Page 30 of Bad Seed

Brendan took off his chef’s cap, stepped out of the kitchens, rode the staff elevator down to the back entrance, and walked out of the building. The cold air against his skin was welcome as he pulled out his phone and returned Wiley’s call. The phone rang twice and then Wiley answered.

“I take it you read my text,” he drawled.

“What the hell?” Brendan asked, and Wiley told him.

“What I need to know from you is, now that you know for sure that Justine Beaumont left that note on your door, do you want to press charges?” he asked.

Brendan didn’t hesitate. “I think, considering the big mess she’s already in, I’m gonna let it ride.”

“Your call, Brother. I’ll make the report and leave the complaint pending,” Wiley said.

“Thanks for your trouble,” Brendan said.

Wiley chuckled. “Not trouble. Just part of the job,” he said. “Take care. Talk to you soon.”

They ended the call and Brendan went back to work.By the time his day was coming to an end, the last batch of rolls were out of the oven. The dessert carts were full for the evening rush, and one sparkly-as-snow birthday cake was waiting for him to deliver to the girl who had turned sweet sixteen.

He stayed at the hotel past his quitting time so he could personally present the cake. Once it was time, they lit the silver sparkler candles on the cake, causing a stir of excitement among the diners as the elaborate cake was being wheeled through the dining room toward a table for twelve.

The birthday girl was a cute little redhead, wearing a very grown-up party dress and heels. When she saw the cake, she began laughing and pointing and clapping her hands, and when Brendan stopped at their table, he spoke first to the father.

“Sir, if I may?” Brendan asked, and took the girl’s hand.

Her father was beaming and nodded.

“For you, pretty girl, your sparkly-as-snow cake,” Brendan said, and kissed the back of her hand. “Enjoy your special day. My sous-chef will remove the sparklers and serve the cake after you’ve made your wish.”

Then he nodded at the family before heading back to the kitchen, oblivious to the admiring looks he was getting from other diners.

***

Something banged just outside the door to the cellblock, startling Justine awake. Her head was throbbing, her belly rolling, and even before she opened her eyes, she smelled a faint scent of urine.

What the hell? Did I pee the bed?

And then she opened her eyes, saw the bars on the cell, and remembered.

“Oh shit,” she muttered, then began shouting and calling out for the jailer.

The jailer heard her, but instead of responding, he picked up the phone and called the chief.

Sonny Warren was in the middle of writing up a report when the call came through. He answered without taking his eyes off the screen.

“Chief Warren speaking.”

“Chief, it’s me, Randy. You told me to let you know when Justine Beaumont woke up. She’s awake and shouting.”

“Thanks, Randy. I’ll be right there,” Sonny said, hung up the phone, and hit Save on his report, then left his office.

He walked through the building, winding his way toward the cellblock in the back. Before he was even halfway there, he could hear her, and was thinking she was going to have way more to shout about after their talk. When he got to the jailer’s desk just outside the cellblock, Randy looked up.

“You want me to go in with you, Chief?” Randy asked.

“Are the security cameras working?” Sonny asked.

“Yes, sir,” Randy said.

“Then we’re good here,” Sonny said, knowing they would be his backup if he was ever accused of impropriety. He opened the door to the cell block and walked in.

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