Hidden in the Shadows

by T. L. Haddix

  As he drifted to sleep, he realized that, for the first time since Julie had died, he had worked an apparent suicide and hadn’t felt the gut-wrenching guilt that had become the norm with such scenes. Unsure whether his lack of reaction was because he no longer carried the weight of the burden of knowledge about Julie’s death alone, or because he’d let his life with her go, he was grateful. The reasons why didn’t seem to matter.

  Chapter Forty Two

  News of the suicide spread through town like wildfire. By lunchtime the next day, people were speculating as to the hows and whys. Several people had stopped to ask Wyatt about Leslie Simms’s death while he was having lunch in the Brown Bag with Ethan. When it finally quieted down, they were able to discuss the coroner’s findings.

  “So it definitely wasn’t suicide, then?” Ethan asked, keeping his voice low.

  “No. Harvey called, and the bruising on her neck was a dead giveaway, forgive the pun. And he found a tiny pinprick in her hairline, probably from a syringe. He’s running toxicology panels, but it could be a couple of weeks before the results come back.”

  Ethan tugged on the knot of his tie and loosened it a little. “How are we handling this?”

  Wyatt grimaced. “We’re going to report it as a probable suicide for now. We’ll make the rounds—again—to the extortion victims and get their alibis. And I’ll be meeting with Rhonda Roberts and John, so we can start planning a press conference.”

  The detective’s jaw clenched. “It’s come to that, then?”

  “Afraid so. I don’t have anyone to blame but myself. I should have come forward six years ago.”

  “Have you told Maria?”

  Wyatt looked down at the remnants of his sandwich. “Not yet.”

  “You might want to do that.”

  He looked at the younger man, who gazed at him with concern. “I’ll tell her as soon as I can, okay?”

  “Just promise me you’ll do it before the press conference?”

  “I don’t remember courtship being such a group activity,” Wyatt said, glowering across the table.

  Ethan’s eyes lit up with amusement, but he got back to business. “Anyhow, Maria told Stacy and me that she thinks she has enough information on her computer to track this guy down.”

  Wyatt pushed his plate away. “So she’s going to work from home, then?”

  “Yes. You would know that if you called her or went to see her.”

  Wyatt ignored the comment. “Maybe we can get the drop on our extortionist if we work fast enough.”

  “One can hope.”

  Lunch finished, they gathered their trays and stood to leave. From behind them came the sound of a man clearing his throat. When he turned, Wyatt saw Doug Whitaker standing there.

  “Mr. Whitaker.”

  With a supercilious smile, Whitaker greeted them. “Sheriff. I couldn’t help overhearing part of your conversation. You’ve caught the blackmailer?”

  Wyatt stilled, something about the man’s smug expression setting off a warning bell in his head. “We have a person of interest, yes. And I’ll thank you to keep your mouth shut about what you overheard.”

  Whitaker puffed up, his chin rising. “Excuse me, Mr. High-and-Mighty. If you don’t want your conversation to be heard, don’t have it in public. And as a citizen—”

  “I don’t care, Doug. I really don’t. Have a nice day.” He brushed past Ethan and headed out the door.

  “Someday, someone is going to knock you off that high horse you’re riding, Wyatt Dixon,” Whitaker shouted. “I just hope I’m there to see it when it happens.” The other patrons fell into a shocked silence.

  Stopping with the door open, Wyatt slowly turned, disbelief warring with anger inside him.

  Ethan, who was right behind him, gently pushing him toward the door. “Keep walking, keep walking. Just let it go. You can’t afford to let go on him right now.”

  Even knowing Ethan was right, Wyatt had to fight to calm down. He resisted for a few seconds, but then let the younger man guide him out the door.

  While they waited for the light to change so they could cross back over to the courthouse, Wyatt clenched and unclenched his fists. “I really don’t like him. Has the background check come back on him yet?”

  “No. I sent it to Charlie Clark, and it should be back any day now. I’ll give him a call when we get back to the office.”

