CHAPTER ONE #2
Robert gave him a sympathetic nod that fooled neither of them. “She means well.”
“I know. So do you. That’s why I’m asking you to stop rather than telling you.”
“Okay,” Robert said with a slight groan. “But women like Cheryl won’t keep calling once your looks start fading. You’re in your forties now. And trust me. They go faster than you think.”
Connor shook his head. Cheryl kept much of the station running while the deputies created paperwork faster than she could file it. She was kind, capable, and entirely undeserving of being recruited into Robert and his mother’s campaign to repair Connor’s personal life.
“Would you like some coffee?” Robert asked. “I’m sure Diane can rustle up some breakfast.”
“I already ate, but I’ll take coffee.”
Robert turned his head toward the hall and raised his voice.
“Diane! Coffee for the sheriff, honey!”
From somewhere near the kitchen, Diane called back, “He knows where the coffee maker is. And so do you!”
Robert lifted his brows at Connor.
Connor leaned toward the doorway. “I’ll take mine with a little cream.”
“You’ll get more than cream in it,” Diane shouted.
A cabinet opened in the kitchen, followed by the clink of a mug being set on the counter.
Robert lowered his voice. “Don’t worry about Diane. She just blames you for bringing her sister back to town.”
Connor shifted his attention from the hallway. “Why would that be my fault?”
“You’re the one who called for her help with that last case, after your friend Victor Schmidt was murdered.”
“I didn’t ask her to move here, Bobby. It just… Sort of happened.”
“No, but you reminded her the county existed.”
“I’m fairly sure she remembered.”
Robert waved that aside. “And don’t pretend like you didn’t want it.”
Connor hated when Robert was right.
The killings of Warren Holt and Victor Schmidt had drawn Selena back into Harlan County, first as an investigator and then as something more difficult to define.
The case had ended with Renee Beaumont in custody and another family left to measure the damage.
Selena could have returned to Washington when it was over.
Instead, she had accepted a Kentucky-based FBI role covering violent crime and rural law enforcement.
Connor had wanted her to stay. There was no doubt. But now that was happening, it was like an old wound had suddenly burst its stitches.
Footsteps crossed the kitchen but did not approach. Water ran briefly into the sink.
Connor lowered his voice. “Have Selena and Diane spoken yet?”
Robert’s amusement drained away. His gaze moved to the family photographs along the hallway wall.
“You’re not the only one avoiding Selena.”
“They still haven’t talked?” asked Connor.
“My two girls haven’t so much as breathed a word to each other since she got back.”
Connor frowned. “Not even on the phone?”
“Nothing. Diane finds a reason to leave if Selena comes by. Selena pretends she doesn’t notice. They’ve both got too much pride and too many years of practice.”
“I’m sure they’ll make amends.”
Robert rubbed one palm across the other. “I’d like to believe that.”
“They’re sisters.”
“Being family doesn’t always make people sensible.”
"True," Connor said with a sigh. "Look at my sister and me. It took time to patch things up."
“How’s Jessie’s recovery going?” Robert asked.
“Good,” Connor answered. “She still checks in at her group, and she’s delighted to have Selena back. They’ve been spending a lot of time together. Jessie’s getting onto me about avoiding her.”
Connor glanced toward the kitchen. Diane had gone quiet, though there was no telling how much she could hear from there.
“Selena came back for good,” he said. “She and Diane’ll have to deal with each other eventually.”
“Unless both of them decide avoiding the matter is easier. People can manage that for a lifetime when they put their minds to it, unless they have someone who knows better whispering in their ears.”
Robert’s words carried no accusation, but Connor felt one anyway.
He studied the floor between his boots. “I don’t think Selena needs me involving myself in her relationship with Diane.”
“Well, perhaps you could give her a little push.”
Connor raised his head. “Do you really think anyone can push Selena around?”
Robert considered that, then gave a reluctant nod.
“That’s a good point.”
The kitchen door swung wider. Diane entered carrying a mug on a saucer. She crossed the room and held it out to Connor.
“Coffee. Little cream. That’ll be fifty bucks,” she said with a smile.
“Thank you.”
Diane did not release the saucer immediately.
Connor met her guarded expression.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“That usually means something.”
“It means drink your coffee before it gets cold. I know what you two are talking about. I don’t want to speak with Selena.”
She let go and turned back toward the hallway.
Robert watched her leave, then turned back toward the chessboard. “And they said having girls is easier.”
Connor lifted the mug. The coffee was hot and stronger than he usually made it, with a pale swirl of cream near the surface. He took a cautious sip.
Robert reached toward the chessboard on the small table between their chairs. The pieces had been left in their starting positions, ready for a game.
“You have time for one?” he asked.
Connor checked the clock.
“Maybe a quick one.”
Robert began turning the board so the white pieces faced Connor. “We’ll start. If duty calls, we can finish it another day.”
Static burst from the radio clipped to Connor’s belt.
Both men paused.
Connor laughed. “I think he heard you.”
A voice followed, distorted for the first second before becoming clear.
“Sheriff, come in.”
Connor recognized Deputy Arnold. He set the coffee on the side table and removed the radio from his belt.
“Go ahead, Arnold.”
“Sheriff, we’ve got a situation.”
Connor watched Robert’s hand settle beside a white knight.
“Can it wait?” Connor asked. “I haven’t even had my coffee yet.”
A short silence came over the channel. When Arnold answered, the strain in his voice had removed every trace of routine.
“No, Sheriff. Someone’s been killed.”