A Cry in the Dark (Carly Moore #1) - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,105
anything to harm him,” Wyatt spat. “Never.”
“You’re the one who told me that trust has to be earned,” I countered. “Earn it by telling him how you found out.”
“I can’t, Carly,” he said, his voice breaking. “I swore I wouldn’t tell and my word means something to me.”
“Are you working with the sheriff?” I asked. “Or some kind of law enforcement to bring them down?”
He released a hard scoff. “You’ve watched too many damn movies or TV shows. No, I’m not workin’ with law enforcement. They don’t give a shit about what I’m doin’. They don’t give a shit about anything that goes on up here unless it lines their pockets.” He pushed out a breath. “This is between you and me and no one else, do you understand?” He flicked another gaze at Hank. “No one else. The old man’s not gonna like that you have a secret of mine, and he’s liable to kick you out too if he finds out.”
“You know I have secrets of my own, Wyatt,” I said. “You can trust me.”
“I’m workin’ to bring down my father, which makes Hank’s accusation laughable. But I have people I’m using to do it, and I can’t reveal my sources.”
“Your father had something to do with the outside drugs coming in?”
“I don’t know. I doubt it, but that piece of information about the Atlanta deal came to me with the rest.”
Was Carson the source of his intel? Was that why he wanted to talk to me?
“Wyatt,” Hank called out. “You’ve had plenty of time to say your goodbyes. Go!”
Wyatt grabbed my upper arms and looked into my eyes. “Check his blood sugar. When he gets mean, it’s often because it’s high.”
“He wouldn’t really shoot you, would he?” I asked.
“Nah,” he said softly. “He’ll come around in a few days, but that’s a few days that you’re on your own with him. And who’s gonna watch him while you’re at work? Who’s gonna watch over you while you’re sleepin’?”
“No offense, Wyatt,” I said, “but you weren’t around when this happened. And the guy who broke in knew you wouldn’t be.”
His expression darkened. “Who knew I was stayin’ here?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “Max. Ruth, although I don’t think she knew you were plannin’ to sleep over.”
“That wouldn’t be hard for her to figure out. All she’d have to do is drive by.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You think Ruth had something to do with this?” I shook my head. “Look, I know you two don’t care for each other, but you have to admit that’s far-fetched. What would she have to gain?”
“Maybe someone threatened her. Maybe they offered to pay her money. Is she talkin’ about makin’ any big purchases?”
There was no way I was going to admit she’d been talking about buying a house less than eight hours ago. “You’re barkin’ up the wrong tree.”
“Am I? Because I’m not seein’ many trees, Carly, and I suspect this isn’t the last guy who’s gonna come after you. With me leavin’, the only thing standin’ between you and them is a one-legged man’s shotgun.”
“That one-legged man’s shotgun saved me once.”
“I’m not sure if I’d count on it happenin’ again.” He glanced at Hank and then back at me. “Do you know who broke in?”
“A guy named Cecil Abrams. One of Bingham’s men.”
He didn’t say anything, and his expression was inscrutable, so I wasn’t sure whether he was surprised.
“Does that mean anything to you?” I asked.
“Does it mean anything to you?” he parroted.
I pushed out a defeated sigh. I didn’t want to fight with him. I was so sick of fighting, and I wanted Wyatt to be the man he seemed to be.
His expression softened. “You’re exhausted. Go inside and get some sleep. I’ll pick you up tomorrow for work. You workin’ the evening shift?”
“Yeah.”
“Call me if you have any trouble. My home and garage numbers are on a paper taped to the side of the fridge.” With one final glance back at Hank, he got in his tow truck and drove away.
Hank shook his head as I walked up to the porch. “There’s only one reason that boy wouldn’t answer your question. His daddy has something to do with this.”
“He can’t stand his father,” I said, wearily climbing the steps. “I don’t believe he’d ever turn on you, Hank. I think you’re the father he wished he had. Turning him away like that hurt him.”
He was silent.
“I’m tired and I know you have to be too. Let’s go