25
CARLY
I’m exhausted. And caked in dry mud.
Lexie’s at the police station with me and we’ve been questioned for hours. I’m not sure how many more ways we can say we know nothing about the body I found.
After the two of us totally freaked, we stood on the bank of the creek and pulled our shit together. We decided we’d both ride back to the ranch to get help. Neither of us wanted to remain behind with the body. It wasn’t going anywhere.
So we took the ATV to the stable, which happened to be the closest building, and called the police. Only when they arrived did we lead them back, a few of the ranch hands joining us. Photos were taken and then the body loaded into a body bag for a trip to the morgue.
“You said the Bridgers were at the dam yesterday?” Chief Bryant asks.
He’s close in age to my parents and nearing retirement. Not much happens in Bayfield, so a dead body is definitely news. I’m not sure if he knows what to even do about it. The last big thing to happen in town was…me. My kidnapping.
“Yes.” Lexie runs a hand over her hair that’s snarled and wispy from our hasty trips back and forth from the creek.
“My father was upset about the dam blocking other neighbors’ access to water. The men dismantled the dam yesterday at his… suggestion.”
“Now they’re out of state,” the sheriff says. “All three of them. That’s convenient.”
“I don’t think they’re on the run, sir.” I try to keep the man focused. It’s not my place to mention the will and the weird requirements that go along with it. “Austin had some issues with his family business.”
“I thought the ranch was family business,” Bryant counters.
“Austin is new to Bayfield, as you know. He has run a seaplane company with his mother for years. I’m not sure though what this has to do with the body.”
Sheriff Bryant purses his lips.
I swallow. “You don’t think he has anything to do with this, do you?”
“Well—”
“Austin’s only been in Bayfield for what… two weeks? I’m not an expert on dead bodies—”
“Then you don’t need to continue.”
“I did trip over him, Sheriff. I got quite the look at the man. The body. He… it’s been there a while.”
Lexie takes my hand in hers and gives it a squeeze. “Can we go, Sheriff? You know where to find both of us if you have more questions.”
Bryant pauses, rubs his jawline and then nods.
Thank God.
We stand and walk out of his office.
My parents hop to their feet and head toward me. I’m not sure how long they’ve been here, but the vintage vinyl chairs in the small lobby can’t be comfortable.
My mom hugs me as my father looks me over.
“Are you all right, honey?” she asks.
I nod and remember my manners.
“Mom, Dad, this is Dr. Lexie Davis, the vet at the ranch.”
Dad frowns a bit but then nods. “If you’d quit like I wanted, you wouldn’t have found a damned body.”