Page 5 of The SEAL and the Sheriff

Sarah didn’t look at Hudson.

“Mm.” She let the silence stretch. “Then you’re done here.”

Kincaid’s mouth pinched, but he nodded.

Walter waited, one hand resting lightly on Kincaid’s arm.

Sarah turned to Hudson. “Your version.”

“Kincaid didn’t like the questions I was asking.”

“What questions?”

Hudson’s gaze held hers. “About a man I’m looking for.”

“And that put Dale on the floor?”

“He took a swing.”

She glanced at Kincaid. “You hit him?”

Kincaid swore under his breath and she looked back at Hudson.

“I moved.” Hudson didn’t look away from her. “He didn’t.”

“You want to press charges?”

“No.”

God. She remembered that calm. The absolute certainty of it. She locked the thought down.

“Anyone else involved?”

“No.”

“No weapon?”

“No.”

Hudson’s answers were clean, without defensiveness or wasted detail.

It matched what she’d already seen. That didn’t make it sit any better.

“You’ll come by the station tomorrow morning,” she said. “Eight o’clock. You can make a formal statement and explain why a Deputy United States Marshal is conducting an investigation in my jurisdiction without notifying my office.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. For a second she thought he’d push back—cite federal authority, remind her that he didn’t answer to her.

“Understood.” He didn’t argue or attempt to charm his way around her.

“Good.” She stepped back, opening the space between them. “Walter.”

Her deputy moved on the name alone, guiding Kincaid toward the door. “Let’s go, Dale. I’ll give you a ride home.”

Kincaid muttered, but he went. Sarah stayed where she was.

Hudson picked up the folder from the bar. His hand stayed on it half a second longer than it needed to. He didn’t say it, whatever it was.

“Eight o’clock.” He turned and walked out.