17. Colton

Chapter 17

Colton

Settling back into the chair behind my desk, I let out a long sigh and run my fingers through my hair. I've been staring at this photo of Jimmy for the past hour, trying to figure out how I'm going to handle this.

I want to make sure to keep Leslie's name out of any information I give my deputies, but I also want a closer eye kept on her.

"Hey, Colt. You wanted to see me?" Pecker stands in the doorway to my office with a soft smile on his face.

I like the guy. Hell, if I didn't have Tucker, I'd probably make Pecker my new best friend. I make a mental note to invite Pecker to do things with Tucker and I. He's new to town and doesn't know a lot of people. He only moved here to help out his sister with his niece and nephew.

"Yeah, you can have a seat." I motion to the chair across from me .

Pecker slowly lowers himself onto the plush leather and swallows hard. His face is paler than ever before. He probably thinks he's in trouble. I should've made it clear this had nothing to do with his performance.

"You look like you're seconds away from throwing up, Peck." I chuckle and shake my head. It's tempting to go along with it and act like there was a complaint about him, but I'd rather not clean up the mess if he really does vomit.

"Just rip off the Band-Aid and tell me what I'm in trouble for," he says softly.

"You're not in trouble at all." I laugh even harder when his pale face turns bright red.

"I'm not?"

"Not unless you have something to confess to."

"Shit. I thought you were going to yell at me for not keeping on top of Billy and the stupid mirror last night." He rubs his sweaty palms over his thighs and relaxes back into the chair.

"Nah, I dealt with him." I wave off Peck's concerns. "Though you can't let stuff like that get to you. You'll never be able to fix stupid, but you can handcuff it." I shrug .

"Can you tell me what you wanted to see me for then? I'd like to know if I can relax into this comfortable chair or if I should tense up."

"Relax. I have a picture…" I rummage around on my desk until Jimmy's picture is in my hands again. "We're on the lookout for this guy, but everything needs to stay quiet."

"Ok. What's going on? Why are we looking for him?"

"He's the abusive ex of a woman who lives in Maple Springs. I don't want her identity shared per her request. I just want your eyes peeled for him. If you see him, I need a call immediately."

"Understood." He nods his head as he stares at the picture. "Are we arresting him?"

"Yes. He's already done his time in prison and I have a feeling if he gets his hands on her, he won't stop until she's dead." I swallow hard, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Mason texted me all of the information last night. I went over everything after Leslie went to bed. When I got into the office this morning, I called Mason to ask him a few questions I had.

With Leslie nowhere around, Mason didn't hold back anything. He was blunt and straight to the point. He didn't bother sugarcoating anything and I truly appreciate that.

He made it clear if Jimmy figures out where Leslie is, he'll stop at nothing to get her back in his hands. Hands that will most likely take her life.

"Wow… I don't even know what to say." Pecker scrubs a hand down his face. "How did she get away from him to begin with?"

"She has a family who cares enough to help her disappear."

"She's lucky. Not everyone has that type of support system." Pecker jots down a few notes on the pad he always has on him.

"Just put the word out to people today. If any stranger steps in this town, I want to know about it."

"I can do that, Colt. Anything else?" He peeks up at me before turning his attention back to his notepad.

"Yeah, if you're free tonight, you should come over for dinner. Leslie's making something special for her cousin coming into town."

"Are you and Leslie…" He lets his question trail off, making a slow smile spread across my face.

"She's my girlfriend, Peck."

"So, is this like a double date? Should I be scared? "

"Not a double date." I chuckle. "Though you might want to be scared. Leslie told me a few stories about her cousin and she reminds me a lot of Skylar."

"Oh, Skylar's a sweetheart. I don't know why she gets such a bad reputation in this town." Pecker rolls his eyes.

"Skylar as a teenager," I correct.

"Well, shit. Never mind then."