Free Erica Spindler by In Silence

Nobody got a call. I asked around town, put up flyers, haven’t gotten a nibble. I told her that.”
    Matt moved around her chair and perched on the edge of the desk, facing her. “So, what do you think? She’s screaming foul play.”
    â€œSo where’s the body?” Avery asked. “Where’s the car?”
    â€œAnd not any car. A Mercedes. Tough to lose one of those around here.” Matt pursed his lips. “But why would this woman lie?”
    â€œWe see a lot of that in journalism. Everybody wants their fifteen minutes of fame. To feel important. Or in this woman’s case, maybe to rationalize why her boyfriend hasn’t called.”
    She glanced at her watch and saw that it was nearly time for her meeting at Gallagher’s. She stood. “I’ve got to go. Danny Gallagher is expecting me in at two.” She looked at Buddy. “Thanks for taking all this time to talk to me, I appreciate it.”
    â€œIf something comes to mind, I’ll let you know.” He came around the desk and kissed her cheek. “Are you going to be okay?”
    â€œI always am.”
    â€œGood girl.”
    Matt touched her arm. “I’ll walk you out.”
    They exited the station and stepped into the bright midday sun. Avery dug her sunglasses out of her handbag. She slipped them on and looked up to find him gazing at her.
    â€œWhat were you and Dad talking about?”
    â€œA box of newspaper clippings I found in Dad’s closet. They were all concerning the same event, the Sallie Waguespack murder.”
    â€œThat doesn’t surprise me.”
    â€œIt doesn’t?”
    â€œThat’s the story that blew this little burg wide open.”
    â€œI hardly remembered it until I read those clippings today.”
    â€œBecause of Dad, I lived it.” He grimaced. “The night of the murder, I heard him with Mom. He was…crying. It’s the only time I ever heard him cry.”
    She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I feel like such an ostrich. First Dad, now learning this. I wonder—” She bit the words back and shook her head. “I need to go. Danny’s expecting—”
    â€œYou wonder what?” he asked, touching her arm.
    She let out a constricted-sounding breath. “I’m starting to wonder just what kind of person I am.”
    â€œYou were young. It wasn’t your tragedy.”
    â€œAnd what of now? What about my dad? Was that my tragedy?”
    â€œAvery, you can’t keep beating yourself up about this. You didn’t light that match. He did.”
    But if she had been here for him, would he still have done it?
    â€œI’ve got to go, Matt. Danny’s waiting.”
    She started off. He called her name, stopping her. She turned.
    â€œNext Sunday? Spring Fest?”
    â€œWith you?”
    He shot her his cocky smile. The one that had always had her saying yes when she should have been saying no. “If you think you could take an entire day of my company?”
    She returned the smile. “I think I could manage it.”
    â€œGreat. I’ll give you a call about the time.”
    Pleased, she watched him head back to his cruiser. Inthat moment, he looked sixteen. Full of the machismo of youth, buoyed by a yes from the opposite sex.
    â€œIf you’re not serious, just stay away. Just…stay…away.”
    Her smile slipped as she remembered Cherry’s warning. Avery shook off the ripple of unease that moved over her. She was being ridiculous. Cherry was a sweet girl who was worried about her brother. Matt was lucky to have someone who cared so much about him.

CHAPTER 7
    T he Gavel called the meeting to order. All six of his generals were in attendance. Ready to do battle. To lay down their lives for their beliefs and their community.
    Each believed himself a patriot at war.
    He surveyed the group, proud of them, of his selections. They represented both the old