Killing the Secret Read Free Page B

murderer, not a good old boy from town.”
    Tye clamped his lips into an angry line. “I’ll be back.” He stomped out the back door as Ronald and Johnson came in the front.
    “I’m Stan Johnson,” announced the detective.
    “I’m Lexie Wolfe. This is Delia, our dispatcher and secretary.”
    “This is the prisoner.” Johnson pointed as if referring to an object.
    Ronald stood silently with downcast eyes. His body leaned forward making his bald spot the most visible part of his head.
    “Yes, I know Ronald. My brother, Tye, went to high school with him.”
    Delia walked toward Ronald. “My dear, dear boy. I’m so sorry about Terri.”
    Ronald tried to speak but only a sob came out, then another and another. Delia wrapped her soft thick arms around his slender frame. His body curved over as he bent down to cry on her shoulder.
    “Pitiful,” Johnson shook his head in disgust. “Any place I can stay in town?”
    “There’s a motel a mile east,” Lexie answered against the background of Ronald’s now quieter sobs. “I’m sure you’ve had a tiring trip so I’ll take over.”
    “I can’t leave until he’s locked up.”
    “That’s easy enough. Ronald, get in the cell,” Lexie directed.
    Delia kept hold of his arm and accompanied him. She patted the multi-colored quilt and Ronald immediately lay down like an obedient puppy. “Rest here,” she said softly.
    Delia hesitantly left Ronald’s side and Lexie closed the cell door.
    Johnson checked the door. “I’ll be here in the morning around ten, sooner if you’ll let me buy you breakfast.”
    “Nine-thirty works,” Lexie responded. She felt Delia’s disapproving look as Johnson walked out the door.
    “That guy doesn’t have a heart,” Delia blurted. “Hard to believe a man that handsome can be so mean.”
    “Just doing his job,” Lexie said flatly.
    She didn’t respond to Delia’s comment about Johnson’s looks. However, she was sure that she’d never, in her thirty-one years, seen a man who looked that good. He was probably five foot ten, blond hair, green eyes, and a body that appeared to be in perfect physical condition. She didn’t usually gawk at men, but it was difficult not to stare at Stan.
     
     

Chapter Seven
    The door slammed behind Tye, rocking the old birdhouse that hung in the tree outside the office. His lips were locked and his head pounded with the words he didn’t say. His kid sister reprimanding him about some joker she didn’t know, added to the news about Ronald, was too much.
    He got in the patrol car and drove back and forth on Main Street hoping for a jaywalker or speeder on whom he could take out some of his anger. What a joke! His life had evaporated into vengeance against someone who didn’t use a crosswalk. Every day he asked himself why he was still in Diffee and the answer was always the same. Lexie wouldn’t go on with her life until Dad’s killer was locked up. Tye was a captive to her obsession. He wondered where they’d each be if it had never happened. Lexie might have three kids and he’d be somewhere else. That’s where he was going after Dad’s killer was caught—anywhere else. Finally, he forced himself back to the office to face boss sister and Ronald.
     

Chapter Eight
    Ronald was eating chicken and dumplings when Tye returned. He reached out his hand to shake Ronald’s—then quickly got to the point. “What happened?”
    “I could never kill Terri.”
    “Ronald, you got to be straight with me. I understand that a man wants to keep the people he loves from suffering.”
    “I just told you. I didn’t kill her,” Ronald’s voice was raspy with irritation. “As soon as I walked in the door I saw how blue she looked and I yelled for help.”
    “Is there anyone who can verify that you walked in the room just prior to yelling?” Lexie questioned.
    “There was a tall guy with a gray beard and toupee. He ignored me when I tried to make eye contact with him.”
    “Why do you