A Cry in the Dark (Carly Moore #1) - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,136

hundred people who had come to pay their respects.

Thankfully Hank and Wyatt had mended fences between them, as Hank really needed friends right now. And not just for moral support. He’d insisted on standing for the short service, so Wyatt and I stood at his sides, helping him to stay upright.

Wyatt made his way to the front and said a few words about Seth. How hardworking and driven he’d been. How loyal he was to friends and family. How he’d wanted to go to college to become a lawyer, not because he wanted to leave Drum, but because he wanted to return to his home and fight for justice. How Seth had inspired everyone around him to become a better person. Wyatt included.

“Seth Chalmers’ life was cut way too short,” Wyatt finished, his voice tight. “But his memory will live on.”

The minister said a prayer, and then Hank picked up a pile of dirt and threw it on the casket in the grave. Wyatt and I did the same. We stood beside Hank as the townspeople offered their condolences.

Hank made it through about fifty people before his endurance gave out, and then Wyatt helped him into his wheelchair.

After we got Hank settled, we gave Hanks some space and stepped several feet to his right. Wyatt wrapped an arm around my back and tugged me tightly to him.

I glanced up at him and smiled. My chest warmed when he smiled back.

Max, Ruth, and Tiny came through the line together, telling Hank how sorry they were for his loss. He told them he’d heard about Bitty and offered them the same.

When they reached us, Max stared at his brother for several long seconds before he turned to me. “Now that the danger’s over, I’m hopin’ you’ll stay. Drum’s not usually this excitin’.”

I smiled. “I was going to wait until tonight to tell you all, but yes. I’m staying.”

Ruth beamed and Tiny looked happy enough to burst. Seeing their reaction reassured me that I’d made the right decision. I’d lived most of my life alone, and now that I’d gotten another taste of real friendship, I wasn’t so willing to walk away. I needed people to care about—and people to care about me. Living with Rose had taught me that, and while I’d left Arkansas hoping I could return, I realized this was where I belonged—among people who had my back. And in a town lost in time, with only five security cameras. A feature Wyatt had been quick to point out.

“No CCTV,” he’d said. “No facial recognition software. Drum, Tennessee, is the last place your father would look for you, and he won’t find you if you’re completely off the grid.”

I’d already decided to stay, but that was like the cherry on top.

Max gave me a hug. “I’m glad you’re stayin’. After Carson…”

The investigation was ongoing, but the general consensus with the sheriff department was that Carson had gotten tired of taking orders from Bart Drummond. He’d been the mastermind behind the new drug trade to Drum, bringing the more deadly drugs from Atlanta, even arranging for Dwight’s job at the mortuary. He’d hoped to run Bart into bankruptcy, and eventually kill Bingham and take over his territory. I had been cleared of any wrongdoing.

It sounded like a great theory, but part of me couldn’t help wondering if Bart knew more than he’d let on.

I told Detective White about Seth’s video account and gave her the login information. She told me that she’d turn it over to the state troopers, but she suspected there wasn’t anything they could do to recall the deleted footage. Wyatt had sent her the corrupted video file we’d saved, and she said her team would try to recover it, but they weren’t hopeful.

“But I’m not lettin’ this go,” she’d said. “I know there’s more corruption in this department, and I plan to root it out.”

I suspected she’d have to dig deep.

But now, Max was taking ownership of Carson’s wrongdoing, again, and I wasn’t going to let that stand. “It’s not your fault,” I assured him, for what was likely the tenth time. “You had no way of knowing.” I kissed his cheek. “I’m so grateful for you, Max. Please don’t let this get between us.”

He kissed me back, his kiss lingering on my cheek for several seconds. When he pulled back, he gave Wyatt a long look and stepped back.

Jerry was hovering behind them, his eyes darting everywhere. He was uncomfortable, and I knew part of the