Page 61 of Elling & Jackie

"I...I'm sorry. I didn't hear the calls come in." Tears blurred her vision at the sound of hysteria in her mom's voice. "What's wrong? Is Dad okay?"

"He's fine." She paused. "Jet and Thorn have been...detained."

"They've been de..." She played the sentence in her head again. "Are they—"

"They're being questioned, along with half the members of Brikken. Of course, they're innocent, and I have no idea why they were brought into the police station." The way her mother stated the facts, stressing their innocence in case the Feds somehow tapped their phones or rounded up all the cell phones from the clubhouse, worried her. Both of her brothers were felons.

She had to figure out a way to get the information her mother wasn't telling her. "I-I have to work tonight, but it's early, I think I can make it home if I leave right now. I can be back by three o'clock if I only stay for an hour. That'll give me time to talk."

"No. I don't want you driving by yourself after hearing the news."

"But, I—"

"Hang on. Your dad wants to talk with you," said her mom.

"Okay." She inhaled deeply, feeling lightheaded.

"Jacqueline?" said her dad.

"I'm here."

"Can I send Stassi to you?"

"Of course."

"Just for the week."

She raised her hand, even though he couldn't see her. "That's not a problem, but what about her work?"

"She's taking a break."

"Can she tell me what's going on when she gets here?" She tossed the pillow to the side and stood. "I'm scared."

"It'll be okay. Your sister will fill you in." Chief paused. "And, Jackie?"

"Yeah?"

"I need you to keep an eye on her. Both of you need to stay in the hotel until you hear from me."

"Oh, God." She slapped her hand on her forehead. "Okay."

Whatever was going down was bad. Two of her brothers were taken into custody, and could be arrested.

She closed her eyes. Their poor kids, and Sydney and Jessy. They had to be scared to death.

"I should call Syd—"

"Nope, we've got things covered here. I don't want you to call anyone."

"Okay. I just feel awful. I wish I were home with everyone," she said.

"I need you there, and Stassi needs to be with you."

Bile rose in her throat. She swallowed.

Her dad let her go and disconnected the call. She walked through the room, not knowing what to do. It would take her sister three hours to get here. In the meantime, all she could do was hope everything would turn out okay for everyone.

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