The Sheriff's Second Chance

by Tanya Agler

  “Huh?” Dizziness still consumed her.

  “Have you been offered the job yet?”

  She shook her head, the movement only making her feel even fuzzier. Darn Mike Harrison. Before him, she’d always had both feet planted on the ground. She couldn’t decide if she liked feeling dizzy and flustered or not.

  “No.” Letting out the breath pent up in her, she willed everything to return to normal. But it didn’t. She’d never be the same again. Licking her lips, she owed him honesty. “There’s been a holdup. They won’t announce anything before tomorrow or even next week, at the earliest.”

  “One week, Georgie. Give me one week.”

  “One week for what?” Confusion rocketed through her. Part of it came from how close he was, but part of it came out of the fact they weren’t on the same page. “Could you start at the beginning?”

  “Give me a chance to show you why you belong in Hollydale.” He caressed her face, and she leaned into him before her breath caught in her chest. Secrets were never her strong suit. “Here with Rachel and me.”

  She opened her mouth. Telling him she wouldn’t accept the job would provide some relief to those shoulders with the weight of the world upon them.

  Still, that part of her would always wonder if she was good enough, when she hadn’t been good enough growing up with a mother who kept trying to change her, when she hadn’t been good enough for a fiancé who wanted to mold her into someone she wasn’t.

  Even if she knew she wasn’t going to accept the job, Mike didn’t have to know. Yet. Besides, it might be fun finding out how he intended to change her mind. She’d reveal all once she knew the answer.

  She gasped, and her eyes grew wide. His kisses had made her forget the big reveal.

  “I have to show you something.” She led him toward the garage. “The car. Come on.”

  Georgie pulled him to the auto bay where Miss Brittany sat, finished and proud. His eyes grew wide as he circled the Thunderbird. No words escaped him. Happiness and awe escaped every pore.

  “But we just installed the dash the other day...”

  “Without Beau, I’ve been able to stay late, especially since Mom got the all clear from her cardiologist and Lucie’s been great with her. Since then I’ve spent every spare minute with her. Even with a lot of customers returning, and Travis and Heidi helped.”

  Her father’s dream involved the racetrack. Growing up, she believed she had something to prove to him and the world that a Bennett belonged there.

  Yet Max’s Auto Repair and Hollydale were where she belonged. She’d never stayed up all night souping up a race car, yet she’d burned the midnight oil here, where she learned the ropes. Her first oil change happened in the far bay. Her first brake flush in the middle one. She’d performed her first engine rebuild in the bay occupied by Miss Brittany. All here.

  Hmm. Would Max consider bending his offer? He could handle the everyday repairs while she specialized in auto restoration and body work. That was what she loved doing, what she was made for.

  “Georgie.” The reverence in Mike’s voice caught her off guard. “You’ve done all this for me?”

  Why was he so surprised? Almost as though he wasn’t worth it? He came over, and she dropped another kiss on his lips.

  Someone cleared her throat behind them. Georgie turned around.

  Beaming, Heidi stood there, bemusement in her eyes. “Well, this is a welcome sight, I do declare.”

  With reluctance Georgie stepped back. All of this was happening so fast.

  “Guess we’re going public before the dance?” Mike whispered in her ear.

  “I—” Her voice faded.

  His gaze caught hers as if he was searching deep into her soul, searching for affirmation of something. What? Her feelings for him? They’d always been there. She’d hidden them well. Even from herself.

  Or was it something else? Maybe a sign she’d stay.

  “I agree, Heidi,” he reached for her hand and squeezed. “I’m taking her to the hoedown on Friday night. Better late than never.”

  “About time.” The older woman fingered her purse strap. “Sorry we’ll miss it, but after his shift is over on Friday, Travis and I are leaving for Baltimore to see Missy. She wants us to visit, and I’m hoping for some good news.”

  “Have fun.”

