AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Kidnapped?” I could hardly get the words out, staring at her in belief. “How did that not make the news—like national news?”
“Um, because this town is hella corrupted. I mean, who knows who all in this godforsaken town is in bed with them. I’ve heard so many rumors and I have no idea what’s real and what’s not, but if even a couple of them have some validity, I wouldn’t let them touch me with a ten-foot pole.”
I gritted my teeth, knowing that Ishouldagree with her. However, as anti-biker club as I was when I came back into town… I wasn’t so anti-Gunner anymore. “I’ll be careful.”
Taylor didn’t say anything about that, pulling out her phone and shifting her attention to the screen. “Here, I did more research on theincidentthat put Gunner in prison. I think you should look at it.”
My stomach knotted up as I reached across my desk and took the phone from her hand. “I don’t know if I want to know.”
“I think youshouldknow who you’re dealing with.”
I nodded, my eyes glancing down at the article pulled up on her phone. A bright smile of a middle-aged man in a white coat was the first thing I saw. “Dr. Herford was a doctor specializing in early Alzheimer’s and Dementia.” I tilted my head, thinking back to what Gunner had said about his father being in the nursing home.
He was his father’s doctor?
I continued to read the article, reading that the doctor was brutally murdered—by a blow to the head. It went on to give all his credentials, how esteemed he was in the community, and how much he loved his patients. I read on to the mention of Gunner, who was deemed an ‘angry and revengeful’ grieving son, who blamed Dr. Herford for the death of his father.
And that was it.
Something in my gut told me there was a lot more to the story.
“I think he just had a mental break,” Taylor said, her voice coming out more sympathetic than I expected. “But that just goes to show what he’s capable of, Hallie.”
My lips parted, but I didn’t know what to say. She had a point, but I just… I wasn’t sure if I agreed with her. The Gunner I knew wouldn’t hurt anyone…
But maybe I didn’t really know him.
“I’m just saying to be careful,” Taylor said softly. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Before I could say anything more to her, there was a knock on my office door. I glanced up to see one of the tellers, Jessica, peek her head in.
“There’s someone here who’d like to talk about a loan,” she said, giving us both a small smile.
“And that’s my cue to leave.” Taylor laughed as she stood, tossing her lunch remnants into the trash can. “We can talk after work. Maybe grab some dinner with Iris?”
I nodded. “Yeah, maybe. I’ll see what Mom has planned for the evening. Sometimes she feeds Iris before I ever get a chance to decide for the two of us.”
“Ah, that must be nice.” Taylor tapped on the doorframe, giving me a smirk before disappearing out into the lobby. I put my lunch away and double-checked that there was nothing on my face before turning Jessica, still waiting in the doorway.
“You can send whoever it is in.”
She nodded, leaning back and waving. “She can see you now, Robbie.” With that, she left my office doorway and headed back toward the main counter.
I drummed my fingers on my desk, wondering ifRobbiewas the person I was thinking of…
Yep.
My eyes took in the sight of tall, dark headed man dressed in a Sans Verta Police uniform. Robbie Johnston, the son of the police Sergeant—and one of my old friends from high school…
Well, sort of.
“Wow, I had no idea you were back in town.” His expression was hard to miss, the surprise written all over his face. “I haven’t seen you in ages, Hallie.”
“Likewise,” I said, sharing in some of the surprise as he took a seat in the chair that Taylor had just been in. He had aged well, though he did look a lot like his father, which was a little difficult to get used to. His dad had once dated my mother…
Long, long ago.
“When did you move back? I feel like I would’ve seen you around.”
