Page 59 of Chasing Justice
She made sure the AC unit for Juniper’s compartment was on and went inside to see what Josh had found out about her grandfather. Maya took in the lobby’s ’70s decor that included black-and-cream square tiles and worn old yellow cushy chairs. Above the chairs was an older photo of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker—the twin sisters, as the locals called them. The photo had faded over time. Her grandfather really needed to allocate some money to updating the station and a new picture of the majestic twin sisters.
The station hadn’t changed since she was a little girl. At that time, her grandfather had been a deputy. Her grandmother would bring her in to visit. Pops would pick Maya up and twirl her around, making her giggle, and then give her a kiss before placing her on the floor. She missed those days when everything was simple and both of her grandparents were there. At the time, Maya had taken that for granted.
Tears threatened to well up. She balled up her hands into fists. They would find her grandfather. No matter what.
“Maya, good to see you.” Sam strolled out into the lobby area.
“Hey, Sam. Thanks for your help earlier today.”
He gave Maya a hug and then stepped back. “We’ll find him, I promise. All the guys are working hard on it.”
“Good to hear.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here with Josh. We’re investigating a case together. It might tie in with Pops’s disappearance.”
Sam narrowed his eyes. “Be careful with Deputy Colten. I don’t know why your grandfather hired him, but I don’t trust him. He’s got a checkered past.”
Maya didn’t know how to answer. She trusted Sam and knew if he was warning her, it was in her best interest, but Josh had done nothing to make her suspicious. Except kiss her. Maybe that in itself should make her suspicious.
There was also the text message he’d received. Why wouldn’t Josh answer her questions—unless he had something to hide?
“I’ll be careful, Sam,” Maya said. “You and Pops taught me well.”
“We did. Pretty proud of you, kid, but be careful with Colten. I saw his profile jacket. Didn’t get a chance to read all of it, but he got his partner killed in the line of duty.”
Josh had told her that, but Maya decided she needed to learn more and find out the details about what had happened to his partner. Shedidtrust Pops and if he’d hired Josh, then there had to be more to the story. Maya knew after being in Afghanistan that shit happened in tense situations.
“Maybe there’s a good explanation. I don’t think Pops would have hired him if there wasn’t.” Why did she feel the need to defend Josh? Sam cared about her and was watching out for her well-being. That was all. Maybe she should listen to Sam’s warning, especially since she’d seen another side to Josh today with the text message.
“I just want you to be safe. Watch your back working with him. Okay?”
“Okay. Thanks,” Maya said, not knowing how to react.Am I capable of judging people anymore? First Doug and now Josh?Maybe Josh was too good to be true and didn’t have any feelings toward her, but rather was using her. She wouldn’t let her guard down again or let Josh’s good looks influence her.
First chance she had, she would get into Pops’s office. She knew where he kept all his profile jackets with information about each deputy. She would read more about Josh’s past and make up her own mind on him.
“I’m just watching out for you. I need to get back to work, but I feel better now that you know that.”
“I know you mean well. I better get back to work too,” Maya said as Josh came through the door to the lobby.
She thought about Sam’s warning. Maybe she was trusting Josh too quickly. Could Josh be the informant working with the Rays? How much did she really know about him? If he was the informant, maybe she could manipulate the situation and have Josh lead her to Pops. He was helping out Maya quite a bit on the investigation. Was he being too helpful?
Josh held the door for Sam, who muttered a thanks.
“Hey,” Josh said, shaking his head. “That guy Sam has had a chip on his shoulder ever since your grandfather promoted me.”
“Yeah, I don’t think you’re his favorite person,” Maya said. A headache was beginning to build behind her eyes, along with anger toward Josh as she thought about what Sam told her. First Doug, her best friend, had to go and betray her. Now Josh couldn’t be trusted, and that only added to Maya’s frustration.
I have my secrets too. Maybe I just wanted another friend and that’s why I’m trusting Josh. Suck it up, Thompson. Keep your feelings to yourself for now. Pops is missing. Do what you need to do to find him.
“You okay?” Josh asked.
“Yeah, just tired. Any leads?” Maya asked, changing the subject.
“Nothing right now. I checked with Miranda, our crime scene tech. The tire tracks are a generic off-roading tire. Probably what every vehicle around here has on it.”
“Dang.” Maya tried not to show her disappointment. “I should get out to my grandfather’s place and take care of the horses.”
