Page 26 of Freedom to Love

Chapter Seven

Brynn didn’t bother to rise from the table when the officers did. Instead she sat and rubbed her sore wrists and sipped her now warm Coke. They’d questioned her for an hour, and honestly, she was surprised it hadn’t been for longer. They’d asked specific questions, mostly aimed at her knowledge of the stolen vehicle and weapons. It was obvious they’d already spoken to someone about the incident. One question had surprised her. They’d wanted to know why she’d helped. Why she’d held pressure on Vander’s wound. How she knew what to do. After the surprise of the questions, she’d found herself offended. They really must think her completely heartless and apathetic. That’s what a name will get you.

It hadn’t always been like this. Her grandparents had been good people, hard working, respected. They’d purchased the acres of land that the family now lived on, known as Williams Lane. But things had gone to hell with her parents. Both had died early, her father suddenly. It had sucked the life out of everyone. Taken the wind from their sails. And it had forced her into a motherly role.

The door clicked open, and the man she knew as the captain walked in with another officer. They didn’t bother to sit.

“We just got off the phone with corrections. It seems you did quite well for yourself inside.”

“I tried to, sir.”

“They had nothing but good things to say. And they confirmed the time of your release.”

She waited for more. Finally, the captain spoke. “Ms. Williams, we just have one more question for you before you’re free to go.”

She sat back, hands in her lap. It sounded like they were letting her go. No prison. She couldn’t believe it. She began to tremble again and stuck her hands between her knees to hide it.

“We need to know where Bea is.”

She stared at the captain, unblinking. “I honestly have no idea.”

He gave an eat shit and die grin, and this time he sat. His large, hard as a boulder body creaked and groaned as he shifted for comfort. He sighed and rubbed a temple where the gray in his hair was the most prominent. He was in bad need of a trim around the ears. She guessed he had been putting in a lot of overtime since the shooting. Tired eyes and a grim set to his mouth seemed to confirm her theory.

“You don’t expect us to believe that do you?”

She shook her head in defiance. “I don’t care if you do or not. I have no idea where she’s going. All I can tell you is I buried her heroin, left her some pills, and left her at the cabin. She said she was leaving but didn’t say where.”

“But had she said, you wouldn’t tell us would you?”

Her hands grew more restless and her knees bobbed up and down. “I don’t know.”

The captain planted his palms on the table. “That’s what I thought.”

“Look, you can follow me, bug my house, my phone. You’ll see I don’t know.”

“Oh, we’ve done that. And will continue to do so. Because whether you like it or not, Bea will be held responsible for these charges.”

Blood drained from her face. “Which charges?”

“The stolen vehicle. Leaving the scene of a crime. We can’t prove the weapons charge until we find them. Resisting arrest. And I’m sure there will be more to add to that as time goes on.”

“Why am I not being charged?”

“Do you want to be?”

She looked away and chewed her lower lip. “No, sir.”

“Then count your blessings.” He stood with more groans and creaks. “One more thing.” He stuck out his hand. “Thank you for saving my people. They wouldn’t be alive without you.”

She reached up and took his powerful hand. He squeezed and she did too. She went limp to release, but he held firm.

“Stay out of trouble, Williams.”

She nodded once. “Yes, sir.”

“And if you hear from your sister, you better call in. You can’t protect her this time. And just so you know, I will charge you with harboring a fugitive.”

He released her hand and motioned for the other officer to open the door. They filed out and the officer held the door for her. She exited with her Coke and stood, unsure what to do.

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