You must think Im an idiot. You probably already suspect Im a murderer. But do you really think Im going to make a run for it?
I dont know, are you? Hed given her an impatient look and shed had to ask, So tell me about Jessica.
What do you want to know? Hed sounded despondent.
What was she like? Halley remembered Jessica Granger, the girl Colton had started chasing at the end of junior high. Shortly after that Halley had talked her father into moving away from Whitehorse. You were in love with her, right? There must have been a reason.
He had looked out the side window for so long shed thought he wasnt going to answer. Youre not going to understand because she wasnt like you.
Shed shot him a look, not sure how to take that, but taking it badly, just the same.
Jessica wasnt strong. She needed me.
That was the appeal? Halley asked in surprise.
He had finally looked in her direction. Jessica needed someone to take care of her, to protect her from her old man. But I failed her.
She needed protection from her father? Halley couldnt help thinking about how she herself had needed someone to protect her from Colton Chisholm. Shed had to learn to fight her own battles. No one had come to her rescue. The thought drove the arrow even deeper in her heart and made her all the more angry that Colton, when hed finally fallen for a girl, had fallen for one who he said himself was nothing like her.
You met Sid, was all he said before climbing out of the patrol car.
Shed watched him go, seeing the toll this was taking on him, telling herself that a murderer might act the same way, especially if he couldnt take the guilt anymore.
Now, as Halley watched the crime techs begin the search for a body, she told herself her suspicions about Colton had nothing to do with how she felt about him today or all those years ago when hed broken her tender heart.
The breeze stirred the cottonwoods as the creek whispered past. It seemed too beautiful a spot for the crime techs to be looking for a young womans remains, but there was little doubt in her mind now that Jessica Granger was dead, that shed died here.
Whether or not they would find Jessica, though, was another story. Halley suspected it would have been a shallow grave somewhere along this creek bottom. Which meant animals could have dug up the grave and carried away the bones years ago.
I MIGHT NEED A LAWYER.
Emma had been picking at her supper but looked up now as everyone else at the table turned toward Colton. Like her, hed hardly touched his food and hed passed on apple pie. That wasnt like him. Hoyt hadnt eaten much, either. There was almost a full piece of pie on his plate.
A lawyer? she repeated. Since Hoyts call in the barn, shed tried to keep busy and think about anything but her own horrible suspicions.
Why would you need a lawyer? Hoyt asked.
Colton rubbed a hand over his jaw. To make a long story short, theres at least one law enforcement officer in the county who thinks I killed Jessica Granger.
Hoyt froze, fork in hand. What? I thought she left town.
Emma noticed that her husband had gone very pale.
Apparently, she planned on leaving but I dont think she made it. Neither does the deputy now scouring a spot not far from here for her remains, Colton said, pain in his voice.
I dont understand why they would think someone killed her, Hoyt said and Emma found herself studying her husband. Of course hed be upset about such an allegation against his son, but when he set down his fork, she saw that his hand was shaking.
A bad feeling lodged itself in her chest as Colton proceeded to tell them about a lost letter, finding Jessicas purse buried under a tree root and calling the Sheriffs Department.
Halley Robinson? his brother, Tanner, asked with a smirk. Isnt that the girl that you used to
Shes the new deputy, Colton said, shooting his brother a warning look.
Emma waited for Hoyt to jump in. When he didnt, she felt as if her world had suddenly shifted on its axis and nothing was as it had been just hours before.
Isnt it possible the girl isnt even dead? They havent found anything yet, right? she asked.
Colton shook his head. She wouldnt have left without her purse.
What does the sheriff have to say about this? Hoyt asked.
From what Ive been able to find out, the sheriff is busy in federal court on another case. This one has been turned over to the state crime team, but a fourteen-year-old possible murder isnt going to be at the top of their list of investigations. Even
if the sheriff was in town, Im not sure it would keep Halley from trying to railroad me.
Well, youre just going to have to change this Halley persons mind, Emma said and saw her husband give her a sympathetic smile at her naiveté.
Emmas is one approach, Hoyt said. Well also get you the best lawyer money can buy, just in case you cant convince this woman that youre innocent. I take it the two of you have some kind of history?
You could say that, Tanner said.
His other brothers had been feeding their faces, but now joined in. Wait a minute, Zane said. Thats not that little dark-haired skinny girl