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"I'm sorry, Megan," he said, releasing her and stepping back. "I want you to stay here until everything is taken care of. You'll be safer here."
"Safe from what? Who's the killer? Is it the same man who tried to take Bonnie?"
"Yes. The man responsible for all of that is your brother-in-law, Gene."
Chapter Nineteen
JVlegan looked up at him. She couldn't catch her breath, so she couldn't ask him to repeat what he'd just said. Gene? A killer? It wasn't possible. Her brother-in-law was a self-righteous prig who would rather be flogged than actually help a needy person, but a killer?
Justin grimaced. "I didn't expect you to believe me. .That's why it's better if you stay here. There's going to be lenough trouble with the town. I suspect the good citizens of Landing won't take kindly to me arresting their minister. If you want to salvage what's going to be left of your reputation, you'd better stay clear of the church. Later, you can divorce me and I'm sure they'll take you back to their collective bosom."
He spun on his heel and walked out of the office.
Megan stared after him. She blinked several times, then drew in a deep breath. He couldn't have meant what he'd just said. "Justin?"
But he was already gone. She ran to the curtain and thrust it aside. Justin was talking with his deputy, then both men started toward the front door.
"Justin, wait!"
He didn't bother turning around. He kept on walking, Wyatt at his side.
Mrs. Dobson squeezed out of her small post office. "What is it, Megan? What's happening?"
"Justin's gone to arrest Gene," she said woodenly, wondering what to believe.
"Arrest the minister?" Mrs. Dobson's disbelief was ech-3ed by customers all around the store. "For what?"
"For Laurie Smith's murder and for—" she glanced at Bonnie who was staring at her wide-eyed "—other things." She looked back and saw Andrew stocking the canned goods. "Andrew, do you know where I keep my rifle?"
The teenager looked up, obviously startled. "Y-yes, ma'am."
"Do you know how to use it?"
He gulped, then nodded.
"Fine. Everyone, I'm sorry but the store is closing temporarily," she told the customers. "Just leave your purchases here. You can come collect them later."
She hustled everyone out of the store, then crouched in front of Bonnie. "I have to go check something. Justin thinks he's found the bad man who hurt you. I want to make sure he's going to arrest the right one. Can you stay here with Andrew? He'll keep you safe."
Bonnie nodded. "Don't let that bad man hurt Justin."
"I won't," Megan said, then prayed she could keep her promise. She waited while Andrew fetched the rifle she kept m the back. "I'm trusting you with my daughter," she told the young man.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll protect her like she was one of my own."
Megan blinked back the tears. When all this was through, she was going to have to give him a raise. "Lock the door behind me. Don't let anyone in but me or Sheriff Kincaid. Do you understand?"
He nodded and followed her to the front door. She waited until he'd secured the lock, then she grabbed her skirts and hurried toward the church.
The people she'd thrown out of the store were milling around on the street. Several tried to talk to her, but she just kept moving. Mrs. Dobson fell into step beside her.
Are you sure about this?" the widow asked. "He's really gone to arrest Gene?"
Megan nodded and kept moving. Nothing made sense. Justin had to be wrong. Yet, she didn't care if he was. He'd made his feelings plain. He was her husband and she was going to support him.
"What proof does he have?" Mrs. Dobson asked as they hurried toward the edge of town.
"I don't know."
"He must have made a mistake. Why would Gene want to kill a prostitute? I would be surprised if he even knew what they were for."
"If Justin said he did it, then I believe him."
Megan saw the church up ahead. Justin and Wyatt were outside talking. Her husband looked up and saw her. He frowned.
"Dammit, Megan, get the hell out of here," he called, glaring at her.
She shook her head and kept walking toward him. Justin turned away and started up the steps. She rushed after him, leaving the widow panting behind her.
