Catherine Spencer - Passion in Secret

He was of a more practical turn of mind. “Let’s get out of here while we still can,” he muttered, hustling her toward the door. “Things are going to get uglier before the night’s over.”

Just as they reached it, though, the door flew open and half a dozen police burst into the room, making escape impossible. “Hold it right there. Nobody leaves until I say so,” the officer leading the pack ordered, and even in her shocked state, Sally recognized him as one of those who’d been first on the scene, the night Penelope had died.

He recognized her, too, which was hardly surprising, given the amount of publicity the accident had received in the local news. “Not you again!” he said, on an exasperated breath, as his colleagues set about restoring order. “Gee, lady, how many times does it take before you learn your lesson and stay away from places like this?”

“Never mind the clever remarks,” Jake said. “She needs to see a doctor right away.”

The officer eyed her appraisingly. “As long as she’s still on her feet and able to walk, it’ll have to wait,” he finally decided. “I’m taking you both in, along with every other yahoo in the place.”

“I’m the one who called you to begin with, you fool!” Jake snapped. “If you want to harass someone, go after the guy behind the bar who makes a habit of serving liquor to minors. Or the lout over there, with the bloody nose, who gets his kicks out of beating up women half his size. We’ll be pressing assault charges against him, in case you’re interested, but not before the morning.”

“You’ll do it now, and keep a lid on your temper while you’re at it,” the other man cautioned. “I’m ticked off enough as it is.”

“It’s all right, Jake,” Sally said, sensing the anger simmering in him. “I don’t mind going down to the station and making a statement. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

The patrolman rolled his eyes wearily. “That’s what they all say.”

“Maybe they all do, but in my case, Officer,” she told him, staring him down with as much dignity as she could drum up, considering one eye was swollen half-shut, “it happens to be the truth.”

Jake touched his finger lightly to her cheek. “All it’ll take is a phone call to my lawyer to have things postponed until morning, Sally. You’ve been through enough for one night.”

And she’d have done it all again if, at the end of it all, he looked at her as if she held his heart in her hands, and cushioned her next to him, prepared to defend her to the death, if need be. It made her wonder if she was hurt more than she realized, had even suffered minor brain damage, that she was so ready to forget the terrible price she’d paid for loving Jake in the past.

Steeling herself not to weaken, she said, “I’d rather get it over with, if you don’t mind.”

He shrugged. “Wait here, then, while I collect your coat, and we’ll be on our way.” He tipped a glance at the police officer. “Is it okay if I drive us in my own vehicle, or are you going to insist we get carted off in the paddy wagon?”

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