Chapter 7
Brooke
The parking lot went completely silent as Adam’s words hung in the air. Tyler stood perfectly still, his expression carefully blank, like he’d expected this and had already braced for the impact.
Brooke went cold. History with dead bodies? What does that mean?
Sue made a small sound. Shock, maybe? Robert showed no surprise at all, like perhaps this wasn’t news to him.
“Deputy Boverman,” Edi said sharply, moving between him and Tyler. “That’s inappropriate.”
Adam ignored her, his attention fixed on the small group. “People have a right to know who they’re dealing with.” His eyes traveled to Brooke. “So they can make efforts to keep themselves safe.”
Brooke knew Adam Boverman. He had moved to town several years earlier, taking the deputy job. Brooke wasn’t living in Irma when he arrived; she was away at school in Laramie.
When she came home with a degree in business and plans to buy her own restaurant, she took a job at one of the neighborhood diners while putting her plans into motion. Adam ate there regularly.
He was good-looking in that clean-cut, all-American way—sandy blond hair, pale blue eyes, and a solid build.
She knew he was older than her, but wasn’t sure how much.
Five or six years, probably. Nice guy, or at least he always seemed nice.
He popped into the coffee shop sometimes, not as regularly as Edi, but on occasion.
Until recently, he’d been in a long-distance relationship with someone he’d met online.
Brooke heard through the coffee shop grapevine—because that was how information traveled in Irma—that they’d broken up a few months ago.
Something about the distance being too hard, about wanting different things.
Since then, Adam had been more visible around town, stopping in at local businesses, showing up at community events, generally making himself present in ways he hadn’t when he was attached.
He also had a reputation, though Brooke tried not to put too much stock in gossip.
But over the years, multiple people had mentioned that Adam dated around.
Nothing serious, nothing committed, just a string of relationships that never quite stuck, which was probably the reason his long-distance relationship was such a hot topic.
She’d even heard people placed good-natured bets on whether he’d ever settle down.
Right now, though, watching him look at Tyler with something between satisfaction and hostility, his dating history seemed trivial. What mattered now was what he’d implied.
“What history?” The question came out before Brooke could stop it.
Adam’s attention shifted back to her, his expression softening immediately. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
He moved closer, his whole demeanor changing. Protective. Concerned. Like he was positioning himself between her and potential danger. “Tyler’s wife and child died in a house fire.”
The words hit Brooke like a physical blow. Wife and child. Dead. Fire. “Oh,” she said, looking at Tyler. “I’m so sorry. That’s . . . awful.”
Tyler nodded, his face a mask that gave nothing away, though something in his green eyes had gone dark and hollow.
“It’s terrible,” Sue whispered. “Absolutely terrible.” She gave her husband a look, and he replied with a subtle nod.
“It was ruled accidental,” Adam continued, “but there were questions. Things that didn’t quite add up. Tyler left town not long after, barely had them buried and memorialized before he was gone. We still had questions. We had to track him down and have the police in his new town question him.”
“That’s an exaggeration,” Edi said firmly. “The fire marshal ruled it accidental. There was nothing suspicious about it.”
“Not exactly true, now, is it?” Adam said. “There were questions. Plenty of questions. The timing, the insurance money, the way he just disappeared afterward.”
“Stop.” Edi’s voice went hard. “You’re sharing information about a closed case that has nothing to do with why we’re here today. And you’re doing it in front of witnesses to an active investigation, which is completely unprofessional.”
Adam held up his hands. “I’m just saying people have a right to know who they’re dealing with. Especially when there’s another dead body involved.”
“We don’t even know if there’s been a crime yet,” Edi snapped. “Could be a hiking accident, could be natural causes, could be anything. And Tyler was with friends when they found Brooke, who had already discovered the remains. He wasn’t anywhere near the scene until after it was found.”
Adam went completely still. “You’ve already interviewed the witnesses, Deputy?”
Edi flushed. “I, uh, yes. You took so long to get here, and Brooke was upset. I wanted to get it done so she could head home.”
“I see.”
Brooke glanced at Edi, noting the quiet defiance in her.
She hadn’t done exactly what Adam expected, and part of Brooke admired that.
But then her mind shifted, racing ahead to the weight of Adam’s words.
Tyler had lost his wife and child in a fire, the kind of loss that would destroy most people and leave scars so deep they might never heal.
But Adam’s words kept echoing. Questions remained. He left town. Insurance money.
The implications were clear, even if Adam hadn’t stated them outright. People had suspected Tyler. Maybe not officially, maybe not enough to bring charges, but enough to make him leave.
And now he was back, and there was another dead body.
The warning signs were impossible to ignore. A man with a mysterious, tragic past. Questions around death. A history of running.
This was exactly the kind of person she should avoid.
But looking at Tyler’s face, at the carefully controlled pain in his eyes, she felt something else too. Sympathy. Grief for what he’d lost. Understanding of the kind of hurt that never fully healed.
She hated how conflicted she felt. Attraction warring with fear. Compassion fighting with self-preservation.
“Miss Davies?” Adam’s voice pulled her attention back. He’d moved even closer, his expression concerned. “Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You sure? Because if you need anything . . . ” His smile was warm, reassuring. “Did Deputy Reeves tell you about the support systems in town? We’ve got some excellent resources for those who are innocent in situations. I know you’ve had a rough time of it lately.”
There was something in his tone that rubbed Brooke the wrong way. Like he was using this situation to shine a light on himself and prove he was the good guy, the one she should trust.
“I appreciate that,” she said carefully. “But I’m okay.”
“Well, you know how to find me if that changes.” Adam glanced back at Tyler. “And don’t worry. I’ll make sure you stay safe.”
