COLD CASE AT CAMDEN CROSSING Read Free Page B

failed.
    Maybe Tawny-Lynn would remember something now that she was back.
    His phone beeped as he parked at Donna’s Diner on the corner of Main Street, and he noticed the high school softball coach, Jim Wake, chatting with Mrs. Calvin. He’d kept up with the local games enough to know her daughter played for the team. The woman looked annoyed, but the coach patted her arm, using the charm he’d always used to soothe meddling, pushy parents. Everyone wanted their kid to get more play time, to be the star of the team.
    If he remembered correctly, Tawny-Lynn had been damn good. Much better than her sister, although Peyton had been prettier and more of a flirt. She’d danced through dating the football team one at a time, then when spring rolled around, she’d moved on to the baseball players.
    But he’d stayed clear. Peyton was his sister’s best friend. Off-limits.
    He parked and went inside, his stomach growling. One day he’d learn to cook, but for now Donna supplied great homemade meals at a decent price, and today’s special was her famous meat loaf. She refused to give anyone the recipe or reveal her secret ingredient.
    A late-spring storm was brewing, the skies darkening as the day progressed. Wind tossed dust and leaves across the asphalt, the scent of coffee, barbecue and apple pie greeting him as he entered.
    The dinner crowd had already arrived, and he waved to Billy Dean and Leroy in the far corner, then noted that the parents of the three girls who’d died in the crash were sitting in a booth together, deep in conversation.
    Mayor Theodore Truman, Cassie’s father, seemed to be leading the discussion. The Marx couple and Aubrey Pullman’s mother listened intently. Sadly, Aubrey’s father had killed himself two years after the accident without even leaving a note. Rumor was that he’d grieved himself to death.
    He had to walk past them to reach the only empty booth, and Mayor Truman looked up, saw him and gestured for him to stop.
    “Hello, Mayor.” He tipped his hat to Mr. and Mrs. Marx and Judy Pullman in greeting.
    “Is it true? Tawny-Lynn Boulder is back?” Mayor Truman asked.
    Chaz tensed, hating the way the man said her name as if she’d committed some heinous crime. “She’s here to take care of her father’s estate.”
    Mr. Marx stood, his anger palpable as he adjusted his suit jacket. “Your father said he talked to you.”
    Chaz hated small-town politics. He hated even more that his father thought he ran the town just because he had money. “Yes, he voiced his concerns.”
    “What are you going to do about that woman? ” Mayor Truman asked.
    Chaz planted both hands on his hips. “Ms. Boulder has every right to be here. You might show a little sympathy toward her. After all, she lost her father and, seven years ago, her sister, too.”
    The mayor’s bushy eyebrows rose. He obviously didn’t like to be put in his place. But Chaz was his own man.
    He started to leave, but Judy Pullman stood and touched his hand, then leaned toward him, speaking quietly. “Sheriff, does she...remember anything about that day?”
    Chaz squeezed her hand, understanding the questions still plaguing her. For God’s sake, they dogged him, too. Like who had caused that freak accident.
    Or had it been an accident?
    They needed closure, but unfortunately their hopes lay in Tawny-Lynn’s hands. A lot of pressure for her.
    “No, ma’am. I know we all want answers, and if she does remember something, trust me, I’ll let everyone know.”
    “Is she...here to stay?”
    He shook his head, thinking about how lost she looked facing that crumbling farmhouse. There had to be ghosts inside waiting for her.
    “She said she’s just going to clean up the ranch and put it on the market.”
    Mrs. Pullman stared at him for a long minute, then gave him a pained smile. “I guess I can’t blame her for running.”
    Neither could he.
    But if others still harbored as much animosity as the mayor and his father, he’d