Page 34 of Rainbows Over Cedarwood

Leave him? Now who was foolish? If he lived—which he was going to do, goddamn it—they’d have a witness. He cracked open one eye and listened for their retreat. Thankfully when they drove off in his SUV, they didn’t back up and run him over. He waited for the vehicle to disappear down the road. He groaned. Everything ached, but he needed to get to safety.

Colt managed to drag himself across the yard to the fence separating the bank property and the adjacent private property. Hopefully there was someone home next door. He crawled through the grass, keeping the fence to his side. He smelled the scent of barbecue and heard people talking. Had they heard him getting beaten up? He didn’t have time to worry about that. He inched across the small yard to the front porch.

Colt struggled up the three stairs to the wooden porch. Once he reached the door, he pressed the doorbell and slumped onto the mat. He tried to stay awake to explain why he was on the person’s porch, but his best attempts had failed him. He curled into the fetal position on the porch and slipped into unconsciousness.

Sorry, Ashley. I’m so sorry.

* * * *

Ashley strolled the length of the apartment again and gripped his cell phone. He should’ve heard from Colt by now. He chuffed out a breath and checked the clock—five-thirty-five. He had no idea how to get to Colt’s house or what his address was. They should’ve done a little more talking and sharing of information and a spent a lot less time naked, but it was too late to change the past.

He called Colt’s number again. Like the first time, the call went straight to voicemail. He’d left a message the first time and adding a second wouldn’t do any good. He poked his head into Wyatt’s room.

His son sat in front of his computer. “I got to level three on the reading program.” He pointed to the screen. “See?”

“You did?” He glanced over his son’s shoulder. Sure enough, the six-year-old had reached the next level on the program created to teach children to read. By the time the kid made it to the second grade, he’d be unstoppable. “I’m proud of you, tot. That’s awesome. Show me the next question.”

He watched Wyatt click through to the next question.

“I have to read it out loud.” Wyatt pointed to the words. “The fat cat jumped onto the shelf.”

The cat on the screen jumped onto the shelf and reacted to Wyatt’s reading. “Congratulations. Next problem.”

“Cool, Wyatt. You’re doing awesome.” He clapped his son on the shoulder. “I’m going to call Colt, okay? Come out to the living room if you need me.”

Wyatt nodded and returned to his game.

Ashley wandered into the living room and dialed Colt’s phone again. Like the last two times, Colt didn’t answer and the call went to voicemail. His gut clenched. Something wasn’t right. He’d only known Colt for a few days, but the connection had run deep. After the night before and the scared look in his eyes, Colt had been unnerved.

Ashley dialed Jordan’s number. If anyone would know what to do, Jordan would. After two rings, Jordan answered. “Ashley, how are you?”

“I can’t find Colt,” Ashley blurted.Shit.He’d meant to sound casual and not to let his emotions get away from him.

“Well, I’m not at the station. It’s my night off.” Jordan paused. “You’re worried about Colt. Why? What do you mean, you can’t find him? The diner is closed. It’s always closed on Sundays. Maybe he’s at home? Dropped his phone in the sink? Ran it over with the car? Left it in the car?”

“Maybe,” Ashley said. He exhaled and forced himself to settle. “I called his phone three times and can’t reach him. I don’t know if he’s got a home phone and I don’t know his address.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Jordan, you’re a cop. After the crap at the diner and the letter from the coalition, you can’t tell me nothing seems wrong about this.”

“You’re right. It doesn’t feel right, but that’s the scrape. I can’t jump to conclusions.”

“Should I call the department?” Ashley asked.

“You can call them, but if you tell them he’s missing, I can tell you the answer right now. They won’t do a missing person report because he’s over eighteen and can come and go as he pleases,” Jordan said. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not saying he ran away or just up and walked away.” Ashley gritted his teeth. He understood Jordan’s view on the matter, but still, he needed help. “I’m worried that the coalition escalated.”

“Give me five minutes, okay? I’ll see what I can find out.”

“Thanks,” Ashley said. “I’ll be here.” He swiped his thumb across the screen to end the call, but Jordan had beaten him to the punch. Ashley sighed. He’d never been one to wring his hands, but he felt so helpless. The look in Colt’s eyes when he’d shown up at the apartment haunted Ashley. Colt was a strong man, but the picketers and the threatening tactics of the coalition hadn’t just worried him, they’d gotten under his skin and under Ashley’s skin, too.

He shook his head. There had to be a simple reason he couldn’t reach Colt. Had to. Right? Car trouble? Maybe he’d gone out for some special ingredient and blown a tire? He’d stopped in a bad or low phone signal area?

Ashley held on to hope, but he doubted hope would be enough.

“Dad? What’s wrong?” Wyatt crept up to him and grabbed Ashley’s left hand.

“Something’s wrong with my friend Colt.” He couldn’t lie to his son, but he’d put the words in terms his son could understand.

“The diner guy?” Wyatt asked.

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