Page 33 of Shelter for Sharla

“Good move. Don’t talk to them?don’t talk toanybody. The investigation is ongoing, and it’s not appropriate. Plus you really don’t know anything to tell them, and anything personal about Tamara, well, they can dig around on their own. You shouldn’t help them.”

“That was my thinking too. Carter, I… I’m just so damn tired.”

“I know, honey. Let’s get through tomorrow and you can get some rest. And babe?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

He could hear her start to cry again. “I love you too. I’m so sorry for all of this.”

“None of it is your fault, angel. Just go to bed and get some sleep. I’ll be there tomorrow at eleven forty-five to pick all of you up, okay?”

“Okay. Thanks. See you then.”

“You will. Bye, love.” He hit END and dropped back into the sofa’s softness. The next day would be hell on earth, and he hoped she could hang on.

* * *

It wasn’tsomething Carter had given much thought to before, but he found himself wishing the sheriff’s department had a “dress” uniform that Wednesday morning. Lewis served as his detective, and he and Carter both had polo shirts with the department’s crest embroidered on the breast pocket. Fortunately, that kept his regular uniform in the closet, clean, pressed, and ready, and he donned it and looked in the mirror. Plenty nice enough, he supposed, for a regular, everyday uniform.

His cruiser was more than large enough for all four of them, so he headed to Sharla’s to pick up her, Chelsea, and Lionel. It was about eleven forty when he pulled into the drive, and he decided to just go ahead and ring the doorbell.

A red-eyed, teary Chelsea answered the door. “Hi, Chelsea. You guys about ready?”

“Yeah. Mom’s just finishing up. Would you like to come in?”

She has no idea I’ve slept in her mother’s bed, his brain hummed. “Sure. Thanks.”

“Just have a seat. I’m sure she’ll be out in a minute. I’ve got to go help Lionel with his tie.” As Chelsea walked away, he heard her grumble, “Like I know anything about ties.”

A chance to be useful and help out. Better grab it.“I’d be glad to help him.”

“Oh. Well, yeah, maybe that would be better. Hey, Li, SheriffMelton said he’d help you with your tie,” Chelsea called down the hallway.

The young man appeared in what had to be a brand new suit, his eyes puffy but dry. “Okay. I don’t tie these things so I don’t know anything about them.”

“It’s not hard if you know how. This’ll only take a second.” Carter adjusted the length of both ends of the tie, then began the process of knotting it. When it was finished, he stepped back and looked at it. “Looks nice.”

“Thanks.” That one word was the only thing Lionel said before he walked on past Carter and out the front door. What he was doing out there, Carter couldn’t imagine, and he couldn’t tell if the young man was overcome with emotion or pissed off that he was there. A sound caused Carter to turn.

Sharla stood there in a navy dress and low black pumps, her hair caught up in a smooth chignon he was sure Chelsea had helped her arrange. “Hi. Everybody ready to go?” she asked as she strode across the room toward him. The urge to grab her and kiss her was overwhelming, but he knew he couldn’t?not in front of Chelsea anyway. “Where’s Lionel?”

“Outside. I think he might be mad that I’m here,” Carter murmured under his breath.

Sharla shook her head. “I don’t think so. He’s just trying hard not to show any emotion. Thinks crying is a sign of weakness.”

“Would you like for me to talk to him?”

“Only if it comes about organically. Don’t force it or make a point to do it, but if he’s close by and tries to interact with you, sure. Talk to him. He doesn’t have a man in his life except for one teacher at the school.”

Carter nodded. “Noted. You ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be for this, I suppose. Chels?”

“Yeah. I’m ready, Mom.”

“Then let’s get everybody in my car and head that direction.” Carter opened the door and waited for the two women to step out, then locked the knob and pulled it shut behind him. Chelsea and Lionel were already sliding into the back seat, so he opened the front passenger door for Sharla and waited until she was buckled in to close it.

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