Page 94 of An Unfinished Memory

“He doesn’t care.” She didn’t have to look to know who I referred to.

I rolled out of bed. A displeased grunt came from the cat at Sutton’s feet but neither Berry nor Sutton moved.

In the hallway, I answered. “Knight.”

“Wilder, we need more bodies out there. Everyone tried getting somewhere else instead of staying hunkered down during the lull we got.”

“I’m not at home.” I had hoped to miss this conversation,for it to be unneeded. I certainly didn’t want to have it before dawn.

“Whenever you get here. We need you.”

Of course they did. The department always needed help. It’d been Ray’s mantra. The consummate politician in him, continuously pointing out the faults in the system so it’d stay in the back of the county board’s mind and that of the voters. “I’m out of town, Ray. I’m…” I hadn’t told him yet. My gut suspected he’d have advice that went against making things work with Sutton. I sank onto the edge of the couch, dreading the reveal. “I’m in Crocus Valley.”

“You’re…” He made a disgruntled noise. “Deputy Knight, there was a clear winter storm warning that we knew would cause issues. What if you can’t get back later today?”

“I’ll keep an eye on the road reports.” I hadn’t thought to look yet. I was off for the weekend. It shouldn’t matter where I was. But I knew it would. I’d have come anyway, and even though I was on the phone with my boss, I didn’t regret the trip. I didn’t have an ounce of anxiety over being stranded with Sutton, only at Ray’s reaction to it.

“The roads are closed to the border. I’m sure it’s the same where you are.”

Probably. “I’ll get back when I can.”

“What good is that going to do the people on the road now?”

Irritation was chasing away the lingering sleepiness. “Ray, I’m trying to work things out with my wife.”

“Your wi—” Silence fell. Pieces were probably clicking into place for him. The times I was out of townand didn’t give him details. How I wasn’t as giddy about learning every facet of his job. “Am I wrong, but didn’t the divorce already happen?”

My body tensed so tight I thought I’d get a charley horse in my back. “It’s a big problem I’m trying to fix.”

“She’s moving back? I thought she opened her own clinic. You know the Cleavers have all the business for a hundred miles, and they won’t hire her.”

“Fuck the Cleavers.”

“Don’t let one single person hear you say that. If any family has the ability to tank your campaign, it’s them. You know they don’t want a Knight in charge of anything outside of the boundaries of Knight land. That bothers them enough. Did you hear Kaplan’s thinking about running against you when it’s election time?”

“I’m not worried about Kaplan.” I’d already put over fifteen years into my run for sheriff. I could take a little time to myself right now.

“You should be. Kaplan’s going to be out there getting pictures to share with the newspaper. People are going to remember this storm, but you’re not here for them to remember.”

Everything he was saying was true. My history had less meaning than what I did now that Ray had announced his retirement. Each day, I would be studied by those who didn’t want me in office who would use what they saw against me in the next election. The Cleavers had the power to do that, and they’d back Kaplan if only because he wasn’t a Knight. With their vet clinic, they could network with families I’d never be able to reach. A real grassroots movement.

But goddamn. Just one storm to not be involved in wasn’t asking for too much, was it?

He let out another grunt. “Look, Wilder, it took me by surprise is all. So Sutton’s thinking of returning to Buffalo Gully?”

“She’s not moving.”

He went quiet. I could hear his unspoken question, “What’s the point, then?”

I scrubbed my face with my free hand. “I’ll keep an eye on the roads. As soon as they’re open, I’ll take off.”

“I wish you were here. We’re short out there. We have two semis wedged in a ditch and at least five motorists stranded. There was about twenty minutes when the wind let up, and everyone made a break for it. You know how it is.”

He did too. Yet he wouldn’t plan for another storm. He’d rely on calling everyone out who was home with their families, especially me. The lack of planning for forecasted weather emergencies was on my list of things to deal with.

“I’ll let you know when I’m back.”

“Wilder.” His grave tone gave me pause. “You deserve someone who supports you. You’ve dreamed of taking office for a long time.”

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