Page 51 of Hidden Ascent

She sat back in the chair and slouched. She was on her own from here on out. It didn’t make sense to hold on to hope. According to the Bible, she should, but it sounded like torture.

Fatigue hung heavy behind her eyes, and she laid her head on the table to rest, falling into an uncomfortable sleep.

* * *

When the door clanged open, she jumped to her feet from her sleep, reaching for her hip.

The lieutenant looked startled. “You okay?”

“Sorry. I was asleep.”

“My apologies for startling you.”

“What time is it?”

He checked his watch. “Half past seven.”

She rubbed her eyes and collapsed back into the chair. “You weren’t kidding when you said I’d be here for hours more.”

“I’m glad you got some shuteye.”

“What can I do for you? Is Baker back?”

“No. Not yet. That’s best for both of us, I presume. I can’t wait to see the look on his face.”

“I’m not following.”

“I’ve had a rather unusual meeting. The police captain paid me a visit a few moments ago.”

“Okay.”

“My original understanding was that we were holding you until the feds turned up. Or until that other guy Baker got back.”

“Yes.”

“But it turns out my information was incorrect. Apparently, we had an error in the paperwork.”

“What kind of error?”

“You said you were innocent, and I thought you were doing that thing guilty people do. Why didn’t you say something?”

“Such as?”

“The truth. That you were a witness, not a suspect.”

“Right. Would you have believed me? I did tell you I was innocent.”

“You were behaving like a suspect. Not a witness. But now we’ve kept you here all night for no reason. You’re free to go with my sincere apologies. I like to think we’re allies with the federal agencies.”

“You are.” Isla stood slowly. “I can go?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”

She shrugged the jacket off, but Bloomsbury stopped her. “Keep it. It’s still chilly out there.”

“Thanks.”

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