Page 67 of Gideon

Peters moved closer to the cell. “I wouldn’t get smart if I were you. You’re in no position to have an attitude.”

“I’ll tell you what. I promise to do whatever is the wisest option.”

“Good. I’m glad we’re in agreement.”

Gideon put on his shoes when the sheriff opened the door. If he had never come back to Asher, what would he be doing now? His leg would have been mostly healed on its own, and he could have been back to work.

“Remember what I said,” Peters said as he walked Gideon to the door. “Don’t let the mayor regret giving you a second chance to redeem yourself. He’s a generous man, but I’ll only allow that to go so far.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Peters opened a large filing cabinet drawer and pulled out Gideon’s backpack. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” Once outside, he checked his phone, which thankfully had a little battery life left.

“Shouldn’t you be calling a lawyer with your one phone call?” Nikki said when she answered.

“They let me go. I’m calling for a ride if you’re free. Sorry to keep doing this to you.”

“You’re out?”

“Yeah, but my phone’s almost dead.”

“I’ll come now. They didn’t press charges?”

“Fairfax didn’t want to.”

“Why?”

“No idea. Maybe he knows there’s a risk if this goes to court. But I was threatened to leave town again.”

“Like that’s going to happen now.”

“I’m undecided.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry, Nikki. I don’t want to lead you on.”

“But I thought?—”

“I know. But I wasn’t expecting things to go this way. I’m putting people’s lives in danger being here.”

“What about what Eric said?”

“Maybe he got it wrong.”

“Gideon.”

“I haven’t made any decisions. But I need to go home, have a shower, and think. I also need to see how my dad’s doing. Have you heard anything?”

“I don’t think he knows what happened to you. My mom visited him last night. She said he’s improving, but we can stop at the hospital on the way home if you want.”

“Your mom visited him? Why?”

“She wanted to help.”

“She doesn’t need to do that. They barely know each other.”

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