Page 33 of Graveyard

My mind can’t process this. I stare at him dumbly and wait for him to explain. He’s too wound up to say anymore. I push past him and walk into the police station, demanding to see Meredith. The cop at reception is unhelpful and tells me I can see her after processing, but that could be a while.

I go back outside to find Pocus smoking on the curb, absentmindedly running his hands through his hair. I sink down next to him.

“What the hell happened?” I ask him.

“Damien happened,” he breathes out with a puff of smoke. “He’s supposed to be investigating the other gangs, not watching my goddamn home.”

His words bring to mind the image of the new member I saw hanging out in the bushes. Damien. Right. He said he’d passed out after his jog but…

“He’s a cop?” I ask stupidly, catching up.

“He’s a fucking pig,” Pocus confirms. “He’s been nothing but trouble since the moment he showed up. I told Seer this would happen. I fucking told him, but he didn’t listen to me.”

“Christ, Pocus, take a breath,” I warn him. He’s so wound up, he’ll likely explode if he isn’t properly defused. “Tell me what happened. Start from the beginning.”

“I don’t know much,” he says after a deep breath. “But it seems like they’re pinning it all on Meredith. The kids in the gangs. They’re building a case because she’s been ‘kidnapping’ these kids, and, allegedly, placing them in the gangs.”

What? That makes no sense. My mind reels, and I suddenly feel sick. She did tell me she sensed gifted children. She’s been trying to find them homes. What if…? No, that’s ridiculous. It can’t be true. It can’t be because there’s no way I put my entire career on the line for some one like that.

“I need to talk to her.” I get up and walk back toward the doors. This is ridiculous. “My friend is entitled to a phone call, yes?” I ask the receptionist curtly.

He looks up with his bored expression as if to say,That’s above my paygrade. Idiot.

I’m about to demand to speak to his superior when the chief of police strides into the lobby. He looks mighty pleased with himself. I’ve not had as much experience with him as Pocus or Seer, but they both hate him. Or, I guess Pocus does. I’m not sure what the hell is going on with Seer.

“Come with me, son,” he says in a gruff voice. Then he turns on his heel without any further instruction. I follow behind him, fuming.

He leads me through a maze of hallways before stopping in front of a door. He raps sharply twice. A man sticks his head out.

“Special favor to me,” the chief says. “This man needs to speak with the suspect.”

I have no idea what’s going on. There’s no reason for him to give me such special treatment, but I don’t question it. I see Meredith sitting at a cold, metal table, looking pale and terrified. Her gaze flicks to me and shame colors her face.

“You’ve got five minutes,” the chief tells me before slamming the door shut. I hear the sound of him locking it. I immediately take a seat. Whatever the reason, I’ve been granted five minutes to speak with Meredith. I need to find out as much as I can.

“Tell me you didn’t kidnap Charlie,” I demand desperately.

She blinks slowly at me, then shakes her head. “I told you,” she whispers. “I found her being kicked out of a foster home. There was nowhere to kidnap her from. If I hadn’t found her when I did, she would’ve been homeless.”

“What about the others?” I ask.

She hesitates, not answering immediately. I feel the time ticking down. I slam my hand on the table, causing her to jump.

“Dammit, Meredith!” I seethe. “Do you understand how bad this looks? They’re building a case against you. They’re blaming the child trafficking on you. You need to talk to me.”

“I didn’t kidnap them,” she says. “I would never do that. You have no idea what kind of situations I’ve found some of these kids in. I rescued them from literal hell and found them loving homes to take them in and keep them safe. I’m being set up, Graveyard. You have to know that.”

“How can I know that?” My voice rises with emotion. “You’ve lied to me so much, Meredith. How can I trust what you’re saying? Who would want to set you up?”

Tears spring to her eyes. I see her walls go up. She won’t tell me anything else. She doesn’t trust me enough to give me the truth, not even now.

“Promise me you’ll keep Charlie safe,” she manages to get out, her voice breaking from crying. “I don’t care what happens to me, but you have to make sure she’s taken care of. Please, Graveyard. You don’t have to believe anything I say, but you’ve seen what I’ve done to protect her. Please don’t let that be in vain.”

I hear the sound of the lock click. The chief is back, telling me it’s time to go. I don’t answer Meredith because I’m not sure I can. I don’t know where Charlie is right now. He pulls me up and pushes me out of the room. As I look back at Meredith, she’s already looking down at the table, avoiding my gaze completely.

I’ve been waiting for news all night. None has come. Pocus is ignoring my calls and texts. Graveyard’s phone goes straight to voicemail. Ever since Pocus called me several hours ago to cuss me out and tell me what Damien did, I’ve been pacing the living room, trying to get to the bottom of it. The best I could do was get the chief on the phone. I asked him to let Graveyard see Meredith. It was the least he owed me after what a fuck-up Damien has turned out to be.

It’s nearly dawn. I haven’t slept a wink. I sink into one of the large easy chairs. Before I know it, the world goes dark but my reprieve is short-lived. I wake up in a cold sweat. It takes me a moment to realize where I am. As my heart rate slows down, I try to focus on what I saw.

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