“Sorry to bother you, Sheriff.” Eleanor entered, bearing two pink message slips. “These came in from dispatch while you were in your meeting. Both incidents are being covered, but I thought you’d want to know about them.”

“Thanks.” He gave the two sheets a quick read. Another car accident, this one involving a tractor, and a shoplifting incident.

“I saw Tyler Holmes here, with his father. Is he in trouble again?”

“No. I got the impression he’s seen the light.”

She sniffed. “That would be a welcome change. We don’t need any more delinquency disrupting our community.” She brushed an imaginary speck off her pristine black skirt. “You do know he’s had a number of run-ins with the law.”

“Yes.”

“He gave Sheriff Blake fits for a while.” She expelled a breath. “I hope he has seen the light.”

“Based on the information he provided today, I’d say that’s a safe bet. Unless he wants to start with a clean slate, why else would he admit he’d vandalized Grace Reilly’s car?”

The woman’s eyes widened. “Mercy! He was the culprit? Why on earth would he damage her car?”

“He claims someone paid him to do it.”

Eleanor didn’t attempt to hide her skepticism. “In light of his history, I’d take that with a grain of salt. But no matter why he did it, it was a crime.”

“He offered to pay for the damage if Dr. Reilly agrees not to press charges.”

“Hmph. Seems to me he’s looking for an easy way out.”

“Or a second chance to turn his life around.”

“I suppose that’s possible.” Her dubious tone suggested otherwise. “On a different subject, would you mind if I leave half an hour early today? Tonight’s my night to deliver meals through the church program, and I have an extra stop. The summer flu that’s going around is felling volunteers left and right.”

“No problem.” He set the message slips down. “You ever run into Dr. Reilly during your work with the program?”

“No.” She cocked her head. “Does she deliver too?”

“I think she’s on the weekend cooking crew.”

“The cooks and the drivers never see each other. But I commend her for volunteering. From what I’ve gathered during our conversations, she works long hours. She can’t have much free time.”

“That’s my impression too.” But she’d be squeezing fun into her schedule in the future if he had anything to say about it. “Go ahead and take off. I’ll be here for a while.”

“Thank you. Enjoy your evening.”

She shut the door behind her as she left, and Nate swiveled toward the window. In the distant sky, a hawk soared in search of prey.

It was possible Eleanor’s take on Tyler was sound. His history didn’t provide much basis for trust. Perhaps he was letting the young man off too easy.

But he hadn’t picked up one ounce of duplicity in him during their meeting.

Besides, the decision about whether to accept the restitution offer was Grace’s, not his. From what he knew about her, though, she’d give Tyler a second chance. And it shouldn’t be difficult to convince the attorney for Mavis Templeton to do the same.