Page 25 of Widow

Chapter 6

Lucifer was still a security guard in the emergency room. He stayed away from me, but his eyes were always following me. I felt like I was on fire every time I saw him watching. I hoped it was because I was attracted to him and not because he was literally making me feel like I was on fire.

My shift ended, and I headed out to my car. Lucifer followed close behind me like he always did. Was he protecting me from myself or other people from me?

I nodded at him as I slid into my car and started the engine. He watched as I pulled out of the parking lot. At least they didn't feel like they had to babysit me while I drove.

It had been a rough day. A multiple-vehicle accident kept us busy for hours. There were several casualties, and all because someone decided to text and drive.

I pulled onto the freeway and gunned my engine. For it being ten o'clock at night, there was still a lot of traffic. That was Los Angeles for you.

I was definitely going the speed limit when lights flashed behind me. At first, I didn't pull over, thinking the lights were for someone else.

I looked in the rearview mirror again and saw a second car flashing its lights.

"Pull to the shoulder." I jumped as the police officer spoke through the squad car's PA system. Shit. He was talking to me.

I put my blinker on and pulled over to the shoulder of the freeway. My heart was beating wildly, and my stomach was in knots. I hated getting tickets.

"Put your hands where we can see them." My eyes widened, and I hesitated. "Put your hands where we can see them, or we will take appropriate action."

I put my hands up because I really didn't want to find out what 'appropriate action' was.

"Cut off the engine and drop the keys outside the window."

What. The. Fuck.

I turned off my car, rolled down the window, and dropped the keys outside. I kept my hands there so they could see them. I didn't know what was happening, but I wasn't about to defy two squad cars that probably had a total of four officers.

"Exit the vehicle with your hands in the air." I didn't know if I could move. I unhooked my belt and slowly got out of the car with my hands up.

I felt like I was watching myself and was having an out-of-body experience. I had seen this scenario played out over and over again on television and movie screens. A million thoughts ran through my head.

This wasn't an ordinary traffic stop. Had they figured out it was me? There was no other explanation.

I squinted back at the police car that had its bright lights shining on me. The two police officers from the first car were standing behind their squad car's door with their weapons drawn.

My teeth chattered in my mouth. Not because it was cold, but because I was scared shitless. I had never been arrested before.

"Turn around slowly." I did as I was asked until my back was facing them. "Now, walk backward."

Tears slid down my cheeks as I walked backward. An officer grabbed one of my arms and placed it in a handcuff before bringing the other arm down to cuff them together. He pushed me against the first squad car and started patting me down for weapons.

"Is there anyone else in the car?" I shook my head.

The officer on the PA spoke into it again. "If there is anyone else in the car, show your hands."

I turned my head to the side and watched two officers approach my car with their weapons drawn.

"What am I being arrested for?" My voice didn't even sound like my own.

"We have a warrant for your arrest in connection to the disappearance of Daniel McAllister." The officer pulled me off the car and then led me to the back of the cruiser.

Daniel McAllister was the first kill. He was a family member of a patient at the hospital. Seven months had passed since then.

I sat in the back in silence as they drove me to the police station.

Once inside the station, the booking officer read me my rights and asked me if I was the sole guardian of any children. If you're arrested and have children, you get two extra phone calls. How nice of them.

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