Page 5 of Mine to Save

“A year,” Jeff said. “I’ve since learned there have been sixteen murders. All in cities I’ve lived in. But I didn’t do it. I swear to God. It wasn’t me. But I can’t prove it. The only thing I have is in that envelope. There’s a sketch of the man I saw following me. Also dates and times of where I saw him.”

“Have you seen him here in Lighthouse Cove?”

“No, sir,” Jeff said. “But that doesn’t mean he’s not here.”

“Why did you want your daughter to have that and not the police?”

“I knew you’d look at the contents, but I want my daughter to know I’m innocent. That I didn’t do what I’m being accused of.” Jeff pushed the coffee mug aside and stood. “My life has been over for a long time. My daughter has had to live most of her life knowing her father killed her mother’s lover in a fit of rage. I might not have meant to do it, but I did. I owned up to my mistake and I did my time. But this? I didn’t do it. However, no one is going to believe me.” He let out a dry laugh.

“I can tell you’re a good man with a kind soul, but even you are struggling to believe me, and I guess I can’t blame you. Like I said. I’m tired. I can’t go on like this anymore.” Jeff pointed at the envelope. “Make sure my daughter gets that, and if you get a chance to talk to her, tell her that a day never went by that I didn’t think about her.” He gripped the gun.

“What are you doing?” Emmett’s pulse increased.

“It’s over for me.” He held his weapon in the general direction of a few people huddled in the corner as he made his way toward the door.

A red light filtered through the glass.

Shit. That wasn’t a good sign. “Jeff, step away from the front of the diner.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Jeff said. “The feds are going to kill me, and if they don’t, I’ll get murdered on the inside. My life is over. I know it. But I don’t want my daughter to have to live with this legacy, too. I’ve documented where I’ve been since the murders started to the best of my ability. The jobs I’ve had. The places I’ve stayed. It’s all there. Hopefully, you can help my girl so she doesn’t have to live with this again.” He gave Emmett an odd smile. “This is a really nice little town you have. It’s like a tiny safe harbor.”

“I would have to agree with that statement,” Emmett said. “Why don’t you let it be yours?”

“That ship has sailed for me, but maybe you can help it be that for my daughter,” Jeff said. “Make sure she gets the information in that envelope. Tell her I didn’t do it and ask her to help clear my name. Can you do that for me?”

“I can, but why don’t you do it with me?” Emmett said. “Jeff, let me talk with the feds. I’ll make sure you’re heard.”

“I appreciate that.” Jeff opened the door and took two steps outside. He raised the pistol in an aggressive move toward the police.

Pop. Pop.

“Fuck.” Emmett raced across the diner and out the front door to Jeff’s side. “Why the hell did you do that?” He kicked the weapon, making sure there was no way Jeff could reach it—not that he would since Emmett was pretty sure he was dead. He reached down and pressed his fingers against Jeff’s neck.

Yup.

Dead.

“Shit,” Emmett mumbled as he looked up. “That wasn’t necessary.”

His mother ran up the stairs.

Some federal agent yelled at her to stand down.

She turned around and flipped him off, uttering a few curse words under her breath. “You okay?”

“Yes. Except I’m pissed off. He didn’t need to die.”

“Agreed.”

State police and federal agents stormed the building.

“Hang on.” Emmett made his way back inside as quickly as he could and found the envelope.

“What is that?”

“He told me he was being set up and that someone was following him.” Emmett glanced around, ensuring the other cops were doing something else as he checked the contents.

A couple of sketches.

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