Oliver sighed. “I want to help this family. Let me see if I can get Garrett to talk about what the real problem is.”

“Have at it.”

Tess walked over to where Bender was leaning against his patrol pickup. “Pastor Mac wants to talk to him.”

Bender nodded, and he and Tess ambled over to her SUV while Oliver opened the truck door to talk to Garrett.

“Did he have anything to say to you when you found him?” Tess asked.

“Nah.” Gabe scratched his forehead. “To be honest, he seemed scared more than anything. Not scared of me, but scared of something.”

“Hmm.” Tess cast a glance toward Oliver. He appeared to be listening intently, so maybe he’d get some answers.

–––

“Garrett, I’m here as a friend. I don’t want to send you to jail. Janie and the kids need you. But can you tell me why you busted up the trailer?”

Garrett wouldn’t look at him and for a minute was silent. Oliver almost gave up, but Garrett finally spoke up.

“I didn’t do that. I was out getting some wood for the stove. Mr. Polk had some—you can ask him. I didn’t lock the door because I knew I wouldn’t be long. I got back home and the place was trashed.”

“Why didn’t you say so? If the trailer was burglarized, the police need to know.”

He banged his head against the door. “Don’t want the police to know.”

“But why? They’re ready to send you to jail for something you say you didn’t do.”

He hit the doorframe with the side of his head and moaned. “Ahh, it’s all wrong! It’s all wrong!”

“What’s wrong, Garrett? Tell me. I want to help.”

“I tell you, you tell the cops.”

Oliver frowned. “If you know who the burglar is—”

“It’s not that. It’s . . .” He finally met Oliver’s gaze, and tears streamed down his cheeks. “I made a mistake, a big one. And the fire ruined everything.”

“If it’s a mistake, then maybe we can fix it. Tell me what you did.”

“You can’t tell the cops. I’m begging you: don’t tell the cops.”

Oliver knew he couldn’t violate a confidence, at least not an emotional plea like this. “If I can keep your secret, I will. But, Garrett, I’m not going to hide something from the chief that is serious or may lead to someone being hurt.”

Garrett sniffled. “It’s killing me. I have to tell you.”

Oliver waited.

After a couple shuddering breaths, Garrett composed himself. “I did a favor for someone. He asked me to keep some things for him. I hid them in our cellar. In our old house. I didn’t know they were all going to burn up in the fire.”

“Of course you couldn’t know that. Surely this fellow must understand—”