That brought Mac’s head up. He was most definitely interested in any progress that had been made in apprehending the bastard who’d almost killed Sharon. “Just the van? Or did you find out who was driving it?”
“No, it was abandoned. And wiped clean. It doesn’t appear we’re going to learn much from it.”
“Registration?”
“It was stolen from a used-car lot in Carollton a couple of days before the Porter break-in. No witnesses to that theft.”
Hardly encouraging news. “Where did you find the van?”
“Officer Dodson found it in the garage of a vacant house a couple of streets back from the motel where you were staying.”
Mac sighed. “You don’t suppose I was driving the van and following Sharon in my truck, do you?”
Wade chuckled. “I doubt you’re that talented. You asked where the van was found. I told you. That’s all.”
“Still have your suspicions about me, Chief?”
Wade’s lazy grin never wavered. “Let’s just say you aren’t a man I would make the mistake of underestimating.”
“I’ve been invited to a party at your house tomorrow. Do you feel safe having me around your family, or would you rather I decline?”
If Wade was surprised, he didn’t let it show. “We’d be delighted to have you. Did Trent ask you?”
“Actually, it was Sharon.”
“I see. Well, any friend of Sharon’s—” He didn’t bother finishing the cliché, but straightened away from the truck and stuck his hands in his pockets. “I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow, then. My wife will be delighted to meet you. She’s heard about you, of course, and she’s been curious.”
Mac had decidedly mixed feelings about meeting Emily McBride Davenport, the woman who was either his cousin or his sister. “I’ll look forward to meeting her.”
“I guess I’d better get h
ome for dinner. If you change your mind about making a report on your truck, let me know.”
Without responding, Mac watched the chief climb into his Jeep and drive away.
Being among the McBrides tomorrow could be very interesting—or prove to be a huge mistake, he thought. One of many he’d made since coming to Honoria.
He hoped that making love to Sharon Henderson didn’t turn out to be the biggest mistake he’d made yet.
MAC DECIDED to eat at Cora’s again that evening. Because it was a Friday and many locals tended to eat out on weekends, there was more of a crowd than usual. He had to park down the street, close to the arcade. There was no group of boys on the sidewalk outside the place this time, he noted in satisfaction. He wasn’t really in the mood for another confrontation.
He had just reached the arcade when Brad stepped out the door, accompanied by the tall boy who’d egged him on the last time. Brad’s first reaction at seeing Mac was surprise. The surprise changed quickly to what Mac interpreted as half-guilty defiance. “Hello, Brad,” he said, meeting the boy’s eyes.
Brad looked down at his shoes and nodded stiffly.
Another couple of steps brought Mac closer. “How have you been? Keeping yourself busy?”
Brad shrugged.
“Oddly enough, I spotted a boy who looked very much like you in this same area just yesterday evening. He was running down the street. Like he’d done something wrong and was trying to get away before anyone saw him.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Brad muttered, his eyes shifting away.
“Hey, man, leave my friend alone,” the bigger boy said, stepping closer. “He ain’t done nothing.”
Mac answered without looking away from Brad. “If that’s true, he has no reason to be concerned.”
“Are you concerned about this guy, Brad?” the bigger boy asked mockingly.