Page 108 of Need You
Chapter Eighteen
“That captain from the Fremont Police Department is back,” Jack said in a hushed tone as he stood in the doorway of Colt’s office. “He and Pond Scum came through here at about eight this morning.”
“Were they looking for me?” Colt had gotten in late after taking Delaney home from the hotel, showering, and changing into his uniform.
“I don’t think so. They went into your office, though. When I heard them I came to investigate and made it known that they shouldn’t be in here. After that they left.”
Colt thought they were probably taking measurements for Brian’s new desk. “Thanks, Jack. Why are you here, anyway?”
“I had some reports to finish and thought I’d clean my office. Between the summer hordes and the burglaries, I haven’t had time to organize.”
Colt sniffed bullshit. Jack was hoping Carrie Jo would come in, which she often did on weekends to catch up. He let it go, though. No reason to embarrass the dude, who clearly had it so bad for their receptionist that he’d waste a perfectly good Saturday off.
“You hear from your friend yet at SFPD?”
“Crickets,” Colt said. “I’ll bug him again. In the meantime, it might be good to put some feelers out there. The sheriff’s department or maybe even Nugget PD might have openings. If Brian comes in, he’ll want to select his own assistant chief, someone loyal to him.”
“I’m not worried about me, but I don’t like the bloody injustice of it. You’re an excellent chief, Colt, and you’re getting shafted.”
“Shit happens.” He tried to sound nonchalant about it, but it would hurt. The bottom line: Colt loved his job and would hate to lose it. “I’ve got a pretty good safety net.”
“You’d go full time at Garner Adventure?”
“Sure. It’s probably time I shouldered some weight there anyway.”
Jack snorted. “You shoulder plenty of weight. If I didn’t know better, I’d think there were two of you.”
“You’re a good friend, Jack.”
Jack started to go, then turned around. “If you don’t mind me asking, what’s going on with you and the fashion babe? She seems to have put a little pep in your step. It’s nice.”
Colt knew he’d been a downer since Lisa had left. “Don’t know.” He let out a breath. “I’m probably setting myself up for another heartbreak.” Not probably—he was. But he couldn’t seem to help himself where Delaney was concerned. He was like a kid who couldn’t stop himself from touching a bright flame. The hotter it burned the more it beckoned.
“Why? She not into you?”
“She’s into me.” At least in bed. “Her business is in LA.”
“So? That’s not so far. She planning to split her time between both?”
“I don’t think she knows yet. But when has the long-distance thing ever worked?” And eventually a wealthy fashion designer was going to get bored playing around with a small-town police chief. He could still see the expression on her face when he’d paid for the room at the Ritz. Yeah, that nine hundred bucks would set him back. But he’d do it again if it meant another night like the one he’d had with her.
“If you like her enough you’ll make it work. At least she’s being honest about her situation.” They both knew he was talking about Lisa, who’d sworn up and down she was done with the music industry, but as soon as the first call came in she was off like a shot. “You trust her?”
He had no reason not to. She’d been a straight shooter from the get-go, but he didn’t have any trust left in him. Not since Lisa took off and stole his song. Intellectually, he knew that he couldn’t judge all women by her. But emotionally he couldn’t seem to let his guard down, which made relationships difficult, if not impossible.
Everyone—everyone being his brothers—said he needed to confront his demons, but he didn’t know how. Once bitten, twice shy.
They heard rustling in the bull pen and Jack turned to see what it was. “Carrie Jo’s here.”
Colt watched his friend light up. Poor son of a gun.
“Hey.” She brushed by Jack and made herself comfortable on Colt’s couch. “The whole gang’s here.”
“Pond brought that captain from Fremont back again,” Jack told her.
She grimaced and turned to Colt. “Not good, right?”
He shrugged because what was he going to say?Yeah, I’m getting shit canned.
