“All I can say is that Robert Ellison will be charged on counts of second-degree murder as soon as he awakens. That’s all I can tell you.”

Clark leaned closer as the local news showed Sheriff McGruder on the courthouse stairs. He stared at the television, which only displayed the sheriff’s retreating back. The news reporter rambled on, telling the good people of Mystique about the murder of Howard Alspeed and implying no one aside from Mr. Ellison could be guilty. After all, his fingerprints were on the murder weapon.

No comment was made how Mr. Ellison had received his own injuries.

Heat sprinted up the back of Clark’s neck. This might be a small town, but the sheriff was wrong in what he was saying, and the news station even more wrong to air his sound bite. Everyone in Mystique watched the news, and most people would believe every single thing said on air. Didn’t they realize they tarnished the jury pool with half facts?

Disgust pushing him, Clark shut off the television. Poor Mr. Ellison. Clark knew all about media hype and how what was reported often wasn’t the truth. Knew it firsthand and knew it well. He hadn’t met Mrs. Ellison, but maybe it would put her mind at ease to know Clark would do what he could to help. He had the Ellisons’ home address—maybe he should visit Mrs. Ellison?

Lord, what do I do? I know I haven’t been obedient, but I’m trying to get back on track. I could use a little direction here.

Clark paced the worn wooden floors of the living room. Would Mrs. Ellison find him too forward if he showed up on her doorstep at such a trying time? Would it put her mind at ease? He’d have loved for someone, anyone, to have believed in him during his ordeal.

He grabbed his keys and wallet, checked the address for the Ellisons’, then headed to his car. Driving into the ritzier part of town, Clark found the house. He parked the car and knocked on the door. No one answered. Had he made a mistake in coming?

Finally the door opened, and a young woman appeared. “Yes? May I help you?”

“I’m Clark McKay. Mrs. Ellison?”

The leggy woman tilted her head. “Uh, no. I’m Sheldon Powers, a friend of Amber’s.”

“Is Mrs. Ellison here?” He hadn’t thought this trip through very well. Mrs. Ellison was probably at the hospital.

“Yes, but I don’t think she’s up for guests at the moment.”

“Shel, who is it?”

No mistaking that voice. Gabby.

She joined Sheldon at the door, displeasure lining her delicate features. “Mr. McKay, what are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see Mrs. Ellison.”

“What for?” She planted her hands on her hips, widening her stance. Pure defensive move.

Most definitely he’d made a mistake in coming. Nothing to do about it now. “I just heard the news.”

“And what?”

“And wanted to come by and see if I could help.”

Gabby’s expressive features sharpened. “Help? How can you help?”

He straightened up, amused at how her defensive stance faltered a bit at the reminder of his height. “I thought maybe it would put Mrs. Ellison’s mind at ease to know I don’t believe Mr. Ellison is guilty.”

“What?”

“I realize I don’t know him well, but…” How could he admit he knew exactly how Mr. Ellison was feeling?

He paused. “I’d like for KLUV to do a special tonight.”

“You’ve already told everyone you’re the owner.”

He caught Gabby’s eyes narrowing. “I want to come out in support of Mr. Ellison’s innocence.”

Gabby crossed the threshold, disbelief in her tone. “And you want to go on the air with that tonight?”

“I do. I think our listeners need to know we support Mr. Ellison and—”

A wail broke out behind them.

Sheldon grabbed Gabby’s arm, pulling her back into the house. “Mr. McKay, now’s really not a good time. Gabby will be at the station on time if you want to discuss further business. Right now, we have a friend who needs us.”

Before he could reply, the door was shut in his face.

Surprise gave way to resignation as he made his way back to his car. His idea was a good one, he knew that. But clearly he had more work to do before Gabby or any of the other good people of Mystique truly trusted him.

It occurred to him that he shouldn’t care what Gabby thought about him or his motivations. He was her boss.

But he knew better than to lie to himself. What she thought mattered. A lot.

“Do you think it’s possible Sheriff McGruder is right?” Rayne settled into the passenger’s seat. Her total logic sometimes annoyed Gabby. This could very well be one of those times.

Gabby started the engine and put the Expedition in Reverse. “I don’t know. It’s possible, I guess, but I just can’t believe it.” She glanced at her friend. “What do you think?”

Rayne shrugged. “I just don’t know.”

Sheldon stuck her head between the two captains’ seats. “Logically, I can see where McGruder would come to such a conclusion.”

“But we know Robert.” Rayne lifted her shoulder.

Gabby’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I just can’t believe this is happening.”

“I won’t believe Robert’s involved,” Imogene huffed from the backseat.

Sheldon tapped her fingernails against the armrest. “But his prints on the gun…Maybe he was struggling to get the gun away from the killer before he was knocked out?” Her insight was probably inspired by the suspense novels she read—claiming it was all part of a librarian’s duty—but Gabby had to admit that her suggestion made sense.

“Okay, if Robert didn’t kill Howard, then who did?” Tonna crossed her arms over her chest.

Wasn’t that the loaded question?

Sheldon broke the silence. “I just don’t know what to make of it all.” She caught Gabby’s eye in the rearview mirror. “With Mr. McKay owning the station now, what does this mean for your job, Gab?”

