The Soldier's Promise

by Patricia Potter

  “But why? He had his opportunity three years ago.”

  “I know he’s been talking to some folks. Telling them you’re wasting city money on the community center, that he thinks taxes should be lowered and the city needs a strong police chief. Not, he makes a point to add, that I haven’t been one, but, well, I’m getting on in years and the department needs new young blood.”

  “The salary is hardly worth the headaches,” she said.

  “Not if you’re honest,” he countered. “If you’re not...” He shrugged. “I just read about a city clerk who stole more than a million dollars from a small town without anyone suspecting her.”

  “And he’s using Josh as a weapon?”

  “Maybe. Like I said, rumors. I know he’s had some business losses. Hell, most small businesses are in trouble, and you know how he feels about Sam. I think he promised the job to him when he graduated with the criminal justice degree. Sam’s just been waiting for an opportunity to prove he could be police chief. Remember all the rumors when Manning first moved here? Sam could have figured him for an easy patsy. He could solve the crime, get the community’s gratitude and slide into my job. And get some cash, as well.”

  “Is he that smart?”

  “More like calculating,” Tom said.

  “Then we should warn Mr. Manning.”

  Tom shook his head. “That’s only one possibility. There’s two others. One is that Manning is our thief. My source said he’s been highly decorated. His superiors tried to get him to go for officer training and he refused. Wanted to stay with his team. Rangers see a lot of intense action. Someone like that would find it hard to settle down, to adjust to a place like Covenant Falls. It wouldn’t be the first time a vet went bad.”

  “No one would put that much work into a cabin and then steal a few hundred dollars,” she said.

  “Maybe not, but some warriors just can’t give up that adrenaline.”

  “You said three possibilities,” she persisted.

  “Could also be some hunters up in the forest. There’s been some poaching. We’ve had trouble with them before.” He paused. “The fact is we don’t know, and I haven’t met Manning. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t talk to him.”

  “I still think it’s Sam,” she said.

  Tom was silent for a moment, then said, “Right now all I have against Sam is some roughness with motorists and poor judgment in several disputes. He’s careful because he knows I’ve been watching him. But if he gets control of the police department and Al is elected mayor, Covenant Falls is going to be in trouble. I can’t give the council a reason to fire me.”

  “If Al wants a war,” she said, “he’ll have one. And it’s not about Josh Manning. It’s about this town. And I can fight as dirty as they do. I can veto any attempt to give Sam your job, even if I have to dissolve the department and contract with the county to provide services.”

  “If he thinks he’s under suspicion, Josh Manning might pick up and leave. And this town would be right back where it was. The burglaries would stop. Everyone would think he committed them and fled, and Sam would be a maligned hero because you didn’t listen to him.

  “Or maybe Manning could help us,” Tom added cautiously. “If Sam has anything at all to do with this, or suspects who does, he’ll make a move to cast more suspicion on Manning.”

  She knew Tom didn’t have to follow big department rules but acted on instinct, just as her father had done. She suddenly realized he had been feeling her out.

  “And you might use Josh as a tethered goat?”

  “Maybe. It might be the only way to learn the truth.” He slumped on the bench. “Or maybe I should just let go.”

  A lump caught in her throat. She felt torn. Loyalty against...against what? A stranger who probably wouldn’t stay long. And what if Tom was right? Sam as police chief, particularly if Al was mayor, would be a tragedy for the city. If he was responsible for the thefts, there was little he wouldn’t do.

  “No,” she said. “If you’re right, we have to know and have to have proof.”

  “I know you like him,” he said. “I haven’t seen that sparkle in your eyes for a long time.”

  “Like is the word,” she said. “Nothing more. He’s a loner. He’s made it clear this is just a short stop along his way.”

  He gave her a long, searching look. “Are you really okay with this?”

  “No,” she replied, “but for now I don’t see an alternative.”

