Page 11 of Abandoned

“You’re a police officer?”

“I sure am. It’s quiet now; you can come out.” She offered him a hand.

He placed his little hand in hers and climbed out of the closet. “Are you going to take Brett away for being so loud?”

“Not for being loud, but he won’t be staying here tonight. Okay?”

The boy nodded.

“Why don’t you get back in bed and go to sleep?”

He lunged into Zara’s arms.

“It’s okay, little buddy. It’ll be quiet now.”

He hugged her tighter.

“Want to go see your momma?”

He nodded against her neck, so she scooped him up and walked back down the hallway.

Will poked his head in the front door. When he spotted her, his grimace faded. “Is everyone okay?”

“Yep.” She looked down at the boy in her arms. “Corbin, this is my partner, Officer Cooper.”

Corbin looked up and shot Will his priceless smile.

Will stuck out his hand for a fist bump, and Corbin stretched and met his knuckles to Will’s.

“We’re gonna head out.” He looked at Miley. “But don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”

She set the towel of ice on the table and took Corbin from Zara’s arms. “Thank you.”

Zara squeezed her shoulder. “Remember, you don’t have to let Brett back in here, okay?”

“I know, but we’ll be fine.”

“Do you have someone you can call to come be with you?”

Miley snorted. “Anyone that ever mattered left me a long time ago. But I’ve got Corbin, and we’ll be fine.”

Zara and Will said goodbye and left. But Zara’s stomach wasn’t settled. As soon as Brett was released, which would probably be tomorrow morning, he would come back here. He’d go right back to mistreating Miley. But there was only so much Zara could do. If only she could do more.

Chapter Four

Will pulled up to the police station, and Zara parked next to him. Brett had said zero intelligible words the entire trip across town, but he growled a lot with plenty of mumbling.

Will opened the back door. “Come on out, Brett.” Will stepped back and waited.

Brett scooted out. “This is so stupid. She just bumped into the table when she reached for her phone when she dropped it on the floor. I can’t believe she’s spewing this stupid ol’ lie.”

Zara came up beside them. “Too bad for you, your lie isn’t lining up with the one she tried.”

Will had to smother a chuckle.

Brett snarled at Zara and took a step toward her.

Will raised his hand in front of Brett. “Back off, man.” If this man knew what was good for him, he wouldn’t even think about being a jerk to Zara.