AllFreeNovel
Share Us
With a lightness in her step she hadn’t felt in years, she stepped out of Sweet Repeats and into the bright sunshine.
And right into Isaac.
8
Cade poured over file after file on his computer, comparing what he found to the paper receipts and statements kept in the cabinet in the reception area. Everything added up. Everything made sense.
But a sinking feeling in his gut told him he was missing something. Something really freaking important.
Crinkled papers and empty manilla folders cluttered his desk. He hung his head in his hands. The only place left to search was Matthew’s office. The idea of rifling through his best friend’s personal belongings—related to their business or not—didn’t sit well with him. Even if it was something that had to be done.
A soft knock at his door shot up his aching head.
Deputy Owen Wells stood in the doorway and lifted a hand in greeting. “Evening.”
Cade rose to his feet and crossed the room, offering his palm to the sheriff’s deputy. “Do you have any news about the break-in, Deputy?”
“Please, call me Owen,” he said, accepting the handshake before dropping his arm to his side. “Sorry, but no. I wasstopping by on my way home. Just wanted to check to see how you and Ms. Metcalf are doing.”
Cade shoved a hand through his hair and glanced back at the mess on his desk. “I’ve been better.”
“Sorry to hear that. Is there anything I should know about? Anything I can help with?”
Cade debated spilling his twisted guts to the deputy, but what good would it do? Right now, all he had was speculation and intuition. He had no concrete proof that anything fishy was going on besides the numbers on the flash drive.
But who put the flash drive in the desk to begin with?
“Mr. Sulley?”
Cade blinked back to the present and tried to quiet the voices in his head. “Sorry. What?”
“Has anything else happened I should be aware of?”
He blew out a long breath. “Isaac Heck showed up at Laura’s this morning. He was pissed someone asked him for an alibi.”
“Dammit. I was afraid that might happen. I went to his house myself because I wanted to get a good read on him. I could tell he was struggling to keep his composure. Is he a threat to Laura?”
Cade snorted. “I’m surprised you even have to ask. People around town all seem to know their history.”
One dark brow rose high on Owen’s face. “The sheriff’s department doesn’t do much in these parts. The local force usually has a handle on things. The only reason I stepped in to assist on the break-in was because your office is technically out of the city limits.”
Debating how much to divulge, Cade scrubbed a palm over his face. Spikes of scruff scaped over his skin, reminding him he hadn’t had a chance to shave. He wasn’t in the habit of spreading around people’s personal business, but Laura was in danger.
And Isaac’s treatment of Laura over the past few years wasn’t exactly a secret.
“Isaac is bad news. Always has been. Even as a kid, he was trouble. Mean as snake, sneaky, and manipulative.”
“Is there a history of violence between him and Ms. Metcalf?”
The question made Cade’s blood boil. “You could say that. He’s left bruises all over her for years. She finally left him a few months ago, and I think everyone who knows her is holding their breath, waiting for him to strike. Especially with the baby on the way.”
Owen worked his jaw back and forth. “And the local police never did anything about this?”
“Laura never pressed charges. Not really sure why. Honestly, I’m still shocked she left. And now she’s facing the same old shit. Looking over her shoulder and fearful of being attacked.”
“I’ll make sure to stick as close to town as I can. Keep an eye on the guy. His alibi holds, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t play a role in this. Anything else I should know about him?”
“If he sees you around, he’ll try and be your pal. Try to show you he’s not a threat. He knows when to turn on the charm. Hell, even Laura’s own father has a soft spot for the asshole.”
