Page 129 of When the Smoke Clears

Even through the phone, I can hear the smile that tilts Hank’s mouth and affects his speech. “One of the marriages is using an alias. We were able to find it based on information he gave the police department.”

“So now what?” Sutton leans closer to me over the console.

“Two of the marriages would likely be deemed invalid. The only legal one currently is to Stephanie. However, he’s participating in bigamy, which is a felony. My recommendation would be to submit our findings to Alan’s lawyer. Notify them that we plan to share with the district attorney.”

I don’t miss the gleam in Sutton’s eyes, the hidden joy. His response to Hank’s suggestion adds to my own positive feelings.

“We’ll offer to withhold the information on the understanding of him dropping the case. I’ll also prepare documents that state if Alan decides to try this again later, we’ll immediately send documentation to the District Attorney.”

“Will that work?”

“If he gets slapped with a third-degree felony, he could be looking at ten years in prison in addition to fines. I think he will reconsider.”

It may not be a life sentence, but picturing Alan in an orange jumpsuit without any control over his own life is immensely satisfying. He’d never allow that to happen. “Do it.”

“You got it. We’ve got him, Maci. Give it a day or so and I bet we’ll have word from his attorney that they’re dropping the suit.”

Once again, I want to throw my arms around Hank’s neck. “I was right before. We don’t deserve you.”

“There’s nothing to deserve,” he says through a chuckle. “Do you want Stephanie to be included in the documentation? Alan may require it. She has intimate knowledge of his life and may be able to access more than what we have initially.”

Sutton’s eyebrows rise at me in question.

“I don’t know. I’m not sure how she planned to use the knowledge. Let’s move forward as is. If he requests it, then I’ll talk to her.”

“You got it. Talk to you soon, Maci.”

“Bye, Hank. Thank you.” A cautious relief washes over me. I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

“Thanks, Hank,” Sutton says from next to me.

“Bye guys.” Hank hangs up.

Sutton and I stare at each other quietly for a few seconds, then he speaks softly. “Almost done, Firecracker.”

Chapter 48

Maci

AftertalkingtoHankon Saturday, I try to keep busy. Sutton and the crew have a full day of deworming and weighing calves. He offered for me to help, and it’s not that I don’t want to, but my mind is busy with anxiety. Not wanting to distract my favorite comforting man, I decide to visit my second-favorite.

It’s a weird thing to think that James has become so important to me in such a short time, but he offers a sense of peace that I could use now.

A member I don’t recognize waves me in at the gate, and I park in what’s becoming my usual spot.

McCoy pushes the front door open on his way out as I enter. My eyes catch on his bandaged hand. He only tips his head at me in greeting. Unlike many of the others, he never looks at me with interest of any sort. Some seem curious, likely at my being the President’s daughter. Pete always seems happy to see me. My dad and Hawk tend to look at me with a familial feel. But McCoy just watches; there’s nothing else there.

“Hey,” I say quietly, as he walks out and I walk in. I turn back toward him. “Everything ok?”

He stops walking and stares at me from the sidewalk, the door still held open between us.

“Your hand,” I clarify, moving my own briefly in his direction.

“Yep.” His casual response doesn’t translate to a softness in his eyes, and I continue to study him for an indication of what happened. It’s not actually my business, but his usual laid-back personality has been replaced with something falsely indifferent, stiff, leading me to believe he’s actually hiding something.

I’m not sure why an injury would even matter. Unless he’s embarrassed as to how he got it.

“Just a little barbecue accident.” His entire persona changes after he speaks. He lifts the wrapped hand to waist level and laughs sardonically. “That’s why I don’t cook.”

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