  Fun. She’d missed out on that over the past couple of days, all work and no relaxation. It might be fun finding out how Mike would convince her to stay. One thing about Mike. He never backed down from a challenge.

  Yes, the next week would be fun. Then once she knew Cullinan’s decision, she’d tell Mike everything.

  Holding back the truth wasn’t all that bad. Not if something good came out of it.

  * * *

  “SHUT THE DOOR behind you.” The sheriff’s voice held resignation and more. Today, a Friday of all days, was his first back on the job after a week’s leave of absence, which had only put the station on edge.

  Skittish, Mike kept his back to the sheriff for a minute. Everywhere he went this week, from the grocery store to Holly Days Diner, people stepped up their efforts to get him to register his name for the ballot before next Tuesday’s deadline. Mike breathed in and set his expression to stone before facing Donahue.

  The sheriff had earned his respect. He’d spent his entire life upholding the law. No matter what, Donahue still wore the badge.

  “How are you doing, Rick?” Mike settled in the hard wooden chair.

  Donahue removed his glasses and set them on his desk. He rubbed a spot on his forehead, where the wrinkles had seemed to multiply over the past week.

  “You want to know the real problem?”

  Mike’s own forehead creased. “Of course.”

  A big sigh ruffled the papers at the edge of the desk. Donahue leaned forward, propping his elbows on the edge. “Zach and Randy are juveniles. In a big city the case would be sealed and their identities would remain a secret so the mess they’ve gotten themselves into might not dog them the rest of their lives.” He leaned back, shook his head and held up his hands. “I know. This is bigger than a mess. They’re looking at serious charges. Only thing in their favor is their ages.”

  “They seem remorseful, too.”

  Mike’s heart went out to Donahue. How easily their situations could be reversed. What if Rachel had committed a burglary like that, thinking it was easy money that wouldn’t be missed? At least that was the story Zach and Randy used. Mike knew the truth, though. It wasn’t just the money and electronics that hardworking business owners would miss.

  It was peace of mind.

  Donahue gritted his teeth. “Too little too late for me.”

  Mike squirmed in his chair. “What do you mean?”

  “Election’s coming up soon. Some have suggested I hand over the reins to someone else in the department.” Donahue’s shoulders slumped. “Namely you.”

  “I don’t want the job.” The growl that came out of him was most unlike him. It was all he could do most days to get out of here on time and be with Rachel. He’d counted on Donahue to have one more good term in him before Mike ran. His knuckles stiffened from the pressure from grasping the sides of the chair. “You didn’t force Zach or Randy to commit those crimes.”

  Donahue leapt out of the chair. With one stride he made it to the window, his back to Mike. “Turns out Melanie was talking about the earlier stakeouts and the issues with the security company to our daughter-in-law, Sylvia, while Zach was in the room.”

  Mike cringed. So that was how Zach and his buddy had kept one step ahead of them.

  “Did they admit this?”

  “They did. Randy had counted on going into the military someday. Won’t happen with this on his record. He won’t be considered trustworthy.”

  The frustration in Donahue’s voice conveyed his fear he’d
no longer hold the same weight or have the same level of trustworthiness.

  “They’re young. If they complete their sentences and learn from this, there’s enough time for them to turn their lives around.” Mike hated sounding like Pollyanna, but the sheriff was reaching for some kind of encouragement. While life held no promises, a little solace never hurt.

  “Sylvia and Rob are talking about moving to Asheville after Zach’s trial and sentence is completed. Maybe even farther away. Fresh start.”

  “The fresh start we need is new blood filling the vacant positions, not throwing away the ones that are already filled. Hire people who’ll actually stay, and that’ll increase morale more than new leadership.” Mike rose and headed for the door. As far as he was concerned, this conversation was over.

  “I haven’t told you the reason I called you in here.”

  There was more? The election seemed like enough news for one conversation. Returning to the chair, he huffed out the breath he’d been holding. “Go ahead.”

  “Zach and Randy admitted to all the B&Es—all but one. Max’s Auto Repair. They insist they didn’t pull that job.”

