by T. L. Haddix
“No, I have it.”
“Thanks. I’ll owe you one.” Her smile faded. “This is going to be one of those cases, isn’t it?”
Wyatt laughed bitterly. “Oh, yes. This case is going to be so messy, I think we’ll need shovels by the time it’s done.”
~ * * * ~
Maria was awake, but she wasn’t really conscious as she stood in line at the Brown Bag to order. At least, she didn’t feel conscious. Mornings had never been her best times, especially when she was running on only a few hours of sleep. She’d stayed up very late the night before working on the forum mystery. As the line moved forward, she yawned and blinked, trying to wake up enough to order without sounding drunk. She felt a presence behind her before he even spoke, but Wyatt’s voice still startled her.
“If you yawn much wider, you’ll crack your jaw.”
She jumped and felt her cheeks flush, though she turned to greet him with a smile. It never failed to take her by surprise that he was so much taller than she was, and that he could move so quietly for such a large man. Standing at five-eight, it took a very tall man to make her feel petite, but the sheriff had the stature to do it. Before her mind caught up with her tongue, she blurted, “Just how tall are you, anyhow?” As she realized what she’d asked, her face grew painfully hot. To her relief, though, Wyatt seemed more bemused by the question than anything.
“Six-five or so. Why?”
“No reason. I just wondered.”
As the dining room filled up and the line waiting to order grew longer, he stepped closer to her. Every time the door opened to admit another customer, cold air rushed in. Maria’s heart rate sped up as he moved nearer, and she could feel the warmth coming off his body. She was sorely tempted to step even closer, to lean against him, but just envisioning his reaction was painful and embarrassing, and she managed to resist. Making small talk, they finally reached the counter. She placed her order and rummaged through her purse for her wallet.
Wyatt spoke from behind her. “I have this.”
She shot him a questioning look. “Okay. Thanks.”
He ordered several more breakfast sandwiches and coffee. As he paid, he explained, “I’m going to be corralling you, Ethan, and Stacy for the next couple hours. Breakfast is the least I can do.”
“So the food’s a bribe?”
The grin he sent her was boyish and charming. “Something like that.”
They moved down the counter, and as Janet, the café’s manager, handed them their order, she winked at Maria.
Maria kept her mouth shut until they were outside, waiting to cross the street to the courthouse. “I’m sorry about that.”
He looked down at her. “About what?”
“You didn’t see…? Nothing. Nothing at all. I’m still half asleep.”
“You mean Janet’s wink? That’s no big deal.”
So much for hoping he hadn’t noticed…. She slowed to a halt as they reached the outside door of the sheriff’s department. “Wyatt… Sheriff, this is a small town. By lunchtime, we’re going to be the latest grist for the rumor mill.”
“Maria… Ms. Pace,” he replied teasingly, “at least they’ll be leaving someone else alone. Gossip is part and parcel of living in a small town. You were born here. You should know that by now.”
At a loss for words, she just stared at him. She finally found her tongue. “And that doesn’t bother you?”
He shrugged. “I’m an elected official. It’s not the first time I’ve been gossiped about, and it won’t be the last.” As he held open the door, a guarded look came over his face. “Does it bother you?”
“No. I mean, yes. Yes, a little. It’s nobody’s business who we, um... never mind.”
He frowned and started to speak, but before he could say anything, Ethan walked up. Looking from one to the other, he grinned and gestured to the open door. “Are we trying to warm up the great outdoors here, folks?”
Wyatt glowered at him. “I was going to provide your breakfast, Detective, but I may have to rethink that decision.”
Hiding her own smile, Maria slipped inside the building. “Give me five minutes to dump my stuff. Where are we meeting?”
“The small conference room,” Wyatt answered as they came in behind her. He was still scowling at Ethan, and she’d have given a hundred dollars to be a fly on the wall for the conversation they’d probably have after she left.
As she hurried upstairs to her office, she told herself that just because Wyatt hadn’t been upset about potential gossip, didn’t mean he was interested in dating her. Unless she wanted to end up embarrassed or heartbroken or both, she’d do well to remember that.
