Page 21 of In the Dark of the Past

My lips quirked into a smirk. “We’re looking into it.”

Before anyone could respond, a shadow fell over us.

“Now here’s a group of troublemakers,” came a voice as smooth as butter and twice as greasy.

Mayor Lucas Grant.

He smiled widely, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his jeans like he didn’t run half the county or control most of the town’s residents.

“Sheriff Callahan,” he said. “Deputy McNair. Lovely afternoon, isn’t it?”

“No longer a deputy, Mayor. It’s just Cade,” Cade said as he shook the man’s hand.

I did the same, but let go as quickly as I could. There was just something about the guy that had always rubbed me the wrong way. If I didn’t have to deal with my brother and wasn’t technically considered one myself, I’d probably try to avoid all politicians.

Grant’s gaze shifted.

“And if it isn’t River Bennett. As I live and breathe.” He said her name like he was testing how it tasted. “I heard you were back. I have to say, I never expected to see you in Maple Ridge again.”

River kept her face composed. “Well, here I am.”

Grant’s smile sharpened. “Your father and I had a few…professional disagreements back in the day. All in a day’s work.” He laughed, but it felt wrong somehow. “He was a tenacious man. Sharp. You’ve got that look about you. I heard you’re a doctor now, is that right?”

River’s expression faltered, just slightly. Enough that I saw it. Enough that I moved a half-step closer to her without thinking.

“Psychologist,” River answered. “I opened a private practice on Rosewood Street. It’s by appointment only, but I’m happy to get you in.” She smiled, but it held the edge of challenge her statement had.

Grant ignored it and turned to the rest of the group.

“I’m glad to see people taking an interest in the town’s history. We’ve got some dedicated researchers, that’s for sure. But let’s not get too caught up in the past, shall we?” His gaze lingered on River again.

“What exactly do you mean by that?” Myra asked, her tone polite but a bit icy.

Before he could answer, Sean appeared at Grant’s side, clipboard still in hand.

“Ah, the welcoming committee,” he said with a grin, then looked at River. “I didn’t get a chance to say hi yet. You settling in okay?”

“Trying to,” she said.

He nodded, then glanced at Autumn. “Nice to see you, too. I remember your mom used to help organize these things. Same with River’s, actually. I think they used to be on the Civic Committee with Grant here back in the day. Isn’t that right, sir?”

He said it offhandedly. But I caught the flicker in River’s eyes. Saw the way her fingers curled into her palm. I also didn’t miss the way Grant tensed.

“If she was,” River said slowly. “I don’t think she was close to the higher-ups.”

Sean shrugged. “Everyone knew everyone back then. Just like they do now. Small town and all that, you know? Tight circles.”

“Tight enough to cover things up?” Nivea mumbled. Blunt. Sharp. Deliberate. And overheard.

Grant laughed, but the associated smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Now that’s the kind of suspicion that makes good reporters—and nosy citizens. Dangerous, but entertaining. That’s probably why you’re so good at your job. How is that little radio show going?”

“It’s a podc—” Nivea started, but she was cut off when someone walked up between her and Grant.

The staffer whispered something to Grant, and he nodded and turned back to us. “If you’ll excuse me. Duty calls.”

He gave River one last lingering glance before walking off. Sean stayed for just a beat longer, and I noticed he was watching River, too.

Then he tipped his head. “See you guys around.”