The implication was clear and didn’t leave any doubt about who Adam planned to keep her safe from. She had half a mind to tell him what she thought about his offer and exactly what he could do with it.
She glanced at Edi, who rolled her eyes before moving over to speak with the game warden, both of them studying a map spread out on the hood of the man’s truck, planning their approach to the scene.
Robert and Sue stood by their vehicle, looking uncomfortable with the whole situation and ready to leave. Brooke was too. All she really wanted was to get off the mountain, get home, and take a hot bath.
She shifted her attention toward Tyler. He remained where he was, silent and still, accepting Adam’s accusations without protesting.
That bothered Brooke more than she wanted to admit. Why hadn’t he defended himself? Why hadn’t he explained what happened and given his side of the story?
Unless there was no good explanation. Unless the concerns were legitimate, and he knew it.
She thought about the way he’d handled himself on the trail. Calm, confident, protective. The way he looked at her, like maybe he was interested in getting to know her better. She’d felt the connection building between them.
All of it felt suspect now, tainted by what Adam had revealed.
“We need to get moving,” Edi called out, gesturing toward the game warden. “Henry’s going to escort me back to the scene and take pictures so we’re ready when the coroner arrives. The rest of you are free to go, but stay available for follow-up questions.”
“I’ll go with the warden,” Adam said.
“I’ve got it covered,” Edi said firmly.
“Deputy.” Adam walked toward Edi. Whatever he said was too low for Brooke to hear, but from the look on Edi’s face, he’d decided she would be staying in the parking lot and Adam would be going with the warden.
Sue and Robert shuffled over to Brooke’s SUV. “Would you like to ride back to town with me? Robert can drive your car.”
Brooke smiled at the offer, gratitude threatening to overwhelm her. She swallowed hard before saying, “I think I’m okay.”
Adam approached the group again. “As Deputy Reeves said, you may be questioned again.” His attention shifted to Tyler. “Stay available.”
Sue muttered that she would. Robert nodded. Brooke stayed quiet, as did Tyler.
“Miss Davies, may I speak with you?” Adam motioned her toward the front of her car. She glanced back at Tyler as she followed the deputy. His eyes followed her. She quickly looked away.
“Um, yes?” Brooke asked when they stopped.
He smiled. She was struck by how genuine it looked. She didn’t plan on it, but she automatically smiled back.
“I wanted to make sure you really are okay. Do you think you can drive?”
“I’m okay. Sue offered to let me ride down with her. Robert said he’d take my car. But I’m fine. Really.”
“You’d ride with Sue?” His gaze shot toward the group still standing where they’d left them. “And Tyler?”
“Um . . . I guess? They all rode up together. But, as I said, I’m fine. I’ll drive myself down.”
“I have a better idea. Wait until the warden and I are finished. Once I’ve checked the scene, the coroner should have arrived and Deputy Reeves can handle everything here. I’ll drive you down.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I don’t mind. After what you’ve been through today, I’d feel better knowing you got home safely.”
There was nothing overtly wrong with the offer. It was kind, thoughtful even. But something about it felt off. Like Adam was trying too hard, pushing too much.
“I’m fine,” Brooke said more firmly. “But thank you.”
“All right. But seriously, call me if you need anything. Anything at all.” He handed her a card with his contact information and gave her another smile.
Brooke tucked the card into her pocket. She wanted to get out of here, wanted to go home and process everything that had happened—the body in the woods, Tyler’s past, Adam’s revelations, all of it.
She felt eyes on her. When she glanced up, Tyler was watching her, his expression unreadable but his posture defeated. Like he knew exactly what she was thinking, exactly how far he’d fallen in her estimation.
Their eyes met for a moment, and Brooke saw something there that made her chest tight. Pain. Loss. Resignation.
She looked away first.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” Sue came over and asked.
“I’m ready to go home.”
“Agreed.”
Sue and Robert walked hand in hand to their car.
Brooke purposely avoided looking at Tyler as she climbed into her SUV and started the engine.
In her rearview mirror, she watched him turn away, heading for the other car. Adam stood by Henry, watching her watch Tyler, that same protective expression on his face.
Brooke pulled out of the parking lot, leaving the scene behind. But the questions followed her.
Who was Tyler Gillis? A man who’d suffered unimaginable loss and was trying to rebuild his life? Or someone with darker secrets, someone who’d been involved in deaths before and might be involved again?
She’d been wrong about Kelsey. Completely, catastrophically wrong. She’d trusted when she should’ve questioned, missed signs that should’ve been obvious. She couldn’t afford to make that mistake again—couldn’t let attraction or sympathy or curiosity cloud her judgment.
Tyler’s wife and child had died under circumstances that made people question what really happened. He’d left town rather than face those questions.
And now he was back, and another body had appeared.
The logical part of her brain was screaming warnings, the part that had learned hard lessons at Bearwater, that had promised to be more careful, more aware, more willing to trust her instincts.
Those instincts were telling her to stay far away from Tyler Gillis.
But another part of her, smaller and quieter but persistent, kept remembering the way he’d looked at her. The gentleness in his touch when he’d steadied her on the trail. The pain in his eyes when Adam had revealed his past.
That part wondered if maybe there was more to the story. If maybe the questions people asked were just small-town gossip, tragedy twisted into suspicion because people needed someone to blame.
Brooke gripped the steering wheel tighter as she navigated the winding mountain road back toward town.
She didn’t know what to believe.
But she knew one thing for certain. Whatever may have started between her and Tyler in those few hours on the mountain, it was over before it had really begun.
It had to be.
For her own safety and sanity, she needed to walk away and never look back.
Even if part of her desperately wanted to understand the truth behind those green, haunted eyes.