ONE
PARKER
Parker Dawson stood in front of the sheriff’s station with his shoulders set in a hard line. He didn’twantto walk in there and draw any attention to himself. That went against everything he was trying to achieve here in Half Moon Key.
But, really, he didn’t have a choice.
Not if the rumors running around town were true.
With a deep breath and a dejected shake of his head, he ran up a couple steps, threw the door open, and made his way inside. Immediately, the young deputy behind the desk hopped to his feet. The name stitched into his light brown uniform readCameron.
“Hello there,” the deputy greeted him.
“Hey. Any chance I can see the sheriff?” Parker tried to keep his tone calm and casual, but his attempt sounded crappy to his own ears.
“The sheriff?” The deputy looked back toward the hallway where the sheriff’s office had to be. “Is there something wrong? Something I could help you with?” The young cop took out a notepad and pen, ready to take notes.
Parker shook his head. “No, sorry. This is of a sensitive nature. Only the sheriff will do.”
Great. Now I’m making a scene and doing exactly what I didn’t want to do. Draw attention to myself.
The young deputy looked like he was about to pass out from the sheer insult of being refused. Or maybe he was scared of the sheriff, and he didn’t want to be the one to disrupt the boss. Regardless, Parker could tell his window was quickly closing.
“It won’t take long,” Parker assured him. “Just a few minutes.”
“Maybe if you told me what this was about, I could leave a message for him.”
Parker shook his head. “Sorry. This is really for the sheriff only. How about I make an appointment with him?”
“You want to make an appointment to see the sheriff?” The deputy asked like it was the most insane idea he had ever heard.
“Yup.”
“Oh, well. All right. Just give me a moment.” The deputy scampered down the hall and disappeared inside one of the offices. He soon returned to the desk, looking a bit red in the face. “The sheriff is really busy right now. Could you come back later this afternoon?”
Parker bit down on the inside of his cheek. He didn’t want to throw a shit fit, but he would rather get this over and done with. It would be better for everyone in town.
“Fine. Tell him that Parker Dawson stopped by.”
“And what do you want to discuss with him?”
“That’s personal. Just have him call me.” Parker pulled out an old business card from his wallet and dropped it on the counter.
Thankfully, Parker’s lifework had always demanded discretion. There was no real indication on the business card as to what Parker did or who he was. There was just his name and his phone number.
The deputy looked down at it and blinked up at Parker. “Okay. Thanks, Mr. Dawson. Have a good day now.”
“Uh-huh.” Parker turned back and made his way for the door. His entire body was set on edge. He wasn’t just disappointed. He wasannoyed. This wouldn’t have happened before, but this is what happened when you left your reputation behind. Parker had to deal with being just a regular guy.
If he was honest, he didn’t really like it. Not that he missed being recognized or being feared. He missed being respected and obeyed without a second thought.
“Hold on just a second there,” a deep voice called out.
Parker didn’t need to face the man to know he was in the presence of another shifter. His panther was very loud and clear about it.
Wolf. Canine,his panther roared low.
Parker turned toward the shifter, who just so happened to be Sheriff Cohen Pierce. The other man stood with his arms crossed, scowling with apprehension.