Bad Girls Don't by Cathie Linz Page B

sank into his office chair and waved the fluttering Celeste away, his look intended to reassure her that he could handle this himself. “Please close the door on your way out, Celeste.”
    She slammed it.
    Great. Now he’d have to soothe her ruffled feathers. Later. One drama at a time. “What’s your interest in all this, Milton?”
    “I’m just trying to protect my uncle, that’s all.”
    The door opened and Owen joined them, waved in by a militant-looking Celeste. She didn’t approve of guests entering his office without her first announcing them, so she said, “Owen Dunback to see you, Sheriff.”
    “Thanks, Celeste, I can handle this. If you’d just close the door again, please?”
    She didn’t slam it quite so hard this time.
    Owen faced his nephew. “What are you doing, Milton?”
    “As I just told the sheriff, I’m just trying to protect you.”
    “By telling people I’m getting senile? Or by besmirching Skye’s reputation?”
    “Her reputation was bad before I said anything,” Milton said stiffly. “Before she even came here.”
    Owen glared at his nephew. “Just give it up, Milton. I’m warning you, I don’t want you spreading these vicious rumors about Skye. Or about me, for that matter. I’m no more senile than you are. In fact, I’d wager I’ve got my act together more than you do. I’m not the one who still sleeps with a night-light.”
    Milton’s expression instantly turned defensive. “My parents scarred me for life when they took me to see Poltergeist .”
    “Get over it,” Owen retorted. “And get over the idea that any of my money is coming your way. Or your wife Robin’s way. It’s not going to happen.”
    “Since my parents’ deaths, we’re your only next of kin.”
    “That doesn’t mean anything. Now stop wasting the sheriff ’s valuable time with this nonsense.”
    Milton’s face turned beet red before he pivoted, yanked open the door, and marched out, reminding Nathan of a pissed-off rooster.
    “I’d like a word with you,” Owen said to Nathan.
    Nathan nodded toward the still-open office door.
    Owen closed it and then sat down. “Did you speak to Skye about this situation?”
    “Yes.”
    “What did she say?”
    “She wasn’t real cooperative.”
    “Why should she be? You were as good as accusing her of lying and stealing. Despite the fact that I’d already given you all the relevant information, you insisted on going to see her. I told you it wasn’t a good idea. Young people.” Owen shook his head. “They just don’t listen.”
    “Did Skye come complaining to you after my visit?”
    Owen stared at him in astonishment. “Are you kidding? You don’t think Skye is capable of fighting her own battles?”
    “Her kid bites.”
    “I know. Did she get you?”
    “No.” Nathan shifted some papers on his desk. “Where’s the little girl’s dad?”
    “I don’t know. Skye never talks about him. Why did you want to know?”
    “Because she seems to be raising her kid without much discipline.”
    “I wouldn’t go there if I were you,” Owen warned him. “Skye is very touchy about the subject of her daughter.”
    “Yeah, I got that.”
    “I really don’t know why you two got off on such bad footing. Might have had something to do with your handcuffing her and hauling her off to jail.”
    “I didn’t haul her and she wasn’t in jail. She was here in my office.”
    “Skye has a thing against authority figures.”
    “Yeah, I got that, too.”
    “I’m sorry that my irritating nephew created a problem. I can assure you that there is nothing the least bit shady about my giving Skye that ticket.”
    “Not many people would hand over a million dollars to someone.”
    Owen shrugged. “I have more money than I need. She doesn’t. But she has a dream.”
    “To buy the Tivoli Theater.”
    “She told you?” Owen was clearly surprised.
    “Yeah, she mentioned it.”
    “Skye isn’t one to share her dreams.”
    “She’s not exactly the shy