Page 24 of The Sweet Spot
“I’m not surprised,” Nigel says. “I lost track of how many times we got called to their house for domestic disturbances. Finally, she got wise and divorced him.”
“She mentioned she had a restraining order against him.”
He nods. “She sure did.”
“Do you remember why?”
The old guy nods. “This was before you were with the force, wasn’t it?”
“Right. Well, he’s back in town, and I need to get up to speed quick. So, let’s have it.”
Nigel crosses his arms over his chest as he gets comfortable in his chair. “Well, domestic violence for starters. Physical abuse. Emotional abuse. And well, you know—she accused him of sexual abuse. It was ugly. One of the worst cases of domestic abuse I’d ever seen. She had bruises everywhere, cuts and abrasions, too. After the divorce was final, Braggart left town with his tail tucked between his legs, and to my knowledge he hasn’t been back since. Not until today, anyway. You’re gonna need to keep a close eye on that SOB.”
Hearing him rattle off all of Braggart’s offences against Jennie makes me sick. I had no idea how bad things had been between them. It guts me to know she suffered through this when I wasn’t here to protect her.
“Thanks, Nigel.” Feeling numb, I stand and head for the door. “If you think of anything else I should know, give me a call.”
He salutes me. “Will do, Sheriff.”
It’s only two, and Ruth’s Tavern won’t be open for another hour yet. So I give Ruth a call hoping to catch her at home.
“Hey, Chris,” she says. “What’s up?”
“Did you know Dave Braggart’s in town?”
The line goes silent, and I hear hushed whispers, but can’t make out the words. Finally, she comes back with, “No. When did he arrive?”
“I’m not sure, but he showed up at the diner this morning.”
“Oh, my God. Did he speak to Jennie?”
“I’d say he did a lot more than speak to her. They got into it in her office.”
“Damn it. Is she all right?”
“She’s okay. Shaken, but she’s managing. I walked her home. That’s where she is now.”
Again, the line goes quiet, and I hear muffled talking. I imagine she’s filling Jack in. Jack hasn’t lived here that long, so he’d have no idea who Braggart is.
A moment later, she returns to the line. “She had a restraining order against David, but that expired years ago. She’ll probably have to get a new one. If he’s back, it’s because he wants something from her. He’s not going to stop harassing her until he gets it.”
“I’m trying to fill in the details. Can I stop by so we can talk?”
“I’m sorry, Chris,” she says. “I’ll have to say no. If Jennie wants you to know, she’ll tell you herself. It’s not my place.”
“I appreciate you trying to respect Jennie’s confidence, Ruth, but I’m worried about her. I saw Dave accost her this morning in her office. If I hadn’t been there—hadn’t stopped him—who knows what might have happened. Jennie was terrified.”
“She has good reason to be afraid. Talk to her, Chris. I can’t tell you what went on between them, but I will say it wasn’t good. And that’s the understatement of the year. Jennie is one of my nearest and dearest friends, and I won’t betray her trust. So you need to get her to tell you. Do whatever it takes.”
“I understand. Thanks.”
“For what it’s worth, Jack and I will keep an eye on her. So will Maggie. And if we have to, we’ll call in the others to fill in. We’re not leaving her unprotected. She dealt with him on her own the first time around. That was before we’d become friends. But we won’t let it happen again.”
After I get off the phone with Ruth, I go into the archives and pull the case files on Braggart from a decade ago. I pour myself a cup of black coffee and sit at my desk, ready for the long haul of wading through dozens of reports.
I am not prepared for what I read.
Domestic violence. Bruises. Lacerations. A concussion. Multiple visits to the hospital in Estes Park. Accusationsof physical abuse. Accusations of sexual abuse. Finally, a restraining order forbidding Mr. Braggart from coming near Mrs. Braggart.
