Then I'd ask you to keep an open mind, Josie says. That's all. Something about her calm unsettles him more than tears would have. Grant watches from the booth, arms still crossed, feeling like he's won. He doesn't notice Ryan staring down at the table, jaw tight, saying nothing.
He doesn't notice Frank Doyle still on his stool, not touching his coffee, watching everything with the sharp eyes of a man who used to do this job. As Larkin leads Josie toward the door, the diner bell chimes behind them. Someone else is walking in. The woman who steps through the door looks exactly like Josie. Same height, same eyes, same quiet, dangerous calm.
For one long second, the whole diner seems to freeze in place. She's wearing a deputy's uniform. County badge catching the light on her chest. Her eyes find Josie first cuffed hands. Sheriff at her side.
Then they move slow and deliberate across the room. Landing on Grant, then Chase, then Dean, then Ryan, then Cole. Five faces. She studies each one like she's memorizing them for later. Sheriff, she says, voice even.
I'm going to need you to hold on a moment. Larkin blinks. "I'm Deputy Addie Mallister, county office, next district over. " She holds up her badge. That's my sister.
You're walking out of here in cuffs. The diner goes utterly silent. Even the coffee pot seems to stop hissing. Grant recovers first, smug despite himself. Family reunion.
How touching. Addie turns to look at him. Really look at him. The kind of look that makes grown men want to sit down quietly. You must be Grant Whitmore, she says.
I've heard a lot about you. All good things, I hope, Grant says, grinning at his friends. Not one word of it, Addie says. She steps further into the room, slow, unhurried, every eye on her now. I don't know exactly what happened here today.
Not yet. But I know my sister, and I know when something's been staged. Grant's smile falters just barely. That's a big accusation. It's not an accusation, Addie says.
It's a warning. She looks at each of the five young men in turn one more time. Then she says the words that will echo through this town for years. Drop my sister or get five coffins ready. Nobody laughs this time.
For one full moment, nobody in the diner moves. Sheriff Larkin clears his throat uncomfortable. Deputy, that's a serious thing to say. It's meant to be, Addie says, not backing down an inch. Grant stands up from the booth trying to reclaim the room.
Are you threatening us in front of a sheriff? I don't make threats, Addie says calmly. I make promises I intend to keep. And that promise has five names attached to it right now. Frank Doyle finally speaks, rising slowly from his stool.
Deputy Mallister, he says carefully. Did you say Mallister? Addie turns to him, something flickering behind her composed expression. "That's right. " Frank's face goes pale like he's seeing a ghost standing in front of him.