  “Good. Something about Whitaker just makes my skin crawl.”

  Chapter Forty Three

  When they walked back into the department, Wyatt could tell from the look on Neva’s face that something was wrong. He and Ethan stopped at her desk.

  “What? Do I even want to know?” he asked with a weary groan.

  Neva shot him a stern glance and stood, coming out from behind her desk. She pointed at Ethan. “You. Ride the desk while I have a word with the boss.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” As Ethan took her seat, Wyatt could tell he was amused. It didn’t matter who wore the sheriff’s badge because the woman who led him into the small conference room was really in charge, and they all knew it.

  “Have a seat, Sheriff. There are a couple of things we need to discuss.” Arms crossed, she waited until he sat. “Why haven’t you called Maria?”

  Wyatt scowled and started to stand. “Neva, I don’t have time—”

  “You’ll make time.”

  Resigned to being lectured, he plunked back down and gave her his full attention.

  “The girl deserves better. I know you’re angry because of that stunt they pulled yesterday, but they did what they had to do to try to solve this case none of you are talking about.”

  “I know that,” he conceded.

  She narrowed her eyes. “Then why haven’t you called her?”

  He spread his hands. “I’m not discussing this with you. I respect you, I like you, but that’s none of your business.” When Neva gave in with a sigh, he realized that scolding him over not having called Maria hadn’t been her real goal in sequestering him.

  “I’ve had three people come to me today and ask what’s going on between the two of you. This department—heck, this courthouse—is abuzz with rumors.”

  Wyatt felt his cheeks flush. “It’s nobody’s business, what’s going on between us.”

  “Normally, I would agree with you about that. However, when a man in your position starts dating one of his employees, it can cause some big problems if you don’t handle it carefully. You should know that already, without me having to tell you.”

  “I’m not going to stop seeing Maria, if that’s what you’re saying.”

  “Good. And I’m not suggesting you do. But I think the two of you do need to make an announcement, send out a memo, that addresses some valid concerns, like what happens if someone has a complaint against Maria. They’d normally bring that to you, but not if you’re dating her. Or married to her.” When his jaw dropped in surprise, she smirked. “I’ve known you too long to think you’re not serious about the girl.”

  Wyatt rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I know I need to do something, but with all the other business that’s been going on lately, I haven’t had a chance to formalize it. And I’ve had Gretchen drafting a memo. I’ve also been meaning to come talk to you about setting up an alternative.”

  Neva sat on the edge of the table. “What kind of alternative are you thinking?”

  “I want to let the staff know that they can come to you with any problems they can’t bring to me. You’re the one person in this department that everyone trusts.”

  “Aside from yourself, you mean. Okay. That’s what I was going to suggest. And Wyatt, let them know you’re dating. Don’t hide it.” She held up a hand when he started to protest. “I know; it’s private. The core of your relationship will remain private. But you both need to be prepared to be scrutinized, unless one of you leaves the department.”

  Wyatt stood. “Fine. I’ll talk to Maria about all this as soon as I see her again, okay?”

&nbs
p; “Well, you’ll get your chance sooner rather than later because she’s on her way in. Stacy’s bringing her in to get something.”

  They headed back to her desk, but she stopped him before they got to the end of the hall. “Oh, one more thing. You need to talk to Jason Hudson. He wants to take the detective’s exam. And I think that means you owe me ten dollars.”

  Wyatt’s smile was genuine as he pulled out his wallet. “I’ll be glad to pay up.”

  Neva chuckled as he handed her the money. “I told you that boy would want it before he was thirty.”

  As the money exchanged hands, Beth Moore’s teasing voice broke in, “Ooh, payoffs in the sheriff’s department. Wait until word of this gets out.”

  Wyatt turned, his eyes moving past an amused Beth to Maria, who stood behind her with Stacy. She met his look with a raised chin.

  “Sheriff.”

  “Ms. Pace.” He returned the cool greeting. “How are you?”

