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But then, if that was the case, why slash his tires in the first place?
None of it made any sense.
Absently latching his seat belt, Kaden reversed out of the parking lot and headed toward the center of town. If he was going to have to return to Madison today, he needed to fill out the police report before leaving town. They were forecasting more snow tonight and it might be a couple of days before he could get back.
He turned onto Main Street, passing the pretty park that was layered in snow that shimmered in the morning sunlight and the storefront windows that were brightly decorated for the holidays. Even annoyed with the local innkeeper and whoever was trying to force him out of town, he couldn’t deny he found the place oddly charming. There was a sense of home that even an outsider could appreciate.
Swerving to park next to the curb, Kaden climbed out of the Jeep and headed up the stairs. There was a real possibility he was in a no-parking zone, but the snow was plowed high enough to hide any signs and what he couldn’t see couldn’t hurt him, right? And honestly, it was too damned cold to worry about a ticket.
Halting at the front door, Kaden pressed the intercom and waited to be buzzed in. A couple of minutes later, he was standing in the reception area of the sheriff ’s office.
There was no one seated at the front desk, but at his entrance, a familiar deputy in a brown uniform appeared through a side door. What was his name? Anthony? Yes, that was it.
The deputy halted next to the desk, eyeing Kaden with mild curiosity. “You’re back.”
“Like a bad penny.”
“We haven’t heard anything from the medical examiner if that’s why you’re here.”
Kaden shook his head. “I need to report a vandalism.”
Anthony blinked, as if he’ d never heard the word before. And maybe he hadn’t. At least not in an official capacity.
“Seriously?”
“My tires were slashed yesterday.”
“Damn. Did you see who did it?”
“No. I was parked in the alley behind Porter’s Grocery Store.”
“Sorry ’bout that.” Anthony pulled out the chair of the desk and sat down to tap his password into the computer. “When school’s out, stuff like that happens. Kids have too much time on their hands. It shouldn’t take long to fill out the form.” He searched through the computer to pull up the necessary screen before glancing up at Kaden. “Is Kaden Vaughn your real name?”
Kaden nodded. He’d never considered the possibility his job as a stuntman would make him famous or that he might want to use a stage name. Anthony typed it into the computer.
“Address?” Kaden parted his lips to answer, but before he could say anything there was a loud ring and Anthony reached for the landline on the desk. “I have to take this,” he muttered, pressing the receiver to his ear. “Sheriff’s office.” Anthony frowned as he listened to whoever was on the other end of the line. “Wait. Slow down. An accident?” Anthony shoved himself to his feet. “Where?” He made a choked sound. “Did you say Judge Armstrong? Is he hurt?” Anthony grimaced. Obviously, the news wasn’t good for Judge Armstrong. “No. Don’t touch him. I’m calling the ambulance and I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Anthony disconnected the caller before he punched in a number and waited for the other person to answer. “Britt, we need the ambulance at Judge Armstrong’s place. ASAP.” He once again disconnected, tossing the receiver on the base as he rounded the desk and headed for the coatrack in the corner. “I gotta go.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Judge Armstrong slammed his car into the back of his garage.” Anthony pulled on a thick brown coat and his cap with the sheriff logo. “Damned fool should have had his license taken away years ago.”
“Is he hurt?”
Anthony scowled, as if realizing he was saying more than he should. “Wait here. Monel will be back in a few minutes to finish the report.”
“No problem.”
Kaden watched the deputy scurry out of the office with a narrowed gaze. It was an effort not to race after the man. He wasn’t sure why. An accident involving some unknown judge had nothing to do with him or his reason for being in the courthouse, but he couldn’t deny an urgent desire to find out exactly what happened.
Impatiently tapping his fingers on the edge of the desk, Kaden forced himself to wait for Monel to saunter out of the break room with a doughnut and coffee in her hands. Thankfully, Anthony had been right about the form. It didn’t take more than ten minutes to complete and with his task finished, Kaden headed out of the courthouse and jumped in his Jeep.
It wasn’t until he pulled away from the curb and headed down the street that he realized he’d already made the decision of where he was going. He needed help. And he knew exactly who to ask.
He was parked in the back alley when he heard the sirens screaming down Main Street. Leaving the Jeep running, he crossed the short distance to knock on the back door of Porter’s Grocery Store. It didn’t occur to him that Lia might be in the front, dealing with customers, or in her office with the door closed. Not until a minute ticked past, and then another. Just when he was about to return to his Jeep and drive around to the public entrance, the door was pulled open to reveal Lia.
She was wearing a casual pair of jeans and a red cable-knit sweater with a white snowflake on the front. Her short hair was spiky, as if she’d been running her hands through it, and her green eyes were bright with curiosity as she stared at him. A growl rumbled in his chest.
She looked like a sexy elf he’d very much like to find on his shelf.
