Page 59 of Whispers on the Water

And still, I can’t even touch her. I fluff the hair on the back of my head in frustration. “The lead prosecutor will come in and you’ll sign some stuff. The judge will need to look over it before signing off. Then someone will get the ankle monitor attached and you’ll go straight to your sister’s place,” I say.

“You’ll be with me?” The hope in her voice is heartbreaking.

“I won’t leave you until they make me, okay? And even then, I’ll be close by,” I promise, the words heavy with a commitment I hope I can keep.

As she wipes her eyes, there was a sudden knock on the door. An agent, who I think is the woman I’ve spoken with a few times to coordinate things named Tackett, and Penny walk into the room. Sam jumps up from her spot against the wall to wrap her sister in a tight embrace. The sight of both women crying hits me hard, and I swallow hard to keep my own emotions in check.

It’s remarkable how much Sam and Penny look alike, though Penny is a bit taller, and her eyes are a deeper shade of brown compared to Sam’s hazel. Both of them have this vibrant copper-red hair that really emphasizes that they are in fact, related. For a moment, the resemblance was almost amusing, a light moment in the midst of all this chaos.

The agent’s interruption is another in a long line of frustration. Can’t she see this is important to the women? “Elaine Williams?” she asks, and something about hearing that name makes me tense up.

“She goes by Sam now,” I find myself saying.

“Of course. Sam. I’m Agent Tackett,” the agent introduces herself. “I have some items for you to sign. It just says that you’ll be released into your sister’s custody and fitted with an ankle monitor on a promise to appear. The charges are listed on page three; first degree murder, evading police and misuse of a passport.”

“Misuse?” Sam echoed, clearly taken aback by the accusation.

“Well, yes, Ms. Williams, you can’t just steal your sister’s passport,” Agent Tackett explains as if it was the most straightforward thing in the world.

I could see Penny tensing up at that, and I tried to discreetly shake my head. Her interrupting anything at this point will just delay Sam’s release.

“I see,” Sam says. Penny’s arm wraps around her sister’s shoulder, a silent show of support.

Agent Tackett continued. “Yes and once the medical procedures are complete, you will stand trial. Until then, Penelope Bennet will be responsible for you. If you disappear again, she will be charged with contempt of court as well as aiding and abetting a felon. Do you understand?” Sam nodded, and I knew she wouldn’t let her sister suffer because of her.

“Okay, perfect. So, if you’ll sign here,” Agent Tackett said, placing the folder on the table. The sheer volume of paperwork was daunting.

“Whoa, wait. Where’s the lawyer?” I ask, nearly snatching the pen from Agent Up-Tight.

Penny’s voice was small but firm. “They reviewed it yesterday and gave their blessing.” I nod, though Agent Tackett’s gaze on me is filled with suspicion.

“It’s kind of odd to have the arresting agent so invested,” she says, giving me the once over.

“Just want to make sure my hard work doesn’t go to waste. If she signs something that hasn’t been reviewed, she can use that for a mistrial down the road.”

Agent Tackett seems satisfied with the explanation and hands Sam the pen. Sam signed diligently, though her hand trembled with each one of the signatures on the many pages.

When she’s done, the Agent reviews everything in silence before getting to her feet. “Where am I going?” Sam asks. Fuck, I really do hate this.

“You’ll need to wait in the holding cell.” Agent Tackett’s voice is firm, devoid of the empathy I desperately wish she’d show. An officer grips Sam by the arm, leading her away, and I have to force myself to swallow the anger boiling inside me. I want to intervene, to tell him to ease up, that there’s no need to scare her further.

“You’ll be out in no time, Sam. Just a few hours. Okay?” I try to infuse my voice with confidence, with a reassurance I’m far from feeling. She gives me a shaky nod, her movements stiff with anxiety. Watching them lead her out of the room, my heart constricts, and I struggle to breathe normally, feeling as though I’m the one in handcuffs.

After they’re gone, Penny moves to stand beside me. “Thanks, Greg. I really couldn’t have done this alone. Should I wait here?”

I shake my head, trying to think practically. “It could be a while. You need to call the lawyers, put pressure on them so we can get her to the hospital for those tests. We should both head to your house.” It’s the best plan we have to ensure Sam doesn’t stay in that cell any longer than necessary.

Penny nods and pulls out her phone. I see the same resolve in her eyes that I know is in my own. We’re both ready to do whatever it takes. Together, we’ll fight for Sam, ensuring she gets through this ordeal with all the support she needs.

Chapter thirty-seven

Sam

I’m perched on a cold metal bench against the cement wall, the chill seeping through my clothes. Beside me, the only other soul in this holding cell is curled up and snoring, the scent of alcohol wafting over. Time feels suspended here, especially with the clock outside our cell stubbornly stuck at five o’clock. It’s almost laughable, but I find I don’t have the energy to care.

Everything leading up to this moment has blurred together, yet the visit from Penny stands out. The embrace we shared, the release of all my pent-up fears and the overwhelming relief of seeing her soothed my frayed nerves. I half-expected anger or rebukes, but all I found in her arms was unconditional support.

The cold bites at me again, and I instinctively hug myself tighter, seeking warmth in the absence of anything else to do. Finally, giving in to exhaustion, I stretch out on the bench, much like my cellmate, and let my eyes close, clinging to the memory of Penny’s hug for comfort.

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