Halos by Kristen Heitzmann Page B

another, the sheriff got out of his car, stiff again and clearly put out.
    “Young lady.” He joined her in the middle of the street. “I need you to come in now. You’re creating a disturbance.”
    Alessi spread her arms. “ I’m creating a disturbance? How about the guy in my car? Look at these tracks. What do you think made them, a UFO?”
    Sheriff Roehr fixed his hands to his hips. “I don’t like your tone. Fact is, no one saw a car but you.”
    “No one was sleeping in a store but me.”
    Steve caught up to them and took her by the arm. “Let’s go, Alessi.”
    She shook him loose. “Don’t grab me again, or I will not be responsible for what I do.” She meant it.
    “I’ll take that chance.” She swung for his jaw, but he gripped her wrist and pulled her close, hissing into her ear, “This is not the way.” He held on tight. She meant to fight free and could have, but instead her lower lip shook. Tears filled her eyes.
    He walked her past the sheriff, out of the intersection, and back to the store. She went along, angry and confused. Didn’t anyone understand? She’d seen her car, and whoever stole it was driving off with it right now.
    He brought her back to the storeroom, sat her down on the cot. “Are you all right?”
    “No, I’m not all right. I know what I saw, but you don’t believe me, and neither does the sheriff or anyone else in this town.”
    He looked into the shelves. “There are things you don’t understand.”
    She felt a chill. “What things?” Had she walked into some crazy scheme? Maybe the whole town stole cars and fenced them.
    “You ought to call your uncle and leave Charity.”
    She bolted to her feet, looking him in the eye. “I am not leaving without my car.” Her breath heaved in her chest, but she would not break down and sob. “Why won’t you help me?”
    “I am.”
    She shook her head, fists clenched at her sides. He caught her face and held it. His eyes were green, dark forest green with flecks of silver. They closed as he kissed her. Surprise turned to panic, then turned to wonder. He let go suddenly and stalked out without a word.
    The door clicked shut behind him. She dropped down on the cot and wrapped herself in her arms. What on earth just happened? Somewhere between falling asleep and this moment, she had left reality and entered The Twilight Zone .
    Of all the stupid, impetuous, imbecilic things to do. Steve kicked himself all the way home. Ben and Dave were lying in wait.
    “Well?” Ben said. “Was it her car?”
    “How should I know?”
    Dave took his glasses from his T-shirt pocket and put them on. “Did Cooper get a look?”
    “No, Cooper did not.” Steve flung himself onto the couch. “He almost arrested Alessi for disturbing the peace.”
    “Disturbing the peace?” Ben sank to the recliner across from him. “What did she do?”
    “Pointed out the donut tracks in the intersection and suggested all was not right in Charity.”
    Dave shook his head. “Something should be done.”
    Something had, and Steve kicked himself again. What lunatic had taken over his mind?
    Ben clasped, then unclasped his hands, then dropped them to his sides. He was the only person in Charity, besides Alessi, who’d seen the car—or admitted it. Steve wished he had more to go on, then wished he’d never gotten involved.
    Dave pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He wore them so infrequently he hadn’t had them sized right. “This is the first time it’s been something big.”
    Ben’s face lengthened. “Stealing is stealing. I just can’t believe anyone in Charity …”
    Steve sank into the couch. How could he so lose control? He wasn’t even attracted to her; he refused to be.
    Dave leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees. “Maybe it started as a prank, like Alessi thought, and the person got worried with Cooper called in and all.”
    Ben shook his head. “That doesn’t explain tonight. Who’d rub her nose in it?”
    Steve