Page 93 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

“I didn’t tell you last night, but someone called the station about the fire before Lynx,” Dan said. “The fire department also got a tip-off.”

“So they wanted the fire stopped before it did too much damage or destroyed what they were looking for,” Jay said. “But enough to ensure Nina had to move out.”

“So who in this town has been doing these things and is likely working for Nina’s father?” Dan asked, which sent another chill down Nina’s spine. “Last night shows they’re getting more desperate.”

“We’re searching for his known associates and family members now,” Sheriff Dans said. “You keep looking, too, Jay. We need pictures so we can identify them.”

“I want to know what Dale Falcon looks like before he comes to Lyntacky,” Dan added.

Nina’s mother had spent years building a quiet life, and keeping her safe from something she hadn’t even known existed. And then she’d gotten sick and slowly died, while somewhere out there, the man who was apparently Nina’s father was now coming for whatever Shirley Winters had taken with her when she left him, and Nina had no clue what that could be.

The thought was a terrifying one.

Chapter 25

“I will go to the house and check Mom’s things. Plus, I need some clothes,” Nina said when there was a lull in the conversation.

“Not alone, you won’t,” Finch said, tightening his fingers around hers. “Besides, you didn’t bring your car.”

He’d held her hand as they talked, knowing she was battling fear and confusion, and he couldn’t deny that what lay between them now was strong—a connection he didn’t want to sever.

“We’re heading there now, so Finch can bring you⁠—”

She cut Dan off. “If it’s not me, but something in my house they want, then I’m not in danger, surely?”

“You can’t know that,” Finch said, tightening his grip once more as she tried to pull away at his tone. “They want something that is likely in your possession, and they’ll get more desperate the longer it takes to find it, which is clearly what happened last night, as the threat escalated with fire. There may come a point in their search where they go after you to get it.”

“He’s right,” Dan said.

“Then we need to keep her safe,” Sawyer added. “And Finch is the man for that job.”

“I could stay at Circle Left because there are people there all the time, and I own it now,” she said quickly.

“No.” Finch just said the one word, but the surrounding men all nodded their agreement, backing him up.

Nina blew out a breath in frustration.

Finch knew she’d been making her own life decisions for years, and they were taking that right away. He got that, but her safety was more important to him than hurting her feelings right now.

“What do you want us to do?” JD asked. “She doesn’t need to work. We’ll cover her.”

“I think we should keep things as normal as we can for now,” Sheriff Dans said. “I doubt they know we’re onto them, and I want it to stay that way so they don’t back off. She’ll be safe at The Gnat. It’s when she’s alone that there could be danger.”

“So I can’t walk around in my town?” Nina asked.

“They won’t grab you off the street in daylight hours,” Dan said. “So you can, but always stay where people are.”

Finch would rather she didn’t leave his side, but he knew that wasn’t reasonable.

“So, status quo,” Dan added.

“We’ll put it around town that Nina left her hair straightener on, and they’ll believe us because I’d never lie to them. Then whoever is behind it will believe we’re clueless about what’s really going on,” Sheriff Dans said.

“If any of this gets out, you know Lyntacks will go on high alert, add two and two together, and come up with fifty,” Dan said. “They’ll want to protect Nina by running patrols past her house, and she’ll have no peace.”

Everyone nodded, knowing that’s exactly what would happen in Lyntacky. The townsfolk were not the type to sit back and watch when they thought one of theirs was under siege.

“It could be carnage,” Jay agreed.