Countdown to Death. Debby Giusti

to Sterling to cause trouble.”

      The sheriff frowned. “Some might disagree.”

      “Meaning?” She looked at Luke, but his eyes were veiled.

      The sheriff pursed his lips. “We’ve never had an arson case before.”

      Her breath caught. “Arson?”

      His gaze was direct, his tone as cold as the wind. “The fire started in the hallway outside your room, and was fueled by an accelerant.”

      Allison’s neck tingled and a sick feeling roiled through her stomach.

      “Hate to tell you, ma’am—”

      She flicked another glance at Luke, who stared into the fireplace.

      “From the looks of it—”

      The sheriff shook his head. His voice seemed distant.

      A roar filled her ears. She swallowed down the lump that clogged her throat and tried to hear what he was saying.

      “From the looks of it, I’d say someone in Sterling wants you dead.”

      THREE

      An arson case in Sterling.

      Luke had a hard time swallowing that bit of information. Sure, he’d been quick to blame Cooper Wallace for neglecting the upkeep on the property, but that was a far cry from setting the fire on purpose.

      Overcome with frustration, Luke kicked a pile of leaves and sent them scattering along the driveway as he waited for the sheriff to finish interrogating Allison in private. She’d insisted the details about her test remain confidential. Once he realized his presence was keeping her from explaining everything to the sheriff, Luke had excused himself and stepped outside.

      Did she think he’d spread the information all over town? If only she knew how little he had to do with anyone from Sterling.

      Luke turned at the sound of the door opening. Sheriff Treadwell hustled across the porch and down the steps. “Thanks for giving us a few minutes alone, Luke. Doubt her work in Atlanta has much bearing on the fire, but I’ll have a talk with the three blood donors she came here to question.”

      “Did she tell you it might involve wasting disease?”

      “Only that it was a possibility.”

      “I called the game warden this morning to give him a heads-up.”

      “Has he seen any sick game?”

      “Not a one. Any idea who set the blaze?”

      “Wish I did. Truth be told, I don’t have a clue, but like I told Allison, because of where it started, she could be the likely target.”

      “Don’t rule out Cooper. I’m sure he’s made some enemies. Or maybe the arsonist was looking for someone who rented the room before Allison.”

      “Now you’re thinking like a cop. I’ll talk to Cooper. I’ve already questioned the guy he has running the B and B. From what he said, business has been slow all year. The upstairs rooms haven’t been occupied for months.”

      “Then why’d he put Allison up there?”

      “Three of the rooms on the first floor were being remodeled. He had rented the two remaining downstairs rooms earlier in the week. When Allison e-mailed for reservations, he had no choice but to put her upstairs.”

      “Did he tell anyone which room she was in?”

      “Supposedly no one.”

      “Cooper would have access to that information.”

      The sheriff shook his head. “Now, Luke, you know Cooper’s busy with his campaign. Doubtful he’s interested in who’s staying at the B and B or which rooms have been rented out. You’re letting what happened ten years ago cloud your judgment. You gotta let it go, son. Your daddy would have been the first to tell you to forgive and forget.”

      The sheriff’s words stung like alcohol on an open wound. “My father believed in justice. You know that, Vic.”

      “Best sheriff Sterling’s ever had. Stepping into his shoes after his death was the hardest move I’ve ever made.”

      “Folks still giving you a hard time about never charging me with the crime?”

      “Folks talk about a lot of things, you know that. First thing your dad taught me when I became a deputy was that people always talk. Can’t do anything about it, so best to let it slide like water off a duck’s back.”

      “But they haven’t forgotten.”

      “As bad as it was, doubtful anyone will forget. But they’ve moved on to other things. Might do you good to follow their example. You’ve been holed up out here like an ostrich with your head in the sand. Time to face life again. Ten years is too long to close yourself off.”

      Luke stuck out his hand. “Good advice, Vic. Fact is I’m planning to make a trip into Sterling today. There’s someone I want to see.”

      The sheriff raised his brow. “You don’t need more trouble.”

      “You should talk to Cooper Wallace about causing trouble.”

      “You’re a friend, Luke. But that wasn’t the reason I didn’t arrest you. You know there wasn’t enough evidence. Despite our friendship, and no matter how cold that case might be, if something concrete shows up that ties you to the crime, I’ll haul you in faster than a hawk sweeping down on its prey. You understand me, son?”

      The front door opened, and Luke turned to see Allison standing on the porch, her eyes wide, brow furrowed with question.

      The sheriff tipped his head. “Ma’am, I’ll keep you posted on what I find out.”

      He slapped Luke’s shoulder, then turned and headed to his squad car.

      From the confusion Luke saw written plainly on Allison’s face, he wondered if she’d heard the sheriff’s comment. She didn’t need anything else to carry on her slender shoulders.

      Talk of arson and a cold-case crime was enough to send her scurrying back to Atlanta, where, he had to admit, she’d probably be safer. After everything that had happened, Sterling was anything but safe.

      Why was Luke staring at her with such a strange expression on his face? Evidently she’d interrupted a personal conversation he’d been having with the sheriff.

      She would have stayed in the house, but Bett and Shelly had gone out the back door to the garden, and Allison had needed to grab her cell from the cabin and call the lab before she headed to town. Although with the medication still in her system, she wondered if she should drive. The muscle relaxers had taken the edge off the pain, but they made her feel like she was moving in slow motion. Add to the mix that she was still struggling to understand everything that had happened last night. If what Sheriff Treadwell said was true, someone had tried to kill her. Surely he was mistaken. She didn’t know anyone in Sterling who would want to do her harm.

      Squaring her shoulders, Allison walked down the steps to where Luke stood. “Bett said you could give me directions back to town.”

      Luke nodded. “I can do better than that. I’ll drive you there.”

      He certainly aimed to please. “Don’t you have work to do?”

      A lazy smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. “Yes, ma’am, but it can wait.”

      Okay. She’d accept his offer. “Give me ten minutes to make a phone call.”

      Allison picked her way along the path to the cabin, feeling Luke’s eyes following her. Opening the door, she glanced over her shoulder, expecting to see him still standing in the driveway, but he’d disappeared from sight.

      A feeling settled over her. Relief