Page 196 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“Hold up. While I’ve got you here, where were you the afternoon and evening of July 4, 1995?”

Thomas whirled, his nostrils flaring as his breath steamed in and out. “You little bastard.”

“I’m sorry you think so.”

He reached for the doorknob again. “I don’t have time for your insulting questions.”

“You can save us both time by answering.”

Thomas’s face turned pinker by the second as his pulse pounded visibly in his neck. “Have you lost your mind?”

“Just taking care of business. Answer the question, I’ll get it verified, and we’ll move on—just like I did with my father yesterday morning, just like I’ll do with everyone else.”

“I was at the same Fourth of July party as the rest of you. I imagine I was probably helping you and my son with s’mores or hot dogs by the fire.”

Nate sighed, regretting that things had come to this. “Thomas—”

Thomas held up his hand. “Just ask your questions.”

“Did you have any business that required you to leave Carter Island on a regular basis from February to June of that same year?”

“No, I did not. Anything else?”

“Not at this time, but I’ll let you know if that changes.”

He walked closer to Nate. “The Sanderson name, your name, means something around here—on this island. In this state. We have a legacy and reputation to uphold and pass on. I understand that. Your father understood that. I won’t let you ruin that because some flaky blond decided she didn’t want to be a parent anymore and left her child at a diner two hours away from here.” He yanked open the door. “You keep a wide berth, son. A wide berth.” He left, slamming the door behind him.

“Damn it.” Nate gave his chair a bad-tempered shove and scrubbed at his face, certain that couldn’t have gone any worse. “Damn it,” he said again as the picture of the locket on the board across the room caught his attention. Despite what Thomas thought, he understood his role and everything the mayor had said, but regardless of the feathers he was ruffling, he wasn’t going to stop until he could conclude that Samantha Fletcher left Carter Island alive and on her own terms, which he and Sanchez were nearly certain didn’t happen. He grabbed his jacket and walked down the hall, meeting Kay’s eyes. She wore her witch’s hat, as she did every Halloween.

“Are you all right, Nate?”

“I’m fine.”

“If harm came to that young woman, you’re doing the right thing.”

“Thanks.” He stopped as he put on the thick black jacket. “Kay, I’m going to have to ask Roy where he was July 4, 1995, and whether or not he had any business that had him frequenting the mainland from February to June. Is that going to cause problems between us?”

“It stings a little, but I know he was with me that night, and riding on the boat more than a couple times a year is a waste of his time, so I’ll get over it. I also know none of this is easy for you, so I’ll get over it even faster.”

He nodded. “I’ll be out. I’ve got my radio.” Walking to the Tahoe, he got in and started toward the Carter Island Clinic, hoping to catch Matthew in between patients.

~~~~

Nate absently flipped through a Better Homes & Gardens magazine while he sat in the waiting room, biding his time until it was his turn to meet with Matthew. He glanced up, catching little Meghan Frye’s eye as she and her mom stepped out of exam room one. He smiled and winked, noting that her big brown eyes were glassy and her cheeks rosy with fever. “Not feeling good today, huh?”

She shook her head. “My tummy’s sick.”

He set down the magazine. “That’s no good.”

She left her mom’s side and wandered his way. Little Meghan wasn’t much older than Callie had been when they found her at the diner. “Dr. Matthew said I have to rest and drink lots and lots of tea and water.”

“You should listen to what he says. He’s been making me feel better for years.”

Meghan blinked. “He has?”

Nate nodded. “Doctor Matthew’s been taking care of me since I was a baby.”

“But you’re the sheriff.”