Chapter 32
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Jack
“Somebody give me something!” If we don’t find Trent Colby soon, Jay’s going to lose his reputation for being the most unhinged member of our family. “There’s no way three men up and disappeared in this town.
“We’re searching, Ghost,” Hendrix assures me. Nick has us on a group call. “We want them, too.”
“It would help if we knew what they were driving.” Bankz is riding with Hendrix.
Jay sits next to me with his phone on speaker. “Nick, tell us you found something.”
Nick found the vehicles registered to Trent Colby and Cory Coleman. He’s been searching the store security cameras around town with no luck.
“Got him!” Nick exclaims. “Well, I’m almost positive I found him.”
“Out with it, man. He’s already got too much of a lead on us.” I’m on the verge of losing my mind.
“A dark gray Ford Taurus passed Mel’s not long after the attack happened. It’s a rental with a Knoxville tag. I searched for rentals in Trent’s name since Cory Coleman is still in jail and found nothing.”
“Let me guess. The Taurus is in Coleman’s name,” Jay says.
“Yeah, that’s on me, too, Jack. I should’ve thought of it.” Nick’s disappointed in himself. We’ll deal with that later.
I turn around and drive towards Mel’s. “This direction is toward the clubhouse, not Knoxville. Where would he go on this side of town?”
“Kayla’s apartment is out here,” Jay replies as we pass the gas stations. No Ford Taurus in the parking lot. No need to stop.
“Dobbs and I will check her apartment out,” Parker offers.
“Jack, it might be a long shot, but Willow Park is out this way, too,” Nick points out.
“Do you think Trent’s connected to what happened to Matthew Rhodes?” Bankz asks.
“I’m not getting anything to connect them.” Nick sighs. “But at this point, nothing would surprise me.”
“Just rode by the apartments. Paren and Dobbs are there. No Taurus. Bankz and I will follow you to the river.” Hendrix ends his side of the call.
I take the left toward Willow Park and press my foot hard on the gas pedal. This park is where I took Lily for our first unofficial date. It’s where I first kissed her.
“Jack.” Jay points to the entrance of the park. A black F-150 pulls out and heads in the opposite direction. “Nick said Adam Lang owns a black F-150.”
I glance up at the fast-approaching car light in the rearview mirror. Hendrix drives like a madman. I’m surprised he hasn’t lost his license for speeding. I slow but still take the turn faster than I should, causing the tires to squeal.
“There he is.” Jay’s grin is pure evil. Trust me, my cousin isn’t losing his reputation.
Jay scares me at times. He doesn’t get to this one. Trent Colby is mine.
Trent spots us and runs for his car. I slam on the brakes, throw the truck into park, and cut him off before he gets inside. If he had, I would have broken the window to get him out.
“I…”
Nope. I slam my fist into his jaw hard enough to loosen some teeth. He doesn’t get to speak. He almost killed my best friend. His ribs are next. They broke three of Coty’s. The favor needs to be returned.
“You pointed a gun at my woman!” That one gets him beaten to the ground.
“Jack.” Hendrix pounds on my back. I don’t stop.
“Ghost!” A fist slams into my shoulder. I slowly turn my head toward my cousin. “Cops.” Jay tackles me to the ground. Hendrix helps him hold my arms.
Four Sheriff cars fly into the parking lot and quickly surround us. I didn’t hear the sirens until now. The Sheriff and six deputies get out with their guns raised.
“Jack McLeod.” Sheriff Bowers stands in front of me, blocking my view of everything around us.
“He almost killed Coty.” I don’t wait for his questions.
“We know. An anonymous tip came in fifteen minutes ago. They said we’d find Trent Colby here.” Nathan glances at Jay. “If you have a knife open, close it now.”
“None open, Sheriff.” Jay nods toward Trent. “We believe he was the man outside Kayla’s apartment. He’s her ex.”
One of the deputies calls for an ambulance. Two more search the car. The others keep their guns out but not aimed at us.
“Sheriff!” Deputy Dean Johnson holds up a handgun with a pen.
“I bet money that’s Kayla’s stolen twenty-two,” Jay says.
“I’m not betting with you, Jay.” The Sheriff turns to me. “Due to how we found you, I have to take you to the station, Jack.” He looks back at Jay. “I won’t arrest him yet. Get your lawyer here quickly. She’s smart enough to keep him out of a cell.
Jay starts to protest, but I shake my head. “It was worth it.” And it was.
I don’t fight or struggle in any way. I willingly let Sheriff Bowers put me in the back of her patrol car. I grin at my brothers as we drive away. No matter what happens to me, the man who hurt my friend and pointed a gun at my ole’ lady got what was coming to him.