  “Oh, I’m fine. My phone, on the other hand, seems to not be working.”

  Wyatt’s face burned, and he looked at the room’s other occupants. “Don’t you people have something better to do?”

  “Temper, temper,” Maria said.

  Jaw clenched, he met her challenging, angry gaze head on. “That does it. All of you, into the bullpen.” When nobody moved, his scowl deepened. “That’s an order, people!”

  Marching over to Maria, he grabbed her hand and gently pulled her with him, following the others into the department’s main office. At the group’s entrance, the hubbub in the room died down, as everyone looked up to see what was going on. By the time Wyatt and Maria made it to the middle of the room, the only sounds were the random muted ringing of phones and a few feet shuffling.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  He didn’t answer her directly, just squeezed her hand. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an announcement. As most of you have probably figured out by now, Maria and I are seeing each other. I understand that you may have concerns as to the impact this relationship could have, especially on certain aspects of how this department runs. We’re working on getting a policy put in place to answer those concerns. For now, though, anyone with issues who doesn’t feel comfortable coming to me should go to Neva Brewer. Any questions?”

  Robbie Bailey raised a hand, a frown on his face.

  Wyatt was surprised, not having expected trouble from that particularly deputy. “Robbie?”

  “What took you so long?”

  There was stunned silence, and then the chuckles started. Someone shouted from the back of the room, “Yeah, I had you coming out next week. Now I owe Hudson fifty bucks!” That comment caused outright laughter.

  Wyatt turned to Maria, who looked as stunned as he felt. “I knew there was a betting pool,” she said, “but I didn’t realize Jason truly meant everyone was betting.”

  Facing the smiling crowd again, Wyatt’s own expression was rueful. “Okay, okay. Calm down, people. Remember, Neva or me for questions. Now let’s get back to work.”

  ~ * * * ~

  Maria didn’t give Wyatt a chance to stop and chat after he’d made his announcement. It was her turn to do the tugging, and when she led him into the same conference room Neva had used to lecture him, he laughed.

  “You think this is funny?” She sounded more than a little angry. “I don’t. And I do not appreciate what you just did.”

  He held out his hands, a placating move. “Maria, sweetheart—”

  “Don’t you dare sweetheart me, Wyatt Dixon.” Her voice shook with anger. “I don’t know if meek compliance is what you’re used to from the women you date, but by God, it’s not what you’re going to get from me. I have a mind, and I’m going to speak it.” Taking a few steps away, she drew in several calming breaths.

  Wyatt wisely stayed silent while she got a grip on her temper. When she moved back in front of him, he could tell she was struggling to stay calm.

  She shook a finger at him. “Look, you were angry yesterday. Maybe what we did wasn’t the brightest idea, but my being there was necessary. What wasn’t necessary was you not calling me, not answering my calls, and then pretending nothing had happened by parading me in front of the whole damned department! Damn you, I deserved to have at least the courtesy of having been asked before you made an announcement like that.

  “As if that weren’t bad enough, you practically accused me yesterday of intending to use my ‘feminine wiles’ to try to ‘sweet talk’ my way out of trouble. Do you really think I’m the kind of woman who plays that kind of game? Do you?”

  Swallowing, and feeling lower than a dog’s heel, Wyatt shook his head. “No. I don’t.”

  Maria closed her eyes for a brief instant. “Then why did you say what you did?”

  “Because I was angry, and I wasn’t thinking. Because I don’t know how to be in a relationship with a woman who doesn’t play games. I don’t know what to expect from you, and I don’t know how to react to your honesty. I’m sorry.” He shrugged, not sure what else to say.

  Her face lost color, and she took a step back. “What are you saying? That you don’t want to be in a relationship with me?”

  “What? No! That’s not what I meant.” Cautiously, he closed the distance between them and put his hands on her shoulders. “Tell me how to fix this. Please.”

