Page 40 of Forced Proximity
We’d taken the bottle with us.
The only physical evidence that there had ever been a child present was a single diaper that we’d left on the counter at the home that we’d commandeered for the night.
There was no way that we could make it back there, either.
Emergency vehicles were everywhere, blocking the path into the destruction.
To get back, we’d have to sneak in, and we weren’t really interested in doing that.
Hopefully no one really thought to check that house.
And the owners who did their inspections overlooked it.
“Yes, sir.” Dru leaned forward and covered her face. “I’ve been at this for two hours with you. I’ve told you everything I know. I need a break.”
“Just a few more…”
“No!” Dru snarled. “I’m done. I’ve not slept in what feels like two days. I’ve been through a plane crash and a tornado. I haven’t even had a hot meal yet. I have to pee. My entire body hurts. My eyes feel like sandpaper, and I’m really fucking over answering your questions. Common decency usually requires you to help the people after they’ve experienced a tragedy. I’ve seen so many dead bodies that I feel like the scent is in my nose. I’m done. D. O. N. E. Now get me out of this fucking room!”
The man leaned forward, ready to interrupt her multiple times.
But Dru wasn’t done. “I’m not a fucking criminal! You can’t fucking keep me here! It’s against my constitutional rights, goddammit! What’s the fucking point of living in the land of the free if I can’t fucking leave when I’m not under arrest?! Let me GO!”
The door opened, and a woman stepped inside. “Officer Henderson, that’s enough. They can go.”
“Good, at least someone has some sense. It makes sense that the woman has to come in here to deal with your stupid ass.”
My lips twitched.
And Officer Henderson didn’t look amused.
But I was done as well.
I got up and placed the palm of my hand against Dru’s lower back and herded her into the hallway.
We were outside when she said, “What the fuck was that about? Dammit, man. That’s not how you treat trauma victims!”
I agreed with her.
That was more.
Almost as if they were trying to fish out something else.
“A senator and a couple of really important people were on that plane,” I answered her as I guided her out of the building. “They think this was a terrorist event. They’re trying to figure out everything that happened and we’re the only two survivors.”
“I don’t fucking care,” she grumbled. “I really want Raising Canes.”
“I got you, girl.”
I looked up to find Webber, our club president, standing there with his arms crossed, in the middle of the parking lot.
“Everyone else leave?”
“As soon as I arrived. Too many people asking questions that we don’t like answering,” he answered. “Introduce me.”
“Dru, this is Webber, my club president.” I jerked my chin toward Dru. “Webber, this is Dru. The woman who saved my life.”
“I didn’t save your life,” she muttered. “You would’ve done just fine on your own. I was just there as moral support.”
