Page 119 of Need You
“What about this Fremont captain Pond wants to hire?”
“You know he used to do security for Pond’s company before he sold it?”
“The mayor said something about it. Why do you bring it up?” It wasn’t unusual for cops to moonlight.
“If you were stealing from the till, wouldn’t you want your own guy in the town’s top law-enforcement position?”
Colt hadn’t thought of it that way, probably because he wouldn’t protect anyone who was breaking the rules. “You think that’s what this is about?”
“I don’t know and I really shouldn’t be talking to you about any of this. I’m depending on you to keep it on the down low. Pond doesn’t know we’re looking at him and it would be better to keep it that way.”
“No problem. How are you stalling him from pulling the trigger on me?”
“I’ve told him that we have to take various legal steps to protect the city from getting sued, which isn’t altogether a lie.”
Colt nodded. “Okay. Thanks for giving me a heads-up.”
“I’ll let you know where we’re at when the dust clears.” Ben got up, shook Colt’s hand, and headed out.
Colt found Jack and a half dozen of his men and women gathered around Carrie Jo’s desk, gazing at him with troubled faces.
“Someone die?” he asked.
Carrie Jo was the first to speak. “What happened?”
“I still have a job ... at least for now ... so you can all go back to work.” Damn, he loved these people.
Carrie Jo launched herself at him with a big hug. “Thank the sweet baby Jesus. I’m still paying off my Nordstrom card.”
Colt gave her a squeeze, knowing she would’ve quit on his behalf. Jack grinned and there was a lot of back slapping. He didn’t have the heart to tell them that it wasn’t over yet. That if Pond came up clean, Colt would be out of there faster than a bullet train.
That evening he went over to Garner Adventure. His brothers, Delaney, Hannah, and Deb were gathered around the stage and catwalk they’d finally finished building in the center of the gym. Instead of covering the rock-climbing wall, Delaney wanted it as a backdrop, assuring everyone that with the proper lighting and special effects it would create a mood.
He didn’t see it, but assumed she knew what she was talking about. He brushed her waist with his hands, hoping to appear casual. Despite keeping their relationship—or whatever you called it—private, he itched to touch her. Get her in a corner and kiss her blind.
She smiled up at him. “How was your day?”
He wanted to tell them what he’d learned from Ben but couldn’t break his promise. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt the investigation.
“I wasn’t fired, so there’s that.”
“I bet Dad knows a guy who could take care of Pond Scum.” TJ made a gun with his fingers and pretended to shoot it.
“Not funny,” Colt said.
But Josh thought it was and started to laugh. So did Win.
“Enough.” Colt slugged Win in the arm because he was closest. “I’m the police chief. You shouldn’t be saying shit like that, even in jest.”
Someone rang the bell. Darcy must’ve locked the doors on her way out for the evening.
“That’s Boden with the food.” TJ crossed the room and let him in. Boden had some kind of catering cart filled with takeout. “Nice! Where’d you get that?”
“I’ve had it and never use it. Figured it would come in handy tonight.”
Boden started unloading to-go boxes. “Dig in, everyone.”
Colt grabbed a turkey burger for Delaney. If anyone noticed, they didn’t say anything. He took a steak sandwich for himself and sat next to her on one of the lobby couches.
