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The chief didn’t see to what he’d said when he first arrived, he still didn’t knohose panties had been found in the trunk, despite Madeline’s offer of a reward

But soot where they were…

“I’ more self-important than he would have if Hunter hadn’t been in the roo, just in case”

“Just in case,” Madeline repeated, chuckling bitterly

“What?” he said

She didn’t respond He wouldn’t like what she had to say The answer—the resolution for which she hoped and prayed—never ca for almost twenty years

Hunter, see to understand her fra,” he said, showing Pontiff to the door

Once Toby had left, they were alone with Kirk He eyed Hunter, then looked at her andthat ski trip, Maddy”

Madeline gaped at him “By yourself?”

“Why not? It isn’t like you’re going to change yourto stick around to watch what I saw earlier”

She couldn’t deal with this Not now “I’m sorry, Kirk I never meant to hurt you You know that, don’t you?”

She thought anger and jealousy ht tempt him to contradict her or blaain the man she’d always known “Yeah It’s just…too bad it didn’t work out”

It was too bad Her life would’ve been so much simpler if she could’ve thrown her whole heart into their relationship But she’d always felt torn about Kirk and not coood to me,” she said sadly

He ja you say that hurts worst of all”

She frowned “Why?”

He started toward the door “Because that tellsat the exit, he added, “But you’re a fool if you get involved with him”

If? Madeline was already involved with Hunter

When she didn’t answer, couldn’t answer, Kirk walked out

She sat perfectly still, waiting for the custoo After five years, this was it The end

But she didn’t feel the urge to run after him And that was scariest of all Because there could be only one reason

Hunter Solozano

Chapter Fourteen

Madeline sat with Hunter in a corner booth at Two Sisters, with her back to the door Two Sisters did more breakfast and lunch business than dinner, but this was Friday and at six-thirty it was fairly crowded

Madeline kept her face averted fro at the other booths and tables They’d just finished ain for coffee and pie But she didn’t want to see anyone she knew She was still reeling from the events of the day Stillwater had always see looked different

As a result, she felt ju her to question everything she’d once believed

“You’re sure you want me to stay?” he asked

Was she? She was caught in the middle of some dark mystery that seemed to have no solution If he continued to search for the truth, she’d have to accept whatever he uncovered—good or bad And she already knehat he thought ht’ve happened