Sheriff Huggins sighed. “We won’t know the answer for sure until Miguel comes out of surgery, but if what you say is true, we think Sydney learned about Annika’s drug business and stole a painting to prove it. We think she tried to tell Miguel because she trusted him. Mrs. Donovan remembered that Sydney volunteered at the community center and helped with the veterans’ art program. It’s probably where they met.”

“And Annika exploited that relationship,” Charlie added.

“Annika called him a baby killer. Said he killed innocent women and children in Vietnam.”

“Vietnam was a different war. Miguel’s Army unit was involved in a horrific act of violence against a small village. However, Miguel and two other servicemen tried to halt the violence and protect the hiding villagers.” Sheriff Huggins let out a long sigh. “Soldiers come home as heroes nowadays, but not back then. We returned home to humiliation. Were spit on. Called names. Came home as scapegoats for a war no one understood. For Miguel, it was much, much worse. When it was reported what took place in that village, he and the two other soldiers were called traitors. They were shunned and humiliated by the country they swore to protect. After a long investigation into the massacre and a trial, it was determined Miguel acted heroically. Ten or so years ago, they issued him a medal, but it was too late. The damage to his reputation and his mind had already been done.”

“That’s why he kept saying he was protecting her.” Tears streaked down Lane’s face and fell into her lap. “Protecting them.”

Raw emotion choked Charlie. He doubted anyone in Walton knew about the hero who kept himself hidden in the woods. How many others were like Miguel—like Lane—hiding in the shadows of lies, believing they didn’t deserve to live?

“One of the symptoms of PTSD is flashbacks or memory confusion. It’s likely Miguel was confusing Sydney’s death with the deaths of the villagers,” Sheriff Huggins explained.

There was a knock at the door. Deputy Wilson stepped inside Sheriff Huggins’s office. “Sir, Miguel Roa is out of surgery.”

“I’d like to see him.” Lane wiped her face. “I want to be there when he wakes up. Make sure he knows he saved my life.”

“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Sheriff Huggins’s fatherly concern returned. “You’ve been through a lot.”

“Not as much as Miguel has.” Her gaze moved from the sheriff to Charlie. “I just want him to have a friend there.”

“I’ll go with you.” Charlie held his breath. “If that’s okay?”

“I’d like that.”

Lane’s smile reached her eyes and he breathed deeply.