Page 50 of Tinsel Time Treasure
“Thank you.”
I connected my phone to my car’s bluetooth as soon as I got in. “Call Annie.”
“Hey Max,” she replied as she answered. “What’s up?”
“Justin’s stalker broke into the friend’s apartment, and it’s all on video. I’m headed over to talk with him and the cops now.”
“Headed where? I’ll meet you.”
“Justin’s work. Past Tense Massage.”
“I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
“Thanks Annie.”
“Of course. If I can help get an asshole like this guy put behind bars, it’ll be a job well-done.”
“Hopefully it’s enough to put him away for a while.”
“That’ll be up to the courts,” she replied. “But Justin was already doing a good job of making it clear that any contact was unwanted. That will help convince the prosecutor to go for full charges.”
“Why wouldn’t they go for the max right away?”
“Because it’s still a he-said, he-said situation. But documentation, witnesses, and of course the camera footage—if it’s clear enough—will help. Unfortunately there is still a tendency by judges to quote-unquote not want to ruin the futures of alphas. Prosecutors want a sure thing.”
I growled, thinking that the asshole could still get away with it.
“It’s going to be a process,” Annie said. “But at least he’s on the right side of it now.” There was a pause. “I’m getting into the car now. I’ll call Grace on the way. See you there.”
“See you soon.”
I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel at every red light. WereJustin’s coworkers giving him the support he needed?
Finally I pulled my car into a spot at the massage parlor, parking next to what appeared to be an unmarked police car. I forced myself to take several deep breaths rather than rushing immediately to Justin’s side, then strode in.
“Janet,” I said to the woman at the counter, looking around when I didn’t see Justin or a cop.
She gave me a tight smile. “They’re in Dean’s office. Take a seat and I’ll let them know you’re here.”
I nodded and perched on the edge of a chair as she disappeared into the back. A moment later she reappeared, Justin, his boss, and a man who had to be a detective right behind her.
I stood and took several steps towards the group—until the cop gave Justin a glance as if to make sure that I was considered safe.
Justin took the initiative at that point, striding over and giving me a hug.
I sighed and ran my hand up and down his back. “How are you feeling?”
“Better now. They’re going to go collect evidence from Kaleb’s, then he says they’re going to arrest Frederick.”
“Excuse me sir,” the officer interrupted. “Did you come to give a statement?”
I blinked and made eye-contact with the other alpha. “That’s an option?”
“If you’ve witnessed anything, yes.”
I racked my brain, then sighed. “I don’t think I saw anything in particular, just how much an impact this has all had.”
The cop nodded. “That’s enough. We’ll need to establish that there was an impact to Mr. Sellers’ mental state as well.” He pulled out a card and handed it over. “I’m meeting crime scene to go over the apartments and gather evidence. But if you’ll stop by the station later for a statement, I would appreciate it.”
