For the Sake of their Baby

“Fine. I have nothing to hide.”

Sheriff Kapp grinned. “Now, Elizabeth, everyone has something to hide.”

“Do you say that from personal experience, Sheriff?”

Kapp chuckled. “I swear, there’s a little of your uncle in you, after all.”

Liz decided she’d think about his remark later, but she was pretty sure he hadn’t meant it as flattery.

His expression grew serious and it seemed to Liz as though he was ready to touch her arm. At the last second, he tucked his hand in his jacket pocket instead. “If someone is chasing your uncle’s fortune,” he said, “then you’re the next one in line.”

“That’s absurd.”

“I hope so. Don’t worry, though. We’ll have Alex Chase back in custody before you know it.” With another tip of his hat, he nodded.

Liz watched him sprint back across the street where he hooked up with his deputy and the two of them entered a small cafe on the corner well known for its fish and chips. Relieved that Alex hadn’t come outside, she thoughtfully re-entered the restaurant, moving through the tables as quickly as her bulk allowed.

Was it a coincidence that Kapp had shown up on this street when she just happened to be standing there? Since he didn’t seem to know Alex was staying at the house, did that mean he was following her?

Alex wasn’t at the table. She looked around the restaurant and saw him leaning against the brick wall in back, talking on the phone. She also saw the turned heads of nearby diners and knew the fact that Alex had dined at Tony-O’s would spread through the small town like a rabid brush fire. Joining Ron and Emily, she took a deep breath. Her stomach had immediately retied itself in a knot.

“You look contemplative,” Ron said as she sat down.

“I just ran into Sheriff Kapp.”

Emily’s sharp intake of breath was followed by a hasty search of the restaurant. Did she expect the long arm of the law to reach right into the restaurant and snatch Alex away? This reaction surprised Liz who thought Emily’s reserve about Alex would be a lot harder than this to wear down. “The sheriff?” Emily gasped. “Here?”

“It’s okay, Emily. He’s gone. I’m so glad you listened to Alex.”

“I can imagine how much it meant to you to learn that Alex is innocent,” Ron said. “However, frankly, I don’t know how much of his story Emily believed.”

Emily had recovered her composure. To Liz’s dismay she said, “Not very much.”

“He told us he’s innocent,” Ron said.

“What good is the word of a murderer?” Emily insisted.

“I believe in him,” Liz said gently. “Totally.”

“But he confessed. You have to be cautious—”

“He said there were details he couldn’t talk about,” Ron interrupted. “I don’t think he likes Sheriff Kapp much.”

“That’s true,” Liz said, once again appreciating Ron’s levelheaded insight. “The sheriff won’t rest until Alex is convicted. In fact, he’s coming out to my place tomorrow after lunch to interview me again. I know Alex doesn’t want me telling the sheriff the truth—I’m just not sure what to do.”

“I think you should listen to your husband, Liz,” Ron said.

Emily shook her head. “How can you say that? Alex Chase is a murderer.”

“He’s not,” Liz said yet again. Glancing from one to the other, she added, “Don’t tell Alex about Kapp, okay? He has enough to worry about right now. He’s trying to protect me from everything and everybody.”

Emily pointed over Liz’s shoulder and said, “Speak of the devil.”

Alex put his hands on Liz’s shoulders as she turned to gaze up at him. “Are you okay?”

“The fresh air helped.”

“Are you hungry?” he added. “Shall I order something for you?”

“No, really, I couldn’t eat a bite.”

“I just talked to Dave down at the station. Are you ready to go?”

Liz decided she’d rather face Kapp than more of Emily’s blatant animosity. She said, “You bet.”

Alex put on his jacket and took out his wallet. “Lunch is on me,” he said firmly as he laid money on the table. Looking at Ron, he added, “Thanks for listening. I appreciate what a good friend you’ve been to Liz during these…trying…times.”

Ron retrieved Liz’s purse from her chair and handed it to her. “Liz is special to a lot of people, Alex.”

“And you’ll be wise not to forget that,” Emily added.

“Emily!” Ron snapped.

Emily looked at Liz. “If you need anything, and I mean anything, call me…or Ron.”

“I will, thanks.”

“She’ll be fine,” Alex said. “I promise you.”

Emily opened her mouth, apparently thought better of what she’d been about to say, and closed it, her attention riveted on her untouched salad.

“You two run along,” Ron added. “I’ll try to get through to my hardheaded sister. If there’s anything I can do to help, just ask.”

Alex said thanks and Liz promised to call Emily. As Alex took her hand, Liz realized how tempting it was to believe things were eking their way back to normal, and yet that wasn’t really true and might never be. Studying the faces of the many acquaintances who watched them leave, she wondered, was the murderer among them? If he or she was, what did they make of Alex’s hand wrapped around hers?

“You are aware that your friend Emily is trying to marry you off to her brother, aren’t you?” Alex asked as they stopped in front of Liz’s car. She’d swept the street with a frantic glance as they emerged from the restaurant; Kapp’s car was still parked across the street but he was apparently still inside the cafe. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Alex’s truck was parked a space away. That truck was yet another of his belongings that Liz hadn’t gotten around to getting rid of.

She said, “Don’t be silly.”

“Don’t be naive. She hates me.”

“She doesn’t even know you.”

“Which means she hates me because of what she’s heard about me.”

“She and Alex have been staunch allies, Alex.”