Page 19 of Dark Shadows
“Yeah, well, we deal with hard evidence and facts in this town. The stuff we can support in a court of law, not some mumbo jumbo, and that man you found in the barn is a local. You don’t have jurisdiction here.”
“Actually, he’s a pedophile, and his victims crossed several state lines, so, sure, he was local, and your town might have been harboring a killer, but this case is the FBI’s.” Mason slid out of his seat, coming to his full height. “Feel free to call the director of the FBI. He sent me here, and he’ll agree.”
The diner’s atmosphere was as thick as the coffee they served. Everyone was watching, listening, and waiting with bated breath to see what would happen next. The gossip mill would be running nonstop by morning.
Mason stepped on toes. Toes that needed a good stomping on.
“Your ex-stepdaddy know you’re in town?” Sheriff Caldwell asked, turning his attention toward Savanah.
“I’m sure everyone will know within the hour,” Savanah said, meeting Beverly’s gaze. She’d been the head of the rumor mill even back in high school.
Sheriff Caldwell and Officer Daniels left just as quickly as they’d appeared. Only now they were standing out in the parking lot, in deep discussion.
“They look like they’re plotting a way to run us out of town,” Savanah said, sipping her coffee.
Mason grinned. “Let them try, and I’ll arrest them for interfering with a federal investigation.”
Savanah’s shoulders finally relaxed. Maybe she would like working with Mason. His badge offered a protection unlike anything she’d ever tried.
Mason pulled out his phone and started to text.
“Are you texting your psychic?”
Mason chuckled. “No, I’m texting my boss, Deputy Director Harrison Reed, to warn him I’m ruffling feathers and the locals will be out for blood.”
Mason set his phone down and picked up his coffee again, taking a sip as though nothing in this little town could touch him.
“He good with you poking the bears?”
Mason nodded. “He’s used to it. He’s glad we’re ahead of schedule.”
“How so?” she asked.
“Cree said, in two weeks' time, you’ll be the one saving my life while I catch a killer.”
“If she knows how, why, and who it is, why doesn’t she just tell you?”
“She won’t screw with fate because it has tendency to bite back.”
7
Savanah
Savanah hadn’t even finished her toast when the diner door swung open again and another familiar face from her past walked in.
Dr. Lawrence, her old psychiatrist, paused in the entryway. Time had been kind. His dark hair was now streaked with silver at the temples.
His glasses rested low on his nose, the same as always, as he scanned the room.
Apparently, the universe wasn’t done with Savanah yet. The hits just kept coming. He was a person she’d hoped to avoid.
“Dr. Lawrence?” she said, unable to keep the shock from her voice.
He did a double take as he walked past. His face broke into a warm smile as he recognized her. “Savanah! This is a nice surprise. I had no idea you were coming back for a visit.”
“Neither did I until an hour ago,” she replied, wondering how the man who had once doubted her abilities would react to the situation unfolding before him.
“What brings you back to town? Did Tina or Wesley know you were coming?”
