Page 79 of Forged in Steele

“Why does he owe you?” Jared asked.

“Work I did for him.”

“What kind of work?” Bristol asked.

Pam lifted her chin. “None of your business.”

“Did you help him find babies for adoption?” Jared asked.

“I’m not telling you anything, so save your breath.” She clamped her mouth closed.

“What if we help you find Holloway?” Bristol asked. “Will that help?”

“I’m not an idiot.” Pam sneered at Bristol. “You won’t help me. You’ll arrest me, and I’m not going to prison. So the only thing I want to hear out of your mouth is how I’m going to get out of here.”

“Your best bet right now is to tell us about Holloway.” Jared used that soothing tone again and took a couple of steps closer. “We can go to the DA for you and tell him how you cooperated. If we bring Holloway down, the DA will surely cut you a deal for your help.”

She sat back and tapped her foot.

“Even if you could manage to overpower both of us,” Jared said. “With our reinforcements outside, you won’t get far. So help yourself by making things easier for you.”

She bit her lip. “I don’t know.”

“At this point, all we have you on is trespassing here and detaining Amelia,” Bristol said. “I’m sure if you let Amelia go, she wouldn’t press charges.”

“I will not. Please.” Amelia clutched Pam’s hand. “My baby. I must not have her yet. It’s too soon.”

“Holloway will be too busy with his own issues to charge you with trespassing,” Jared added. “Surrendering is your best chance.”

Pam shook her head and got up, tugging Amelia to her feet. “We’re leaving and you better call off your officers outside. Pull out one of your guns and the baby gets a swift kick.”

“Not a good decision, Pam,” Jared said. “You don’t want a pregnant woman with you. Why not take one of us instead?”

“Because you’d turn on me in a flash.” She approached Bristol. “I’ll take that gun.”

“No,” Bristol said. “That’s not happening.”

“Then the baby—”

Bristol struck, kicking out and sweeping Pam’s feet out from under her and reaching to steady Amelia.

No,his mind screamed as he rushed them.You could get hurt.

But Pam went down hard, hitting the tile floor with a solid thump.Perfect.Bristol succeeded.

Wait!Pam shot out a hand to grab Bristol’s ankle, catching her off guard. Jerking her off her feet.

Bristol landed on Pam. The woman grabbed for anything to clutch onto. Grasping first at Bristol’s shirt. Her hair. Failing and flailing out before Jared could get to her.

He wrenched Pam away and subdued her on the floor. He handcuffed her hands behind her back.

“You okay?” he called to Bristol.

“Fine.” She got up and went to Amelia. “How are you?”

“Fine, I think.” Amelia gave a wobbly smile. “I’ll just go lay down if that’s okay.”

“Of course,” Bristol said. “I’ll come check on you soon.”

---