“I wasn’t trying to terrorize anybody. Annie, you don’t believe that, do you?”
She sighed. “I have to admit that I wondered most of the time whether I was being threatened or just advised. But, Roy, no matter how mild they might have been, you know how scary it is to think somebody is stalking you. How could you do that to me? How could you lie to me like that and make me think you were looking out for me when all you were doing was making a way for yourself?”
Roy said nothing. There was nothing he could say. Chief Edwards broke the silence. “You have every right to press charges, Mrs. Dawson. We have a pretty good case here.”
“What’ll happen if I do?”
“Whether or not he’s convicted, and he most likely would be, that would pretty much end his career as a policeman. We’d have to fire him, and it’s pretty likely he wouldn’t get hired on anywhere else.”
Annie glanced at Roy. “And if I don’t?”
“If you don’t, he will have the opportunity to tender his resignation, and that will be the end of it.”
Annie pressed her lips together. “And have him do something like this in another town?”
“No!” Roy ducked his head. Then he lifted it again. “No. Annie, I’m sorry. I mean, I’m really sorry. I know what I did was wrong, and there’s no excuse for it, but I won’t do it again. I wasn’t trying to hurt you or anybody. You know that.”
She looked away. She did know that. And she knew how small towns could be for outsiders, especially for an outsider who took a false step. But a police officer was supposed to abide by the law no matter what, not take advantage of his position.
“What do you want to do, Mrs. Dawson?” Edwards pressed, and he glanced at Roy once again. “Of course, he’ll be suspended until this matter is resolved.”
Roy’s eyes pleaded with her, and she was forced to look away from them.
“Can I think about it for a day or two?”
Roy grabbed her arm. “I swear I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, Annie. Especially not you.”
She coolly detached his hold on her. “I’ll let you know, Chief Edwards.”
She went back to the church alone, glad it was not a long walk. What in the world was Roy thinking? Did he think any woman would appreciate being deceived, no matter how flattering the reason? But that was really just an irritation. More troubling was the knowledge that she still had no idea who had sent the first anonymous message she had received. She looked around the dark street, and the idea that someone was watching her came back with intensity. She was glad for the welcoming lights of the church building.
Ian was standing in the doorway. Had he been waiting for her?
She hurried her stride. “What are you doing out here?”
“Being a little bit nosy, I guess.” He held the door open to let her in. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah, I guess.” She dredged up a smile. “I guess you’re a better judge of people than I am.”
He glanced toward the town hall. The light in Chief Edwards’ office was still burning.
“Anything I can do to help?”
She exhaled slowly. “No. I’m just disappointed.”
“Did Edwards ever find out anything about the anonymous note you got? I mean, besides that there weren’t any prints on it?”
She considered telling him about the other notes and about Roy, but she decided that was between Edwards and his officer. If the chief of police wanted to discuss his department’s disciplinary matters with the mayor, that was his business.
“No, they still haven’t found out anything on that note.”
“And you haven’t heard anything more from whoever sent it to you?”
“No,” she answered truthfully. “I don’t think I’m any closer to figuring out who that was than when I got it in the first place.”
“I hope you’re being careful. Sometimes you find out more than you really want to when you’re digging up the past.”
“What do you mean?” Annie studied his face. Was this friendly advice or something more?
“Just that there are some real weirdos out there. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you. Sometimes it’s best to keep out of things.”
Mind your own business.
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
“Only that I worry about you.” He gave her a puzzled smile. “Is that a bad thing?”
“I’m a big girl, Ian. I can take care of myself just fine without your help.”
She stalked back into the banquet room and left him standing there staring after her.