Sinner Like Me

Where is he?

Nicolette's POV

It is as if he vanished into thin air. He has never not called me after he got off work. He has never not come over to my apartment building and now nobody knows where he is located. Bud doesn't know all he knows is that he is safe. If he is so safe then why can't I speak to him? Does he not love me anymore and he couldn't figure out how to let me down and not hurt me emotionally? News flash babe, I'm hurt. I'm hurt because I know deep down inside you wouldn't leave me without talking to me face to face and explaining why. News flash, I'm scared. Someone blackmailed him into up and leaving and if it is who I think it is, my daddy needs to get the video cameras from Bud's body shop. Plus side to everything going on is I finished the paintings in the mayor's mansion. He wanted me to paint more of his mansion and even offered to pay me nearly $2 million dollars but I declined telling him I needed to focus on my health which took a hit. I'm not lying about it because right now mentally I'm not doing the greatest. Mentally I am lost without my boyfriend being here with me.

As I am sitting here at my house, my daddy calls me and tells me he's bringing lunch for me. He knows I am hiding because I do not want Juan finding me and stalking me. I know he's a horrible man, I won't find myself wrapped up in his bullshit like Amira is. Daddy should be here any minute. I quickly change my clothes and try to freshen up. No sooner than I finish getting dressed I hear my daddy walking inside of my apartment. I tell him I will be out in just a moment. He responds with the normal "take your time pumpkin".

~Nicolette~ Hey daddy. How was work?

~Sheriff~ You know drunks being overly stupid and needing the night in the drunk tank until they have sobered up. They sobered up and didn't know why they were at the jail. I couldn't help but laugh at them. It was rather hilarious. But question is how are you doing?

~Nicolette~ Daddy I am telling you that someone is blackmailing Dalton into not being here with me. I know him and he wouldn't just up and leave me without telling me or anyone for that matter. But I have no way of calling him. Bud said he left his phone there. So whoever conned him, went to Bud's to do so.

~Sheriff~ Your right. I'll head to Bud's shop after lunch and see if I can get any leads on Dalton's disappearance. I will find him babygirl I promise you I will. I love you. This will all be okay.

I hope my father is right. But as he's always told me whenever dealing with a case, you can't accuse anyone without any evidence or proof they did whatever crime you are accusing them over. Dalton is my best friend. He was my only friend that I truly had. He and I had a rocky start to our relationship but we did so much together. I just want him back with me safe and sound. As daddy and I finish lunch, my phone rings but no sooner than I go to answer it, they hang up. It is the 10 time in the last week since Dalton has been gone. It's annoying the living hell out of me big time!

~Sheriff~ What number time is that they called?

~Nicolette~ That makes number 10. But there is no number in my call log. I've had the phone company try and they said it comes up blocked. They can't unblock it, or even ping where it is coming from. Something for a while was telling me that it could be Dalton trying to reach out to me but then it's like why wouldn't he try and talk to me. Someone fucked with him mentally and now I am the one paying for it. They better hope he is okay or I'll deal with them.

~Sheriff~ How about you do this next time they call, instead of you answering the phone, send it to your voicemail. Maybe that will make him leave a message or something.

~Nicolette~ I will give it a shot. Because right now something seriously has got to give. I would of changed my number but I go to myself and say no because Dalton knows my number and I can't change it now.

~Sheriff~ I will figure this out for you. I promise. I am going to head to Bud's now. Lock your door and go hide in you room. If you start hearing noises of people trying to bust in here, please give me a call and I'll rush right back over here.

~Nicolette~ I will daddy. Be safe. Let me know what you find out, okay?

~Sheriff~ I will. Take a nap and recollect your thought.

I show my daddy out and head inside, locking the deadbolt, security chain and the normal lock. I walk inside my room, putting on one of Dalton's shirts and go to sleep. Please let my father find something out for me.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Sheriff's POV

When someone messes with my daughter's happiness and well being, you are basically messing with mine. Dalton and her were happy together and I know for fact he wouldn't just leave her without so much as a good bye. That's not who is is. He always tells her dream as big as the stars, and she goes forever and a day. That's their relationship and it is an amazing one. They just get each other. At first I didn't like Dalton because of his past. Yes he did some crappy things in the beginning before he met my daughter but he changed and did even more so when he met Nicolette. I owe this to her and to him. As I pull into the body shop, Bud is outside filling up someone's tire. When he finishes, he comes inside.

~Bud~ What can I do for you?

~Sheriff~ Have you heard from him?

~Bud~ Other than the day he left when he got to where he was going, he called me to tell me he was safe. But when it went down that day, I over heard the whole conversation. What I heard was this guy wanted Dalton out of the picture because he wants Nicolette upset and you distraught to sell things.

~Sheriff~ Was it a Hispanic looking or sounding guy?

~Bud~ Yeah it was. But I'm not 100% sure.

~Sheriff~ Do you have the security camera footage?

~Bud~ I'm am not sure. It deletes after a week. It could be there but I'm not sure let's go check it out now. 

* * * * * * * * * *

After watching several hours of camera footage we see the afternoon of Dalton leaving Bud's shop and even giving Bud a hug, we don't see anyone inside the shop that would be suspicious behavior. I go out to check the parking lot to see if anyone follows him. I see him leave in Bud's truck and 3 other vehicles following him but can't see the license plates. I want to say these people did something to have him away from where he should be.

~Sheriff~ Bud if you can think of anything and I mean absolutely anything don't hesitate to let me know. If he contacts you try and find out where he is located, something that will ease Nicolette's mind. She is thinking the worst as if he doesn't care about her anymore. We both know that isn't the truth.

~Bud~ I will tell him when it's safe to give you a call. Maybe he will does and is able to tell you who did this.

I leave the body shop with the stills of the cars. I'm taking a copy of the video so maybe forensics can find out the car information. My daughter and Dalton deserve to be happy with each other. Whoever did this, I will find you. I will find out where you are and I will end you. Nobody messes with my daughter and gets away worn it.

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DALTON WILL NOT BE KILLED OFF. Next chapter will be his point of view and possibly him contacting Nicolette or her father. When Nicolette finds out everything that was about this conversation between Dalton and who black mailed me, she won't be angry with him.