Page 61 of Above All Else

“So you’re on a cross-country trip and don’t have an ID?”

I shrugged. “It was a last-minute thing.”

Cars drove by, their wake causing our vehicle to wobble.

“And what’s your name? First and last.”

I chewed on my bottom lip and flashed Carter a look.

”Ium...”

“Sorry, Officer. She’s been through a hard few days. It’s why I flew in to pick her up.”

He gave a brief nod. “First and last name.”

“Ju...” I gulped, “June Collins.”

Murder suspect.

Probably wanted.

“Any weapons in the vehicle I should know about?”

Carter shook his head. “No, sir.”

“Hang tight. I’ll be right back.”

The officer tapped the top of the vehicle as he moved back to his car.

“He’s going to find out.” My lungs seized.

“Just take some deep breaths. You’re doing great, but if you freak out, he’s going to suspect something.”

“More than he already does?” I flipped my hand into the air and scoffed, my eyes fixated on the side mirror, giving me a direct line of sight to his car.

“Right now, he’s focusing on running our names. He doesn’t have a reason to suspect anything nefarious.” He ran his hand through his hair in my periphery. “So just relax. We’ll be on our way soon.”

“I’m not going to prison.” I fiddled with my lip. “Especially for something I didn’t do.”

“June,” Carter growled. “I willnotlet that happen.”

A car door slammed, and I jerked. “Is he coming back?”

“Yes. Relax...” Carter glanced in the rearview mirror. “Wait, what is he doing?”

“Huh?” I turned in my seat, facing the cop car. “Where is he?”

Knock.

Knock.

Spinning toward my window, I gulped. The officer’s large cap stuck on his head as he bent over, his dirty dishwater brown eyebrows curving around the top of his vibrant blue eyes. He motioned for me to roll down the window, and it obeyed.

Carter, you betrayer.

“Ma’am, I’m going to have you step out of the car.”

My chin quivered as I stared back at Carter, his eyes wide, his head giving me a reassuring nod with pinched brows.

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