Page 3 of Island Homecoming

He cut her off with a hard look. “You’ll get a chance, ma’am.”

So maybe there was more experience under that youthful exterior after all.

He crouched down, putting himself eye level with the woman Jess considered a victim. “Can you tell me what happened, Linny?” His tone, cool and professional, didn’t hide his familiarity with the couple.

“She attacked us.” The woman flung an arm toward Jess, nearly clipping the deputy’s chin. “We were just buying beer.”

Nerves crept along her skin. Jess wanted to protest, but she held her tongue while the woman—Linny—fabricated an outrageous story that painted her abusive partner in the best possible light and the handprint on her cheek as a result of Jess’s aggression.

Holy cow. Linny sounded as if she believed her tale. If the cameras weren’t working, Jess was in trouble.

The paramedics rushed in and Miller guided Jess and the woman away from the man on the floor, keeping them separated.

“I’m a police officer,” Jess said. “I won’t give you any trouble.”

Miller glared at her and then glanced over his shoulder. “Too late. You’re under arrest.”

Jess felt her mouth drop open. “You’re making a mistake,” she said, her voice low. “Please check the cameras. Talk to the clerk.”

Linny heard it anyway and launched into another round of absurd accusations.

“I know my job,” he muttered. “Mistake or not, we’ll sort it out at the station,” Miller said. “Turn around, now. Hands behind your back.”

“Is that really necessary?” she asked even as she complied. “I’m a police officer.”

“Are you carrying a weapon?” He started patting her down.

“No, sir.” She didn’t point out that her snug denim shorts and the form-fitting t-shirt would’ve emphasized a concealed weapon rather than hide it. She supposed she should be grateful he left the cuffs a bit loose.

“What about my car?”

“We’ll have it towed,” he replied easily. Did this kind of thing happen often? “Nobody will mess with it,” he assured her.

She wished she could believe him. “When do I get my phone call?”

He took her elbow and marched her out of the store. “At the station,” he said. “Careful now,” he advised, opening the back door for her to slide in.

It was a short trip to the sheriff’s station, a relief for Jess with her hands cuffed and what she considered the mild injustice of riding in the back. The station was modest, the building dated, but inside was clean and modern. Miller removed her cuffs as soon as they rounded the tall reception counter. He guided her to an empty desk, one of three in the big square room.

Jess was impressed when the first thing he did was verify her leave of absence from the KWPD. And more impressed when he grabbed a notepad and pen. “Tell me your side of that mess,” he directed.

She walked him through what she’d heard, her attempt to intervene, and how she’d defended herself at the convenience store.

When she was done, Miller shook his head. He reviewed the notes and asked a couple more questions to clarify.

“You don’t seem surprised,” Jess said.

“I’m not. Linny won’t leave him and Pritch won’t stop hitting her,” Miller admitted. “I’ve got an email here,” he nodded toward his open laptop. “Paramedics tell me the victim decided to file charges against you.”

Jess kept her mouth shut but she couldn’t stop the eye roll.

“That means I have to put you in a cell while I go talk to him. Likely overnight—”

“I understand what that means,” she said. She was stuck until a judge decided on bail. “When do I get my phone call?”

“Now.” He moved the desk phone closer to her. “Do you need privacy?”

“No.” She stared at the device for a moment, wishing she’d minded her own business. Domestic squabbles were the worst.

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