Deputy Dave concentrated on Adam. “The complaint suggested you’d given her those bruises.”

“No!” Elle’s eyes flashed. She turned to Adam. “You didn’t tell me you had malicious neighbors.”

“Not malicious,” Adam said. “Concerned.”

“Nosy,” Elle insisted.

Adam gave a shrug, one shoulder only.

“That takes care of the official complaint.” Deputy Dave grimaced at his multigrain toast, smiled at his bacon and eggs and went to work. After the first few bites, he said, “This is good! What’s your name, miss, if I might ask?”

At once, she felt tense, defensive. “I told you. I’m Elle.”

“That’s all? Elle?” Deputy Dave kept his gaze on the eggs.

“Yes.”

He glanced up. “How did you get those contusions? The marks on your throat?”

“Adam Ramsdell has never hurt me.”

Adam patted her hand. “Take it easy. Deputy Dave is one of the good guys.”

She yanked her hand away. “I’m not going to get you in trouble for something you did not do.”

Deputy Dave asked, “Would you like to tell me who did do this to you?”

She bent her head and shook it.

“Sometimes victims are ashamed of what’s happened to them. They blame themselves. Whoever hurt you deserves the blame and deserves to face a judge and be convicted of abuse. My father was a guy like whoever gave you those bruises, and my mother died at his hand.”

“I am so sorry,” Elle murmured.

“People get into law enforcement for a lot of different reasons. That’s mine.” Deputy Dave finished eating, put his dishes in the sink and poured himself another cup of coffee. “I have only empathy for you and your ordeal.”

“Thank you.” Elle flashed him a smile. “I appreciate your candor. But I can’t tell you what happened. All I can tell you is that Adam Ramsdell rescued me from a watery death and let me stay here with him. Whoever is complaining about my screaming—I’m sorry, but I can’t help it. Believe me, I wish I could.”

“I figured Adam for the good guy. Don’t worry about the screaming.” Deputy Dave put his business card by her elbow. “I’m always around if you want to talk.” Something whistled like a teapot, and with massive good humor, he unbuttoned his shirt pocket and retrieved his phone. “That’s a text. I imagine I’m back on duty. But I got to finish a meal!” He read the text, and the way he moved, the expression he wore, made it clear he was indeed back on duty.

“What is it?” Adam asked.

“A body was found on Bustier Basin Ranch.” Deputy Dave looked into Elle’s eyes, then Adam’s. “Either of you know anything about this?”

Elle stood and put her hand on Deputy Dave’s arm. “What? Who?”