  She didn’t respond for several seconds. “I don’t know. Don’t take me for granted, I guess, and don’t assume what my answers would be regarding important decisions. Talk to me, not at me. Don’t be a head-patter, as Stacy calls them.”

  Though there was some amusement on his face, his eyes were serious as he pulled her closer. “What’s a head-patter?”

  Maria placed her hands on his chest. “A man who looks at a woman and only sees someone to protect, not an equal partner, and treats her like that.”

  Wyatt nodded, chastened. “Okay. So communicate and don’t be a head-patter. You’d think I’d be smart enough to know that.”

  “It isn’t about you not being smart. You know communication is key. Do you have any idea how often I’ve heard you say that over the years? So where’s the disconnect?”

  “I don’t know. I just know that I don’t want to lose you.”

  Maria’s eyes teared up, and she blinked rapidly. “You stubborn man.” Cupping his face, she gave him a soft kiss. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Before he could deepen the embrace, she moved back and picked up her bag, which she’d tossed on the table. “That being said, I’m heading out now. I think we could both use a little time to think. If you decide you’re ready to talk, you know where to find me.”

  She closed the door gently behind her, and Wyatt sat on the edge of the table. For a long time, he stared at the motivational poster on the wall. Maria’s words resonated inside him; he had been taking her for granted to some degree. He truly didn’t know how to deal with a woman who didn’t try to manipulate him. The concept was completely foreign, and it made him rethink how he had been approaching her. It shouldn’t be so surprising, though, since she had never let him get away with things, even though he was her boss.

  He thought about everything he knew about her, everything he’d learned in the last few weeks and months. He realized that he had been expecting Maria to respond and act as Julie had, and that even though there had been strong evidence to the contrary, he had yet to adjust his thinking. If they had a chance of their relationship turning into something permanent, he was going to have to make a serious shift in the way he viewed her.

  Chapter Forty Four

  Maria had stayed up until after two in the morning working on the clues the extortionist had left in the hacked systems. Though she felt she’d made significant headway, she was still not quite to the original IP address where the hacking had originated.

  “You seem tense. Trouble in paradise?” Savannah asked as she drove Maria to the doctor’s office for her follow-up visit.

  “Just a little glitch, I hope.” S
he explained the point of contention. “He did call me last night, and we talked. That’s a start, I guess.”

  Savannah grimaced. “Sounds like he’s scared, struggling. And I can’t believe I’m defending him.”

  Maria smiled. “I think he’s worth defending.”

  “How long are you going to give him before you stage an intervention?”

  “Until the weekend. I hope it doesn’t come to that, though.”

  The doctor’s visit didn’t take long, and they decided to grab lunch at the Brown Bag.

  “I was reading this article about bullying while you were in with the doctor,” Savannah told her as she spooned up a bite of soup. “So many kids have been bullied, and a lot of them, it affected for the rest of their lives. Twenty, thirty years down the road, even. Some of them were able to overcome the emotional scars, but a lot of them didn’t, even if they went on to become successful adults. Sad, don’t you think?”

  Maria’s mind was racing, thinking back to a conversation she’d had with Wyatt about Doug Whitaker. “Bullies. Oh, my God. He’s seeking vengeance against people who bullied him. Vannie, I have to go home.”

  Her sister’s look was incredulous. “Now? But I just got started on lunch.”

  Maria snatched the bowl out of her sister’s hands. “I’ll buy you another meal, but I have to get home now. I have to look at something on my computer.”

  Savannah rolled her eyes but grabbed her jacket and purse. “Okay, okay. Calm down.”

  Maria didn’t respond. Once they were in the car, she called Wyatt, but the call went to voicemail. Cursing, she hung up without leaving a message. She tried Stacy next, greatly relieved when the detective answered.

  “I think I know who it is and why he’s doing it,” she said without preliminaries. She could practically hear Stacy’s mind switching gears.

  “What? Who?”

  Mindful of the need for secrecy and her sister’s ears, she just said, “One of the last victims. The one Wyatt doesn’t care for.”