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I wanted to throw my arms around her I was so happy she was here . . . but couldn’t.
“They’re making dog food.” Beau threw her hands up, the scathing look she fired in Mrs. Shepherd and the officer’s direction a demand for answers.
Lincoln placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder in warning. He hadn’t spoken since he’d come back inside. Mr. Stoic had returned with a vengeance, but it was more than that. He was worried. I felt it with everything in me.
And that scared me.
Because Lincoln was the one I had the most faith in to find solutions. To think outside the box. Understand this absolute mess and injustice.
Beau shrugged him off and pointed at my wrists. “Take them off.”
“We already tried.” Eric stopped stirring the carrots and celery sizzling in olive oil. “They won’t do it.”
Mrs. Shepherd had the decency to blush. Whether she believed I was guilty or innocent, she knew this was wrong. That wouldn’t stop her from doing her job.
Actually, I couldn’t figure out why they hadn’t hauled me away yet . . . other than Lincoln’s looming presence. And allowing Beau time to arrive to take Eric.
I cleared my throat. “Mrs. Shepherd, this is Beau Hollingsworth. I believe she has some documents for you.” The false cheer in my voice seemed obvious, but if it was, no one seemed to notice.
“I don’t know why they have to leave you in those,” Beau grumbled as she tapped her phone. She held the device up to Mrs. Shepherd, who peered at the screen.
The woman had a good poker face. Her eyes were the only part of her that moved as she read the words on the screen.
“Scroll, please,” she said after a moment.
Beau tightened her jaw, but thankfully kept whatever smart comment she wanted to make to herself as she did what was asked.
“I need a copy of this document.” Mrs. Shepherd straightened. “Along with your identification.” She offered Beau a business card.
After a few seconds of furious tapping, Beau looked up from her phone. “Done.”
“I have to speak to my supervisor. Excuse me.” She slipped outside.
The air seemed to intensify. That phone call very well could determine Eric’s fate, no matter that I had the legal documents to prove Beau would be responsible for him in my absence.
“I’m not waiting much longer.” The officer crossed his arms.
“Have some respect,” Lincoln growled, cutting his eyes to Eric. The words were intense, ferocious, and I was so grateful not to be handling this on my own.
I tried to catch his gaze, to give him silent gratitude, but he refused to look at me.
He’d given no indication he was going anywhere, but I wouldn’t blame him if he did. Who wanted to be dragged into these problems?
I needed him to at least protect Eric until the dust settled. The truth was Ihadtechnically assaulted my father. And technically it was wrong to have done. My only regret was putting Eric in this position now.
Under normal circumstances, I was pretty sure the legal system didn’t get bogged down with people who’d slapped someone else. Otherwise a lot of people would be in jail.
But my father could play up anything. While my word and record should be more reputable than his—he was a felon, fresh out of prison and already causing problems—I wasn’t counting on that.
If Eric wasn’t a factor, I wouldn’t be worried. Protective services took violence of any kind seriously—as they should. I wasn’t sure it mattered I hadn’t hurt Eric. Now they saw a potential threat in me, when they should’ve realized the only thing that could ever bring out my violent streak was a threat to my brother.
“Am I going with you?” Eric looked at Beau.
Pain sliced through my chest. He felt so deeply. All of this stress we all were under wasn’t good for him.
“Looks that way. Millie will be excited to snuggle with you.” Beau wandered over to the stove.
“Mille and Muffy!” Eric said in panic. “They’re still out in the van. That’s bad.”
