The Eligible Suspect(49)
Savanna nodded, awkward and revealing.
A glance at Macon confirmed he’d noticed, too.
“You should have the patio door replaced as soon as possible,” the sheriff said.
“I will.”
“And I’d recommend upgrading your security. You’re remote and that sometimes deters most, but in this case...”
“Yes. I’ll do that. Thank you.”
Savanna had an appearance of a woman who needed protection and taking care of, but Korbin had seen for himself how misguided that perception was.
The sheriff tipped his hat at them and then walked toward the lobby with Hurley, the two going into a conversation about an upcoming local event. Small-town talk. The sheriff would do some checking on him, but by the time he figured out he was a suspect in a murder and a hit-and-run, Korbin hoped to be long gone.
“I think you should come with me, Savanna,” Macon said.
That interrupted Savanna’s consternation as she, too, had watched the sheriff leave. “Aren’t you up in Vail working on a movie?”
“Yes, but you shouldn’t be here alone.”
“She isn’t alone,” Korbin said. He doubted a movie star had what it took to protect her, and wouldn’t have the time, either. No. Korbin wasn’t about to let her out of his sight.
“If it wasn’t for you, she wouldn’t be in danger.”
“But she is in danger,” Korbin said. “Damen might go after her now that he’s seen her with me. He’ll assume she knows what I know. I can keep her safe.”
Macon turned from his sister to face Korbin. “Really. And how do you propose to do that? What makes you so sure you can keep her safe?”
He didn’t ask something stupid like, What makes you so sure you can? He might be an actor, but Savanna’s family had money. They could protect her.
“It’s like you said. If it wasn’t for me, she wouldn’t be in danger. I feel obligated.”
“Well, I officially absolve you of all obligation.”
Savanna sighed hard then, swatting her hand in the air to vent her frustration. “Would you stop making decisions for me? Both of you.”
Leaving Korbin staring in stunned silence, she marched toward the lobby.
“Is she considering sticking with you?” Macon asked, incredulous.
Korbin didn’t answer. He followed Savanna to the lobby, glad to see the sheriff had gone. He stopped before Savanna and Hurley, who stood near the front desk waiting for them.
“Savanna...” Macon started in again.
“Macon. Stop. I don’t need you to protect me. I don’t need anyone to protect me.”
“That’s not what I saw when Damen broke into your house,” Korbin said.
“Just come with me, Savanna. I’ll drop you off in Evergreen.”
“I don’t want to go to Evergreen,” she snapped.