Page 35 of Shelter for Sharla

“She really was,” Carter said, still trying to rein in his feelings. God, what a shame! What a total and complete waste.I’m gonna get the bastards who caused all this, he promised himself in that moment.They’re gonna pay?I swear, they’re gonna pay.Hushed voices sounded from the back of the chapel and Carter turned to see Sam standing there with a woman who had to be Dahlia, his wife, and a tall, dark-haired man. “I need to go and speak with them. Will you be okay?”

“Sure. Go. Somebody you know?”

“Yeah. Reinforcements.” He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “I’d love to kiss you and give you a big hug right now, and I can’t, but I want you to know I would if I could.”

“Same here,” she whispered back. “And thanks again for being here and for talking to Lionel, because I know you did.” A tiny smile turned the corners of her lips up, and he gave her a little fake salute before heading to the back.

“Hey, Carter, how’s it going?” Sam said, grabbing his hand and shaking it.

“About as well as can be expected.”

“Dahlia, this is the guy I was telling you about,” Sam said with a grin.

“Good to meet you, Carter! Sam thinks a lot of you.”

“That’s good to know, I suppose! At least he’s not calling me a son of a bitch behind my back!” Carter gave a little chuckle.

Sam turned to the other man. “Cruz, this is CarterMelton, sheriff of TriggCounty. Carter, this is CruzLivingston, FBI agent out of SanAntonio, Texas.”

“Great to meet you,” Carter said, taking the man’s hand.

Cruz’s grip was strong and Carter noted his easy-going way of moving. “Great to meet you too. I hope this can be mutually beneficial.”

“Let me take you up to meet the family. Come on.” Carter headed up the aisle and straight to Sharla. “Ms.Barker, I’d like you to meet DetectiveSam Curry of the CallowayCounty Sheriff’s Department, and his wife, Dahlia.”

Dahlia’s voice was soft and soothing. “We’re so sorry for your loss, Ms.Barker.”

“Thank you. Were you there, DetectiveCurry?”

“I wasn’t. But I know most of the men who were, and they’re all grieving right along with your family, ma’am.”

Sharla gave them what Carter thought of as a very brave smile, considering the circumstances. “Thank you.”

“And this,” Carter said, turning a bit toward Cruz, “is AgentCruz Livingston of the FBI. AgentLivingston has come to give us some assistance in the case.”

“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am, although I wish it were under different circumstances,” Cruz said and took Sharla’s hand.

“Thank you so much. But FBI?” Sharla gave them a quizzical look. “Is that really necessary?”

“It might be, ma’am, and I figured if I could assist, I would. But I’m very sorry for your loss, and I hope I can offer SheriffMelton, DetectiveCurry, and the other fine members of the law enforcement community here with some assistance in figuring out what really happened that night.” As he spoke, Carter listened. He liked this guy. Cruz was compassionate and genuine, and his demeanor would put anyone at ease.We’re going to work well together, Carter thought. “I believe I’ll just go out front for a little while before the service.”

“I’ll join you,” Carter said, then gave Sharla a little nod before he followed Cruz down the aisle.

As soon as they cleared the front door, Cruz turned to Carter. “Something going on between the two of you?” Carter didn’t know what to say. “Look, I can tell. I don’t think anybody else can, but I can. I need everybody to be honest with me if this is going to work.”

“Then yes. Something is going on between us. Something…”

“Romantic?” Carter nodded. “That’s fine. She’s a lovely woman and I can see how you’d be attracted to her. And I really don’t think involvement with her is going to jeopardize this investigation, although if I were you, I’d keep it on the down low until this is over.”

“That’s exactly what we’re doing,” Carter assured him.

“Good. What’s going on today?”

“Funeral. Burial. And I gave them a talking-to in the car, told them if they saw anything, anything at all, that gave them a feeling something was off, they should tell me. They understand.”

“How much do they know?”

“They know there were drugs involved, but no particulars. They’re the ones who told me aboutLaTana delLupo, but they have no idea we know who or what that is. And the kids don’t know about Sharla and me, but they will next week. We want to be honest with them, but careful at the same time.”

---