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Even if Nick didn’t land the job with the police academy, they both knew his tenure with the FBI was over. “I’ll miss working with you too, but I expect you to stay in touch.”
“You won’t be able to shake me, Nicky.”
“Counting on it.”
They wrapped up their phone call, and Nick pulled back into traffic. He ran through all the possibilities, which didn’t take long because every avenue led him to the same person. Nick would’ve rather cuddled up to a rattlesnake than approach Sheriff Burke for help, but that didn’t stop him from pulling into the sheriff’s department’s parking lot. He didn’t see Burke’s truck but entered the station anyway. He learned the sheriff was at lunch and chose not to leave a message since he knew the man’s favorite lunch spot. Sure enough, he located Burke’s truck half a block from the diner. Nick nabbed a spot while deciding how to approach the man. He could continue to be a cocky asshole and hope Burke’s friendship with Cash would entice him to do the right thing. Or he could apologize for his behavior and attempt to make peace with the man whose friendship Cash valued. There was no doubt about which option he preferred, but Nick chose door number two.
Burke was sitting in the back of the diner with a newspaper unfolded in front of him. Though his pose looked casual to the naked eye, Nick didn’t miss his subtle shift in focus when he stepped into the diner. He figured Burke probably did that every time the door opened, but Nick also bet his shoulders didn’t stiffen for everyone. Nick gave himself a mental pep talk and forced his feet to move. Burke didn’t look up even after Nick slid into the booth opposite him.
“Do you always drop in unannounced?” Burke asked.
Nick knew he was talking about the previous weekend when his arrival had interrupted Burke’s date with Cash. One snarky remark after another popped into his head, but Nick suppressed them all. “Look, I know you and I didn’t get off to a wonderful start.”
Burke raised his head and leveled a sardonic gray gaze at him. “And?”
Of course he wouldn’t make this easy. “It was mostly my fault.” When Burke only quirked a raven brow, Nick added, “Fine. It’s all my fault. I acted like a possessive alley cat that wanted to mark his territory.”
Burke’s lips curved into a genuine smile. “Damn it. I really didn’t want to like you.” The sheriff lifted his coffee cup to his full lips.
Nick couldn’t resist returning the sheriff’s grin. “Guess I just have that effect on people.”
Burke nearly choked on his coffee. “There’s the cocky bastard I met.” He set his cup down and held Nick’s gaze. “Do you love him?”
“More than anything.”
Burke searched Nick’s expression, and Nick bared his every emotion to the man. What did he gain by not being honest? After a moment, Burke relaxed and nodded. He’d accepted Cash’s choice, though that didn’t necessarily mean Burke approved. Nick didn’t need his endorsement to gain his assistance.
He took a fortifying breath and said, “And that’s why I need your help.”
Burke folded the paper and set it aside. “I’m listening.”
Nick kept his voice low as he filled Burke in on what was going on. He didn’t delve too deeply into his recent troubles with the Bureau but touched on enough to explain why Nick wasn’t tapping into his resources. The sheriff listened without interruption, though Nick paused while the server delivered a country fried steak platter.
“Is there anything I can get you?” she asked Nick.
He planned to make a sandwich from leftover meatloaf when he got back to the ranch but ordered a double helping of banana pudding to go. “Want me to wait until you’re done eating?” Nick asked once they were alone again.
Burke dug his fork into the heap of mashed potatoes with country gravy. He paused halfway to his mouth and said, “Hell no. I’m enjoying you groveling for my help.” Burke punctuated that with a good-natured grin before he shoved the bite into his mouth. By the time he finished, Nick had brought him up to speed. Burke set his fork down and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I appreciate your candor, and I know it wasn’t easy. You feds have a reputation for being stingy with information. I want to go the rest of my life without hearing that something is on a need-to-know basis.”
Nick fought off a smile but didn’t interrupt.
“We share a common goal,” Burke continued. “Both of us want to protect Cash and his crew from harm. So far, Samuel Jeremiah and his followers have only attacked their reputation.”
“My brother Rory would beg to differ,” Nick said. Staying silent was impossible on that point. Even if Rory hadn’t been the initial target, he’d taken a blow to the head when he lunged to protect a dog from getting kicked.
Burke acknowledged him with a nod. “Point taken. I want to do everything in my power to prevent more violence or frame jobs, so I will also share what little I know.”
“Thank you.”
“We retrieved the canvas bag the man in the video used to dump the stolen tools in the ranch’s truck. I got good fingerprints, but I couldn’t get a match from any database. However, we found those same prints at each of the thefts. That guy on the video is our prime suspect, but I’m no closer to learning his identity. As much as I don’t want to, I might have to ask the public for help. I know I’m going to get a ton of bogus tips. Every angry girlfriend, wife, or boyfriend will turn their man in.”
Nick smiled. “Happens every time.”
“I’ve pulled additional security videos from other stores on side streets, but I can’t get a good look at his face. I’ve shown the best pictures to locals who’ve been here their entire lives, and they didn’t recognize him. If something doesn’t break soon, I’ll enlist the press and put out his pictures to ask for help.”
“But aren’t most of the Salvation Anew members outsiders?”
“Yes,” Burke replied. “Some locals have joined, and I hope to plead to their consciences.”