Chapter Thirteen
Downstairs, Ethan followed Wyatt into the conference room, a wide grin on his face. Wyatt sent him a fierce scowl as he unbagged the food. To his surprise, Ethan actually chuckled.
“You’re in an awfully good mood this morning,” Wyatt said, feeling out of sorts.
Ethan shrugged. “I’m just enjoying watching the two of you dance, that’s all. And Beth practically turned green this morning at the mention of coffee, much less the smell. She wouldn’t even let me make a pot for myself.”
Hearing that, Wyatt’s mood softened. “That’s a good sign, don’t you think? I hope I’m right, Ethan. The two of you would make wonderful parents.”
“Thanks. I guess we’ll see in a few weeks, huh?”
When Maria and Stacy came in, Ethan straightened away from the table. “The gang’s all here.”
Not meeting Maria’s gaze, Wyatt glanced around the room. “I need to make sure we aren’t disturbed. You all get settled in. We could be here for a while.” He turned to go out of the room, then stopped and spoke over his shoulder. “Oh, Maria? Your sandwich is on the end next to Mr. Impertinent.”
Ethan shot him an innocent look as he left the room. “Who, me?”
Wyatt was back within a few minutes, files and notepad in hand. After closing the door, he pulled out a chair and sank into it with a sigh. “I called Ethan to my house last night because I received an extortion letter. As it turns out, I’m not the only one.”
Maria looked from Wyatt to Ethan, then back. Her shock was visible. “What? No.”
“I’m afraid so. I had just left a meeting with Vestra Popovich when I discovered my letter. Ethan tells me that Raven Lynch has also received one, and then Stacy brings me yet another this morning… from the reverend who killed himself yesterday.”
“You’re kidding me,” Ethan exclaimed, his jaw dropping. He looked to Stacy for confirmation, and when she nodded, he cursed. “Well, that just really muddies things up, doesn’t it?”
Wyatt grunted. “In more ways than one. Did you get a chance to talk to Beth last night?”
“No, she was too tired when I got home. Tell you what, why don’t I call her, see if she can come in here now?”
“That might not be a bad idea.” Stacy looked at Wyatt. “She’s sharp, and she’ll keep her mouth shut, unlike most reporters I’ve met. No offense,” she told Ethan.
“None taken,” he assured her.
Wyatt gave a decisive nod. “Do it.”
Picking up his phone, Ethan called his wife. “Hey, I need a favor. Not that kind.” He flushed, and Wyatt, who had taken a sip of coffee, almost choked on his laughter. Maria and Stacy snickered, and Ethan shot them a killing glare. “Damn it, Beth. I’m in a meeting. Can you come to the courthouse? Wyatt wants you here.” After a pause, he smiled. “Okay. See you soon.”
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Wyatt grinned at the detective, whose face was still red. “Karma’s a witch, isn’t it? I take it she’s on her way?”
“Yeah. She’ll be here in about ten minutes.”
Wyatt checked his watch. “There’s no point in going over the same information twice. Why don’t we adjourn until she gets here?” They all agreed, and he stood. “I’m going to see if I can get hold of Vestra and at least have her fax a copy of her letter. Let Neva kno
w we’re expecting Beth.”
Chapter Fourteen
As Wyatt’s footsteps faded away, Maria asked, “Wyatt Dixon got a blackmail letter? What in the world? Did I imagine that?”
Ethan shook his head as he stood. “No, and it’s best that he tells you about it. I’m going to go out to the lobby to wait for Beth.”
Once he left, Stacy said, “If he called Ethan after work last night, it has to be pretty big. What do you think it is?”
Maria shrugged, not bothering to hide her concern from her friend. “I don’t know. I’m almost afraid to find out.” Hearing voices coming down the hall, she turned the conversation to a more neutral topic. “What are your plans for this weekend?”
Stacy shot her a rueful grin. “Oh, I’m planning a fun-filled and relaxing time. I’m going to clean house, do laundry, and maybe even paint the dining room. You should join me.”
