Her mother asks the housekeeper to run a bath in her private bathing room and guides her upstairs. She stops at the landing before going up.
“Thank you, Stephanie, for bringing them to me.” Unashamed of the tears that stream, Stephanie nods at her friend and watches her mother take her upstairs.
Sterling sighs, “Mr. Burke, I imagine you could use a drink. I know I need one.”
“Yes, that I do, son.” Stephanie watches them go to the living room and jumps when Ozwald enters.
When he opens his arms, she runs into his embrace and allows her to cry. “She’s strong, Stephanie. She’ll pull through.”
“Yes, she will, but what will be left of her heart, Oz?”
Chapter 6
Tucker Manning watches them bring the last body from the rubble. His heart breaks for all of those affected by this tragedy. Becoming Sheriff of the town he grew up in was never part of his plan.
He left when he was eighteen for the big city of San Francisco, joined the police force and worked hard, eventually earning the rank of Sergeant.
Married at twenty-two, life was great until she took his money and ran off with a salesman.
It took him months to find them, and as sorely tempted as he was to beat the man to a pulp, he restrained himself. Instead, he offered to not file charges against them for theft if she signed the divorce papers, freeing him of her.
Her lover, Trent, urged her to take the deal. She signed it and shoved it at him. “Why didn’t you just tell me you that you weren’t happy, Reba? We could’ve worked it out.”
She shook her blonde hair and laughed. “Poor country boy, there was nothing to work out. I never loved you, just the security you offered. Now, I don’t need you.” She snatches the papers and signs her name.
Humiliation wars with the rage in his soul. When he takes a step towards her, Trent steps in front of her and holds up a hand. “Alright, let’s calm down. Everyone has what they wanted. You’re free, Mr. Manning.”
“Officer Manning,” Tucker snatches the folded papers and turns to look at her. “You deserve each other. I never want to see you again, Reba. You are dead to me.” He storms out to her laughter and the gate on his heart slams shut.
His divorce was granted on the grounds of adultery. Eight years now he’s been a free man, and he has often wondered what it takes to find the kind of commitment he has seen in Abbie. It was clear Burton didn’t care for her the same way.
Life brought him home from San Francisco after years away. He came back older, wiser and jaded. Being a police officer in the city is vastly different from being a Sheriff in a small town.
His heart hopes that he’s wrong, but he’s seen this before. He knows what comes after the grief. Rage. The families of the workers will seek an outlet for their pain, and a woman alone is an easy target. Abbilene Gilbert is in trouble.
He wasn’t surprised when the Mayor came to the Mill site to talk to him about the outcome.
“Tucker, this needs to be cleaned up quickly. We can’t let this turn uglier than it already is. You’re in charge of the investigation. If Mr. Gilbert is culpable, I need to know.”
“Yes, sir.” He watches him leave and sighs.
Gilbert Mill was a major employer in the town. The Mayor’s biggest worry is that families will leave and he’s hoping to alleviate some of those concerns that the town will dry up without its business.
Tucker glances at the bodies covered by tarps, “Load them up.” He tells the undertaker. “The funerals are on Sunday. Take the dead to the church, Pastor Jacobs knows your coming. The families will meet you there.”
He will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth. All these families deserve no less.
Childhood friend or not, Abbilene will get no special treatment from him.
Liar, his heart says. ‘Did you cradle all of the family members while they sobbed?’
“Shut up,” he murmurs to his conscious.
“Sheriff!” A female voice calls out to him.
Tucker turns and has to stifle a sigh. “What can I do for you, Ms. Benson?”
Dressed in her Sunday best, Ms. Benson is the town gossip and the eyes and ears of the local grapevine. She could come in handy if put to good use.
“Did I just see the Mayor leave?” Her greedy eyes gleam with excitement over the possibility of a scoop.
“You did. I’m investigating the incident here at the Mill.” Tucker waves to the undertaker and watches him leave.
“Terrible business, death is never fun,” she sighs and turns to look at the Mill. “You know my son, Artley is a lawyer in the city. Burton Gilbert came to see him in California. Of course, he couldn’t tell me why, because he would never break his client’s trust, but he was most interested in the accident. In fact, Sheriff, Artley will be here on Monday. Something about business to attend to. I just thought you should know.”
“That’s valuable information, Ms. Benson. Thank you.” Tucker walks her back to her waiting carriage. “If you have any more information that can help us discover what happened, please come to me directly. Rumors will only stir the pot.”
“I understand. Sheriff, you should know things between Burton and Abbilene were strained. From what I’ve been told, Burton had another woman in California.”
Tucker hides his shock well, considering. What man in his right mind would turn his back on a vibrant, loving woman like Abbilene?
“I’m only telling you this in case it helps the investigation. Burton spent more time away than he did at home.”
Tucker
