"I know from what Hector said that you're trying to fly under the radar here."
"Yes, I don't want to bring any publicity down on Hector and Will. They…uh…need their privacy."
Sheriff Riley gave him a pointed stare. "I know."
"You…know?"
The sheriff nodded. "Hector told me about it when we had problems a while back."
"That diamond thing?"
"Yes."
"So, what does that have to do with me?"
"Nothing, but the reporter in town trying to find you does."
Damn.
Chapter Nine
Jayden pulled into the parking lot of The Rusty Nail Bar and Grill then turned off his engine. He sat there for a few minutes trying to gather his courage before picking up his cell phone and calling Wilson. He seriously didn't want to make this phone call, but he needed to. It was his fault the man's life was about to go nuclear.
"Hey, Wilson, it's Jayden."
"Jayden, hey…um…now isn't really a good time. Can I call you back?"
"I need to talk to you. It's important."
"Are you okay?"
Define okay.
"Yes, I'm fine, but I still need to talk to you."
"Can it wait?" Wilson asked. "I'm kind of in the middle of something right now."
Jayden dropped his head back against the seat. "No, it can't."
Not only did Wilson need to be informed his private life was about to become public knowledge but Jayden wanted to get this over and done with. He was already dreading it because he was pretty sure he wasn't going to get out of this without seeing hate and disgust in Wilson's deep brown eyes.
"This is really important, Wilson, please."
"Okay, where do you want to meet?"
"Do you remember where we met?"
"Yes, of course."
"I'm there now."
"Okay," Wilson replied. "I can be there in about twenty minutes."
"Thank you." Jayden hung up before sliding his phone into his pocket and climbing out of his car. He scanned the parking lot as he walked through it toward the front door of the bar and then did the same once he was inside. He was a journalist. He knew all about being paranoid.
Jayden didn't spot anyone he felt he should be wary of, so he made his way to the bar and ordered himself a beer. While he waited, he turned and scanned the room again. It was still early enough that the place hadn't filled up with people like it had the last time he'd been in here. He imagined, as the night went on, more people would show up.
He wasn't sure that was a good thing or not.
