“What about the Dickerson family, huh?” he asked, continuing as if she hadn’t spoken. “Did you think about them before starting this little crusade of yours?”
The barb found its mark, and Megan cringed. She didn’t want to cause anyone pain, especially the Dickerson family.
“I know the game you’re playing.” He sneered. “But Luke can’t change the facts. Your brother is a murderer, plain and simple. I’m not going to stand by and let you convince people otherwise.”
Was that a threat? It certainly felt like one. She forced herself to meet his eyes. The hatred she found in their dark depths sent shivers down her spine.
She jutted her chin up. “I said I want to leave.”
“Get away from her, Dan, before I physically remove you myself.”
Megan turned her head. Luke strolled toward them, his hands balled into fists, his muscles rigid. His entire focus was on the chief deputy and the fury in his gaze was downright terrifying.
Dan jumped back, lifting his hands. “We were just having a friendly conversation.”
“Stay away from her.” Luke put himself between her and the other man. “We aren’t out to get you, despite what you think. But if I see you near Megan again, I will make it my mission to ensure you never become sheriff in this county. Are we clear?”
Dan’s cheeks heated, and he took another step back. “You don’t frighten me, Tatum.”
Luke’s mouth flattened into a hard line. “Threaten her again, and you’ll find out just how scary I can be.”
Twelve
“He threatened her?” Lieutenant Vikki Rodriguez asked, leaning forward in her chair. “The chief deputy?”
Luke nodded sharply. “Yes, ma’am. He did.”
The memory of Dan’s words made his stomach churn and his body temperature rise. He’d dropped Megan off at the ranch and come straight to his boss. The implications of the events in Cardin could not be ignored.
Vikki’s dark lips went pale as she pressed them together. Lieutenant Rodriguez, head of the Company A ranger division working out of the Huntsville, had spent a large portion of her career as an investigator in the sex-crimes unit. She understood violence against women and the insidious forms it took better than most.
The faces of the others gathered around the conference table were equally grim. Weston sat on Luke’s left, his bulky form barely able to squeeze into the chair. Grady sat on the other side of the table, his attention focused on their conversation even though his cell phone rested on the table. His pregnant wife, Tara, had a doctor’s appointment today, and Grady was waiting for her call.
“What did Sheriff Franklin say when you reported it?” Weston asked.
“He showed no interest in gathering the facts regarding the incident.” Luke kept his voice calm and his posture relaxed, but discussing the conversation with Sheriff Franklin sent a fresh wave of anger pulsing through his veins. “He also said Dan was under a lot of pressure and I must have misinterpreted the conversation.”
“Is it possible you did?” Lieutenant Rodriguez asked.
“No, ma’am. Megan specifically told him she wanted to leave, and he was blocking her from doing so. The chief deputy was attempting to intimate and scare her.”
“I trust you, Luke, and your impressions.” She held his gaze. “But considering the relationship between you and Megan, it would be irresponsible if I didn’t ask the question.”
“Understood.” He forced his shoulders to relax. “My investigation is hitting some nerves in Cardin and things are getting messy.”
“Clearly. Do you think Chief Deputy Carter is involved in the Dickerson murder in some way?”
“I’m not sure. Medina County is small and people are already talking. Dan wants to be the next sheriff, and it could simply be he’s sensitive about how he’s perceived. However, based on my conversation with Pastor John, there could be more to it. If Chad is involved in Franny’s murder, then it’s possible Dan knows and is covering it up.”
She brushed a strand of black hair off her forehead, tucking it back into the knot at the nape of her neck. “Do you have any evidence that’s the case?”
“Not directly, but an entire box of evidence is missing. The initial interview Chad Dickerson gave after his sister’s murder is also gone. It’s my intention to leave this office and head straight over to the Dickerson ranch to interview Chad. That alone may create some heat, not just from Medina County but potentially from the mayor, the governor, and so on.”
“Heath Dickerson has his fingers in a lot of pies.”
“Yes, Lieutenant, he does.”
“That doesn’t make him, or his son, above the law.” Her chin jutted up. “Luke, proceed with your investigation and follow the evidence. Whatever we need to do to support you, we will.”
“Wow.” Grace tucked her hands into the pockets of her thick wool coat. “Dan sounds like a real peach.”
“Oh, he is.” Megan’s breath fogged in the cold air and grass crunched under her feet. Jax hobbled alongside her, and she slowed her steps so the old dog could keep up. “Did you find out anything from the background check?”
“Nothing big yet. Dan worked for Dallas Police Department for fifteen years, mostly in narcotics. Married once and divorced. No kids. Mother and father are both deceased. From what I can tell, he was on the fast track. He’d closed a couple of high-profile drug cases and was about to make captain, but then he resigned and moved to Cardin.”
Megan adjusted her scarf. “Because Sheriff Franklin offered him a job?”
“Could be. Sheriffs hold office for six years in Texas and Dan moved here five years ago. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sheriff Franklin wooed him here under the promise that Dan would succeed him. Still, I want to be sure, so I’m digging. Have you found anything in Franny Dickerson’s case file?”
“No. Everything I have so far looks straightforward. Of course, there is an entire box missing so who knows what else has been removed. Luke’s meeting with
