Page 113 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

Johansen held up a hand to cut him off. “You do, but I’m not the one who needs to hear your confession. I worked by your side long enough during the joint task force to know you are a solid investigator and an even better man, and that’s what I will tell anyone who asks.” That was a completely different tone from their phone call earlier, but Seth wasn’t stupid enough to point it out. The agent cleared his throat as if he found the conversation awkward. “That aside, you cannot be involved in this investigation from now on.”

“I understand. I fully recuse myself.”

Johansen blew out a breath, and Seth braced himself for the next blow. “And I want to be clear. I don’t question your integrity or that of your deputies, but it would look highly suspect if anyone from your department is involved with this investigation going forward. It won’t be enough for just you to step aside, Seth. We’ll get help from neighboring law enforcement communities and the CBI.”

Seth wasn’t sure what stung the most—his pride or conscience. The ripple effect from his mistakes had already begun. The press and public would scrutinize the hardworking men and women from his department, and they would likely eviscerate Seth for the things he’d done. “You’re absolutely correct.”

“What about the investigators on my staff?” Tony asked. “They’re completely independent of the sheriff’s office.”

“How many of them are former deputies or are related to someone who works at the sheriff’s department?”

Tony and Seth shared a brief look. “None that I know of,” the prosecutor said.

“No one has left my employment since I took office,” Seth added, though that was likely to change.

Johansen’s brow furrowed as he thought about it. “Prosecuting felons isn’t my purview, so I’ll leave that decision to you. A higher power may determine otherwise.”

“God?” Tony asked.

Johansen snorted. “I was thinking about the state’s attorney general, but rumor has it the man thinks he’s on par with God.”

The color drained out of Tony’s face, and Seth expected the prosecutor to turn on him, but Lyndhurst had some surprises up his sleeve. “Look, Seth,” he said, “there will be some who call for your resignation, but they’ll be a small group.” Tony grimaced. “They’ll be vocal and loud, but I don’t want you to make knee-jerk decisions based on their initial discord. You are the best candidate for sheriff, and I’m confident the voters will agree.”

“You mean the lesser of two evils?” Seth asked.

Tony smirked briefly. “Not even close.” He extended his hand to Seth, who immediately shook it. “I know we’ve had some differences during our tenures, but I’m proud to support your reelection, and I plan to be just as vocal as the naysayers.”

Tony’s encouragement nearly bowled Seth over, but it probably wouldn’t take much at this point. He felt as if someone had run him through the wringer over the past several hours, but he only had to look at Rueben to feel revived, even with so much still unresolved. “Can you make sure someone boards up the door and the property is secure when you’re finished?” Seth asked Johansen.

“Of course.”

He wanted to ask them to keep him updated but knew they wouldn’t risk the already tarnished integrity of the investigation. He nodded goodbye to both men and stepped into the living room, where Rueben was giving his statement to a female deputy from a neighboring county. The young officer met Seth’s gaze and nodded politely.

“I think that’s all the questions I have for now, Mr. Sanchez,” she said. “I might have more for you later as the investigation develops.”

“That’s okay, Deputy Bryerson,” Rueben said. “I’m happy to answer anything.”

They discussed arrangements for Rueben to sign the official statement once Bryerson typed it up, and then his man stepped into Seth’s open arms.

“Let’s get out of here.” Seth’s voice sounded thick and gravelly.

Rueben peered up at him. “Where are we going?”

“To my house,” Seth said. “Everything here is evidence, but it shouldn’t take them long to process and release the scene.” He looked around the cabin for the two people he wanted to thank most. “Where’s Cash and Nick?”

“One of the deputies sent them home,” Rueben said. “At least I got to hug them before they left.”

“I wanted to thank them for coming to your rescue, even if you didn’t need it.”

Rueben took Seth’s hand and tugged him toward the open front door. “I was so relieved to see them. Thank you.” A hard shiver racked Rue’s body, and Seth stopped on the porch to pull him into a tight hug.

“I’m so fucking sorry, baby.”

“You’re not responsible for any of this, and no reasonable person will believe otherwise.”

Seth had several arguments he could make, but did he really want to spend the first few minutes in his newfound freedom to share them? Hell no. The drive to his home was short but fraught with heavy rains, and he only let go of Rueben’s hand when he parked his SUV in the attached garage and killed the engine. Seth gathered Rueben into his arms as soon as they stepped into the house. Their lips met, lingered, and then parted to make way for eager tongues. So many things remained unresolved, but not this, not them. Uncertainty could prowl outside his doors like a vicious beast, but the one thing—person—Seth was sure about was in his arms.

Rueben pulled back from the kiss and said, “Show me your house.”