Page 133 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

“She told me you left your house that night after a phone call. And that you came back three hours and seven minutes later.”

She’d been awake? Fuck. I’d been so drunk and exhausted that I hadn’t realized.

“So . . .” Sheriff Magee drummed his fingers on the table. “Like I said. This morning, the evidence pointed to you. But now I know you were at home for a good po

rtion of the night.”

“I told you that earlier.”

“You did.” He sighed. “And if I could take everyone at their word, my job would be a lot easier.”

“I didn’t kill her.”

“And I’m inclined to believe you, Jackson. I really am. But I need proof. Until then, you’re still my number one suspect. I’m going to keep digging until I can prove it wasn’t you or I find someone else with the same means and motive.”

“Understood.” I nodded. “Did you call Dakota?”

“Just got off the phone. He’s coming right down.”

“Good.” I rubbed my neck. Dakota would provide an alibi for two of the hours I was away from home. Then all I needed was for something to come up to show Mom was alive during the other hour.

“Goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway.” Sheriff Magee pointed at me. “Don’t leave town.”

“No, sir.”

“I expect to hear back from the medical examiner sometime this week. Expect a phone call asking you to come back down.”

“Okay.” I stood from the chair. My lower back pinched and my legs were stiff, but I ignored them and held out a hand to Sheriff Magee.

“We’ll talk soon.” He shook my hand, then walked out the door.

I followed him out of the room, hoping to get a glimpse of Willa next door, but it was shut.

“She’s in the lobby.” Sheriff Magee glanced over his shoulder. “You’ve had a whole crew in here today, drinking all my coffee.”

I didn’t respond as I followed him through the bull pen and down the hallway that led to the lobby. Sheriff Magee opened the door for me, then stepped to the side.

I strode right past him into the lobby, where Logan and Thea were standing against a wall, whispering to one another. Hazel was sitting in one of the lobby chairs with her knee bouncing. And Willa was in the seat next to her.

The second they spotted me, the room breathed a collective sigh.

Thea said something. Hazel stood. But I kept my eyes on Willa.

She sat perfectly still, not leaving her chair. The look on her face was part relief, part frustration.

Was she pissed? She should be. I’d lied to her and made a huge fucking mistake, so she had every right to be mad.

I opened my mouth to apologize, but the front door to the station opened and Dakota walked inside, kicking the snow from his boots.

“Dakota?” Thea asked, turning to look at our employee. “What are you doing here? Who’s at the bar?”

“No one,” he told her. “I locked up when the sheriff called.”

“Thanks for coming down,” I told him, sending Thea a look that meant we’d talk later.

Dakota crossed the room and walked right up to Sheriff Magee. “Uncle.”

“Hi, bud. Come on back.”