Page 58 of Mack

Chapter Nine

Mack sat at his desk and looked out the window.

Snow as far as he could see. The town had gone still under it, the streets empty, the sidewalks buried. Even Main Street, which usually had some kind of life moving through it at any hour, was silent.

Except for the diner. People were coming and going through its door like it was the only warm place left in the world, which on a day like this it probably felt like it.

He pushed back from his desk and stood at the window with his coffee, hands wrapped around the mug, watching the snow come down.

He wondered if Mallory had tried to open the shop.

He already knew the answer. She had T.J. and a foot of snow and no reason to dig her Tahoe out for a Monday. She was home, probably on the sofa with a fire going with Finding Nemo on for the third time. Or was it four?

He smiled and wished he was there.

“Mack?”

He turned. Sam was in the doorway.

“Hey.”

“Going to be a bad one today.” Sam leaned against the frame. “I’m hoping everyone stays put and the only ones out are the ones who have to be.”

“I saw Mr. Barton on my way in.” Mack grinned.

Sam smiled. “Ever since he sold his pig farm, he’s been looking for ways to stay busy. Good man.”

“Yes, he is.”

Sam sighed. “I’m meeting Tessa for lunch. Told her to stay home but she has a surgery scheduled with Dr. Russell.”

“Dr. Russell?”

“Markie Russell. She’s engaged to Nate Jefferson.”

Mack looked at him. “Nate Jefferson? I haven’t seen him in years.”

“He manages Beau McCallister’s ranch now. You should get out there sometime, see them both.”

“I’d like that.” Mack nodded. “Since I’m staying, I’ll have the time.”

“You will.” Sam straightened. “I’ll let you know when I’m heading out for lunch.”

“Alright.”

Sam disappeared back down the hall and Mack turned back to his window.

By noon, every deputy was out on a call. Even Sam had pulled on his coat and headed out.

A few hours later, Mack stood at a four-way stop on the edge of town, hands shoved into his gloves and tried not to think about how cold it was. Two vehicles, a fender bender, and two drivers, who each had a very clear recollection of events that happened to contradict each other entirely.

He was listening to the second driver when a woman tapped his arm.

“Deputy?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“I have a dashcam. It caught the whole thing.”