  Donahue moved away from the window and back to his seat.

  Flutters of doubt about Zach’s statement filled Mike’s lungs. “How could they keep them all straight?”

  “They were very specific. They went in, took small electronics they could sell online and left. No messes, no scattering stuff everywhere. Seems Zach hung on everything I’ve said about robberies over the years.” Bitterness entered his voice as his lips screwed into a big O. “That kid had such a bright future. Straight-A student. All that down the drain.”

  Mike had made a mess of it with Georgie in high school, but that didn’t compare to the trouble these kids were in. Since Hollydale was so small, the trouble wasn’t limited to them, either. Their families were bearing the brunt of it, as well.

  “Your career’s not down the drain, Rick.”

  “Sure feels like it right about now.” Donahue steepled his fingers, almost like he couldn’t contain the energy massing inside his heavy frame. “I’m closing the files on all but the repair shop. The MO was different on that one.”

  How could he conclusively convince Donahue of Georgie’s innocence? Mike clenched his jaw. “It’s been two months. The chance of anything else cropping up is slim to none. No trace of those comic books online, and no sign of them or that folder anywhere else. For all we know, they’re rotting in a landfill.”

  “Was it a coincidence that burglary happened between the others? Or was the burglar deliberate, knowing two other B&Es had occurred?” Donahue speculated.

  Mike almost grew dizzy from the constant pendulum motion.

  “Georgie Bennett had something to gain. If Max lost customers, she wouldn’t have to pay him as much for the shop. Selling those comic books would help cover the cost of it.”

  Time to play his trump card.

  “Georgie’s waiting to hear back about a pit crew job in Charlotte. She’s been in the running for it all this time.”

  “I want to solve this before I step down. Show I still can do my job.”

  Setting up Georgie as the fall guy gnawed at his gut. For some reason Donahue seemed intent on arresting Georgie when everything pointed away from her.

  “In my opinion, it is solved. If this was a deliberate B&E done by someone other than Randy and Zach—and I stick to my opinion those boys committed the job at Max’s as well,” Mike said, stopping short, as did Donahue, his face expressionless, “then it wasn’t Georgie. For one thing, money’s no object. Not with Beverly Bennett’s funds. Besides, Georgie’s not the only person who works at Max’s. Heidi and Travis Crowe have been taking a lot of trips lately.”

  “I’ve known Travis Crowe since grade school.” Donahue’s chest puffed out, and anger flared out of him. In a way, Mike preferred that to the pity on display.

  “You met Zach the day he was born.” Mike’s quiet tone understated his point.

  Judging from Donahue’s glare, the arrow struck home.

  Donahue settled back in his chair and sorted papers into piles. “Outside the box. Ever since you used that phrase to me, I’ve been trying to think outside the norm so Hollydale can get back to its radar gun and occasional shoplifter.”

  Seemed like they were at an impasse, with Donahue in the Crowes’ corner and him in Georgie’s.

  Mike rose and shrugged. “The trail on this is stone-cold.”

  Donahue extended his arms, linked his hands together and cracked his knuckles. “I want to find those comics and that folder for Max. I’m going to do what I should have done in the first place. Ask for search warrants for both the Crowes’ residence and Georgie’s.”

  At the Hollydale Hoedown, after he asked Georgie to reconsider her decision to move away, he’d warn the DA, Stuart Everson, of Donahue’s misguided suspicion. By next week Donahue might listen to reason. Until then? “I respectfully request to be removed from this case.”

  “Denied. You responded to the original call.” Donahue shook his head and reached for the phone. “I’m calling the judge now.”

  “There’s no probable cause. How can you get a warrant on a cold case with no evidence against any of them?”

  Maybe it was time for Donahue to retire. Fixating on something like this when they needed to repair the damage done from the B&Es? Unacceptable.

