Page 3 of Tangled Sanctuary

Taking off the ring, I set it on the nightstand and hastily wrote a note.

Dear Harvey, I’m so sorry, but I can’t do this. I thought I was ready to marry you, but I’m not. I know this will be a major blow and a letdown. You were so excited about the wedding, and I should have been more insistent about wanting to wait. This is all my fault, and again, I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I completely understand if you never want to speak to me again. You won’t have to, because I’m leaving. I hope you find the perfect woman for you. Sincerely, Jennifer.

The words sat like acid on my tongue, but I set the ring on top of the note and stepped away.

It was at least partially true. I hadn’t wanted to marry himyet, but he’d pushed and pushed until I’d agreed. I’d wanted to wait a few years, maybe even already live with him, so I could know that marrying him was what I wanted.

Now I knew why he’d been so insistent about not waiting. Money.

Shaking the thoughts to the side, I grabbed my duffle bag and sifted through the boxes for anything irreplaceable. Once it was all in its own separate box, I picked it up and started for my car.

I wouldn’t let him kill me, and the second I was set in the new town, I would get justice for the people he’d had a hand in making disappear.

Through the fear and betrayal slicing through me, determination burned to the surface. I had a goal and a purpose, and I could do this.

I had to do this.

Chapter 2

Bringing the car to a stop, I stared at the town I’d only barely remembered the directions to. It looked almost exactly the same, though there was a new housing district I didn’t remember being there.

A bar, a café, and a few small shops lined the main street along with a few office buildings. At the end of the street was the police station and when I saw it, relief hit like a truck.

I’d made it here, now for the next step. The sooner I could get the police looking into that Louisiana property, the better.

Parking at the station, I got out and marched inside, fighting to keep my bravado. A bored-looking woman sat at the front desk, and when she saw me, one of her brows rose. Ebony hair was pulled back, held in place by a clip, and she straightened with interest.

“Are you new in town?” She asked and I nodded, swallowing around my dry throat.

“I am. Is the sheriff in?”

I wasn’t sure who I was supposed to talk to about this, but he seemed like a good spot to start.

She nodded, gesturing to the office behind her. “He is, just head through there.”

Her gaze bore into me like a drill as I walked past her, those curious eyes following me even after a wall separated us.

It was only when I walked into the sheriff’s office that the feeling went away. At the desk sat a man, his dark hair streaked with grey as he bent over his paperwork. When he didn’t look up after a minute, I cleared my throat.

“Sir?”

He jerked, finally meeting my eyes.

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t notice anyone walk in. As you probably guessed, we don’t get many calls around here.” He straightened, looking me over with sharp, assessing eyes. “How can I help you?”

Now or never.

Twisting my shirt in my hands, I spoke. “I’m not sure what the procedure is for this, but I’m from the next state over. I overheard my fiance talking about getting rid of bodies, and I ran. I know the property he was talking about getting rid of them on…”

I trailed off, not sure what else to say.

The sheriff’s relaxed posture shifted into one of full alertness. “The procedure is a bit sticky, since that wouldn’t be my area, but I know people from all around. I can pull some strings and have it looked into. Sit down; you look ready to faint.”

Considering that’s how I felt…

Taking a seat, I continued. “His name is Harvey. Harvey Jameson. I’m not sure what kind of information you’ll need, or even what I’m supposed to do now. I just knew I had to get away from him and do something.”

His eyes softened, and he reached across the desk to squeeze one of my shoulders. “You did exactly what you should have. What are the odds he’ll track you back here?”

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