Page 99 of Hero Unbound

“But even if the camera somehow didn’t catch him,” the sheriff continued,“you would’ve been able to see him. But you said you didn’t see him.”

“No, I didn’t. I only heard him.”

Sheriff Webb scrubbed a hand down his face. “Eva, I can understand howupsettingthe thought of running into your ex would be, especially if you don’t want anything to do with him. So I’m wondering if maybe out in the fog where everything seems spooky, that your mind convinced you that Gareth was there too, when he really wasn’t. Is that possible?”

Was it possible that Eva’s mind was confused about something? Not only was it possible, it was likely.

She shut her eyes and tried to focus onwhathad happened. “But somebody pulled me. I’m positive of that. I didn’t just trip and fall. Somebody pulled me.”

Webb shut down the tablet and leaned back in his chair. “Is it possible that the leg of your pants got caught on a nail? Because we found a jagged nail up near the top rung.”

They both looked down at her pants leg at the same time. Sure enough, there was a small rip in her pants.

“I think maybe you snagged your leg on that nail, lost your balance, and fell. That, combined with being convinced that you’d heardGareth, made you think that he pulled you down the ladder. But honestly, Eva, I don’t think he was there at all.”

“I— I—”Sheclosed her mouth again, not sure what she could actually say.

She didn’t know what had happened. Once again, she wasn’t sure what was true. But the logic of what the sheriff was presenting was undeniable.

“I guess that’s what could have happened.”

He nodded and stood up. “The weather was crazy. You took a knock to the head. It’s easy to understand how the truth could have gotten away from you, so don’t worry about it. But I need to get going. There are other parties involved with this that I need to speak to.”

He meant Gareth.

“I’m sorry, Sheriff. I really am.”

“It’s okay. You just take care of yourself, and no more ladders for a while, okay?” His smile was tired as he turned toward the doorway, meeting Dr. Annie as she came in.

“Annie.” He dipped his hat at her.

“Hey, Callum.”

“I was just going.”

“Okay. We’ll see you around.”

The doctor didn’t ask any other questions, and Eva realized that she’d heard enough of the conversation to know what was going on.She was mortified to think that Becky’s mom now knew how foolish Eva really was.

But Annie made no mention of it. “Good news. Scan came back clear, so you’re truly free to go.”

“Okay, thanks.” Eva grabbed her jacket that was hanging over the chair. She wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.

But she couldn’t stop the tears that were starting to fall. She felt like such an idiot.

She thought about how quickly the story had gotten around that she’d been pushed from a ladder. How much quicker would it get around that she’d made the whole thing up?

“Eva.” Dr. Annie came a little closer. “It’s going to be okay. You were confused. You hit your head. Everybody will understand that, right?”

“I know.” But Eva didn’t understand it. She’d been so sure Gareth was there. That she’d been pulled.

“Are you going to go back to Linear Tactical? My husband was a founding member there, you know. But I really don’t suggest driving much farther than that. Your concussion may not be serious, but you still took a fall. You’re going to be sore for a few days.”

Eva shook her head, telling the truth before she could stop herself. “No, I don’t think I can go back there.” At least not to stay.

“Because of this? I can’t imagine anyone would blame you for this misunderstanding.”

“No, because of a lot of things. I don’t know where I’m going to go or what I’m going to do.”

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