“I’ve had enough. I want to press charges against him. I’m calling my lawyer right now. He’ll prove there’s a restraining order that he failed to obey. I want him in jail.”
“No!”
“I’m her witness!” Arilyn shouted. “We’re pressing our own charges.”
Brute raised his voice. “Everyone calm down now. No more speaking and stay separated.” He muttered something foul under his breath, communicated with his partner via psychic silent communication, and grabbed his radio. Beauty took some notes on her story in his pad, nodding as Arilyn faltered from her usual calm center and began babbling on her behalf.
Finally, Brute turned toward Wolfe. “I’ll have to ask you to come with me down to the station. There is a legal restriction against you being in the same vicinity, and proof of physical abuse.”
Wolfe nodded. The cop took out the cuffs.
“Oh my God, no. This is ridiculous—I’m coming with you,” Gen said shakily.
“That’s probably a good idea. I’d like all of you to come. We’ll take official statements there.”
David glared, his face full of dried blood. “I’ll drive myself. My lawyer will meet you downtown.”
Brute rolled his eyes. “We’re not downtown, sir. You’ll find us on Main Street. It’s actually uptown.”
Beauty looked amused. “I’ll take him in my car.”
Wolfe took a few steps toward Gen, but Brute grabbed his arms. “Not yet. I’d rather you not talk to her until we get everyone’s story.”
Uh-oh. She watched Wolfe struggle with his temper, grinding his teeth with vicious purpose. “I’m fine,” she said strongly. “Go with him and I’ll meet you at the station.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Wolfe ground out to the officer. “She’s just been attacked. Get her a blanket and some water.”
Brute narrowed his gaze. “Get him out of here,” he directed his partner, motioning toward the door. She watched helplessly as Beauty guided him out. Arilyn growled something undignified under her breath while Brute settled them in his police car. He shut the door, disappeared, and returned with a blanket and two bottles of water from the trunk. “Here.” He thrust them into Arilyn’s hands and took his place in the driver’s seat.
Arilyn covered Gen up, tucking the blanket carefully around her legs and opening the bottle. Gen took a few sips. The blessed warmth of the scratchy material relaxed her a bit. She was so stupid. It was all her fault for calling David. Believing his story. How had their relationship disintegrated to such violence and hate?
And a restraining order? Had David bribed a judge or falsified evidence? Wolfe had never threatened or touched him before. She had to fix this somehow, but now that David had shown his true colors, she was afraid of making things worse for Wolfe. David had so many connections in the community, he’d be able to make Wolfe’s life a living hell. Her thoughts spun and she lapsed into silence as they drove to the station.
Arilyn patted her knee and launched an attack.
“I hope you’re not one of these cops in the good old boys’ club,” she said, voice dripping icicles. “Officer—?”
“Petty. Stone Petty.”
Stone? Huh, the name fit perfectly. Even his tone was stone-cold, challenging Arilyn’s tit for tat.
“Why don’t you tell me what the good old boys’ club is, Mrs.—”
“Ms. Arilyn Meadows. I told you my name on the phone.”
“I didn’t take the call, Ms. Meadows.” He placed emphasis on the Ms. “I only respond to Dispatch.”
“Verily isn’t that big. Were you on break when you received the call? I imagine you were doing something else, since it took fifteen minutes to get here.”
Half-fascinated, Gen watched her kind, calm friend turn into a bitch.
“Yeah. I was getting a donut and talking to my good old boys.”
Arilyn tightened her lips. “I’m just concerned about appearances. Police seem to judge by first impressions, and David is a liar. He’s abused my friend and manipulated the situation, and I also suspect he set up the whole thing to get caught by Wolfe. I would hate justice not to be served because of some surface charm and connections.”
The temperature in the cop car dropped like a ghost had just visited. “I see. I’ll try not to be blinded by a charming smile and give the rocks in my brain a workout. Amazing how lucky I got passing all those tests and physicals and training. Hell, at least I get my daily jelly donuts and get to ride in a cool car.”
Arilyn huffed out a breath. “You’re being ridiculous and mocking me. I’m just warning you to examine the entire situation and look at the facts.”