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Michael looked from him to Tessa and she quickly said to her brother, "I didn’t show hilowered at Hunter "Don’t you know not to look at an artist’s work that’s not finished?" He ran his hands through his hair and stared gloomily at the table

"I just came across them, by accident Beautiful work, by the way But back to Bethany’s uys who had to do with trying to take off with my sister, and of course the sheriff and his men, the coroner’s office, Tessa, Ashton…"

"The sheriff," Michael said, ehtened "Sure, because he’s investigating aup after Ashton, remember? He’s the one who reported the murder, except because he’s the sheriff, no one considered heA sheriff would be above suspicion Hell, look at how that policeman killed two of his wives and because he was a cop, no one believed there was any foul play Not until the second one ca But even then, the police force denied he had anything to do with her suspicious disappearance The family had to have their loved one’s body exhumed so the coroner could determine if there was foul play And of course, this time, the coroner said yes, she was murdered So you don’t think a sheriff could cover up his son’s et aith it? Especially when they have me--the perfect patsy for the job?"

"You asked Ashton to watch overwhat you did about hiured I kind of deserved it Sticking with hiall that trouble for you But I also know deep down, the guy’s got so the town philanderer and drunk But after Ashton’s ed Ashton kept reaching out, trying to get his dad to pay attention to hiative way In any way he could He didn’t have an older sister like you to help hiood with a rifle He could protect you if need be"

"Because you knew there was a stalker Why didn’t you tell me?"

"I didn’t want to worry you"

She frowned at her brother "You could have told unning down anything that moved out by our house He shot Hunter!"

Michael quickly looked at Hunter "Oh, hell, I’raze"

"What made you realize there was a stalker?" Tessa asked her brother

"I saw footprints outside your hen I was clipping the hedges And another ti in the house when I came up with a load of wood, but I was too far away to catch him" Michael looked back at Hunter "Hell, he looked a bit like you Long dark hair, saht and build"

"That’s why Ashton said he shot him But Hunter ith me when the man broke into the house on a couple of separate occasions"

Michael considered them both and shook his head "I’ot soht you’d get o Write, will you?"

"I’ll be back We’ll get you out, Michael You just take good care of yourself"

He gave her a war not to "You… you just take care of yourself," she reiterated

Michael kissed her wet cheek "I will" He shook Hunter’s hand "Don’t let anyone hurt her Take care of that stalker"

Hunter bowed his head slightly "Will do"

Michael straightened his posture and gave a half san getting some special treats are already looking up"

"Why would Michael be getting special treatment in prison?" Tessa asked, as Hunter helped her into Caruthers’s police car

She was holding up pretty well, and he was da to do with it Maybe Allan and ed "We don’t usually mess with humans who are incarcerated in the prison system Most are there because they deserve it But since you’re one of us, we pulled sos Of course, no one in the place really knohy, just that there’s a sneaking suspicion the kid’s innocent, and he’s got soh places"

Tessa brushed away tears and se thanks for me"

"I’ll do that While you were inside, that red, Leidolf, came by He said he’d meet you at The Olive Groves for lunch He said the rest of your people would be there also Want o," Hunter said "We’ll see what Leidolf has to say"

Tessa looked at him