  She suddenly realized why Tom was hanging on to his job despite his wife’s objections. She knew he’d been opposed to any promotion for Sam, but she hadn’t known how deep his concern was.

  How could she not tell Josh? Trust was just beginning to build between them.

  Because eventually he would leave, but Covenant Falls and its three thousand plus people would still be here.

  Her heart pounded. Was she doing the right thing? She nodded. “Okay.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  JOSH HAD STARTED pulling boards from the kitchen floor when he heard the sound of an approaching vehicle. He looked at the clock. It was only ten o’clock, and Rowland had told him that, while he’d been eager for the job, he couldn’t arrive until noon because of another commitment this morning.

  Josh decided to begin without him. The tiles and bamboo flooring had arrived yesterday as promised, and time was running short before delivery of the furniture on Saturday. The kitchen was particularly important since he wanted to hook up the new fridge and stove as soon as they arrived.

  He went to the door. A tall gray-haired man in uniform stepped from a patrol car emblazoned with police chief.

  He waited for the officer to come up the steps, then he stepped outside. “Is this an official visit or another hello?”

  “A bit of both,” the caller said. “I’m Tom MacGuire. The officer thrust out his hand and after a second’s hesitation, Josh took it. Strong grip, but not one meant to intimidate. He relaxed slightly and waited.

  “Wanted to come by and talk to you about a few things,” MacGuire said. “Mind if I come in?”

  “The place smells of paint,” Josh said, “and there’s not much to sit on.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” MacGuire said and waited.

  Josh felt trapped. He opened the door. “I warned you,” he said as MacGuire went inside. Amos had already made for the bedroom.

  He watched as MacGuire’s gaze took in the new paint, the newspapers still spread out on the floor. “You’ve been busy. Yard looks good, too.”

  “Not ‘good,’” Josh corrected. “Controlled.”

  “I heard about the rattler. Fast thinking.”

  “Not really,” Josh said. “It had been hurt in some way.”

  “Maybe. But you made some friends here in Covenant Falls.”

  Josh decided that directness was the best course. “My attorney said you had called him for information. You could have just asked me.”

  “I’d hoped to do it quietly,” the chief said. “We’ve had three burglaries in the past few weeks. The first was a week after your arrival here and people here don’t want to believe any of their neighbors were involved.”

  “Is that a warning? Or an accusation?”

  “An observation,” MacGuire said. “One I don’t share, by the way, especially after my queries.”

  “That’s comforting.” Josh couldn’t hide the sarcasm.

  “I hoped to quell the rumors, but your service record is your business. I told my officers that I was satisfied you were not involved, but I haven’t said any more.” He paused, then added quietly, “I came home from Vietnam. None of us wanted to talk about what happened. I respect that.”

  Josh understood that. No one he knew went around talking about what they did, especially if they were in Spe
cial Forces. He relaxed slightly and got right to the point. “Is this the hello or the business part of the visit?”

  MacGuire chuckled. “I see why Eve likes you. She doesn’t do well with bullshit, either.”

  Josh felt an unexpected jolt of pleasure at the comment but tried not to show it. He waited for the chief to continue.

  “Okay, that was the hello. Now for the business. Someone saw a green Jeep in the back the Boot Hill Saloon, the night it was robbed earlier this week.”

  “I would ask you what day it happened,” Josh said, “But then there’s no point because my answer would be the same if you’re asking my whereabouts at the time. I’ve been here every evening since the day I arrived, except for Friday night when I spent the evening at the vet’s office with my dog. You can ask her about that. And no, there were no witnesses to confirm I was here all that time, but there is all this paint. I’ve been too busy to discover who has what in this town, much less plan to steal it. And then there’s the patrol car that has been passing here nearly every night. You might ask the driver. He probably saw my Jeep. I can tell you it hasn’t been in back of a bar.”

  “I had to ask,” the chief said.

  “Any other Jeeps in town?”

  “Not anyone in town. Could be renters in some of the summer cabins around here. Or campers.”

