The Last Sister (Columbia River)(34)

Madison jumped to her feet, ready to grab Alice if she toppled. “What’s happening at the church tonight?”

Like a curious puppy, Alice tilted her head again. This time her gaze solidly collided with Madison’s. “Why, there’s a meeting about the murders, of course. We’ve got a killer in our town.”





15

“He’s gone?” Zander was fuming.

The deputy wouldn’t look him or Sheriff Greer in the eye.

Billy Osburne had disappeared into the wind. His truck was still in the parking lot, having been watched carefully by a deputy, but when they stepped inside the store, they’d discovered Billy had left fifteen minutes before. The other auto parts employee was baffled by their interest in Billy and also surprised that his truck was still in the lot.

“Billy didn’t act worried about anything,” the employee told them. “He asked if I could cover the rest of the evening since things were slow.” He shrugged. “Then he left. I assume he called a ride. What do you think is wrong with his truck?”

Zander didn’t tell him that Billy had been under surveillance.

The deputy on Billy duty drooped. “I saw him through the store window not that long ago. I couldn’t see him the whole time unless I went in the store. I figured I was good as long as I had his truck in sight.”

Greer simply stared at his deputy, making the man wilt even more.

Zander could almost hear the lecture that had to be running through Greer’s brain.

“Since you’re so good at watching his truck,” the sheriff finally said, “you can continue watching it for the rest of your shift after you call in his description. I want everyone keeping an eye out for Billy Osburne.”

“What if I’m needed somewhere else?” the deputy asked, his focus on his shoes.

“If no one else is available, then go, dammit. Citizens come before an empty truck.” Greer shook his head and turned to leave, gesturing for Zander to follow him.

“Back to Kyle’s,” stated Zander.

“Yep. I doubt Billy is there, but I want to put the fear of God into Kyle.”

The sheriff had shown himself to be a man of few words and reminded Zander of a parent who could get his kids into line by giving them “the look.” As they returned to their vehicles, he wondered exactly how Greer would instill the fear of God in Kyle.



“You called him,” Zander stated to Kyle as they stood on his porch again.

There was no repentance on Kyle’s face. He stood calmly in his doorway, leaning casually against the frame, trying to avoid the deadly stare of the sheriff. Zander understood. Even he was slightly unnerved by the fire in Greer’s eyes. Their temperature would scorch skin.

“Of course I did. You didn’t say not to. You had to expect that I would call him—but I didn’t tell him to get lost. That was his own idea. I told him he wasn’t in trouble for the fight.”

“Then why did he run?” Greer asked. “He didn’t take his truck, so I assume he called someone to pick him up. There’s no place to go on foot around there.”

“He’s not real fond of you, Sheriff.” Kyle shrugged, finally daring to quickly glance at Greer. “Even I got twitchy seeing you at my door, even though I’ve stayed out of trouble. Can’t help it.”

“Who would he call?” Zander didn’t care for Kyle’s attempt to place the blame for Billy’s disappearance on them. He was surprised the man had suggested it under the hot stare of the sheriff.

Kyle screwed up his face in thought. “You got me there. He really doesn’t have any friends.”

Greer snorted.

“Maybe another guy who works at the store?” Kyle added hastily.

Annoyance struck Zander as he realized they might have to go back to the auto parts store to get some names. Back and forth, back and forth.

Ridiculous.

“What about a girlfriend?” he asked.

Kyle’s expression cleared. “That’s possible. I wouldn’t say girlfriend, but I know he hooked up earlier this week. Didn’t come home for two nights. I don’t know anything about her,” he added, beating Zander to his next question.

“A hookup and Lindsay Fitch?” Zander asked.

Kyle grinned. “Is there ever enough?”

“No name?” Greer scowled.

“Nothin’. I don’t give a shit where he sticks it.” He pressed his lips together and took a swift gander at Greer as if worried he’d be berated for cussing.

Zander believed him. Frustrated, he pointed at the bottom half of Kyle’s tattoo below his sleeve. “Where’d you get the European Kindred tattoo?”

Kyle pulled away from the doorframe and tugged at his sleeve, a frown in his eyes and on his mouth. “What’s it to you?”

“I’m curious. Indulge me.” Zander met his stare.

Greer shifted his feet and tucked his thumbs into his duty belt, and Kyle carefully considered the sheriff’s hard expression. The silence stretched among the three of them.

“I was with them in prison,” Kyle finally said, raising his chin. “You have to choose a side unless you want your ass kicked every day.”

Zander eyed the tattoo’s smooth edges and sharp color. “That’s no prison tattoo. A professional did that.”