Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 44127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Jerry nods. “Look, Colton, I’m going to level with you. I’m inclined to just take your word on this, but that asshole you tied up is claiming you had a student here with you?” He frowns. “I mean with you, if you catch what I mean.”
I snort. “You realize that sounds absurd, right?”
Jerry chuckles. “I do, but, I gotta ask, Colton. He and the two who are actually talking say there was a girl here.”
I take a measured breath, nodding. This is all part of my plan.
“I did have someone over,” I say quietly.
Jerry’s brows shoot up.
“And this person is…?”
“I don’t know her.”
He frowns. “Colton—”
“Look, we met at a bar, and she’s married, okay? We had some drinks, one thing led to another…” I shrug. “I don’t even have her number, and I’m guessing she’s never going to come forward if you put the call out.”
Jerry sighs heavily, pinching his nose.
“Well, fuck, Colton.”
“She freaked out when they came charging in and just took off. I think one of them grabbed her, but she shook him off and booked it out the back gate.” I chuckle quietly. “I did promise her a wild night, but this might have been more than she bargained for.”
Jerry chuckles, shaking his head.
“So you have no way of contacting this woman?”
I shake my head.
“A name?”
I make a big show of frowning. “Laura? No, maybe Lindsey.”
I smile sheepishly. “Look, Jerry, I work pretty fucking hard, and when I get one night to blow off steam…” I shrug. “You’re single, you get it, right?”
Jerry snorts and pats his sizable stomach.
“Oh, sure, sure, Colton. You and me, we’re basically the same guy.”
I chuckle and he grins.
“I’m not exactly pulling married ladies these days, but, sure, I get it.”
He frowns. “Look I’m going to level with you, legally, this mystery girl seems pretty suspicious. I mean a little convenient, isn’t it?”
I chuckle. “Not really. I’d call it shitty. I was having a great night before these assholes showed up.”
He smiles, shaking his head before he frowns. “You need to talk to anyone about… you know. What happened tonight?”
“I’m good.”
He nods. “I figured.” He shrugs. “I pulled your background earlier. Special Forces, huh?”
I frown. “I don’t really like to talk about it.”
“Nope, I get it,” he growls, clearing his throat. “I’m Marines, you know.”
“No shit?”
He nods. “Two tours in Kuwait back in the say.”
I smile, nodding as he sighs.
“So you did not have a student at your house tonight?”
Yes, I did.
“No, Jerry,” I chuckle. “I did not—”
“Woah! Woah! That’s enough chatting!”
I whip my head around and grin at the sight of Sam, my Ranger buddy turned kick-ass lawyer, striding into my study.
“Chief Halter?” He growls. “You understand that my client needs his attorney present before he—”
“Sam, Sam,” I chuckle. “It’s fine. Jerry’s a friend.”
“Yeah, well this friend says that friend needs to leave so we can discuss tonight properly.”
“Colton’s not being charged with anything, you know,” Jerry frowns.
“Goddamn right he’s not.”
I roll my eyes at Sam and turn to Jerry. “Listen, can we follow up tomorrow? I’ll come down and make another statement.” I shrug. “I’ll bring coffee.”
Jerry grins. “Throw in some glazed donuts and I’m out of here.”
I laugh as I shake his hand. “Thanks for your help tonight.”
“No problem. The morgue boys should have the, uh…” he frowns. “The other ones out of your yard in an hour or so.”
I thank him again, and Sam closes the door to my study behind him.
“Fuck, Colton. C’mon! You don’t talk to the fucking cops before I—”
“It’s fine, Sam,” I chuckle. “Jerry’s a friend.”
He growls, striding to my bar cart and pouring two huge glasses of scotch.
“Here, cheers,” he growls.
“Cheers.”
He winks. “It’s great to see you, buddy. By the way.”
“Same, man. Been way too long.”
He sighs. “Okay, so, no bullshit. I’m putting my attorney hat on, and this is all client privilege.” He eyes me. “That girl you called me about. The student.”
My jaw tenses.
“That was her here tonight, wasn’t it?”
I’m silent, and Sam swears.
“Jesus, Colton.”
“It’s not like that,” I growl.
“You’re fucking a student,” he mutters.
“I’m not just fucking her,” I spit back. “And watch your mouth with her.”
He glares at me. “C’mon, man. What are you, in love with her?”
My look hardens, and Sam’s brows go up.
“You can’t be serious. Fuck, are you serious?”
“And if I am?”
He groans. “Then we’re in much bigger trouble here.” He sighs. “Colton, as your lawyer, walk away. From her, from this shit with her dad. I’m serious man, just leave it.”
I shake my head. “I’m not doing that.”
He growls.
“You’re a stubborn asshole, you know that, right?”
“So I’ve been told.” I smile thinly. “Probably by you.”
“Yeah but when I said it, you had two of your fingers plugging a bullet hole in my side.”
“And where would you be now without this stubborn asshole?”
He rolls his eyes, growling as he knocks back the rest of his drink.