Snowfall on Haven Point(48)

Her depressed tone left him worried for her. Jackie was a dedicated, loyal employee. He had inherited her from the previous sheriff and she had done all she could to make his transition in the office as painless as possible.

“You need more than just this job,” he advised. “I’ve never asked. Do you belong to any clubs or anything?”

“Clubs?” She gave him a blank look.

“I don’t know. Clubs, church groups, social circles. A friend of mine in Haven Point belongs to a group whose entire objective is to help people in need around town. Maybe you could find something like that here in Shelter Springs. Or if there isn’t one, maybe you could start it.”

“I don’t know if I would have anything to offer something like that. Who would even want me?”

Had he really been so blind that he hadn’t realized his assistant seemed to be on the brink of a serious depression?

“Sure you do,” he answered, even though he really didn’t have time to cheerlead her right now, with everything else he had going on. “You’ve got plenty to offer. You’re warm and kind and you genuinely want to help people. You’re the most organized person I know and one of the most honest.”

Now her eyes did well up with tears. He shifted, uncomfortable from more than just his blasted leg. He was more than a little relieved when a knock sounded at the door.

“I asked everybody to come in here for the briefing,” Marshall explained. “I figured it was easier than me trying to hobble down the hall. Can you bring a few more chairs in?”

“Of course. Whatever you need.”

He should have tried harder to help her these last few months and he felt guilty that he hadn’t. He didn’t want to think anything good could come out of his injury, but if it left him a little more aware of those around him and what they might be going through, he supposed it couldn’t be all bad.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“Eventually,” she said with a sad smile.

The door opened and a couple of his deputies came in for the briefing before he had a chance to address her again.

* * *

BY THE TIME the hour-long meeting was over, his leg ached like a son of a bitch and his head wasn’t much better.

At least he had a little more clarity that the sheriff’s department was indeed a house divided. Ken Kramer took every opportunity to challenge Marsh’s leadership, with sly remarks and subtle opposition. He was joined by Curtis, as if they were joined at the hip. Could the two of them together have planned the hit-and-run? Both knew he had worked the Foster case and still dug into it whenever possible.

He didn’t want to think he was going to have to clean house, but the conclusion was becoming inevitable.

He asked Ruben to stay behind after the meeting to update him on the state of the investigation—which had come to a standstill, apparently.

“I’m getting nowhere. I’m sorry, Marsh.”

After he gave his report, Marshall had to agree. In five days, all they had was a stolen vehicle with no identifying forensics.

When he finished giving his report and they talked strategy going forward, Ruben gave him a careful look. “Need me to give you a ride back to Haven Point?”

He was trying hard enough to return integrity and honor to the office that he didn’t want any appearance of wrongdoing.

“You’re on duty. I’ve got a friend picking me up.”

That was the second time that morning he had referred to Andrea Montgomery as his friend. It was something of a shock to realize it was nothing less than the truth. He was coming to care about her, entirely too much.

“Listen, I know you’ve already taken on far more than I should ask, but I need another favor.”

“You got it,” Ruben said instantly.

“My plan is to be back before Christmas, but if I’m not, can you look out for Jackie?”

Ruben frowned. “Our Jackie? Why? What’s up?”

The department knew about her divorce and a select few knew Jeremy struggled with drugs and petty crime and had been in and out of rehab. “She’s going through a rough time right now. You know how tough the holidays can be, especially when you’ve got family trouble.”

“Oh yeah. They don’t call it the hell-idays for nothing.”

“She seems upset. Maybe even clinically depressed. If I were here all day, every day, I could probably wriggle it out of her and make sure she gets help. Or maybe not, since I gather she’s trying to put on a happy face on my account. Just keep an eye out, offer a listening ear.”

“You got it.” Ruben rose. “Anything else?”

“You’ve done more than enough. When I’m back, I plan to make you take some of those vacation days you’ve been accruing.”