Page 9 of Wolf Sacrificed
I shrugged. “We’ve noticed it too. It’s happened a couple of times now. We just thought it was some kids racing. The roads are nice and straight for the most part. A good place to have drag races.”
Sheriff Adam let go of my shoulder and pointed at Lincoln. “Who is this? I thought I knew everyone who worked here. I’ve never met him.”
Lincoln forced a smile and reached his hand out. “I’m Lincoln. Sloane’s boyfriend.”
Sheriff Adam glared at Lincoln’s hand and didn’t make any attempt to shake it. His fingers twitched on his gun like he was seriously considering pulling it out and shooting Lincoln.
Lincoln let his hand fall back to his side. “Is there anything else we can help you with, Sheriff?”
Sheriff Adam glanced between the two of us and shook his head again. “Sloane, I’m still concerned. First, there’s the business with your brother, and second, this house fire. Where are your parents? I tried checking in with your father last night, but got no answer on his cell. Same thing this morning. I must’ve called half a dozen times. If he doesn’t answer, he always calls back.”
He put one hand on his hip. The other stayed on his gun, and his thumb twitched. “You need to tell me if something is going on. Let the law help you.”
I forced out a breathy laugh. “Sherriff, everything is fine.”
Sheriff Adam slipped the gun out but kept it by his side. “I don’t think it is. I’ll be making some additional calls when I get back to the station. Something isn’t right here. I’ve been sheriff too long to ignore when something doesn’t sit right.”
He jabbed his finger at Lincoln, hitting him in the chest. “And if this guy is bothering you or hurting you in some way, tell me now, and I’ll make sure that he doesn’t do it again. I have a cell back at the station that can have his name on it.”
My heart melted a little at how quickly he’d offered to help us. It meant a lot, but I couldn’t let him threaten my mate, either.
I put myself between Lincoln and Sheriff Adam, reached behind me, and grasped Lincoln’s hand. He wound his other around my waist, pulling me close. I did my best to try to smile, but it probably looked more like a grimace instead.
“I promise you, Sheriff Adam, Lincoln is here because my family and I want him to be. I love him, and he is not a problem.”
The sheriff’s nostrils flared. “Something is going on. Are you guys in some sort of trouble?”
I opened my mouth, but he spoke up before I could say anything.
“I don’t mean to sound crass. But your brother’s head was decapitated. Cut clean off. I’ve seen a lot of horrific crimes but nothing like that before. We have reports of multiple men driving recklessly up and down this road last night, and I come here and find the house is burned beyond salvation. What am I supposed to think?”
My pulse quickened as I made one final attempt to sway him.
“That this is all a big misunderstanding?” I shrugged.
I didn’t think his frown could possibly deepen more, but it did.
“Sloane, this is not a misunderstanding, and I don’t know what is going on exactly, but I know something illegal took place here last night. My duty is to the law and to protect the people under my jurisdiction. If you won’t talk to me, then I’ll call in reinforcements from the FBI. They are already looking into Darrin’s death.”
My stomach cramped, and I hugged my free hand around myself. “They are?” I asked weakly.
This was bad. We didn’t need the FBI sniffing around and getting caught up in all this.
Lincoln put his mouth to my ear. “Sloane.”
Yeah, I knew I had to do something.
Sheriff Adam nodded. “I had them start looking into Darrin’s death because things didn’t add up.” He pointed toward the house. “I’m bringing this up to them, too.”
“You can’t,” I blurted, my voice breathless and shrill at the same time.
He arched a brow at me. “I can and I will. Your father has been a good friend of mine. I care about your family, Sloane. I hope you aren’t mixed up in anything illegal, but I have to do my job, and I know there is something you are not telling me.”
I mashed my lips together. There was nothing that I could say to him that would placate him. He knew us too well, and he was a family friend. He knew something fishy was going on, and he was an honest cop who wouldn’t let this go even if I threw myself at his feet and begged.
I had to do damage control, but how? Dad always said to trust my gut. I guess I’d have to do that now.
I shifted on my feet as my belly knotted. “So maybe there is something going on, Sheriff. But we don’t want to involve the law. I think it would only make it worse.”
