“Are you sure?”
I laughed gruffly. “Yes. I’m sure. I know when people are angry with me. I can’t let them off the hook. I need to talk to everybody about what they saw. I even interviewed you, and you didn’t complain.”
“I know. And yes you did. But maybe you could just move on to some other people for a while. Give the Raidens a wide berth temporarily.”
Gritting my teeth, I said, “I wouldn’t ask them questions if I didn’t need to.”
“Couldn’t you just leave them for later?”
“No. That would be wasting time. Their family is at the center of this case.”
She sighed. “Still, you need to be careful you don’t just focus on them.”
“That’s not happening. Not at all.”
She lifted her brows. “Angela was fit to be tied.”
“Look, I know how to run an investigation. I know how to run my department. I don’t tell you how to run your side of things. The fact that Angela Raiden whined to you about the mere fact that I’m questioning her shows me exactly just how entitled she thinks she is. It should showyouthat too.”
Penelope looked uneasy, and she patted my arm. “Now, don’t go getting all hot under the collar. She asked me to have a word with you, and so that’s what I did.” She held up her hands. “That’s all I have to say on the subject.”
“She asked you to tell me to back off?” I rasped.
She grimaced. “Well, not exactly. It was more of a suggestion.”
“The Raidens are unbelievable,” I muttered.
Penelope shrugged. “They’re used to being treated a certain way.”
“So I gather. The fact she’d have the nerve to try and rope you into this?”
“It was just an innocent conversation between friends.”
“It’s not innocent if she asked you to tell me to back off.”
She winced. “I’m sure there was no ill intent on Angela’s part.”
I chuffed. “It may interest you to know that both she and her husband threatened me.”
“What?” She widened her eyes.
“Yep. They both told me they’re going to see to it that I’m not reelected next time around.”
“Oh, that kind of threat.” From the way she avoided my gaze, I knew that Angela had already broached the subject with her. “Don’t you worry about that, Sheriff. The people of Rainy Dale adore you.”
“Don’t you think it’s out of line for them to threaten me with my job just because I’mdoingmy job?”
“Absolutely. You just forget I said anything. You’re right. I should have kept out of it.” She smiled, but there was obvious tension in her face. I’m sure she was also in an awkward position. The Raidens could make life difficult for her as well.
“I know this has you in an uncomfortable position. I respect that. But I need to do my job.”
“I understand. I want you to know I support you, Sheriff. I don’t want you to go anywhere, okay?”
“I appreciate you saying that.” I smiled.
She sighed. “Are we all good?”
“Yep.”
