Ending the call, he dialed Toni, but she had the same answer. Jogging down the stairs, TJ went into the living room, then noticed the empty space on the wall where he’d put his grandfather’s medals. No, Cody wouldn’t have taken them.
Calling the station, Dee Roberts answered. “I need to report a missing person. A runaway.”
“TJ? Who is it?”
“Cody Paarman. He’s missing. Gone at some point in the last eight hours.”
He heard the gasp. “Cody?”
“I need you to get everyone out and searching for him. I’m getting a list of his friends together now.”
“On it.”
The search lasted for days, with no trace of Cody. They didn’t have him on CCTV anywhere, which led TJ to believe he’d managed to get a lift out of town. Hours of searching and calling everywhere TJ could think of all led to nothing. Cody had disappeared.
As time passed, the search was eventually dialed down until it was called off.
Cody was gone.
Chapter Four
TJ
TJ stood by the reception desk in the Robinson police station and smiled at Dee Roberts when she told him, “It’s been six months, TJ. You need to find a man. You’re in the prime of your life. You shouldn’t be single.” Dee patted her light brown hair, which she had worn loose. Her light gray eyes stared at him. “You’re not getting any younger.”
“I need to find a man who doesn’t mind putting up with my shitty work hours and the fact I get shot at and have to deal with a rampaging bull on occasion. My last one walked after two months because he didn’t like sharing me with my job.” And TJ had been oddly happy when that short-lived relationship had ended. At thirty-two, he wanted to have someone to settle down with, but so far nothing. It might help if he actually did some looking, but with work being as busy as it was, by the time he got home, he usually went straight to bed.
Dee grimaced. “He was an ass who didn’t deserve you.”
“And I still get the odd hate mail. That didn’t help the relationship either.” Oh yeah. The ex had opened one and blanched. Not long after, he had disappeared.
“Most people who live in this town have known you your whole life. We know you and we know how much you care about everyone who lives here. We’ve seen you become the man you are today, and don’t forget we voted for you to become our sheriff. Those few homophobic idiots can take a short walk off a long pier. We don’t need those kinds of people here, and trust me when I say if we ever meet one, we tell them where to go. Most have decided to stew silently in their hatred.” Dee grinned viciously. “I do enjoy going to grab a coffee and telling everyone how well we’re doing with you as our sheriff. In a very loud voice.”
It warmed TJ to know the people of Robinson had his back. When he’d applied to become sheriff, he hadn’t been positive he’d succeed, but he had. A year later, he had more support than before he’d become sheriff. “It’s gotten better over the last year.”
“Because you’ve proven you’ll put the townsfolk first. We needed to see that. Most don’t even think about your sexuality. They only care that someone comes out to visit them when needed and the bad guys are arrested.”
TJ stretched, then waved to his deputy, Miles Owen, as he walked into the station. With mud splashed over his boots and jeans, TJ knew where Miles had been, and the scent that accompanied him confirmed it. Crompton Farm. “Hey Miles. How did it go at Crompton’s?”
Miles brushed his jeans, then gave up, screwing his face up. “The old man will outlive us all, but he’s right. Someone has been going on his land and laying traps. We managed to find them all and I’ve left some trail cams dotted around to see if we can pick up whoever it is laying them. He might be old and ornery,but he’s a decent man who cares for his livestock and the wild animals that live in the area.”
TJ agreed with Miles’ assessment. Having dealt with Crompton more than a few times over the years, he found the older man astoundingly intelligent and extremely thoughtful, but you didn’t want to piss him off. “I’ve never had a bad time with him. His bark is worse than his bite, but he knows the area better than anyone else. If he says something’s going on, then I listen and act.”
Miles nodded, his hazel eyes narrowing. “Gave me some of his home brew. Told me to drink it when I got home and when I had a late shift the next day. I think he’s made some fruity vodka-like one this time.”
“That stuff blows your head off. He gave some to my Crocker, and he was ill for two days after. Said it was the best home brew he’d ever had, but you need far less than you think.” Dee grinned. “It was really good brew.”
“Completely illegal, of course,” TJ mused. Having caught Crompton brewing his moonshine, Crompton had offered TJ a taste, and TJ had nearly had the top of his head blown off. He’d given the older man several warnings, then left him to it. “But his stuff is good.”
They all grinned, then the phone rang, and Dee answered it. As she spoke, TJ asked, “How long before we’ll get something?”
“The tracks look fresh.” Miles rubbed his jaw, his eyes looking off to one side. “I’d say a day or two. Maybe three. I tried to keep myself out of sight for as long as I could. Didn’t want to tip whoever it is off that I’d been there.”
“Good idea.” Yawning, TJ shook his head. “I’m going home. I have the early shift tomorrow and I’ve been here fourteen hours already.”
“When’s Taylor coming back?”
“The doc’s cleared him for desk work. The break in his leg has healed, but doc wants him to ease back into work.” Shrugging, TJ ran his fingers through his short blond hair, realizing he needed to cut it. “He can deal with the mounds of paperwork we have to get through until he’s ready to be back on patrol.”
