Page 20 of Clara's Secure Hideaway

Besides, as an officer of the law, it was crucial he believed that justice would prevail—that allowing the system to work the way it was intended would protect those in need. Even if it wasn’t perfect and had failed Clara before, he had to keep fighting the only way he knew how.

Bob scratched his double chin. “Mitch, huh? Boy’s only been back to work a day. Already having problems?”

“We just need to have a conversation.” He tapped the envelope he’d come to deliver against the counter.

Bob clenched his jaw, but concern showed on the deep lines around his eyes. “He’s out back in the garage. You can speak to him in my office if you’d like.”

“This won’t take long. Thanks.”

Rounding the corner, he pushed through the glass door that connected the show room to the garage. The smell of oil and gasoline wrinkled his nose, and he ignored the curious glances from the two other employees currently working on an SUV. He wanted them to look, hell, even to hear this conversation.

Mitch hunched over a sink and scrubbed his hands. The water turned a murky brown as it disappeared down the drain.

“Mitch Parson?” Heath asked, stopping a few feet away.

Mitch swiveled. The expression on his face stayed pleasant, but something in his eyes told Heath how hard it was to keep his temper in check.

Go ahead and snap, big boy. Give me a chance to punch that look off your face and slap on a pair of handcuffs.

“You found me,” Mitch said.

“Didn’t take much. Lucky for me your probation officer has your employment and residence on file. You know, those pesky terms for your release. Makes it really easy for everyone in my department to keep an eye on you.”

Mitch tilted his head to the side. “Is that what you’re doing? Keeping an eye on me? I’m surprised not to find you with my wife again. She feed you the same bullshit she’s fed everyone else? Don’t fall for it. Besides, we both know she’s not done with me.”

“Yourex-wife is the reason I’m here.” He extended the envelope, holding it in the air between them until Mitch snatched it from his fingers. “And your kids. This is an emergency order from the judge. I’m sure you can read, but I’ll spell everything out for you so there are no misunderstandings. You are to stay one hundred yards away from Clara and your children. You are not to visit her place of work or her home. If you violate this order, you will go straight to jail to serve the remainder of your sentence. Do you understand?”

Cold fury vibrated from the muscles bulging in Mitch’s neck. He fisted the envelope in his meaty hand, crumbling the paper.

“You realize what’s in that order needs to be adhered to whether the paper is in one piece or not, right?”

Mitch tossed the envelope on the ground and stomped his boot over top. “I understand, all right. And hope she does, too. I’m sure she does, or she wouldn’t have run away last night.”

“And how would you know that?”

Lifting a shoulder, Mitch glanced over Heath’s head as if bored by the conversation. “Just a guess. I’ve known Clara a long time. I know how she operates. And you and I both know, she’ll come around eventually. She always does.”

Heath clenched his fists at his sides. He couldn’t let this guy get to him. Bait him into something he’d regret. “It’s going to be awfully hard to convince her when you can’t see or contact her.”

Mitch smirked. “Don’t you worry about that. My relationship with my wife isn’t any of your concern, Deputy.”

“Ex-wife,” Heath repeated. “And it’s very much my concern, as well as the concern of every other deputy in this county. We take protection orders very seriously. And I, for one, will be all too happy to throw your sorry ass back in a jail cell.”

“She’s really gotten to ya, hasn’t she?” Mitch laughed and shook his head. “She does have a way about her. Watch yourself, copper. You’d hate to put yourself in a bad situation.”

“Is that a threat, Mr. Parson?”

Mitch lifted his palms and widened his eyes in mock innocence. “Never. I was raised to respect the law and all who uphold it. Just a friendly warning is all. Now I need to get back to work. You have yourself a good rest of your day.”

Silent rage triggered his adrenaline, demanding he do something to quiet the smug piece of shit in front of him. But reacting to his taunting wouldn’t help anyone. Without another word, he stormed back into the storeroom, the sound of Mitch’s laugh trailing behind him.

“Everything all right?” Bob asked.

“You’re a good man, Bob. I respect the hell out of you and so does the rest of the town. Do me a favor and just keep an eye on that one.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder toward where he’d left Mitch standing moments before. “I don’t like him. I don’t trust him. And the safety of a woman and two children are at stake. There’s only so much I can do to help.”

A weight seemed to press down on Bob’s shoulders and he frowned. “I hope you’re wrong. I believe in the justice system as much as you do, and I pray that boy came back into the world with his head on straight. But I understand what you’re saying. If I see or hear anything, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Thanks.” Heath slid a business card across the red counter. He walked into the fresh air not feeling any more confident Mitch would leave Clara alone than he did when he got there. But he’d done his job and acquired an ally. All that was left to do was wait.

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