It hit me hard the first time I heard it.
Even knowing what Reid went through. Even understanding it.
It still took time to accept.
I squeeze Talon’s hand, grounding both of us, and he squeezes back, his thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles, like he’s checking—really checking—that I’m okay.
I nod.
I am.
“Right,” Reid says, ending the call. “Alright, Matt. I’ll talk to you later.”
He hangs up, and I step forward slightly. “Was that your uncle?”
“Yeah.” He exhales. “I wanted to know if he ever told anyone else about what happened.”
“And?”
“He said no.” Reid shakes his head. “He doesn’t know anyone who might be looking into it either. He became drinking buddies with the officer who handled the case, but that guy passed away recently. As far as he knows, no one’s ever connected me to it.”
A small thread of relief flickers through me—but it doesn’t last.
“So how did whoever’s looking into you find out?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” He glances toward Luke. “Did the sheriff say who they think I killed?”
Luke shakes his head, pressing the bridge of his nose like he’s trying to hold himself together.
“Even if it comes out,” he says, “wouldn’t it be manslaughter? There’s a statute of limitations on that, right? It should’ve expired by now.” He looks between us. “Right?”
“It depends,” Reid says quietly.
The room goes still again for a beat.
“Still,” Luke pushes on, “they’d need evidence to pin it on you. Actual evidence, and they don’t have it.”
“All they’re doing right now is speculating,” Luke says, dragging a hand down his face like he’s trying to physically push the problem away. “We might not even have to worry about it. The Sheriff didn’t even specify who you supposedly murdered. It’s probably all just noise. A fishing expedition, to see if they can get you—get us—frightened enough to give in to doing what they want and hand Amanda over to them. Typical bully-boy tactics.”
Reid doesn’t respond immediately.
He’s gone very still again, his hands folded loosely in front of him, his gaze lowered—not avoiding us, but somewhere deeper, somewhere inward. Thinking. Weighing.
“I think I should step down as director for now.”
The words land quietly. Heavily.
“No,” Talon and Luke say at the same time, both of them stepping forward slightly without even realizing it.
“Even if you did, it wouldn’t help,” I add, my voice firm as I move closer to Reid. “Look at it this way—you have skeletons in your closet. So does this mayor.” I fold my arms, forcing myselfto stay grounded. “The difference is, he has a lot more to lose than you do. Instead of panicking, how about we use that?”
Reid lifts his eyes to mine, a flicker of something there—uncertainty, maybe.
“We offer him a tit-for-tat deal,” I finish.
Reid raises a brow. “How do you know about his skeletons?”
“I contacted an old family friend,” Luke says, rubbing the back of his neck. “They gave me a few hints about what he’s been up to. Nothing concrete yet, but enough to know there’s something there. If we can get actual evidence, I’ve got someone who can reach him. We make him an offer.”