“He’s the grandson of Widow Haley.”
The other day at Shelby’s office hits me like a brick. Mrs. Haley had been there to talk to her about something. I wonder if it entailed her grandson. As we approach the front door, I can hear them screaming at one another. Nothing that I can make out, but enough to give me an idea they aren’t done with their argument. Using the butt of my flashlight, I bang on the door.
“Laurel Springs Police! Open up!”
The noise inside the house immediately comes to a halt. I eye Renegade, he eyes me back. Usually when things get very quiet, stuff can go wrong quickly.
“Laurel Springs Police! Open up!” I knock again.
I’m counting the seconds until I’ll send a message to dispatch, asking if we can make entry to check welfare. I’m not the most patient in situations like this. My skin literally feels as if it could peel off my body. Right as I’m about to knock again, the front door opens and a man stands there, a blank look on his face.
“Can I help you?”
“We got a phone call that there might be a disturbance here. I need you to come out of the house. Who else is in there with you?”
“My wife.” He gives me a smarmy smile. “We were having an argument. Normal married shit, ya know?”
“Not married.” I give him a smirk back. “So I don’t know.”
“He does.” He points to Renegade.
Ryan rocks back slightly. “Can’t say Whit and I ever got the cops called on us, Frank.” He does his best to keep his tone neutral.
“Don’t have to when you’re the police in this area, huh?”
Ryan and I exchange a glance. “Can you come on out?” I indicate him stepping over the threshold of the door with a finger. “We need to make a report since we were called.”
His mood shifts quickly. “A report? Who the fuck called?”
“Someone who was worried. We can go over that later, but we need to verify your wife is okay.”
There’s a taut ribbon of tension between us. All my radars are going off, and it’s obvious he doesn’t want to speak to us about anything. Too bad that isn’t going to fly with me.
“She’s in the bathroom.” He leans against the door frame, acting like he has all the time in the world.
“Can you go get her for me? I can’t leave until I check on her.”
His eyes narrow and his jaw tightens.
“If you don’t, I’ll see her another way.” I fold my arms over my chest. “I’m not leaving here until I verify she’s okay.”
After doing this job as long as I have, you become very good at reading people. I’m reading him as being irritated that I’m still here.
“Montana!” he yells, not turning his head away from me, which means he screams right in my face. “This damn cop won’t leave until he sees you’re fine.”
“You’re used to intimidating people, aren’t you?” I smirk.
“Most everyone I meet knows who I am.” He shrugs.
I refuse to give this asshole the satisfaction. “I’m new in town.” I cock my hip out to the side, placing my hand above my firearm. A little tip I learned my first year on the force in Paradise Lost. To most it gives the appearance of not caring, but for me and any other officer, it projects a we mean business attitude.
“Then you’ll have to let me introduce myself to you once you ascertain my wife is very much okay.”
“Lookin’ forward to it.”
He goes to shut the door, but I wedge my booted foot in before he can. Our eyes meet, and if looks could kill, I’d drop dead right here. Instead of saying another word, he turns around, presumably going to get his wife.
Renegade takes a spot behind me at my shoulder. “He’s always had too high of an opinion of himself.”
“Seems like he might need someone to take care of that for him.”
Before we can talk anymore, a woman about my age is pushed through the front door.
“My wife,” he bites out on a grimace. “Since you wanted to make sure she was okay, officer.”
Keeping my gaze low, I give her a once-over, not at all liking what I’m seeing. Everything in my gut is telling me to get her away from him. “Ma’am, I’m gonna need to speak to you over here.”
“Montana.” The word is a threat.
“As an officer of the law,” I cut him off, “I’m asking to speak to your wife. You stay here with Officer Kepler, and I’ll be back to you ASAP.”
Fuckin’ asshole.
“My lawyer will hear about this.”
“Great, I’ll give you my name and badge number before I leave. Now.” I gesture to the wife. “Over here if you please.”
Chapter 13
Sullivan
I make sure I don’t turn my back on the two of them as I escort her toward my patrol car. When we get there, I lean against it so I can keep an eye on what’s occurring over at the door.
“Can you tell me what happened here tonight?” I ask her carefully.
“Nothing.” She folds her arms over her chest, effectively trying to shut me out.
With eyes that have watched too many other women in this situation, I see it all. The dried tears along her cheeks, the makeup she’s tried to put on in a rush to conceal what’s been done to her, the smeared mascara. The signs are all there, but there’s one that gets me every time.
The eyes.
They always tell what the mouth won’t.
The fear, sadness, isolation, and hopelessness of a situation they can’t seem to change.
“You’re safe.”
“I know I am.” She raises her chin slightly. “My husband would never hurt me.”
I wonder how many times she’s told herself those words as she cleans up her face, or puts a homemade splint on a sprain.
“Can you tell me what happened here tonight?” I try again, this time moving my eyes up to where Renegade is still dealing with her husband.
She sighs.
“Your neighbor called it in. We have to come and check it out. The best thing you can do is tell us what happened.”
