Read Online The Loyal Heart by Shelley Shepard Gray - Free Book Online

for years like the rest of them, but he was no tenderfoot. There was a will of iron lurking behind his easy, relaxed expression and slow Texas drawl.
    And in that hint of iron, Robert found a measure of respect for him. The sheriff grew in his estimation. “Where would you like to talk?”
    “Not here. It’s too public.”
    “No offense, but I’d prefer not to meet in your offices.” A lawman’s offices were always barely one step away from his holding cells, and Robert had no desire to ever be that close to a set of iron bars again.
    “None taken.” Sheriff Kern looked amused. “Perhaps you would join me on a walk? I could show you the sights. Galveston is a progressive city with a lot to be proud of.”
    Satisfied that Kern didn’t seem to be harboring any ulterior motives, Robert gestured to his right. “I was about to revisit your square.”
    The lawman frowned. “Ah. Well, if you don’t mind, I’d rather not go there right now.”
    “Anywhere else in mind?”
    Looking as if he’d just discovered oil, his expression brightened. “I know. There’s a place at the end of one of the docks that I find particularly pleasing. How about there?”
    Robert was officially intrigued. “I can’t think of a better spot I’d like to see.”
    Kern turned on his heel and started down a nearby alleyway that Robert hadn’t even noticed. After a moment’s hesitation, Robert followed, wondering all the while if he was about to be set up to be ambushed.
    Though it was midday, the alley was dark and narrow and smelled like forgotten trash and desolation. It was also damp and held a peculiar chilliness, in direct contrast to the relative warmth on the public square. Here and there sat poor lost souls—some men, some women holding a child or two. Their disinterest in both the sheriff’s approach as well as the unfamiliar stranger’s appearance spoke volumes. They’d been through much and didn’t hold out hope for anything to change.
    Just as Robert slowed to stare in wonder at one of the women who looked like little more than skin and bones, he heard the rustling and squeal of a rat racing across his path. He released a low cry of alarm before he could stop himself.
    Kern glanced over his shoulder with a chuckle. “There are more rats here in Galveston than people. You’ll get used to ’em.”
    Robert sincerely hoped he did not. “You need some cats.”
    “Not for those rats. They’re big as coons and mean as snakes. I wouldn’t put any creature I liked in their paths. But don’t worry, Billy’ll catch him sooner or later. He always does.”
    “Billy? He your rat catcher or something?”
    The sheriff let loose a bark of laughter, its sound reverberating around the brick walls of their enclosure. “Heck no. This ain’t England. He’s just an old codger man with a way with rodents. He says they’re good eating.”
    “You haven’t tried?”
    Sheriff Kern visibly shuddered. “To my good fortune, I have not. Even when times were tough around here, they were never that tough.” As they exited the alleyway, Kern gestured to the harbor looming ahead. “ ’Course, I’d rather eat a fish any day of the week. What about you, Lt. Truax?”
    Robert was momentarily taken aback by the title. It seemed that the sheriff, for all his good-ole-boy persona, was actually far sharper than he let on. He wondered how he’d discovered his rank in twenty-four hours. Or had he known on Johnson’s Island? “I’ve had rat,” he said at last. “But only once. It wasn’t a meal worth repeating.”
    “Don’t imagine it was. Fan of fish?”
    “From time to time.”
    “I’ll see if my sister, Diana, can cook up some while you’re here visiting. She has a way with catfish and frog legs.”
    “I’ll pass on the frogs, if you don’t mind.”
    Kern grinned. “You’re kinda particular for a man who has spent time in prison.”
    He was particular because he’d spent time in prison. Instead of sharing that point, Robert