Page 92 of Stormy Ride

“I can work on that today. Not like I don’t have time.”

“Look into the disappearance of the first wife, too. We might be able to dig something up while we’re at it.”

“Yeah, I don’t think that case was ever solved,” said Billy. “But if it wasn’t solved the first time, I probably won’t find anything this long after.”

“Was the story in the paper? Would Wyatt know anything about it?”

“He might,” said Billy. “Go talk to him.”

“You had a narrow escape last night from Brenda. You better watch yourself or she’ll be over here trying to get you to have make up sex.”

Billy made a face. “Don’t even say that out loud, Travis.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

I was in my office calling Wyatt Thompson to set up a meeting with him about the missing first wife when Molly called from the squad room.

As soon as I finished my phone call, I hurried to the squad room to see what was up. Molly never called me without a good reason, and it was a good one. A surprise visit from Harlan’s caseworker – Haley Drayton.

Just what we needed when we’re so fuckin busy.

“Miss Drayton. Nice to see you. I presume you’re here to see Harlan?”

“No other reason.” She was a bit arrogant—full of her power to take Harlan away from me if she chose to do so. Harlan stood next to me, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jeans and a freaked-out expression on his pale face.

Nothing scared Harlan except his fucking caseworker. And I felt bad that she could do that to him.

I pointed down the hallway. “Why don’t you and Harlan talk in the break room? You’ll have privacy in there.”

“Thank you, Sheriff.”

Molly rolled her eyes as Drayton marched Harlan into the break room and closed the door.

“See the look on his face?” asked Molly. “She scares him.”

“It’s not right. She’s already done her home inspection and as soon as she leaves, I’m calling Gloria Grafton at the county office. Papers have been filed to make me Harlan’s guardian, and I don’t want any reports by Drayton screwing me up with the judge when I go to court to make it official.”

Molly nodded. “He’s such a good boy and you and Harlan are doing so well, he doesn’t need interference from a caseworker.”

Drayton sat down at the round table in the break room and pulled a notebook out of her leather briefcase. “How are you and Sheriff Frost getting along, Harlan?”

“Fine. We got no problems.”

“Do you like living with the sheriff?”

“Yep. All good.”

“Would you tell me if there was something bothering you about your living arrangement?”

Harlan shrugged. “Like what?”

“Like if Sheriff Frost wanted you for more than just giving a boy from juvie a home.”

“That what you think, you pervert?” Harlan jumped to his feet and started yelling. “I hate you county people. All my life you screwed me over. I could never get settled in a foster home because of bitches like you, and you’re not doing it to me this time. No fuckin way.”

From my office next door, I heard Harlan hollering at Haley Drayton. I jumped out of my chair and ran to the break room next door. I opened the door and lost my cool.

“What the hell is going on in here?”

---