Page 36 of Trace of Doubt
“Not at all, sir. How can I help you?”
“I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes if you don’t mind. Our office hasn’t figured out who’s been harassing you, and I have a few questions.”
I invited him inside. When would someone in a law enforcement uniform no longer churn my stomach?
He nodded at my work area. “I see you’re makin’ jewelry. My wife brought home a right pretty necklace from Amy-Jo’s Café, been tellin’ her friends about it. Already makin’ a list of what she wants for Christmas.”
His kind words relaxed me. “Please give her my thanks.” I pointed to the sofa. “Have a seat. Can I get you something?”
“I’m good, and I won’t take up much of your time. The counter here is fine.” He pulled out a stool and removed his gray felt Stetson. “Have you experienced any more threats?”
I pondered how to answer.
“Your hesitancy confirms what Denton McClure told me today.”
“Which was?”
“You discovered his FBI status and accused him of crimes against you, including phone threats. I’d like to know more about what’s goin’ on.” He offered compassion in his demeanor. “Why didn’t you come to me about the calls?”
“Because they’re threats, Sheriff, and telling you about them potentially puts those I care about in danger. Someone believes I’m a hindrance to Valleysburg, and he or she isn’t giving up. Honestly, I’m questioning if I should leave.”
“Taking off to another town shows the caller won. And youaren’t a runner. Whoever committed these crimes is breaking the law. If you have any idea who is responsible, I need a name. I’ve questioned Officer Hughes and Denton. Both claim they’re not responsible. Agent McClure is working here on assignment to find out if you are part of an embezzlement scheme from years ago. The FBI claims he has an impeccable record, and for what it’s worth, I believe he’s only after the truth.”
What about his breaking and entering? “Denton and Officer Hughes could be behind the threats, or one of them could have written the article in Saturday’s paper.”
“I received a call from the receptionist at the newspaper office. She said you’d been there and wanted to know who’d written it. When I questioned her further and talked to the assistant editor, I learned you were well within your rights. If I’d been the subject of that article, I’d want to know who was behind it too.” He stared at me, and I could almost see the wheels turning inside his head. “What are the threats about?”
“An encouragement to leave town and not pollute respectable people.” I refused to fall into a hole of anyone feeling pity for me. The urgings to commit suicide were a puzzle when I had no idea who’d gain by my death. “Were you able to make any connection with the first three letters of the truck’s license plate that ran me off the road?”
“I never read anything of the sort in the report.” He frowned. “Did you give the info to Officer Hughes?”
Officer Hughes’s negligence came as no surprise. “Yes, but I wasn’t able to identify the state.”
He pulled a notepad and pen from his shirt pocket. “I’ll run what you have and will keep you informed.”
My phone rang. The blocked number indicated my anonymous caller, and I wrestled answering it.
Sheriff Wendall slid the phone’s screen to him and turned it back to me. “Answer this, Shelby. Put it on Speaker. Prove to me this isn’t a legitimate threat.”
I pressed the Speaker button. “This is Shelby.”
“What’s the sheriff doing there?” the distorted voice said.
“Following up on a couple of things from last week.”
“So am I. I suggest you let him know this is a friend. If you want your loved ones to be safe, better do exactly what I’ve told you.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I start with hurting your friends in Valleysburg and will move on to your family. Suicide makes the most sense, right?”
“Except it makes no sense as long as I abide by the terms of my parole.”
“I’m losing patience with your lack of guts. This must be handled soon, or you’ll have regrets.”
“Then let’s have a face-to-face. Are you a twelve-year-old who’s mastered voice distortion?”
“You’re more stupid than I thought. Who do you want eliminated in your life? Edie? Amy-Jo? Denton? What about the sheriff?”
