Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
He wore a serious expression until he spotted me, then he smiled. “I can’t wait to hear this one.”
He had no time to tease me, my dad ordering, “Josh, take Mr. Stone to the police station. I will be there shortly to talk with him.”
While Josh did as ordered, my dad walked over to us and looked directly at me.
“You are to stay away from Stone,” my dad said in his commanding sheriff tone.
“But I—”
My words died when my dad’s hand shot up to silence me. “I don’t want to hear it or any excuses. I am ordering you to stay away from Stone.” He shot a stern look at Ian. “That goes for you too.”
“He had Pep cornered in the elevator,” Ian said.
“That won’t happen again because my daughter is going to obey the sheriff and do as ordered, though I do appreciate you protecting Pepper.”
My brow scrunched wondering why my dad didn’t question me about the incident.
“Don’t overthink this, Pepper,” my dad warned. “Now take your mom to lunch and for heaven’s sake don’t get into any more trouble.” He turned away from us and rushed out the door.
“That was odd of your dad not asking you what happened,” my mom said, confirming what I thought, then looked to Ian. “Please join us for lunch.” She took hold of Ian’s arm as if not giving him a choice. “After all, you must be as curious as I am to find out how Pepper wound up in the elevator with Mr. Stone.”
My mom and Ian both turned probing smiles on me.
We settled at the Star Diner for lunch and after placing our order, I explained everything that happened.
“Cornering Stone was not a wise move, Pep, after hearing what he said in the stairwell,” Ian said. “And your dad needs to know Stone threatened you.”
My mom agreed, shaking her head in dismay. “He’s right, Pepper. Whatever were you thinking? He could have harmed you and your dad does need to hear this.”
“The hospital elevators have cameras,” I said, though I hadn’t taken note of them until after the incident. “But you’re both right, I should have thought better of confronting him in the elevator.”
“Or confronting him at all,” Ian said.
“I still cannot understand why your dad didn’t question you at all about the encounter,” my mom said, puzzled.
“I’m just as surprised as you,” I said. “It’s not like Dad not to question all parties concerned in an incident.”
“Maybe it was something Stone said to him,” Ian suggested.
“You think he explained to my dad about the conversation I heard him have on the stairwell before I could tell him anything?” I asked and shook my head. “But Stone certainly wouldn’t tell him that my name came up.”
“Maybe Stone explained it differently,” Ian said.
“The very reason he should have questioned me, to get the truth,” I argued.
“Police business,” my mom reminded. “He can’t always share everything with you, Pepper. It could be confidential information Mr. Stone shared with him.”
“Stone has to be lying to him,” I insisted. “Dad would never tolerate a threat against me.”
“True enough,” My mom said. “He verifies everything. If Stone is lying, he won’t get away with it.” She patted my arm. “You’re just feeling left out.”
Ian nudged me in the side. “Your mum is right.”
“Sally! Is it true? Has Mayor Barrett withdrawn from the race?” someone called out.
“Let me go handle this. I thought I would have more time to consider the possibility before the news spread,” my mom said, sliding out of the booth. “I will be back shortly.”
Ian and I watched as several locals gathered around my mom, along with Zelda, curious to hear.
“Do you think Barrett will give up and leave your mum the win?”
“He can be obstinate but Ellen, his wife, can be just as tenacious and she wants him out of the race. He’ll be out of the race for a while anyway while he recovers.” I shrugged. “It’s still too soon to tell.”
“And you?” Ian asked and slipped his arm around my waist and tugged me to turn and face him in the booth.
“And me what?” I asked.
“Don’t tell me that you aren’t already thinking of ways to find out what Stone said to your dad and why he’s so adamant about you and me keeping our distance from Stone,” he said, giving my waist a playful squeeze.
I leaned closer to him and whispered, “Don’t tell me you aren’t thinking the same.”
“Great minds think alike.”
“It’s not going to be easy, but I have my ways of getting around my dad.”
“Even when it comes to police matters?” Ian asked, skeptical.
“It’s what people don’t say that provides more information than what they do say. Then there are the pieces that surround it that need to fit together to make more sense.”
“Like what could possibly stop your dad from questioning you about the incident or sharing with you what Stone said to him?”