Tyler Holmes was nervous.

In addition to his sweaty-palmed handshake, the nineteen-year-old’s respiration was shallow and his lips were stiff.

Nate closed his office door behind his three visitors.

This should be an interesting meeting.

“I’m sure you’re a busy man, Sheriff.” Roger Atwood took the seat Nate indicated, set his briefcase on the floor beside him, and folded his manicured hands on top of the conference table. “We won’t keep you from your duties for too long.”

As Nate took his own seat, and Tyler and his father settled in on either side of the attorney, he assessed the lawyer. While farming and serving in the military hadn’t given him much grounding in fashion, he’d wager that wasn’t an off-the-rack suit—and the guy’s silk tie probably cost more than he made in a full day of work.

Carl Holmes was spending big bucks for the luxury of being represented by a prestigious St. Louis law firm.

Meaning his son was either guilty of a serious crime, and high-priced expertise was required for bargaining power, or Tyler’s offenses were small, and his father wanted a smooth talker to negotiate the best deal possible for him.

“I always have time for people who are willing to share information that could help us solve a case.” Nate picked up his pen. If Atwood was hoping to intimidate or outwit a small-town sheriff, he was in for a surprise.

“We may, in fact, have information that will help you solve more than one case. But let’s be clear up front. We’re not here to discuss murder, which you implied to my client was on your radar.”

“Murder is always on my radar with suspicious deaths.”

“Let me cut to the chase, Sheriff.” The man gave him a daunting look designed to unnerve a witness on the stand in court. Didn’t faze him in the least. “My client wishes to make a clean start. In order to do that, he’s willing to atone for past indiscretions and cooperate with you on any cases about which he has knowledge. We want to handle this here, in your office, without the involvement of the prosecuting attorney—unless a victim objects. However, that won’t be an issue in most of the cases we plan to discuss.”

“I can’t promise how this will be handled until I know the severity of Tyler’s crimes.”

“They’re relatively minor offenses. That’s not an opinion. It’s a fact, based on statutes.”

Nate turned his pen end-to-end as he surveyed the three people sitting across from him. Other than a greeting during the handshake, neither Holmes had said a word. But Carl, who’d left his farm behind to don church clothes and be part of this meeting, and Tyler both wore serious expressions. They’d also initiated this get-together.

In light of their willingness to come forward, cooperation could be the best strategy if he wanted to get as much information as possible. Especially since he had no grounds at this stage to pursue charges against Tyler.