Page 92 of Black Bird

“I’ll give you something for that if you promise to behave,” she said softly.

Sarah slowly turned her face to look at her. “I’m sorry …” she breathed. Tears threatened to cloud her eyes and she blinked furiously. “I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine, Sarah.”

“It’s not fine!” Sarah yelped, her voice cracking with emotion. She flung an arm out. “I’mnot fine, Rhaena!” Warm tears started sliding down her cheeks and she sniffled, wiping her nose on her sleeve. “I’ve never felt so fucking lost …” Sarah buried her face in her knees.

She didn’t need to look over to know that Rhaena had approached her and knelt down. A gentle hand grazed her back. “Well … you’ve certainly made an ass out of yourself this time.” That wasn’t Rhaena … Sarah jerked her face up. She didn’t even have the words as she flung her arms around Wren’s neck and cried. Wren clutched her tight, sniffling at her ear.

“I’m sorry,” Sarah whispered, gripping her tighter.

“It’s okay, bitch. You won’t get rid of me that easily.” Wren snickered.

“I was awful. I shouldn’t have gone off like that.”

They pulled back and Wren offered her a tissue. “You had every right. I shouldn’t have butted in. I was just shook up from everything and I acted on impulse. You know if I spend too much time around him my mouth writes checks my ass can’t cash.” She shrugged, smiling.

Rhaena chuckled through her nose as she leaned against the open door. Sarah looked up at her. “How much trouble are you in?”

“With Cap, none. Kane might be a different story.”

Just the mention of his name had her muscles weakening. It brought up the short conversation she’d forgotten about in Rhaena’s truck. “Oh, God. Rhaena … I’m—I didn’t mean …”

Rhaena held up a palm. “Don’t. It’s okay. No hard feelings. At least Ihopeyou can say that after I socked you last night.”

“No, I earned that and then some. You pack a mean punch, Northwood. I’m sorry I put you in that position.” There was a little laughter between the three of them, and then silence. “So … what am I looking at? Jail time? Hot oil? The guillotine?”

“Actually, no. None of those things. I got you off with drunk and disorderly.” Rhaena shrugged.

“How?” Sarah asked.

“Well, after I explained to your little opponent that she could catch the same charge for instigating the fight and making the first move, she decided not to press charges. The bar owner was satisfied with the amount of money that was thrown at the two of you, so … everybody wins.”

“You’re a Jedi.” Wren laughed, shaking her head.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, though. You’re ah … banned from your little hangout, moving forward.” Rhaena winked.

“I won’t be going anywhere like that again.”

“I’m glad to hear it. So … are we ready to get out of this shithole?” Rhaena asked, turning sideways and gesturing out the door. Sarah let Wren help her up and they followed Rhaena out. She had no idea what time it was … or even what day it was. She took her walk of shame past all the officers that glanced at her as they reached Rhaena’s desk. Athan’s was empty and looked to have been that way for a while. Sarah paused. “He’s not coming. You can sit there. Once we sign the paperwork you can go home if you want. I can take you … unless you wanna stay at my place?” Rhaena offered as Sarah pulled the chair out from under his desk.

She lowered herself into the seat and Wren busied herself at the whiteboard. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ll just go home,” Sarah said sadly. Rhaena slid a small stack of paperwork across the desks and tossed her a pen. It rolled off the edge and clattered to the floor. Sarah bent over to pick it up and noticed a drawer half-open on her way back up. Her heart nearly stopped. She slid the small drawer open and in it was a small print-out of the picture she’d sent Athan from the lab. Small enough to fit in a wallet and taped to the inside.

“He’s pretty wrecked, you know …” Wren said from behind her. Sarah hadn’t realized they both were watching. “Sneaking coffee from Rhaena’s has really tucked his tail.”

“If the fool hadn’t one-upped me on the fancy shit he bought, I might have replaced it for him just so I wouldn’t have to see him more often than I already do.” Rhaena snorted. Wren chuckled as she turned to face the board again. Sarah remained quiet.

“Knowing what I know now … I can see why he was so upset aboutthis.” She knocked the back of a knuckle on the photo of the body on the web. Sarah stood up and stepped behind her to look at the tragic woman that had been a muse in some sick ploy to get their attention. It waswithout a doubt a threat. A sinister one. Had her face been unmarred, Sarah would have guessed she was staring at her own body in that picture. A chill crept down her spine. She turned away, sitting back in his chair. It squealed loudly when she turned it and she noticed Rhaena’s irritation.

“That fu—you know what?” She started to raise up and a nice-looking guy, wearing a badge but no uniform, approached from the hallway behind Rhaena’s desk with a can of oil. “Hey …” Rhaena smirked, a little stunned and easing back down into her seat. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“When I saw your text earlier and realized what time it was, I figured here was the last place you’d wanna be. I brought Chinese.” He smiled, handing her the small can. Sarah noticed the tension between them and realized this must be the one she’d said she was seeing when they were in the truck. She recognized the guy. Had seen him a couple times before, but she couldn’t for the life of her remember his name.

“Guys this is—” Rhaena started. He cut her off and stretched a hand toward Sarah.

“Brandon Jenkins.” He gripped her hand and Sarah smiled, then he offered it to Wren who shook it gently.

“Umm … speaking of time. What time is it, pray tell?” Sarah asked, flipping through the papers and signing on the highlighted marks.

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