“I really don’t know.”

Rayne shook her head. “Don’t you go worrying about that now, girl. I’ll hire you in two shakes of a sheep’s tail if something happens.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.” But she wouldn’t take that job. No, she hadn’t gone to Ole Miss and gotten her degree in communications to work at a bed-and-breakfast, no matter how high in cotton it sat. And she wouldn’t leave her field—it’d be like proving to Blake Riggsdale that he’d beaten her. After their disastrous relationship, she’d given up journalism, but wouldn’t give up on broadcasting.

“We won’t let you lose out on buying that house. We know what it means to you,” Immy said in a quiet voice, understanding Gabby’s dream.

“Well, when I drove by, there was a Sold sign on it and the grass had been mowed. So, it might not even play into the equation.” She let out a sigh that nearly choked her heart.

“Sold?” Immy’s eyes widened. “There has to be a mistake. The Realtor swore she’d give you a heads-up if a bid came in on the place.”

“I forgot to call the Realtor.” Gabby shrugged. “With everything else happening, I guess this will wait.”

“Don’t worry about things you have no control over.” Immy gave Gabby’s shoulder a squeeze. “This didn’t catch God by surprise. He’s still on the throne and still in control.”

Gabby couldn’t fight the smile tickling her lips. “I know. It’s just hard right now to remember that.” She parked the SUV in the apartment complex’s lot. “Thanks, y’all. I guess I’d better get ready for work. My new boss is coming in. Again.” Gabby opened the driver’s door and stepped out.

Tonna dug her keys from her purse. “I’ll be praying for Robert. And you.”

The others echoed their agreement.

“Do we want to meet at Minnie’s for supper tomorrow and see where things stand?” Rayne asked Gabby.

“Sure. Seven-thirty?”

“I’ll be there,” Sheldon stated.

“Me, too,” Immy agreed while Tonna nodded.

“Great.” Gabby smiled, sending a silent prayer of thanks for having such loyal and loving friends in her life. “I’ll call y’all as soon as I can to update.”

And she prayed she’d have good news to tell.

Two hours later, Gabby was in the studio. “Thanks for tuning in tonight, Mystique. Tonight we won’t be taking calls. Most of you have heard that our former longtime owner, Robert Ellison, was named today as the sheriff department’s leading suspect in the murder of Howard Alspeed.” Gabby swallowed back the lump in her throat.

Clark smoothly filled the gap her emotions blocked. “I haven’t known Mr. Ellison nearly as long as you folks in town, but from what I do know and from the way he conducted the business of selling KLUV, I firmly believe in Mr. Ellison’s innocence and am confident the truth will come to light.”

She smiled her appreciation. “Thank you for your support, Mr. McKay. Robert Ellison is a pillar of our community, a good man. I stand behind him and will press for the truth to be revealed. The truth about what happened to another member of the KLUV family, Howard Alspeed.” Again, emotions held her voice in check.

“Tragedy has fallen on the station, but we believe Mr. Ellison’s arrest is just that—a tragedy.” Clark straightened, his hands in tight fists on the desk. “We will cooperate with the police in any way possible to clear Mr. Ellison’s name.”

If she weren’t on the air, she might very well have swooned right then. As it was, her stomach did little flips. “I’ve looked up to Mr. Ellison for years. Some of you know Robert personally, some of you only in passing.” Tears clouded her vision. “I won’t rest until the truth is revealed, the real murderer is behind bars and Robert’s name is fully cleared.”

“And I’m authorizing use of the station’s resources to assist Gabby in this noble endeavor.”

Oh, now she could really kiss him. “So, Mystique, you heard what happened to poor Mr. Alspeed. If you have any information, regardless of how insignificant you may think it is, about the morning of the murder, please call Sheriff McGruder. I’m sure he’ll appreciate your help.” She queued off her mic, chuckling, and looped a commercial set.

“Bet the sheriff isn’t going to be too happy with you.”

“No, I doubt it.” She shrugged. “But maybe, just maybe, somebody will have seen a car or something. We’ve gotta help where we can because McGruder sure isn’t looking any further for suspects than Robert.”

“Oftentimes, truth is the first casualty when an investigation begins.”

She detected something in his voice. Sadness? Gabby narrowed her eyes, studying him. “Speaking from experience?”

“Well…”

She held up a finger. “Hold that thought for just a second.” Gabby leaned over her mic. “Instead of taking calls tonight, I’ll be playing some songs from Robert’s and Howard’s favorites list. To remember and honor these members of the KLUV family.” She flipped off her mic and queued up a music loop.

Leaning back in her chair, she gazed at Mr. McKay. “You were saying?”

He held that thought…and saw no reason to volunteer the information about his past. The smear campaign that had been waged against his paper, the friends he’d lost when he’d refused to back down from the truthful, if controversial, article—all of that was part of his past he’d be just as happy to forget.

The bitter taste of betrayal still scorched his tongue.

Gabby cleared her throat, still waiting for a response.

“Nothing.”

He looked at Gabby, the studio light highlighting the nostalgic tears in her eyes and the soft smile on her face.

Yes, he was more than willing to forget the past when the present and future seemed so bright.