With a snort, Maria stood and cleared the food wrappers from the table. “You wild woman, you. Your life is only marginally less exciting than mine.”
“Ha! You’ll have to reach far to find something more exciting than painting a dining room.”
“That depends on what color you’re using. No, I get to go to a birthday party for a four-year-old on Saturday. Loads of excitement there.”
“Cody?” Stacy asked, referring to Maria’s nephew.
“Yeah. I’m sure Savannah’s going to use the chance to corner me and rip me a new one. She’s ticked off that I walked out on Damon.”
“Well, that’s her problem, isn’t it?”
Rolling her eyes, Maria agreed. “She’ll try to make it mine, too, though.”
A soft knock sounded on the door, and they turned to see Beth in the doorway with Ethan behind her.
Stacy grinned. “Hey, stranger. Long time, no see. How’ve you been?”
She and Ethan stepped inside. “Hey, yourself. Are we interrupting?”
Maria shook her head. “Not at all. How are you feeling? Ethan said you had a lousy time of things last week.”
She grimaced. “Worst I’ve ever had. I’m okay now, still a little queasy, but okay. Coffee seems to be setting me off still, though.”
“Do we need to get rid of our cups?” Maria asked, concerned.
Beth took a tentative sniff of the air. “No, I think I’ll be okay. Thanks for offering.”
Wyatt came back in and closed the door behind him. “Hey, Beth.” He leaned in to give her a quick hug before he took his seat. “Thanks for coming in. Did Ethan give you the short version?”
“Just the very short version. What’s going on?” Beth asked as she took the chair next to Ethan’s.
“This is completely off the record, what we’re getting ready to discuss. Even if we figure out who’s doing this, we may not be able to announce it publicly. Are you okay with that?”
“Of course. You have my word.”
“Thank you.” Sitting back in his chair, he looked around the table. “Something we all have to remember is what I just told Beth. These letters, each and every one of them, are destructive. If the secrets in them come out, the people involved will probably be ruined.”
“Surely that doesn’t include you?” Beth asked.
His answer was somber. “I’m afraid it does.” There was silence around the table as the seriousness of the situation sank in. “In any event, what gets discussed here this morning goes no further than the people in this room. This is not a case we can discuss with others to get feedback on, or leave the files pertaining to it lying on desks. As far as the department is concerned, this case is classified Above Top Secret. Parts of it are going to have to be looked at by an outside party, but for now, we’re it.” He gestured to Ethan and Beth. “The two of you had the first contact, so to speak. Why don’t you start?”
Ethan nodded at Beth, who explained, “I had lunch with Raven Lynch on Monday, and he gave me his letter. He’s been seeing someone, and his boyfriend hasn’t come out. Not to his family, co-workers, anyone. And Raven’s boyfriend is a teacher. He could be destroyed if the relationship comes to light the wrong way.” She passed it across the table to Stacy and Maria. “Apparently, someone was watching Raven and me, and took some pictures when we hugged. That’s what the printout in the bag with Raven’s letter is. Anyhow, this person posted the pictures online, and by that evening, Ethan’s parents were knocking on our door, demanding an explanation.”
When she fell silent, he covered her hand with his and continued the story. “I had Maria start looking into the forum where the pictures were posted, just as a favor. It’s too big a coincidence that Raven would appear on there at the same time as he’s receiving blackmail letters. Anyhow, she’s found some interesting and unexpected links on this forum. Maria?”
Picking up the ball, Maria said, “Since the forum went up in May of this year, it’s had thousands of posts. I’ve read through about seventy percent of them, and while the majority are just gossip or bickering, I’ve found at least thirty threads that seem to have been started by the same person. The motivation behind this is anyone’s guess, but my theory is that their sole purpose is to cause trouble for the people they target, like Beth and Ethan.”
“Thirty? That’s incredible.” Stacy whistled.
