Malicious Intent (Soulscape #5)

CH 35

Dennis put his concerns about Frank on hold while he met with Ken Wilson. That Marcy and Deputy Morgan joined Wilson in the private office, was unexpected and immediately put Dennis on alert—especially since the only remaining deputy, Bradley Dean, was not among them.

"What is this about?" He addressed Deputy Wilson.

"Deputy Dean, sir."

"I see." He leaned against the front of his desk. "What has he done now?"

"Plenty," Ken Wilson replied. "He's been making slanderous remarks concerning you and... and Marlene Scott. As well as questioning your handling of Randall Scott's case."

Dennis frowned. "How do you know this?"

"Me, sir," Sean answered. "Deputy Dean... talked quite a bit during our last shift together. He also made derogatory remarks about me and Deputy Wilson, but that isn't the issue today."

Rubbing his mouth, Dennis asked, "What slanderous things did he have to say about Marlene and I?"

Sean hesitated and repeated the other deputy's not-so-veiled accusations.

Dennis held his anger in check. Marlene was still in the throes of a traumatic experience; she didn't need rumors spread about her as well. "And his issue with how I handled Randall's case?" When the young deputy hesitated yet again, Dennis added, "His exact words."

The young man relayed his conversation with Bradley Dean.

"So..." Dennis murmured thoughtfully, "he's implying that I... what? Planted evidence against Randall? Lied about what I witnessed?"

"It seemed that way, sir," Sean spoke quietly. "I think... I think he's trying to exonerate Randall."

"By implying I framed him?"

"Seems so." Sean averted his eyes as if simply repeating Dean's slander somehow made him guilty by association. It didn't.

Dennis sighed. "I had a feeling I was going to have problems with him." He looked at each of them. "Just for the record, there is nothing of a romantic nature going on between Marlene and myself. We're family and we care about one another as family... as friends. Nothing more."

"That's no one's business, sir," Ken mumbled.

"I know." He briefly met Marcy's stare as a twinkle sparkled through her eyes. Of course, she already knew his relationship with his sister-in-law was purely platonic. "But I just wanted to make that clear." For a split second, he swore he saw relief wash over Ken Wilson's face, but then it was gone. Or maybe he'd imagined it.

Sean cleared his throat. "That's not all, sir." The young deputy went on to tell Dennis about the encounter in the pub. "And, too..." he glanced at Marcy, "Deputy Dean has been—"

"I'll tell him," Marcy said softly, touching his arm. "But... do you mind if I speak to the sheriff alone?"

"Of course." Sean smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "You're doing the right thing."

Ken nodded his approval as well as he and Sean exited the office.

An uneasy feeling settled in Dennis' gut. "Does this have to do with your odd behavior yesterday?"

Marcy nodded. "Yes."

"That was about Dean?"

She nodded again. "He... he's been coming onto me pretty strong." She swallowed and hugged herself. "I..."

"Here." Dennis directed her to one of the chairs before his desk. "Sit."

"Thank you." Marcy sank onto the firm cushion.