“Thank you, Tucker. Would you like a drink?” Abbie’s mother says.
“Yes, thank you.” He turns and shakes Oswald’s hand and smiles at Stephanie before turning to Sterling.
“Sterling, I’m sorry for your loss. Burton spoke highly of you.”
“That’s kind of you to say.” Sterling excuses himself and walks from the room to seek some privacy.
Finally, he turns to Abbie, “How are you holding up?” His eyes trace over her face, memorizing the smudges beneath her eyes, the gaunt look to her cheeks. She’s lost weight he thinks and frowns when she responds in a stiff voice.
“Fine, thank you.”
Abbie’s mother returns with his drink, and he sits next to her on the couch. “You should know that the Mayor has insisted on an investigation into the fire.”
“I understand.” She glances away from him and stares out of the window. None of that matters now, she thinks.
Out of respect for her condition, Tucker stands and walks to talk to Oz.
Sterling returns and soon voices are raised. Abbie doesn’t respond when Tucker says, “Rumors are spreading, some blame the design of the Mill. Hard questions will need to be asked and answered.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Sterling objects. “Now is not the time for this.”
“I’ve been thinking about it. Day and night, I see the explosion in my mind,” Abbie says and stands up to walk closer to Tucker, and her eyes are huge in her pale face.
“The only way you get an explosion of that size is with rapidly burning flour dust.” Abbilene’s voice grows strong as she comes out of her daze.
“Exactly,” Sterling says. “Sheriff Manning, if the millstones are allowed to run dry, they will rub against each other, causing a spark.”
“You would blame the workers?” Tucker frowns, slightly disappointed in them.
“I wouldn’t blame anyone,” she says in exasperation. “I would say it was a horrible accident, which is exactly what this was.”
“Truthfully, we are just lucky it happened at night and not during the day or hundreds would have died!” Sterling insists. “It’s a risk all workers understand and are aware of when they sign the work contract.”
“The Mayor will need more than your word, Sterling,” Tucker snaps.
“Should I draw a picture for him?” Abbilene snarls. “Perhaps in my blood, would that make them happy?” Abbie is shouting by the time she’s finished. Everyone falls quiet.
“I’m here as a friend to warn you what is coming,” Tucker says softly and sets his drink down and turns to leave.
“I’m sorry, Tucker,” Abbie whispers, and the shaking starts again.
“Abbie, you’ve nothing to be sorry for!” Stephanie rushes to her side and guides her from the room.
“Enough! Now is not the time for this,” Sterling growls.
Abbie stops at the door, “I’ll be ready when they come at me, Tucker. I understand the pain everyone is in, but I won’t allow them to run me out of town. It was an accident.” She turns and looks at Stephanie.
“I’d like to sleep now,” she whispers.
“Of course,” Stephanie guides her to her room.
The room is quiet when they leave, and Sterling turns to glare at him.
“This is why you came?”
The glass in the entry window explodes as a brick smashes through. Tucker and Ozwald move at the same time. Sterling runs outside to look for the perpetrator, but they are gone.
Tucker picks up the brick tied with a cloth that is painted in red, “Murderer!”
“This is why I came today! They aren’t blaming Burton. He’s dead, and they are looking for a target. Abbilene is convenient. This is going to escalate. We have to prove that this was an accident or Abbie will never find peace.”
“Then do your damn job and protect her!” Sterling demands.
“I’m trying to do that, Sterling.” Frustration ripples through both men. “I need answers and evidence to prove that she’s innocent. Until that happens, no one will find peace.”
“Let’s clean this up before Abbie sees it,” her Mother insists.
Chapter 9
“Good morning, Stephanie,” Tucker inhales the heavenly scents coming from her bakery and grins.
“I know what you’re here for Tucker, and you won’t get it from me!” Stephanie’s angry gaze glares at her brother.
“I’d love a coffee and one of your sweet rolls.” He ignores her previous statement and walks over to the table and sits down. “Perhaps some company if you have a minute?”
Stephanie frowns. Everyone is talking about it. Over the last two months, Tucker has been questioning everyone in town, and it’s her turn.
“Good timing, Sheriff, but I guess you know what time I close, don’t you?”
Stephanie hurries with his order and flips the sign to closed on the shop, locking the door to give them privacy.
She sits heavily across from him and sips on her own tea.
“How’s she doing?” Tucker asks softly. He hasn’t been to see her since the funeral.
“As good as can be, I guess. She hasn’t been to church and she won’t see anyone. It’s getting bad.” Stephanie nervously wrings her hands under the table.
“I have a few questions for you, and I’m hoping you can help clear some things up.”
“I won’t be a part of spreading lies and gossip. Tucker, you’re my brother for lands sake! You know how I feel about Abbie!”
“This isn’t any easier on me, Stephanie. I’ve known her since you two ganged up on me in tug of war at school.” He grins sipping on his coffee and takes a huge bite of his roll. “Oh, you have a gift, sister,” he says, munching happily.
“I know it,” she smiles. “Abbie said anyone as pretty as you shouldn’t be strong too. She wanted to teach you a lesson.”
“Pretty, huh?” He grins and sits up taller. “Too bad it didn’t work! You both ended up in the mud. Being