“And then you’ll leave?”
It goes against everything I stand for, but I keep the promise in my voice. “Then I’ll leave, as long as the law allows me to.”
“Okay.” She pulls her lip between her teeth. “He came home, and I didn’t have dinner on the table.”
It takes everything I have not to rage. “You didn’t have dinner on the table?”
“Yeah.” She pushes her hair back, and I notice a dark bruise on her wrist. “It’s what he expects as the man of the house. I don’t work,” she says, trying to make an excuse.
“Did he put that mark on your wrist?”
She quickly pulls her long-sleeve shirt over where I’ve indicated. “Burned it making dinner. I was in a hurry,” she continues.
“Because it wasn’t ready when he got home?”
“Yeah,” she whispers.
Her eyes are looking at me, but they aren’t seeing a damn thing. It’s almost as if she’s rehearsed this so many times she can say it on autopilot. “What did he do when he realized dinner wasn’t on the table.”
She snorts. “It wasn’t even on the stove.”
Maybe I’m getting somewhere with her now. “What’d he have to say about that?”
“He yelled.” Again with the vacant eyes. “He screamed and yelled. Threw a few things. Not to hurt me physically,” she hurries out, like it makes a difference. “To hurt me emotionally. He broke my grandmother’s serving platter.”
What a fucking dick.
“Does he scream and yell a lot?”
She brings her hands up to her mouth, holding them over her lips. The material of her shirt is bunched between her fingers. She’s pressing it all against her face, like she can either hold the words in, or she hadn’t meant to let them out. “No more than anyone else. I should’ve had dinner done.”
“Can’t he fix it hisself?” I drawl as I lean harder on my patrol car.
No, I don’t. But now I’ve made it my mission to find out everything I can about this piece of shit.
“Are you surprised she didn’t press charges on him?” Ryan asks as the two of us walk slowly back to our patrol cars.
We’d stayed at the Gentry residence for forty-five more minutes, trying to give her the time she needed to ask for help. But Montana, she hadn’t. With her refusing to say Frank had hit her, and no evidence for us to use, we’d had to reluctantly let them go back to their night.
“Nah,” I sigh. “All too often they don’t choose to press charges until it’s too late. I just wish there were something I could do for her. He seems like a real charming guy.”
“Oh he is,” Ryan laughs. “He sits on the board at the bank, but he only got the job because of his grandmother. Word around town says he’s waiting for widow Hailey to kick the bucket. He’s sure as shit he’s gonna get her inheritance.”
“Wouldn’t it be funny if he didn’t. What a punch in the nuts that would be.”
Ryan shrugs. “It might make him worse. Men like him get worse when things don’t seem to go their way.”
Rubbing my hand across my chin, I think about what he’s said. “Hopefully she gets out before he does.”
“We can always hope,” he sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping. “Either way, I’m going off-shift. Be safe out here, Sully.”
“Will do, thanks for responding with me.”
He grins before turning to walk toward his patrol car. “Always a pleasure, brother.”
Getting into my own car, I watch Ryan drive away, wondering how he lets this stuff go. When I can’t help someone, it eats at me. Sometimes for days, especially at night when I’m trying to calm down and go to sleep. After shifts like this, there’s a need to expend some energy.
My phone buzzes loudly, causing me to reach over and grab it from the dash. On it, a text message from my soon to be brother-in-law.
C: We’re doing a pick up game parks and rec. We need another person. Wanna join?
I’ve played pick up with Cutter and his EMT friends before. They’re serious about it, and since I was a player in high school, I appreciate the gravity with which they take it.
S: I’ve got forty-five more minutes. Can y’all wait on me?
C: No problem, Devante’s on his last run. We’re waitin’ on him too.
S: Then count me in. Sounds like a great time.
C: Cool, we’ll see ya in a few.
This is another reason I wanted to move here when Rowan decided she was going to uproot herself from our hometown. Back there, I was known as the police chief’s son, always regarded with looks.
Different kinds from different people.
There were those who thought I walked onto the police force without trying, there were others who thought I tried too hard, and even more who were completely indifferent to me. They refused to acknowledge me because they were scared they’d do something wrong and I’d report them to my father.
Moving to Laurel Springs has been a lifesaver.
In more ways than one.
Chapter 14
Shelby
Glancing at the clock, I blow out a relieved breath when I see it reads five. This has been one of the longest work days ever. Probably because my night with Sullivan ran late.
A smirk plays along my lips as I think about what Sully and I did in his apartment. Today I haven’t heard from him, but that’s not completely unusual. More than likely he’s been busy, just like I have.
My phone buzzes with a text, and I grab it as if it could walk away at any second.
K: We still on for coffee?
S: YES! Will be there ASAP, closing up the office right now.
Coffee with Karsyn. I can’t believe I forgot.
Start thinking about Sullivan and everything else leaves my brain.
