Fatal Mercy by Dan Padavona (freenovel24 .TXT) 📗

“Did my father contact you again?”

“Not since we wrapped up the Hyde case.” Gray scratched his nose when he answered, a sign the sheriff wasn’t telling the truth. “If you’re worried about your job, don’t be. You’re my top deputy. How many sheriffs have a big city detective on staff? Rule out foul play in the Ramsey case, and you’ll have the key to the city.”

“I need to clear a few things off my schedule. But I can probably make it to the Ramsey house before Friday.”

“Do your best. That’s all I ask. Go home, Thomas. You’ve been here long enough.”

Thomas tapped his hand against his thigh.

“Remember Scout Mourning?”

“The teenager who dug up information on Jeremy Hyde.”

“She’s interested in criminal justice. With your permission, I’d like to give her a tour.”

“Any quiet day works for me. After four is best.”

Thomas rose from his chair.

“Thank you. I’ll set up the tour with her mother.”

“My pleasure. I remember when you were an intern. If Scout Mourning is as half as smart as you—”

“She’s twice as smart as me.”

“Well, then. You’d better hope she doesn’t steal your position.”

Maggie, the department’s administrative assistant, was still at her desk when Thomas left at six. It seemed everyone put in extra hours to keep up with the workload. Thomas had chosen Wolf Lake over Los Angeles, expecting quieter days. It seemed the sleepy village of Wolf Lake had run off the rails since his teenage years.

During the drive home, the Erika Windrow case clung to him. He’d shot Jeremy Hyde after the serial killer broke into his house with Naomi and Scout sleeping upstairs. Had it not been for Chelsey Byrd, Thomas would be dead. She distracted Hyde and gave Thomas time to retrieve his gun.

He stepped inside his house and automatically scanned the shadows for an intruder. His pulse rocketed when the dog’s head shot up from behind the couch. The Siberian Husky padded to Thomas. Thomas stroked Jack’s fur. He’d worried the dog would mess inside the house. But Jack took care of business in the backyard after Thomas let him outside, his tail wagging as he grinned back at his new owner. Jack finished his business and galloped back to the door.

“I don’t know what’s happening to Wolf Lake.”

Jack didn’t reply.

The dog followed him to the refrigerator. Thomas retrieved a ginger beer, twisted off the cap, and took a long drink. He squinted and squeezed his nose when the spices hit his sinuses. In the neighboring yard, Naomi wheeled Scout down the path toward the lake.

Thomas descended the deck stairs with Jack trotting alongside. Though he’d purchased a leash and collar, he didn’t see a need for either. Jack was his shadow, his constant companion. When Jack spied Naomi and Scout, he barked and took off running. Scout swung her head around and waved, while Naomi set a protective hand on her daughter’s shoulder. She didn’t let her guard down until Jack stopped beside Scout’s wheelchair and sat panting with his doggy grin. By the time Thomas reached the trio at the shore, Jack was bounding through the shallows while Scout giggled and cheered him on. Keeping watch over her daughter, Naomi motioned him back toward the trees.

“I spoke to Sheriff Gray,” Thomas said. “Scout’s welcome to tour the office any day after four o’clock.”

“That’s wonderful.” An aqua headband pulled the hair off her forehead. Sunlight danced in her eyes. “She’ll be so excited.”

“Should I tell her now?”

“Wait until after. Thomas,” Naomi said, her eyes dropping to the ground. “I feel terrible asking you for more favors. But I need someone to watch Scout tomorrow between two and seven.”

“Hmm. My shift doesn’t end until four, and the last few days I’ve ended up staying over. Did you ask LeVar?”

Naomi bit her lip and looked across the water.

“He’s working at the Broken Yolk until five.”

“Is something going on?”

“I’ve got a job lined up tomorrow afternoon.”

“That’s great. Where?”

“Harmon Associates,” she said, her eyes downcast. “They’re a legal firm in the city.”

“Sounds promising. Why so glum?”

“It’s a cleaning job.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “When we lived in Ithaca, I built strategies for small businesses and analyzed their financial data. Back then, I earned more than Glen. Terrific benefits, vacation time, a retirement plan. I shouldn’t have uprooted Scout. If we’d stayed in Ithaca—”

“You’re talented, Naomi. Good things will come to you if you’re patient.”

“I can’t leave Scout alone.”

“Let me talk to LeVar’s sister. You’ve met Raven.”

“She’s the private investigator?”

“And she’s good with kids. I’ll call and see if she’s free.”

“You always save the day, Thomas.”

She touched his arm. Before he could react, she kissed his cheek and bounded back to Scout.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Tuesday, July 14th

8:15 p.m.

This was a bad idea.

Thomas sat in his truck outside his childhood home. Updated landscaping embellished the immaculate four-bedroom contemporary. Two flowering cherry trees greeted visitors at the walkway, and bushes sprouted from a freshly mulched row paralleling the sidewalk. The house appeared abandoned and lifeless. It always did, though he spied the vehicles beyond the windows of the two-car garage.

He braced himself. Thomas hadn’t seen his father in three months. Not since Mason Shepherd imposed his will on Thomas, ordering him to quit the sheriff’s department and take over Shepherd Systems. Thomas had refused before Mason told him he was dying. His parents wouldn’t take his calls until he agreed to their terms, even if it meant the next time he saw Mason was at the man’s funeral.

Thomas yanked the keys from the ignition and juggled them in his palm. A boy coasted past on a scooter, a welcome sight in the snobbish, self-important neighborhood of Poplar Hill Estates. When Thomas was a boy, his mother’s sole concern when he returned home was he remove his shoes at the door, lest he track filth inside.

He knew how this evening’s conversation would go. They’d sell him on the merits of Shepherd Systems, make him feel like a fool for hanging on to his deputy position,