Page 14 of Rescued By the Guard

“What happened once the car crashed?”

I squint my eyes and daze off, trying to recall anything, but it remains a blur. I don’t remember a lot until the first actual conversation I had with Dale. Everything in between is like little snapshots.

“I really can’t remember. I keep trying, but nothing comes through.”

The detective nods while his partner continues to write notes in his notepad.

“What’s going to happen to Wayne?”

“Well, there’s a warrant for his arrest.”

I startle at the news and sit a little straighter. “What? A warrant? For what?”

“For armed robbery. Back home, he held up a convenience store.”

I slump back into the hospital bed, playing over the fragments of my mind. It makes sense why he became so frantic to leave and why he wouldn’t take no for an answer when getting on the road.

“I promise you, I had nothing to do with that. Oh, God, was anybody hurt? Please tell me nobody was hurt?” The heart monitor machine blasts out the increase of my blood pressure and the pounding of my chest.

The main detective stands, waving his hands in a calm down gesture. “Whoa. Take a breath for me. Nobody was injured.And it’s clear he acted alone. The camera’s inside and outside the store show he was alone. Please, we don’t want you getting worse.”

The door opens as a nurse comes running in and glares at the detectives. “I told you if she gets too stressed you guys are out of here. She’s been through enough and needs to rest and relax.”

Both detectives nod. “We’re about finished up here. We don’t want to stress you out. You gave us a lot to work with. And we have the collected evidence and the photographs. Next thing is, will you be pressing charges? He threatened you and Captain Mitchell with a gun.”

The monitor jumps again, and the nurse turns the machine sound off and rubs her hand down my arm in a soothing gesture.

I bite on my upper lip as my body shakes. Fear is a physical reaction that has me weak, but I can’t help the emotions Wayne has invoked from me.

However, it’s Dale’s face and his actions that give me the courage to do something I should’ve done years ago.

Stiffly, I nod. “Yes, I wish to press charges.”

The main detective smiles a little. “That’s good. It will add a lot more to the charge list and it’ll make it harder for him to get bail.”

The word bail has me breathing heavier. “He’ll get out?”

“Miss Brown, I don’t want you to worry about that. His arraignment will be a little later than normal because of the storm and all the recovery that needs to be taken care of first. And his bail is going to be set ridiculously high, plus the extradition. He won’t be free anytime soon. So, you take care of yourself and know we have him in custody, okay?”

I won’t be okay unless I have Dale beside me. It’s the only way I’m going to get through this. He said he’s going to be by my side, and I need him by my side.

Oh, gosh, what if he only means during this, and then he’s going to go back to his life and I’m here alone and have to do Wayne’s trial and everything all on my own? I don’t know if I’m capable. Or if I can do it.

“I think we have everything we need at the moment. I know Captain Mitchell has been dying to get in here with you.”

I perk up at that. “And nothing is going to happen to him, right?”

“No, it was clearly self-defense. The DA said she won’t be pressing charges or pursuing the matter further. It also helps that the man he subdued has a warrant for armed robbery. That goes a long way, along with your statement and his impeccable service record. He’s clear. “

Relief flows through me and the heart monitor seems to stop jumping around and everybody in the room notices it as well. “Does that mean I can see him now?”

“Yes.” He hands over his card. “Call me if you think of anything else. I have Captain Mitchell’s number in case we need to get a hold of you, but please don’t leave town. We will need to be able to ask you questions should information arise.”

I frown as I hold his card. “Um, I don’t live here. What should I do if I have to leave? I don’t have anywhere to stay.”

The nurse clears her throat and both detectives smile. “I don’t think that will be a problem.”

I lower my brows and glance around the room. “I’m sorry?”

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