Quickly, I grab my briefcase and purse, throw my coat over my arm, and hurry to the door. I guess I’m lucky A Whole Latte Love, the new coffee shop in town, is about a block from my office. Setting the alarm is second nature, and then I’m on the sidewalk. There aren’t many people out and about today. As I shiver, I realize it’s because of the coldness of the early evening.
My heels click against the concrete as I hurry to the coffee shop. Passing by The Café, I wave at a few familiar faces, and then put my head down into the wind and soldier on. When I get to the coffee shop, a gentleman holds the door open for me.
“Thank you.”
“Not a problem,” he answers. I watch as he ushers a little girl out in front of him, not much older than five.
For a moment I have a glimpse of Sullivan doing that to a kid who looks just like us. I have no idea where the vision comes from, but it doesn’t scare me. Instead it brings a smile to my face, and a warmth to my heart.
“Shelby!”
My gaze goes directly to Karsyn when she waves to get my attention. “Hey.” I wave back at her. “Sorry I’m late, I got caught up in work. Have you already ordered?”
“Less than five minutes ago. Go ahead, I’ll watch your stuff.”
Gratefully I put the things in my hands down, before grabbing my wallet out of my purse and joining the line for service.
“Welcome to A Whole Latte Love,” the barista greets me. “What can I get for you tonight?”
Browsing the board, my stomach growls when I see New York Blackout Cake. “A piece of the Blackout Cake and a cup of coffee.”
“Cream and sugar?”
“Please.”
“I’ll bring it out to you in a few minutes.” She indicates the small line behind me.
“Take your time, I’ll be right over there.” I point to where Karsyn is sitting.
“How’s it going?” Karsyn asks when I get back to the table and have a seat. “I haven’t talked to you in a while.”
I shrug, folding my hands on the table. “It’s going, waiting for business to pick up.”
“It will,” she encourages me. “It just takes time.”
“I didn’t realize how much it would take, and I’m trying to be patient, but I’m starting to get slightly worried. I’m starting to dip into my savings, and obviously that’s not something I wanted to do within the first couple of years.”
“You’re a great attorney. Now that a few of the old-timers have retired, I’m sure you’ll get more business.”
“We can hope.” I sit back from the table as our food and drinks are bought out to us.
“Do you know her?” Karsyn points to the woman behind the counter.
“Not really, I’ve been here a few times, but I don’t know her name or anything, she’s the owner if I remember correctly.”
“She’s gorgeous, wonder if she’d be up to the auction?”
I laugh. “Don’t we have enough for that already?”
“We have more men than women, which is why I need you and her.” She nods to the barista.
“Well then why don’t you ask her?”
“Feels like I should get to know her first.”
“Oh come on, Karsyn.” I cut my eyes over at her. “This event is your and Whitney’s baby. You’ll do whatever it takes.”
She’s stopped from speaking as the other woman approaches our table.
“Here you ladies go.”
“Thank you.” I smile up at her after she puts mine and Karsyn’s order on the table.
“No problem, thank you for being so patient.”
I throw a pointed look across our coffee cups to my friend, before trying to engage the newcomer in conversation. “You’re new in town, aren’t you?”
She nods. “Moved here about six months ago and opened this place up.”
“I moved here a little over a year ago,” I offer. “Opened up my own practice. I’m an attorney.”
Her eyes flare with understanding. “You’re Shelby?”
“Yes.” I grin. “Hopefully what you’ve heard is all good news.”
“Mrs. Haley speaks very highly of you. She comes in a couple of times a week for coffee and a cinnamon roll.”
“Mrs. Haley is a sweet lady.”
There’s a lull in the conversation and I legit stomp my toe on Karsyn’s.
“Ouch!” She glares at me.
I glare back at her, before shifting my eyes to the coffee shop owner.
“My name’s Karsyn,” she says much too loudly, holding out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Eden,” she answers to both of us. “Probably should have introduced myself first. I’m still trying to figure out what’s expected of me here.”
Her accent isn’t southern, which makes me wonder where she’s from.
“I’m from the Houston area, how about you? You don’t sound like a southern transplant.”
“Chicago,” she answers quickly. “The cost of living down here is cheaper, and allowed me to open without a bunch of loans.”
“How would you like to get involved with the community?” Karsyn presses on.
“It would depend in what way.”
“Have you heard of the LSERT?”
Eden nods. “Yeah, a few members come in here, and I did an order for your last meeting.”
“You made those cookies?” My stomach growls just thinking about them. They were to die for.
“Yeah.” She ducks her head in embarrassment.
“They were amazing. When Devante walked in, I could smell their goodness before I ever saw it.”
“He was helping me out.” She shrugs. “Business was kind of slow until he did that.”
“I sympathize. It’s hard, especially not being from here. But damn girl, keep baking like that and you’ll have customers beating your door down.”
Her caramel colored skin brightens enough at the cheeks to show a blush. “That’s the plan.”
“Good plan.” I take a drink of my coffee.
“What would I be doing to help out?” She turns her attention to Karsyn.
Sullivan (Laurel Springs Emergency Response Team Book 5) Page 8
