In Shining Whatever (Three Magic Words Trilogy #2)(3)

"You got it. Through and through. Church on Sunday morning since I was born. That's one reason I wasn't so sure about Hart Ducaine. He looks like a bad boy that would be a lot of fun, but I'm ready to settle down with a good boy, not just have a good time with a bad boy."

"Good morning, Chief," Kate said. "You got the wrong man for that murder." She went on to tell her story.

"Okay, Kate, but in light of all this you better go on home today," said the chief of police, Lucas Elliott.

"And the future?" she asked, already knowing the answer. "Like always. We'll call when we need a fill-in. Okay, Allie, let's go turn him loose. Bet that's the quickest you've ever made an hour's salary."

"I've never handled a murder trial. Maybe when you bring in the real killer I'll get the case," she said.

Disappointment was written all over the chief's face. Too bad he couldn't use Kate Miller's detective experience on the case. She had the experience and the reputation as a crackerjack detective. Her superior officer had given her such a rave review that the chief had wished he had a full-time opening. Now he was glad he didn't. When today's news hit the gossip lines, Kate's name would be mud in Stephens County. She might as well turn in her uniform, because she'd never need it again in his department, especially in an election year.

For Hart, it was the longest ten minutes he had spent in his entire life. Finally the door opened and Allie walked inside with Chief Elliott. "You are free to go. We need you to be available later for information, since you could be the last person to see Stephanie alive before she was killed," Lucas said.

"Yes, sir," Hart said.

"I'll bill you later," Allie said.

"Where's Kate?" Hart asked.

"She's gone home for the day," Lucas told him.

"This isn't going to affect her job, is it?" Hart asked.

"She is a relief officer. We'll call her when we need her, but since she's implicated in this case, she won't be working it." Lucas was walking out the door when he said the last few words.

"Let's go," Allie said.

They were on the sidewalk outside the station when Allie asked, "Is Kate telling the truth?"

Hart nodded. As bad as he hated to admit it, yes, Kate was telling the truth. He hadn't even kissed her, not last night. If they wanted to ask him about fifteen years before, he'd have to admit that the few kisses they'd shared that summer still haunted him.

A smile tickled the corners of Allie's narrow mouth. Her hazel eyes twinkled. "You are a lucky man, Hart Ducaine. That woman probably just shot her career in the heart for you. I'm not so sure I wouldn't have left you out there to rot with those odds."

"I didn't kill Stephanie, Allie. We had a glass of wine, talked, and I left. She said she was in big trouble and I told her to call the police. She said she might. We left it at that and I went to the wedding."

"It's going to be a circus," she said.

"I'm just glad I'm not the center attraction."

"No, Kate's got that billboard in Technicolor." Allie smiled.

"Think you could give me a ride back to the motel? My truck is there," Hart asked.

She motioned across the street where Kate waited. "I could, but I've got a feeling that dark-haired, steaming-hot-mad lady over therein her truck is waiting to do that. Call me if you need me ""

"Thanks for coming so quick," Hart said.

His stomach growled as he headed toward her. Eight o'clock in the morning. Chores to be done at the ranch. He was starving. Terrible way to start the morning after attending the wedding of his good friend Theron. He opened the passenger door and hefted two hundred pounds of pure muscle into the seat. He grabbed the handle on the right side and pushed the seat back as far it would go to accommodate the long legs on his six-foot-plus frame.

"Want some breakfast?" he asked.

Kate glared at him.

"I guess that's a no. Then would you please take me to the motel so I can get my truck?"

She fired up the engine and drove around the block until she hit Highway 180, which was the town's main street, turned right, and headed west. She passed the Mexican restaurant her aunt and mother owned, passed Allsup's C Store, Lawrence IGA, with a sign out front advertising hunting and fishing licenses, which were sold at the grocery store.

Words and sentences formed in her brain, but somehow every time she opened her mouth nothing came out. When she pulled into the parking spot in front of the motel, she found her voice, and the volume button was on high.

"Talk!" She screamed the one word so loudly, it echoed around the truck like a marble in an oil drum.

"You've got a right to be angry with me, but hear me out. I did not kill Stephanie. Trust me or not, that's your privilege. Thank you for being honest and giving me an alibi. I wouldn't have told them. I'd have sat in that jail forever but I wouldn't have jeopardized your job."

Kate squeezed the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. "Just get out, Hart. I never want to see you again."

"I'm sorry," he said.

He stood beside his truck, watching as she backed out and headed west toward Albany. He wondered if she still lived in that little frame house not far from the elementary school. He unlocked the door to his truck, leaned his head back on the seat, and tried to get his bearings. Finally, he drove a couple of blocks west to McDonald's and ordered breakfast from the drivethrough. He ate it on the way back through town and down south to his ranch.