Catherine Lanigan - Hers To Protect

They walked toward the cell-block door. It was then Violet noticed that each child held a notebook.

“Autographs?” She started toward Sal. Scott reached out and touched her forearm.

“Vi, let it go.”

“He’s practically holding court in there,” she said. “This isn’t punishment for him in the least.”

“No,” Scott replied. “But why is it killing you so much?”

She jerked her head back to Scott. “I... I’m... It’s not. In fact, this just goes to prove my earlier evaluation of him. People who live with that kind of notoriety and influence use it to their own advantage.”

“That can be true.”

“Believe me, it’s very common.” Again, she thought of her childhood bully, Billy Pope, and how he used his father’s power as the town mayor to go after other, weaker kids. “What I do know is that I’ll be very glad when Josh Stevens leaves town. He’s precisely the kind of person I would avoid,” she said as her eyes strayed back to the cell-block door and lingered.

“Yeah, right,” Scott replied.

When Violet’s phone rang and she glanced back at Scott, she realized he was watching her closely. She picked up the receiver. “Officer Hawks.”

She listened as Josh’s manager, Harry Wilcox, explained that the bail bondsman would post bail within thirty minutes. He hoped Violet would have all the necessary paperwork ready. She assured him that everything was in order.

As she ended the call, the chief walked up. “Hawks, I just got off the phone with Harry Wilcox. I’m giving the newspaper permission for an interview.” He nodded at her brother-in-law. “I trust you’ll be, er, complimentary, Scott?”

“Absolutely, sir.”

The chief walked away. Scott smiled at Violet.

“Looks like you’ll get your scoop, Scott,” she said. “Why don’t I give Josh your card? He may not want to be interviewed in or near the jail.”

“You’re probably right. Here ya go,” he said, reaching in his wallet. “I appreciate it, Violet.”

Scott kissed her cheek.

“Hug Isabelle and the kids for me,” she said.

“Officer Hawks,” Trent Davis said, standing in the doorway to his office. “Do you have your report ready?”

“Yes, sir. I’m printing it out now.”

“Good. Bring it in.” He smiled faintly. “Then go down to the cell and get Josh Stevens’s autograph for me before he leaves. Have him sign it to my son, Danny.”

Violet gaped as he closed his door. “Not you, too?”

CHAPTER FOUR

VIOLET HANDED THE document to the bondsman, who scribbled something illegible on it and handed her the cash.

She stapled the paperwork together and went to the cell block, unable to help the wave of incompetence that swept through her veins. Deflated and riddled with guilt for the disappointment she’d caused Detective Davis, she was in no mood for gloating from Josh Stevens.

She squared her shoulders as she tucked in her shirt and smoothed her uniform slacks. It was the end of the day, and all she wanted was a hot bath. But first, she had this duty to perform.

She handed the paperwork to Trey as the metal door closed behind her.

“He said his manager would pull through,” Trey said, smiling.

“Had a nice chat, did you?”

“Oh, we did. Josh has the most amazing stories. You know he’s raced in Europe and...”

“Not now, Officer. I’m here to release him.”

Josh was sitting on the bare bench inside the cell. He looked up at her. “Nice jail you have.”

“This isn’t the jail. We use this room to house criminals we know will only be here a few hours. Like you.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not a criminal.”

“Fine.” She motioned to Trey. “You can open it up.”

Josh stood. “I’m being released?”

“Yes. It’s my duty to inform you that you will have to return to Indian Lake in ten days for a hearing. At that time, I will give my testimony to the judge. You will give yours or your lawyer will speak for you. That’s your call. What happens next will be up to the judge.”

“What’s typical in cases like mine?”

“There aren’t many cases like yours.”

“Okaaay. Similar cases.”

“He or she may give you a fine. And the speeding ticket will be reported on your record as well as the charge of resisting arrest.”

Josh walked to the open jail door. “And the endangerment to others?”

“That, too.”

Violet struggled to remain calm. She took a step back from him, wondering how he could smell like clean soap and spicy cologne after most of the day in lockup.

Just looking at him reminded her that she’d bungled her job, and badly. All her life, she’d prided herself on her instincts and her intuition. She’d relied on those instincts when she’d started the chase after Josh, believing him to be the drug lord. She had wrongly mistaken his Bugatti as Miguel Garcia’s car.

She handed Josh his release papers.

“Well, Officer Hawks, I can tell you that my attorney is not only smart but effective. This speeding ticket and the other trumped-up charges you’ve brought against me won’t fly. As far as I’m concerned, you stole a day of my life. My agent has been dodging calls all day about my whereabouts. And the fallout I’m going to face once the story gets out that you, Officer Hawks, chose to incarcerate me to make yourself look good to your superiors...”

Violet opened her mouth to speak, her words coming in an indignant squawk. “Mr. Stevens,” she managed, “this disruption in your life is your fault. Not mine. Apparently, you haven’t learned there is a price to pay for your behavior.”

“Behavior? Your hot-headed reaction is to blame here. My guess is that because you’re so young, you haven’t been doing this long. So, I’m going to give you that, Officer Hawks. I’ve told my attorney I won’t sue you, the city or the county. But trust me, this bust you made is gonna go away.”

Violet’s nerves jangled from the tip of her skull to her toes. She had to remember that Josh Stevens was the kind of person who thought he had the upper hand—always. And she’d had just about enough.

Instead of losing her cool, she smiled as charmingly as she could. “I appreciate your position, Mr. Stevens. In ten days we’ll see how it all falls out. In the meantime, please understand. You aren’t the only one with responsibilities. I have people who depend on me and my judgment, as well. They aren’t my entourage as you label your people. I call mine family.”

She turned to Trey. “Please see Mr. Stevens to the front door, Officer. Make sure he has his cell phone and belongings upon his departure.”

She turned and walked out of the cell block.

CHAPTER FIVE

TRUE TO HIS WORD, the Indian Lake County deputy sheriff had brought Josh’s Bugatti to the police station. Josh walked out looking at his blue baby with its C-shaped sides, the curves that acted to redirect and optimize the airflow into the side intakes. Twin pipe exhaust. Low front aerodynamic hood. The car was masterfully designed. There were only 750 or so sold worldwide. What he had was unique. The engine was a beast at 1,179 horsepower.

“She thought she could outrun me?” He snorted as he walked to the car, opened the door and climbed into the luxurious leather cockpit. “Officer Hawks, you are such a rookie.”

And just then he saw Violet walk out of the station, her uniform as perfectly pressed as if she hadn’t worn the darn thing all day. Her dark hair had been clipped back all day, but now, she’d pulled out the clip as she walked. Her hair fell well below her shoulders, like a veil of dark satin. It shone, and a gentle spring breeze lifted long locks around her face. He held his breath.