David got to his feet, cradling his jaw with his palm. His eyes filled with hurt. “Are you playing this game again with me, Genevieve? You called me to come over. Begged me. Now this asshole catches us and you throw me to the cops? Jesus, don’t I mean anything to you?”
“This man is a liar!”
They all turned as the female voice rang out in the room with pure authority. Arilyn raced past the cops as if she had every right and hugged Gen tight. Gen slumped in her arms, feeling as if she were in a weird combination of mixed-up television dramas. Did this ever happen on NCIS? Oh, that was military. Government. Something like that, oh, God, she was losing her mind.
The scary officer narrowed his gaze. “Who are you?” he cracked out.
“Arilyn Meadows. I’m the one who called.”
“How?” Gen whispered. “How did you know?”
“I came by to drop off the manual since I never got back into the office today. When I saw his car out front, I sensed trouble. I didn’t want to do anything by myself so I called the cops. But Wolfe beat them to it.” She stuck her nose in the air and sniffed like she smelled something bad. “I called in with an emergency and it took you forever to get here.” She glared at the cops. “I thought Verily would be better prepared. You’ve been quite disappointing.”
The beautiful one grinned. His partner grunted and looked annoyed. “You got a set of balls on you, lady. How about we get past the tea-and-cookies part of this and I get some answers?” He motioned toward Wolfe. “Don’t move, Rambo, got it?” Wolfe lifted his hands so they were in plain sight. “Let’s keep our distance and go one at a time. You. Tell me what happened.”
David spoke. “Genevieve and I went through a breakup, but we discussed getting back together. She called me this afternoon while I was at the hospital and asked me to come over. Wanted to talk. Said she was sorry about cheating with Wolfe—that guy.” He motioned to him. “Things were going well, got heated in a good way, and we were against the wall, kissing. Then this psycho roars in, grabs me, and starts beating the shit out of me.”
Gen grabbed Arilyn’s hand for strength. “Not true,” she said raggedly. “It’s a lie.”
Both officers studied David, then nodded. Beauty spoke. “Ma’am? What’s your side of it?”
She began shaking again. “David and I broke up. We were never getting back together. He called and said he’d bring some of my stuff over from his apartment. When he got here, I asked him where it was and he said it was in the car. Then he started getting verbally abusive, pushed me against the wall, and intended to . . . intended to . . . to—”
“Hurt her!” Arilyn finished. “Rape her. For goodness’ sake, Officers, do your job and arrest this man.”
Brute gave her a sharp look. Arilyn fell silent.
Beauty strolled forward and guided them toward the kitchen. “Ladies, why don’t you come over here. I can get more specific details on your story.”
Brute turned toward Wolfe. “And you? What’s your side in this?”
“Gen and I had plans for dinner at seven. I got here early. Saw his car. Heard her yelling when I was at the door, so I busted in and found him trying to assault her. I pulled him off and hit him.”
David shook his head. “You son of a bitch! You set me up! You have Gen so scared over your temper she’s afraid to tell you we’re back together. Why do you think I got a restraining order?”
Gen froze. “What?”
Brute gave Wolfe a look. “Is that true? Is there an order of protection out on your behalf?”
Wolfe’s jaw tightened. “I just found out about that today. He’s been manipulating this whole scene from the beginning.”
The cop muttered something under his breath. “I need to check this out. Let me call it in.”
Beauty looked at her with concern. “Ma’am, do you need to go to the hospital? Were you assaulted?”
Gen rubbed her hands up and down her arms for warmth. The room began to blur. “David threatened me. I’m not sure what would’ve happened if Wolfe hadn’t come in.”
David stabbed a finger through the air. “Do you realize my whole medical career can be destroyed by your lies? Hell, I can prove it. She called me on my private number. She’s the one who set up the whole encounter. Check her cell phone for proof.”
“No, no, you called me! Well, I mean, Sally called me and asked if I would . . .” She trailed off, the whole scenario suddenly making sick sense. “You told her to do it.” She pressed a trembling hand against her mouth. “You made me call you so it would be on record.”