  “The judge owes me a favor. If people want me out, I might as well collect while I still can. As far as probable cause, there’s plenty. No sign of forced entry. Valuable comic books worth the same as Max was asking for the shop taken along with a proprietary folder containing customers’ addresses and credit card numbers. No electronics or small valuables were touched. Everything points to an inside job. Don’t tell anyone about this, Harrison. I’m not saying a word to Melanie or anyone. Once we receive the warrants, we execute them.”

  Mike nodded and left the room, his fists clenched at his side.

  Problem was he didn’t want to be sheriff, but when this goose chase ended without any evidence, he wouldn’t have a choice but to get on the ballot or mount a write-in campaign. Besides, Georgie was innocent, so he had no reason to worry.

  He only hoped she wouldn’t think he’d doubted her again.

  His gut told him otherwise.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “MAX!” GEORGIE RAN over and threw her arms around him. “You’re back.”

  “Of course. Turns out I can’t stay away. I’ll finish my treatment in Hollydale. This is my home.” He released her and surveyed the auto bays. Time in Florida suited Max. His tanned skin set off his white teeth, flashing his ready grin below his bushy mustache. After the surgery he’d lost a couple of pounds. Hard to judge with that bright Hawaiian shirt that almost blinded her. “The bays are full up. Looks like you’re winning people over after all.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “I wouldn’t quite put it like that, but...”

  “Where are Travis and Heidi?” Max doffed his Panthers ball cap and scratched his bald dome.

  “On their way to Baltimore to visit Missy. I let them leave early.”

  Max smiled. “Winning that scratch-off ticket sure made a difference.”

  “What scratch off?”

  He shrugged and replaced his cap. “They won about ten thousand with a lottery ticket. Enough to send half to Missy and have fun with the other half. Splurge on a couple of nice hotels but not enough to buy me out, even if they wanted to, which they didn’t.” Max whistled and walked over to the Thunderbird. “Beautiful.”

  “She sure is. Want to know something?” She checked out the bays. Even with no one around, she lowered her voice to a whisper. “I’m hoping Mike won’t sell once he drives her on the open road.”

  “I always credited the man with more smarts. Letting something this special get away?” Max’s appre
ciation for the restoration was clear in his eyes. He met Georgie’s gaze, and she almost burst with pride. “Twice. I knew you were good, Georgie, but this...” He strode to the grille, pulled up the metal handle and popped the hood, peering in at the engine. “It’s a work of art.”

  Georgie shifted her weight and took a deep breath. Now or never. “I’m glad you think so. I’d like to propose a change to your offer.”

  Shaking his head, he lowered the hood, the clash of metal against metal almost jarring. “You should be doing this full-time. I can’t hold you back. Have you contacted Foreman’s in Asheville?”

  “Max O’Hara, will you listen to me?” Had that loud voice come out of her? For years her mother emphasized not talking back to her elders, about how Georgie should speak with respect. And of all the men in the world, her mentor was one she respected above all. But, she reminded herself, she was Max’s equal, and he needed to listen to her.

  The gleam in his eyes was unmistakable. “I knew my leaving you in charge would do you good. Problem is I can’t accept a penny less now. Not with those comic books gone. Last time I talked to Mike, he said there was no sign of them.”

  Her stomach sank. Her negligence led to Max’s nest egg being stolen. Of course, the burglar was mainly responsible, but still...

  As it was, she’d have to use every cent of her savings to buy him out. Living with her mother wasn’t how she envisioned turning thirty. But she’d own her business. That was something.

  There was one better alternative. Would Max go for it? She crossed her fingers.

  “I have another solution. I want to buy in, but I want to use my bay for auto restoration until we can add another building. Travis and I have worked out a system over the past couple of months, and it’s going well. I work on maintenance during the morning, and then in the afternoon I’ve been restoring Miss Brittany here.”

  She outlined the rest of the details and a payment plan.

  He folded his arms and shook his head. “No can do.”

  “But Max, where else are you going to get such an offer?” And how else could she stay in Hollydale?