“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.”