Page 57 of Never Stay Gone
“What? What is it?” Shane looked from Brian to Fletcher and back. Fletcher wouldn’t look him in the eyes.
“You need to hand over your weapon. And you need to come with us.”
* * *
Brian marchedShane up to the department and straight into Heath’s office. He wasn’t quite being led by the arm, but he wasn’t going to be making a break anywhere either.
Heath was on the phone, standing behind his desk, when Brian led Shane in. Heath pointed to one of the chairs in front of his desk, and Brian walked Shane to the chair, put a hand on his shoulder, and pushed him down. He set Shane’s weapon on Heath’s desk, far out of Shane’s reach.
What the fuck was going on? Brian was a kid, awkward and slow and not the greatest deputy in the world, but Shane was patient with him, and gentle, and Brian was always unfailingly kind to him in return. They used to listen Big Bend High football games in the parking lot during the season, Shane keeping the most junior deputy company while he was assigned to boring parking lot duty. Now Brian was practically digging his fingers into Shane’s trapezius, as if Shane were a drunk he was trying to corral into his cruiser rather than his mentor and friend.
Heath listened on the phone, grunted, grunted again, and hung up. He nodded to Brian. “Thanks.” It was a cue to Brian to get gone, fast. Brian never really got the fast part of anything. He hesitated at Heath’s office door, looking back at Shane.
Somewhere out in the bullpen, a phone started ringing. Brian bled away, shutting the door behind him with a quietclick.
Heath studied Shane, like Shane was suddenly a stranger in front of him. Then he sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Stared at his phone, then the window, then the floor. Anywhere but at Shane.
“What going on, Heath? What’s wrong?”
Had Heath found out about him and Dakota? Nothing surprised Shane in Rustler anymore. The speed of gossip moved faster than the speed of light in their damn town. If someone was scandalized by him and Dakota loving each other, maybe they’d woken Heath up with their burning concerns.
But why would Shane have to turn over his weapon, and why had he been led into the department like he was a prime suspect in a crime?
Heath cleared his throat. “Where’s Dakota?” He still wouldn’t look at Shane. “He coming in this morning?”
“Yes, in a few minutes. He was heading out to the truck stop to check in with Jared.”
Heath nodded. “Good. That’s good. Well, I think we can wait, then.”
“Wait for Dakota? Why? What’s going on?”
“I want him here before I get into anything, Shane.” Heath looked pained. He stared out the window overlooking Main. “Just a few minutes more.”
“Is there something going on with Dakota, or with me, that you’re concerned about?” Shane jerked his chin to where his service weapon lay on Heath’s desk. “Why did I have to surrender my weapon?”
“Please, let’s just wait for Dakota—”
“Are you firing me? Because Dakota and I—”
“Shane, not another word.”
Heath’s office door burst open. Brian filled the doorway again, urgency making him vibrate like an overstimulated dog. “Sheriff, that was the forensics team from El Paso. They said they’re about an hour out—”
“Brian!” Heath barked. He sent Brian a ferocious glare, his face hardening. His shoulders tensed, and he set his hands on his hips. “Out.Now.”
Brian looked from Heath to Shane and then back. He paled, eyes wide. “Sorry, Sheriff.” He disappeared back through the doorway faster than he’d arrived.
“El Paso? Why are they coming back?” Nothing was adding up. Shane didn’t understand how he and Dakota coming back together could lead to losing his gun or why the El Paso team were on their way. They only came out when there was a murder—
“Shane,” Heath started. He had his hands up in front of him, like he was trying to placate a wild animal. “Let’s wait for Dakota—”
“Who? Who was it?” Shane jerked to his feet, the chair crashing to the floor behind him. His knee felt like broken glass, teetering on the edge of giving way. “Who?”
Heath sighed and closed his eyes.
* * *
Dakota spunhis keys as he sauntered up the courthouse walkway. Pink desert willow blooms crumpled beneath his boots, and the crisp, sweet scent rode the rising heat to his nose. A few days ago he’d cursed the blooms, cursed their fragrance, cursed everything about this place. Now his heart was two-stepping and he couldn’t stop smiling. He had Shane’s kiss on his lips, the smell and feel of Shane all over him, and here he was, bringing Shane coffee.
