LITMIR.BIZ

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      “I just ran into Sheriff Kapp.”

      Emily’s sharp intake of breath was followed by a hasty search of the restaurant. Did she expect the long arm of the law to reach right into the restaurant and snatch Alex away? This reaction surprised Liz who thought Emily’s reserve about Alex would be a lot harder than this to wear down. “The sheriff?” Emily gasped. “Here?”

      “It’s okay, Emily. He’s gone. I’m so glad you listened to Alex.”

      “I can imagine how much it meant to you to learn that Alex is innocent,” Ron said. “However, frankly, I don’t know how much of his story Emily believed.”

      Emily had recovered her composure. To Liz’s dismay she said, “Not very much.”

      “He told us he’s innocent,” Ron said.

      “What good is the word of a murderer?” Emily insisted.

      “I believe in him,” Liz said gently. “Totally.”

      “But he confessed. You have to be cautious—”

      “He said there were details he couldn’t talk about,” Ron interrupted. “I don’t think he likes Sheriff Kapp much.”

      “That’s true,” Liz said, once again appreciating Ron’s levelheaded insight. “The sheriff won’t rest until Alex is convicted. In fact, he’s coming out to my place tomorrow after lunch to interview me again. I know Alex doesn’t want me telling the sheriff the truth—I’m just not sure what to do.”

      “I think you should listen to your husband, Liz,” Ron said.

      Emily shook her head. “How can you say that? Alex Chase is a murderer.”

      “He’s not,” Liz said yet again. Glancing from one to the other, she added, “Don’t tell Alex about Kapp, okay? He has enough to worry about right now. He’s trying to protect me from everything and everybody.”

      Emily pointed over Liz’s shoulder and said, “Speak of the devil.”

      Alex put his hands on Liz’s shoulders as she turned to gaze up at him. “Are you okay?”

      “The fresh air helped.”

      “Are you hungry?” he added. “Shall I order something for you?”

      “No, really, I couldn’t eat a bite.”

      “I just talked to Dave down at the station. Are you ready to go?”

      Liz decided she’d rather face Kapp than more of Emily’s blatant animosity. She said, “You bet.”

      Alex put on his jacket and took out his wallet. “Lunch is on me,” he said firmly as he laid money on the table. Looking at Ron, he added, “Thanks for listening. I appreciate what a good friend you’ve been to Liz during these…trying…times.”

      Ron retrieved Liz’s purse from her chair and handed it to her. “Liz is special to a lot of people, Alex.”

      “And you’ll be wise not to forget that,” Emily added.

      “Emily!” Ron snapped.

      Emily looked at Liz. “If you need anything, and I mean anything, call me…or Ron.”

      “I will, thanks.”

      “She’ll be fine,” Alex said. “I promise you.”

      Emily opened her mouth, apparently thought better of what she’d been about to say, and closed it, her attention riveted on her untouched salad.

      “You two run along,” Ron added. “I’ll try to get through to my hardheaded sister. If there’s anything I can do to help, just ask.”

      Alex said thanks and Liz promised to call Emily. As Alex took her hand, Liz realized how tempting it was to believe things were eking their way back to normal, and yet that wasn’t really true and might never be. Studying the faces of the many acquaintances who watched them leave, she wondered, was the murderer among them? If he or she was, what did they make of Alex’s hand wrapped around hers?

      “You are aware that your friend Emily is trying to marry you off to her brother, aren’t you?” Alex asked as they stopped in front of Liz’s car. She’d swept the street with a frantic glance as they emerged from the restaurant; Kapp’s car was still parked across the street but he was apparently still inside the cafe. She breathed a sigh of relief.

      Alex’s truck was parked a space away. That truck was yet another of his belongings that Liz hadn’t gotten around to getting rid of.

      She said, “Don’t be silly.”

      “Don’t be naive. She hates me.”

      “She doesn’t even know you.”

      “Which means she hates me because of what she’s heard about me.”

      “She and Alex have been staunch allies, Alex.”

      “Staunch allies of yours.”

      “Whatever.”

      “And they both know you filed for a divorce, right?”

      They not only knew, but Emily had actively encouraged her. She’d pointed out that Liz was young, she had a baby to consider, a future. Alex was as good as gone—forever.

      Liz spared Alex this information. Instead she said, “Twenty-four hours ago, this entire town was under the impression you were a murderer because you told them you were. Emily doesn’t know you well enough to accept your word as quickly as Ron does. You have to give her a while.”

      “I don’t have time to win a popularity contest.”

      She shook her head.

      “I’m sorry,” he added with a sigh. “I have a feeling Emily isn’t going to be the only one in town who will feel that way about me.”

      Liz unlocked her car door and slid inside. “Thank you for telling them you’re innocent. No matter what, they’re friends and I don’t know how I could have kept seeing them and talking to them without them knowing.”

      “Ron is a good listener. I told him just about everything except about your scarf and your late-night visit to your uncle. Those details have to be kept secret, honey. I’ll meet you at home after I see Dave. We need to talk.”

      Liz had a very quick internal dialogue about whether or not to set Alex straight regarding such mundane things as respecting boundaries when this greater issue hung over their heads like smoke hangs over an imploding volcano. She decided she might as well be honest with him. She said, “You shouldn’t have followed me today. I told you I was going to a business meeting. You showing up like that made me feel as though you didn’t listen to a word I said.”

      “But it wasn’t business.”

      “That’s not the point. I just want you to know that from now on, you need to respect my independence.”

      One hand on top of the car, the other propped on his denim clad leg, Alex leaned down. His face was so close she could smell his aftershave. It had been months since she’d sniffed this exact odor and the way it came when mixed with his body heat. It made her head swim.

      “I have nothing but respect for you,” he insisted.

      She made herself get over the arousing sensation of his proximity. She made herself get over the desire for him that seemed to permeate every inch of her body and grew stronger with each passing moment. “Good. I’ve been on my own for six months.”

      “On your own because of me.”

      “And in some ways, it’s been a good thing.” At the hurt expression that flashed in his eyes, she added, “Don’t get me wrong, I would rather be part of a team than all on my own, but that means I’m an equal partner, not a child.”

      “I never think

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