“There may be more. It’s easy to figure out which ones were started by the troublemaker, because three-quarters of those threads resulted in calls to us or complaints.” As she listed the cases she’d linked to the forum, an almost palpable wave of shock went around the room.
Wyatt was incredulous. “All these cases were the results of one person’s efforts? From an online forum?”
She nodded. “Yes, I’m pretty confident they were. I know some of the people involved well enough that I took the liberty of contacting them. I didn’t pry too hard, but managed to confirm my suspicions. They put the blame for the trouble starting firmly on that forum.”
“Did you talk to any of the deputies involved in these cases?” Ethan asked.
“No. The troublemaker could be anyone, so call me paranoid, but I didn’t want to take the chance of tipping them off. I hope that’s okay.”
“That’s exactly how you should have handled it,” Wyatt reassured her.
“What I don’t understand is why we’re just now figuring this out,” Stacy said. “With that many calls, surely someone would have mentioned the forum before now.”
Maria held up her hand. “From what I was able to find out, the reason no one has said anything is because they thought the other party in their disputes had started the posts, so when it came to a head and resulted in a call, they figured it had been taken care of.”
Wyatt gazed at the papers in front of him with consternation. “Have you been able to find out anything about the person or persons who started the forum?”
Maria rubbed her eyes. “No. I’ve been chasing that ghost for nearly two days now, and each time I think I’m getting close, they lead me on another tangent. That tells me that whoever did this has some serious computer skills.”
“I think it’s safe to say that you’re going to need to stay on this until we have it figured out, or at least until we don’t have a choice but to get outside help, if it comes to that. God help us if it does.” He turned to Stacy. “Tell them about the reverend.”
“You’ve all heard about Tim Jones’s suicide by now, I assume?” Everyone nodded, and she sighed. “Well, this morning, his wife found this letter in his trash can in his home office.” It was her turn to push an evidence bag across the table. “From what the letter says, the reverend had been having an affair with his church secretary. The union was fruitful, as she has apparently borne him two children in the last five years. It’s just a guess, but I’d say this is probably news to her husband. It certainly was news to Mrs. Jones.”
Beth shook her head. “That had to devastate her. Did she believe the letter, then?”
“Yes. She’d suspected he was cheating for some time. She also told me that her youngest child wa
s the same age as the secretary’s, so they were pregnant with the reverend’s children at the same time. If the man hadn’t killed himself, I think she would have.”
“Castration would have been a better punishment,” Beth muttered as she glanced at the letter.
With an instinctive wince, Ethan cleared his throat. “Be that as it may, given that the man killed himself after he received the letter, we could be looking at some criminal charges pertaining to his death for the extortionist.”
“If not criminal, then I’d say civil, anyhow,” Wyatt remarked. “I guess that makes it my turn to confess all.” He passed a piece of paper to Stacy, then leaned his elbows on the table. “That’s a copy of Vestra’s letter. Again, the allegations are true, and I think that she’s going to pay, despite my protests.”
“Accepting stolen goods? I didn’t think Vestra ran that kind of shop,” Stacy said, her face reflecting her surprise.
“She doesn’t usually. This happened a few years ago, an employee who acted without her knowledge. Beth, what was your impression of Raven’s intentions? Think he’s going to pay?”
“He’s very upset, and I can’t blame him. He has a lot to lose if we can’t stop this person. I think he’ll pay, and I’m not sure I’d blame him if he did.”
“We all have a lot to lose. I guess I can understand Raven’s fear, though. Of all these notes, he probably has the most to lose if he’s outed, so to speak. That being said, I’m not paying, and I’m not going to kill myself, either.”
Stacy pushed Vestra’s letter across the table to Beth and Ethan, then accepted Wyatt’s. Her face went blank with shock, and her eyes flew to the sheriff. He nodded, and she passed the letter to Maria without speaking.
Maria's heart sank as she read the words, and she looked up at him, stunned. “Is this true?”
“I’m afraid it probably is.”
The room was quiet as the letter was passed across the table, and when Beth read the letter, she gasped with dismay. “Oh, Wyatt, no!”