Page 77 of Untamed Coast

Worlson closed the door and seated himself across from Anya, placing a cup of steaming hot coffee on the table in front of her. Then he waited silently.

Asshole.

“What am I supposed to do with that, lap it like a dog?”

“Sorry, I’ll take care of that.” Worlson walked around the table and uncuffed her hands.

He sat back down and waited some more.

Anya maneuvered the sleeves of the jumpsuit back down and lifted the warm cup, inhaling the steam. She let out a long slow breath, trying to relax.

Don’t drop your guard. This guy’s just playing good cop.

The clock above the door ticked. Worlson glanced up at it, then back at Anya. His features softened.

Anya broke the silence. “Is Ted married? I feel sorry for his wife.”

Worlson’s brow furrowed. “He’s just tryin to do his job.” His voice was soothing.

Anya’s face went hot. “He shouldn’t be harassing an innocent woman. Maybe you should teach him some manners.”

Worlson exhaled slowly. “Anya, we ain’t got this all figured out yet. Based on what we’ve seen so far, it sure looks like you’re the one behind it. If there’s more to the story, like this Thomas fella you mentioned to Ted, spill the beans now. I’m here to assist you, but it’s clear there’s something you’re keeping from us.”

He reached into his pocket and removed a package of what looked like cookies wrapped in Saran Wrap, opened it, and took a bite of one.

Anya realized how hungry she was. She raised the styrofoam cup, inhaled, and took a small sip of the hot coffee—obviously fresh from the percolator—and let the cup warm her hands. She needed to pee.

“Have a cookie. My wife baked em last night. Chocolate chip.” Worlson slid the remaining cookie across the table without waiting for a reply.

Anya took a bite of the cookie. Then she lifted the coffee cup, took another sip, and set it back down. “Thomas is real.”

Worlson shifted in his chair. The metal creaked. “I’ve been in your shoes, facing a mess I didn’t know how to fix. Back in the day, I was probably your age, caught up in a whole heap of trouble. But you know what? I managed to turn things around, walked a straighter line, and look at me now. Sure, I’ve got a bit of a spare tire and enjoy a few too many beers, but I’ve got a good, content life. I sleep easy, and my wife bakes me cookies. Things have a way of working out.” Worlson put his hand to the side of his mouth, as if sharing a secret. “I think she just uses the recipe from the chip package.”

Anya didn’t know what to do with her hands, and her left wrist was sore from the cuffs.

“What’s your point, Chief?” She shifted in her chair—trying to get comfortable, to look confident.

Worlson leaned back and crossed his arms. “Please, call me Sam.” His gaze was steely. “What I’m getting at is that I respect you. You’re a formidable woman, a survivor. I can see your resilience, but in this situation, that strength might be working against you.”

Trying to work your way onto my good side, huh? Lookin for a crack…

“I do what I need to get by. It isn’t always pleasant or easy,” Anya said. “Is this conversation going anywhere?”

Worlson shifted his weight forward onto his elbows and clasped his massive hands together on the table. He set his chin on top of them. “Now, let’s discuss the things you’re keeping to yourself and the reasons behind it. Despite the overwhelming evidence, I don’t think you offed that shady lawyer of yours. But what I think won’t count for anything in court. Without the truth, you’re looking at prison time for this.”

“Why don’t you just send Collins back in? He’s an asshole, and he’s dumb enough to think I actually did this, but at least he’s honest about it.” Anya pushed the coffee cup away. “I don’t know what kinda dance you’re trying to do here, but I’m not in the mood. And, I’ve gotta pee.”

The clock ticked, then there was a single knock on the door. It opened immediately without waiting for a response. Collins’s head appeared in the opening. “Chief, state police just called. Their guys should be landing anytime. They asked if we could have all our files on the case Xeroxed for them.”

“Thanks, Collins.” Worlson reached for the coffee cup. “Tell em I’ll call back in half an hour. I want to finish up here first.

“All right, Anya, it’s crunch time. Spit it out now, or we’ll have to let the troopers in Juneau figure this mess out.” Worlson took a sip from her coffee cup. “You better believe those Juneau folks won’t be sparing you any time. You’ll be locked away in Lemon Creek for the next forty years, and I reckon visitors from Pelican won’t be knocking at your cell door much.” He sat back, took another sip of her coffee, and slid the cup back across the table.

The clock ticked.

Anya didn’t know what to do. She’d made her move, told them everything, and they were still asking for more. She had no more to give.

She pushed her chair back. “I really need to pee.”