Page 101 of Full Circle

The lowest blow I could deliver.

She crumpled like I struck her. In a way, I had. Regret immediately washed over me. No matter how angry I became, she didn’t deserve this.

Therefore, she surprised us both greatly with the venom she threw back at me. “Oh, like you’re so much better?” Celeste screamed. “Have you ever had a friend, Wesley? A real friend, outside of me? How could you when you don’t know how to do anything other than throw your daddy’s money around to control the situation? You’re a Madden through and through, and it makes me sick!”

Flashing red and blue lights came around the corner as a sheriff’s car came flying around the corner. Brakes screeched as it came to a stop…right in front of my house.

Fuck.

Chief Hillsborough himself climbed out of the vehicle, his skin even more wrinkly in his old age. The glare he fixed on me set off warning bells in my head. There was still an outstanding warrant for what I did to his stupid shed. And although he always suspected me, there was never any proof. Hillsborough was far too gleeful any time he was called for one of my fights back in high school.

Now, he looked downright victorious. “Gettin’ a whole lot of calls down at the station about a domestic disturbance,” Hillsborough stated. “Figured as soon as I heard the address that it had to be our…celebrity.” Only he made the word sound like a dirty expletive.

Celeste blanched before turning abruptly on her heel. “I need to go, Sheriff,” she said. “Nothing happened. I’m sorry about the racket.”

“That’s not the way we heard it,” countered the sheriff. “A neighbor phoned it in that the fella laid hands on the woman. I take that kind of thing very seriously around these parts.”

It had already been the longest day of my life, so I was fresh out of fucks to give for this prick. “Look, man, you heard her say that nothing happened clear as a bell. I don’t know what else to tell you. It won’t happen again.”

He stepped up to me like he wanted to square up, sending my temper flaring. “I don’t like your attitude, boy. What are you doing back in my town, anyhow? I thought we got rid of the likes of you.”

My jaw clenched. “I came for Ms. Shirley’s funeral.”

The sheriff eyed me suspiciously. “And yet, I can’t recall seeing you there this afternoon,” he snarled.

“Because there is someone who will always be more important to me,” I replied evenly. It might have been the answer to Chief Hillsborough’s question, but it was Celeste to whom I spoke. Our eyes held over his shoulder, and I watched as a tiny fraction of hope sparked to life in her face.

“You missed her funeral?” Celeste asked on a sharp inhale.

“What kinda man misses his kin’s funeral?” Hillsborough glared at me as though I had mortally wounded him.

Wasn’t this guy due to kick the fucking bucket? Where was all that “divine intervention” bullshit when you needed it?

Celeste shivered as though doused with icy water and turned back towards her daddy’s old truck, parked at the end of the driveway. “Everything’s fine, Sheriff. Thanks for checking on us!”

We both watched her drive away like her ass was on fire. My heart went with her.

“Seems to me like I better take you in for questioning,” the sheriff said as soon as her taillights trailed out of sight. “I don’t let anyone put their hands on a woman in my town.”

I sputtered like a fish out of water. “You can’t be fucking serious! She just told you that everything is fine here!”

As impossible as it seemed, Hillsborough took another step closer, his rotund belly pushing against me. “That’s not the way I heard it.”

The accusations from earlier pounded through my head. You don’t know how to do anything other than throw your daddy’s money around to control the situation!

Would it hurt as much if it weren’t true? Was I turning into my father, despite all my attempts to the contrary? I wanted to emulate Celeste herself, or even Mr. Hendricks. This was a test. A test I was going to pass.

“Fine,” I said coolly, holding out my hands, palms upward. “Let’s go talk down at the station.”

If he was surprised, he didn’t show it. Spinning me around, a harsh clink! filled the air as he clamped handcuffs on my wrists.

“Shouldn’t you be reading me my rights, old man?” I taunted him.

Hillsborough only jerked me towards his squad car in response.

CHAPTER 48

THE UNEXPECTED

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