  “Interesting,” Josh said. “Anything else?”

  “Nick said you had an ‘awesome’ dog.”

  “Amos is resting at the moment,” Josh said wryly. “He’s not as friendly as I am.”

  MacGuire laughed, but then his face grew serious. “How long were you in the service?”

  “Seventeen years.”

  “A lifer?”

  “I thought so. At one time. Not much use for a soldier with a bum leg.”

  “There are desk jobs.”

  “Not for me. Not in the Rangers.”

  The lawman squinted. “When I came home from Vietnam, I didn’t want to see anyone. Particularly civilians. They simply couldn’t understand what war was like or how you had build walls to survive.” He hesitated, then added, “Sometimes it got damned lonely. You need anything, call me.”

  Despite himself, Josh found his guard lowering. There was something in the policeman’s voice that rang true.

  “I would appreciate a tour,” the police chief continued after a brief silence. “Eve said you’ve done wonders.”

  Two weeks ago, he would have refused. Maybe he had mellowed. A little. “Not much to see. I fixed the leaks on the roof.” He led the way into the kitchen. “Just finished painting the kitchen and this room. I plan to install flooring in the kitchen today and in the living room tomorrow.”

  He opened the back door so they could see where he’d cleaned out the weeds and mowed the lawn. Then he showed the bathroom, which needed new wallpaper but was army clean. His bedroom was next. Amos had retreated to his haven under the bed.

  MacGuire stooped and ran his hand around Amos’s rump. “So this is the awesome Amos. He made quite an impression on Nick.”

  Amos didn’t seem impressed. He didn’t move.

  “He doesn’t care much for strangers,” Josh said. He didn’t add that he shared that view.

  Josh noticed how the police chief’s gaze never stopped moving. It covered every inch of the room, including the closet. “There’s a Glock in there, but you probably know that. Eve used it quite effectively.”

  The chief didn’t look embarrassed, merely said thoughtfully, “I was here a few years ago. Some kids used the cabin for a party. Pretty well trashed it. I made their parents have the kids clean their mess, but the cabin was already a mess. You’ve done a lot in a short time.”

  The chief left the room, leaving Josh to follow. “Thanks for the tour. You need anything, call.”

  Josh had absolutely no intention of doing so, but he nodded.

  “Try me,” MacGuire said and went out the door.

  Josh watched the chief stride to the police car. He was in equal parts bemused and irritated. If being new in town was cause for suspicion and a visit from the police, he didn’t want to stay long. He was through fighting for causes. All he’d wanted in coming here was peace. Quiet. Healing for Amos. Maybe for himself.

  An illusion, it seemed. He decided he would hurry his efforts to put the cabin in decent shape for sale. Then get out the hell out of Dodge.

  * * *

  NATHAN ROWLAND ARRIVED at twelve sharp.

  A good sign, Josh thought. But it was the only good thing about the day.

  The man immediately asked Josh to call him Nate. “Only my mom calls me Nathan.” He accepted coffee as Josh described the job and made what he thought was a fair offer. Nate accepted and said he could start immediately.

  The afternoon went quickly. He and Nate tore out the worn boards to find an uneven and cracked floor. Nate continued to work while Josh went to the hardware store for more supplies.

  When he returned, they used concrete leveler to smooth out the floor. Then it was nearing nine o’clock, and they both were dirty and tired. Josh decided to wait until the next morning to condition the surface, spread the mortar and place the tiles. Then they would start on the living room floor.

  Nate asked whether he wanted to join him for a beer at the Rusty Nail, one of the bars around town.

  Josh’s first instinct had been to refuse, but he agreed. He wanted to know more about the police chief, and he wanted to hear it from an unbiased source. He liked Nate. The man was certainly competent. They worked well together. Neither of them were talkers. If he’d planned to stay longer, he would have liked to know him better. But he wasn’t planning to stay. Especially after today.

  “Sure,” he said. “Give me a few minutes to clean up and feed Amos.”

