckled. “What about her owner?” He regretted his joke the moment it was out. Before his eyes, the wall he’d seen her use to keep people out returned.

“I’ve learned I’m better off with animals. For the most part, they don’t try to kill you.”

What a terrible way to live, and yet he was barely one stepahead of her. He’d had the perfect woman, but he’d been too consumed with Harrison’s death to appreciate her fully.

An awkward silence returned. Dalton found himself grateful when Gladys brought over their food. “Thank you,” he told her. Gladys waved a hand and walked away.

“I don’t think you’re going to be able to charm Gladys.” Leah took a big bite of the burger, smearing mayonnaise across her mouth. She grabbed her napkin and wiped it off.

“I’m not usually the charming type. I think it’s best to be straightforward.”

Something akin to admiration showed in her eyes. “I prefer straightforward.”

He wondered why she’d chosen to stay in St. Ignatius. Couldn’t be much to do around here for someone her age. “Did you ever want to venture out into the world and leave your small-town roots behind?”

She wiped her hands on her napkin and took her time answering. He had the impression Leah didn’t much like giving pieces of herself away.

She shrugged. “I guess I find something comforting about living in a small community.”

As someone who had survived such a horrendous tragedy, she probably took comfort in knowing those around her. Having things rarely change. “You never wanted to get married?” he added softly.

She cleared her throat. “At one time. The Amish are all about family. Growing up, Colette and I used to talk about what type of men we’d marry.” She stopped. Didn’t go on.

“And what type of man is that?” He held her gaze, lost in the emotions flashing in those green depths. Was he the type of man she could fall for?

She dropped her attention to her plate. “I don’t remember anymore. It was just a childish dream.”

Once they’d paid the bill, he and Leah headed outside to the SUV to another day slipping away.

Dalton settled into his seat and secured his seat belt. The exhaustion of the past two days gathered around him. His head hurt. His eyelids grew heavy as Leah drove him to her house.

Her place was as generic on the inside as it appeared from the street. He was under the impression she’d owned the house for a little while. Had she not settled in yet, or was it hard for her to put down roots?

The house’s air-conditioning hummed as it struggled to keep up with the heat of the day.

Leah gave him a tour of the place. “Kitchen’s through there. It’s sort of stocked.” She shrugged, and he wondered what that meant. “I’ve hesitated moving Kitty into Marge’s house because she doesn’t take to change well. I found her behind the police station. She was all alone and crying. Someone had dumped her there.” She stopped and shook her head. “But with Mom’s dementia worsening, I think it’s time to move Kitty and myself in with her permanently. Kitty will adjust.”

Dalton wondered how much of herself Leah saw in that kitten. He couldn’t imagine what she’d gone through back then, losing everyone she loved. Feeling alone.

“I’ll see if I can find her.” She continued down the narrow hall and opened a door. He slammed into her when she stopped suddenly. “Oh no.” Dalton barely caught the whispered words. Leah’s hand covered her mouth; her eyes stared at something on the bed.

“What is it?” He gently moved her out of the way and sawwhat she’d seen. Dalton recognized the piece of jewelry because it was similar to the one Colette had given them. It was a locket turned over to display initials engraved on the back.

“He’s been here. Dalton, he’s been here.” The words came out in a sob. He put his arm around her shoulders and stared at the dark reminder on the bed.

Anger rose at the realization that the killer had been inside her house. Had probably touched her things while planning how he would kill her.

And he might still be here.

Dalton let her go, unholstered his weapon, and searched the bedroom and adjoining bath. He grabbed his phone and called for backup.

Together they cleared the rest of the house.

“Kitty.” She looked up at him with huge, worried eyes. “She’s probably in the laundry room. That’s where she goes when she’s scared.”

---