Harmony Cabins (Finding Home 2)

“I think you are. Your ex-wife even left Trinity Falls, and she’s from here. Audra’s from L.A. What chance do you have of her staying? Hey, once her vacation is over, maybe you can become pen pals or something.”

“Which is still more attention than she gives you.”

Wendell stepped back from the registration counter. “I’ll give you some advice. Wake up and smell the coffee. Audra is leaving. Make it easier on yourself, dude. Just rip off the bandage. Don’t try to make her stay.”

On that note, the music producer sauntered back across the lobby and out of the main cabin. Jack shook his head in amazement. Maybe Wendell was right. A quick good-bye would be less painful. Then he could try to heal—if that was even possible.

CHAPTER 21

“Afternoon, Darius.” Alonzo’s easy drawl announced his presence Thursday afternoon.

Darius automatically saved the news story he was drafting on his desktop computer before spinning his office chair toward his cubicle entrance. “Hi, Sheriff. What brings you to the Monitor?”

“Do you have a few minutes?” Alonzo removed his brown felt hat.

Darius checked his watch. It was just after three o’clock. He had almost two hours before the copy deadline. “Sure. Have a seat.”

His curiosity was aroused. Had Alonzo ever come to the Monitor’s newsroom before? He watched the lawman settle onto the worn upholstered visitor’s seat.

Alonzo rested his right ankle on his left knee. “I heard you’ve been to the university to interview the new history professor.”

“That’s right.” Darius sat back, resting his wrists on the arms of his chair.

“And before that, you called her and Foster Gooden.” There was a note of discomfort in Alonzo’s voice.

Where was the sheriff going with this line of questioning? “I’ve spoken with the university’s vice president of academic affairs before, Sheriff. Is there a problem?”

Alonzo sighed. “I know you’re just doing your job, Darius. But Dr. Harris is calling it harassment.”

Darius’s head jerked back in surprise. “What?”

“I know you don’t mean any harm, but the professor is very concerned. I offered to have a talk with you.”

Dr. Peyton Harris had called the police about him. This, after throwing him out of her office Tuesday. Darius raised his hands in surrender. “Consider your message delivered, Sheriff.”

“And she doesn’t want you writing any articles about her, either.”

That annoyed him even more than being frogmarched out of her office. “I can’t write an article about her if she won’t let me interview her.”

Alonzo lowered his right leg to the ground. “Thanks, Darius.”

Darius considered the sheriff. The older man’s gaze was direct but guarded. “You know why she doesn’t want to be interviewed, don’t you?”

“Even if I did, I couldn’t tell you.”

“Look, Sheriff, I’m not going to write an article about her. I just want to know why she’s so secretive about her past.”

“If she wanted you to know, she’d tell you.”

Darius leaned forward. “Is she a danger to the town? Is she a fugitive from the law or in the witness protection program?”

“Darius, I can’t tell you anything more than what I already have.”

“You haven’t told me anything.”

“And I can’t tell you anything more.” Alonzo’s eyes twinkled with humor.

Darius sat back. “That’s not being diligent toward the community. The public has a right to know whether our newest neighbor is a threat.”