Proverbs 19: 23.
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
As Beth’s daughter, Rose, drove Kate into town, Kate rebuked herself for allowing her heart to beat a million beats faster at the thought of Ryan. But still, it happened, and she was also aware that she blushed when she was around him. If her co-workers ever knew a man could have such an effect on her, she’d never hear the end of it.
Right now, however, Kate was going to the station to share what she had found out last night. She presumed she would be met with the same condescending attitude as before. If only they’d catch the mole soon, she thought. Then I could return to my old life and all this ridiculousness would be over. Life was complicated enough without having to live a double life. Worse still, she was doing it without television, the internet, and cell phones – without mirrors, even! And she hadn’t worn make up since she arrived in town. She had no idea how she looked without makeup, given that there were no mirrors. She had tried to look at her reflection in the base of a pan, but all she had been able to see was a blurred outline of her face. It made her realize just how much she had relied on appearance in her old life.
The second Kate stepped into the police station, her stomach twisted in knots. She was not used to being on this side of the desk. Oh, how the tables had turned.
“Good morning,” Kate said in the most polite voice she could muster. “Is Officer Ryan Weaver in, please? I’d like to speak to him.”
The frowning female officer looked up at her. “What’s your name?” she snapped. “I’ll see if he’s available.”
“Kate Br… Katie Lambright,” Kate said, hoping that the officer didn’t notice her lapse.
The officer simply picked up the phone, waited a moment, and then barked, “Katie Lambright at the front desk to see you.” After a moment, she grunted, and hung up the phone. “He’ll be right along.”
“Thank you.” Katie looked at the woman, but she was already looking down, making notes on a sheet of paper in front of her. Katie looked around the room. What should she do: stand there, or sit on a chair?
After a moment of indecision, Katie headed for a chair, but just then, Ryan walked in.
“Ms. Lambright.”
“Katie, please.”
“Katie.” He smiled and Katie almost clutched her stomach due to the fact that a thousand butterflies seemed to be flying around in her insides.
“Come along to my office.”
Katie followed the cop down a long corridor. It smelled of coffee, and another smell she was unable to identify. A few officers were chatting amongst themselves, and shot her curious glances as she passed.
The corridor opened up to a large room, and there was a dim hustle and bustle as uniformed cops moved this way and that. There were desks here and there, each one with a computer, each one with various personal effects and photographs.
When they arrived in his office, Ryan indicated she should take a seat. He too sat down and surveyed her in silence, leaning back in his chair, his knuckles drumming next to his keyboard. “What can I do for you?”
All of sudden Katie was nervous. “I came across some evidence,” she said, “and I thought I should bring it to you.”
Ryan sighed and folded his arms. “I don’t understand why you want to be involved in this case. You’re not an investigator. Please remember, someone was murdered and you were a witness to the perpetrator. You need to keep a low profile. The man saw your face, and you really need to hope that he thinks you can’t identify him. What if something were to happen to you? Are you prepared to face that?”
Kate squirmed in her seat. “I have two suspects.” As soon as her words were out, Kate thought that they were ill-chosen, but it was too late now; she’d just have to press on. “The son, Moses, stands to inherit the property. He had a falling out with his father some time back. The other suspect also stands to gain financially. Henry Moore is the wealthy landowner on the other side of Joseph Byler’s farm. Joseph Byler was selling to a developer who intended to have power lines put right through the farm. If that had happened, then the power lines would be extended right through the entire Moore farm.”
Ryan looked surprised. “You think Henry Moore is a suspect in this murder? His family’s highly respected in this town.”
“I don’t suppose the gun left at the scene was licensed, so that’s no help, but he’s a hunter who has experience with firing a weapon,” Kate said. “Plus with Joseph Byler dead, he doesn’t have to worry about losing his farm or letting it go for a cheap rate.”
“Really? You know for certain that the son, the heir, won’t sell Mr. Byler’s farm to the developer?” Ryan asked, “‘cause if you did know that for certain, then perhaps Henry Moore would be a suspect, but you don’t know that, do you?”
Kate cast her eyes downward and shook her head.
“Katie, the police exist for this very reason.” Ryan’s tone was gentle. “Thank you for coming today, but please leave the investigating up to us. I also suggest you don’t continue to ask questions around town.”
“But I was told that information at the knitting circle,” Kate protested, realizing how lame that sounded as soon as she said it.
Ryan’s mouth twitched upwards at the corners. “Katie, we have experts to do the investigating. Leave the investigating to us, and you stick to your knitting.” He smiled politely at her.
Kate narrowed her eyes. Could he be any more condescending if he patted me on the head? she thought.
“It is just that you need to let the police do their job.”
Kate nodded. There was nothing more she could say, but she most certainly would be doing some investigating, and the handsome Ryan Weaver would not have to know that she was doing so. It was some time before she had to meet up with Rose, so she would head straight to the library to do some research. She knew where it was; she had passed it on the way to the police station.