My Duplicated Husband novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: Golf Buddy

The sheriff's cruiser pulled into our driveway at seven the next morning.

I saw it from the kitchen window with a mug of tea halfway to my mouth.

Lorne came to stand beside me, his hair still wet from the shower.

"Is that who I think it is?"

"The man who plays golf with him," I said.

"With me."

"With the one who wasn't you."

He took the mug from my hand, because the tea was slopping over, and set it on the counter.

"Okay," he said. "Follow my lead."

"You don't know what he looks like."

"Then follow yours."

A big man in a tan uniform got out of the car and put on his hat.

A younger deputy climbed out of the passenger side and stayed by the fender.

The sheriff walked up our porch steps slowly, looking at the garage the whole way.

I opened the door before he knocked.

"Lydia," he said warmly. "Morning. Sorry for the hour."

"Not at all. Come in."

"I'll just be a minute." He took off his hat and stepped inside, and his gaze landed on my face.

The bruise had gone green at the edges.

I'd covered what I could with concealer, and it didn't hide a thing.

"That looks sore," he said. "You fall again?"

"I'm clumsy."

"You always say that."

It was kindly said, and it wasn't kind at all.

He walked into the kitchen.

Lorne stood at the counter with his back straight.

"Lorne!" the sheriff said, and clapped him on the shoulder.

"There he is. We were starting to worry."

"You look like you lost forty pounds in a weekend."

Lorne held out his hand.

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