Free Complicated Matters by Unknown Page A

patrol car. “What are you getting at, Deputy?” 
       “Deputy Bowman and a few dispatchers are the only women we have on the force. Bowman’s investigating this case. I was hopin’ you’d allow the girl to stay in your spare bedroom.”
       Taylor couldn’t believe what he was being asked. “Are you trying to get me fired?” 
       “You’re the acting sheriff. The state’s attorney general is the only one who can fire you.”
       “That’s right.” Taylor calmed down. “You just shocked me with that suggestion.”
       “Should I give her the news?”
       Taylor rubbed his face still unsure about the situation. At least he wouldn’t have to make excuses to shadow her for a while. “If that’s our only alternative.” He followed Winthrop to his patrol car. 
       “Farrah.” The deputy took her by the hand. “I know things are hard on you right now, but I need you to stay away from your house for a few days.”
       “I can’t do that,” she raised her voice. “Where will I sleep? Everything I own is in that house.”
       “Deputy Bowman will escort you inside to get your things. Sheriff Taylor has a spare bedroom. You can stay with him unless you prefer to stay with friends.”
       “No.” Farrah stared at the ground. “It’s too late to impose on my friends.”
     
       *
     
       They drove to his house in silence. He didn’t feel right about the situation. As expected, this whole date blew up in his face. Then it hit him. Had they not gone out together, she would have been home when the scumbags broke in. She could have been hurt or worse. Visions of her alone and helpless against a ruthless gang flashed in his mind. But that didn’t happen. He protected her exactly like he was supposed to.
       Taylor pulled up behind his house. “Here we are.” 
       Farrah hesitated when he got out of his car and grabbed her door handle. “It’s okay. You’re safe here.”
       They crossed the yard to his back door. He checked the door for signs of tampering.
    They entered a small house done in various shades of brown and black. 
       “It’s not what you’re used to.” He tossed his keys on the kitchen counter. “But I’ve stayed in worse.
       He couldn’t figure out if she were excited or disgusted with the décor. The kitchen and living room were just one big space with front and back doors. Two bedrooms veered off from the living room toward the back of the house.
       “This one’s yours.” He opened a brown door and turned on the light. “It’s not much, but the bed’s comfortable and I’m just a scream away.”
       After watching her for a few minutes and unable to read her expression, he headed to his room, leaving her door open.
       “Good night, Sheriff.”  
       Feelings he hadn’t felt since he was married, and didn’t understand now, clouded his mind. “Good night.”
     
       Chapter 11
     
       Taylor waited until he thought Farrah was asleep. He took the laptop outside and contacted the commander via instant message. “Commander we have a few problems.”
       “What’s going on?” the commander typed back.
       Taylor wondered how he was going to explain this. “Someone sabotaged the bridge on Old Rocky Ford Road. They cut the supports.”
       “Is that all?”
       “No. Tonight someone ransacked the Mathews home.”
       “Was anyone hurt?” the commander typed.
       “No one was home.”
       “Is there anything else?”
       “Deputy Winthrop asked me to let Miss Mathews stay in my spare bedroom.  He didn’t want her home by herself, in lieu of what he thinks happened to her parents.  Commander, why would he think that she’s all by herself out there when it’s a well known fact, she has two brothers? ”
       “The perks of a small town. Everyone knows everything. Is there anything else?”
       “No.”
       “Take care of them. Phillips out.”
       Taylor closed his computer and