  “My nephew got excited when I said I was coming here. He’s in Nick Douglas’s class and heard all about the dog. Is it okay if I bring him over? My brother and his wife are thinking about getting him a dog.”

  “Anytime, but I can’t say how social Amos will be.” Josh said. He went into the bedroom, grabbed a clean shirt then headed for the bathroom to wash. When he finished in there, he returned to the living room.

  “I’m going to take Amos out and feed him. Use the bathroom if you want to wash up.”

  Amos cooperated without complaint this time. He went out willingly but avoided Nate on the way back inside. Josh filled his dish with dog food and several small pieces of cheese. Amos sniffed, ate the cheese then sat in front of the dish contemplating it.

  “So that’s the famous Amos,” Nate said. “He’s a handsome dog.”

  Amos regarded him suspiciously but made no move to go back into the bedroom. Nate stooped and offered Amos his hand to sniff. To Josh’s surprise, Amos didn’t shy away. He seemed to understand that Nate belonged here.

  Josh grabbed his wallet and keys and locked the door as he left. “I’ll follow you in my Jeep,” he said,

  Nate nodded. “It’s four miles north of here.”

  Josh had noticed it when he’d driven into Covenant Falls. “I heard a bar was robbed a few days ago.”

  “Not the Rusty Nail. Johnny Kay, who owns it, lives above the bar and would blow away anyone who messed with it. Most of the townspeople go there for a beer. Good bar food. Boot Hill Saloon was the one that was robbed. It’s farther out of town and attracts the cowboys and ranchers and the wilder crowd. Has country music and dancing on weekends. There’s a third bar connected to a small motel just outside the city limits.”

  Josh didn’t have to ask questions about that one. He just nodded, and he went to the Jeep while Nate went to his pickup truck. Josh had already decided his limit was going to be two beers, particularly now that he knew he was under scrutiny. He probably shouldn’t go at all, but he was tired of his own company. And he wanted
information.

  The Rusty Nail was a typical bar. For a workday, there seemed to be a large number of cars in the gravel lot. Nate led the way inside and found a table in the back. After they both ordered a draft and a cheeseburger, they sat back and relaxed. “You a native of Covenant Falls?” Josh asked.

  Nate nodded. “And lived here most of thirty years. Went to Covenant Falls High School. Then went to work at a construction company in Denver. I was a construction foreman, but the company went bankrupt three years ago, and I haven’t been able to find anything steady since. Now I get odd jobs in Covenant Falls and surrounding areas.”

  “Married?”

  “I was. Lost her when I lost my job. Figured it was no big loss if she skipped out the first time there was trouble.”

  Josh clinked his glass against Nate’s. “Saw a lot of that in the service. Kinda turned me against marriage.” Josh changed the subject. “Did you know Dave Hannity?”

  “Yeah, but not well. No one here did, really. Several of the cabins around the lake were owned by Denver families that came down here in the summer. Now most of them are owned by people who live here year-round. Got them for a song where the market tumbled. Mrs. Byars is the exception. She’s lived on the lake forever. I do know David had a pretty tragic life. His parents were killed in a small-plane crash, and he lived with his uncle. One day his uncle went fishing and didn’t come back. He drowned in the lake.” He hesitated, then added, “There were rumors, but then there’s always rumors around here.”

  “I’ve discovered that,” Josh said ironically. “What were these rumors?”

  “Dave was an athlete. He could swim across that lake twice and never breathe hard. He said he was out running when it happened, but there were questions.”

  “Such as?”

  “He was seen in the boat with his uncle earlier. They were arguing.”

  Why hadn’t he heard any of this before? Probably because he hadn’t talked to many people, and Eve wasn’t the type to spread rumors. Neither, he suspected, was June Byars, but she probably had more information. He remembered her few cryptic words about Dave. He wished he’d pursued it then. And then again, it was really none of his business if Dave hadn’t mentioned it.