Heaven With You (18 page)

An hour after we’d arrived at Shooters Amber was already trashed, and then she stumbled to the table with three more shots.

“You’re not going to drink those, are you?”

“You want one?” Amber asked, pushing a shot at me.

“No, I’m good. Maybe you should slow down a little,” I suggested, trying to keep my tone casual.

Rolling her eyes, she made a sound that was half-snort, half-laugh. “Chill, Mom.”

“You keep drinking like that and you’re going to get sick.”

“I’m just having fun. What’s your problem?” she snapped.

“I’m just worried about you. The last few time we’ve been out you’ve been drunk.”

“I’ve got a lot going on, Isabelle. I thought you understood that. Reed is the love of my life, and he’s never going to forgive me for sleeping with Cade.”

“Amber,” I said gently. “If it doesn’t work out with you and my brother, you’re still going to be okay.”

She turned on me, her eyes flashing angrily. “What do you mean if it doesn’t work out? Do you know something you’re not telling me Isabelle?”

I wanted to do the right thing, but I had no idea what that was. Amber needed to accept that Reed wasn’t coming back to her, but I wasn’t sure now was the time to tell her about my brother and Ellie. It wasn’t as if Reed hadn’t been honest with Amber because he had. She just wasn’t getting the message.

“I just think you need to move on. Reed told you it was over. Maybe the two of you are meant to be with other people.”

Amber looked as if I’d slapped her. “I thought you were my friend.”

“I am your friend, Amber.”

“Then tell me the truth. Is Reed seeing someone else?”

Hearing the accusation in her voice and the pain in her eyes, I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

She cried out, sweeping her arm across the table and knocking the shots over me. I jumped up as the alcohol seeped through my blouse, chilling my skin.

“How long have you known?” Her voice shook with emotion and tears filled her eyes.

I felt terrible. “Not long. Amber, I’m sorry.”

“It’s Ellie, isn’t it?”

“It doesn’t matter. Don’t do this to yourself.” I tried to reach out to her but she pulled away.

“I guess that answers my question,” Amber said bitterly. Then she turned and stormed off.

“You okay?”

I glanced over and saw Cora watching me sympathetically. “Should I go after her?”

“She’s not ready to listen to you.”

“I’m not sure she’ll ever be ready for that. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought up her drinking.”

“There must be a part of her that agrees with you or she wouldn’t have gotten so upset.”

I scanned the crowd and found Amber with Jase.

“Why don’t you take the night off and let him deal with her.”

“I don’t know. First I screwed up with Ellie and now Amber. I’m dropping friends like flies.”

“You’ll straighten things out with Ellie. We’ll make sure Amber gets home if you want to take off.”

“Thanks, Cora. I am tired.”

“No problem. Get Ethan to walk you out.”

Ethan was one of the bouncers and our friend. He could always be counted on to walk us to our cars or lend a hand if some guy was getting a little too friendly. Tonight, however, Ethan was busy cooling down two cowboys that looked as if they were fighting over a blonde girl that kept trying to get between them.

I’d parked close. Pulling my keys from my denim skirt, I walked out into the cool night. Shivering, I folded my arms across my middle and wondered if we’d seen the last of summer. It was October, but the way Texas weather was we could be wearing shorts one day and the very next we’d have to pull out the coat.

Without warning a sliver of fear slipped inside of me. I wasn’t alone. I shivered and glanced around the eerily deserted parking lot. Nothing.

I exhaled a breath of relief, turned in the direction of my car and bumped into him.  I screamed.

Strong hands gently gripped my forearms and I kicked and fought. “Isabelle! It’s me.”

The familiar voice slowly broke the panic and I calmed. “Ethan,” I breathed, struggling to catch my breath. “You scared me.”

He stared down at me with wide-eyes, clearly upset at what had happened. “I’m sorry. I saw you walk out of the bar alone and followed you. It’s not safe to leave by yourself. Just last week a woman was mugged in the parking lot.”

“I know. I should have waited for you. Thanks for looking out for me.”

Ethan watched me warily. “Next time you don’t leave alone. Be careful.”

“I will. Thanks again.”

I was still trembling when I got into the car and drove off.  A few miles later my stomach dropped when I saw the red and blue flashing lights in my rearview mirror. Tonight just kept getting better.

Pulling over on the side of the rode, I reached into the glove compartment for my license and registration.  A moment later a sharp tap on the window snapped my attention to the left, and I fumbled with the buttons on the door until the glass slid down. “Officer, is there a problem?”

“Ma’am, you need to step out of the car,” the officer barked in a no-nonsense tone.

I blinked, wondering if I’d heard him correctly. “You don’t want to see my license and registration?”

“Ma’am, I said step out of the car!” he snapped. “And keep your hands were I can see them.”

 The policeman looked forbidding but official, dressed in a uniform, complete with badge and gun, which his hand hovered over. Alarm shimmied through me. I was afraid. Seeing no other choice, I pushed open the door and stepped out.

“Turn around and place your hands on the vehicle.”

Each word struck me like a lash. Shaking, I did as he asked.

“Do you have any weapons or drugs on you?”

“N-No.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not lying,” I cried.

“Spread your arms and legs. I’m going to search you.”

His hands moved over me and I flinched. I jerked away and tried to turn around but he pinned me to the car, pulled my hands behind my back and snapped cold metal handcuffs on me.

“Let’s do this the easy way, okay? It’ll go a lot faster if you don’t resist.”

“I’m not resisting.” My voice was shaking.

I steeled myself against his touch. Tears filled my eyes.

“Have you been drinking Ma’am?”

“No.” He didn’t believe me. Knowing I was wearing Amber’s shots all over my shirt, I guess I couldn’t blame him.

“Where did you get the car?”

“It’s mine. I don’t understand. What’s this all about?”

“This car was reported stolen earlier this afternoon. I’m going to have to place you under arrest.”

Stolen? No, there had to be a mistake. Scott’s voice echoed in my mind, and suddenly I realized the mistake had been me not taking his threats seriously.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can be held against you in a court of law…”

Chapter Fifteen

“Name and date of birth,” the somber-looking policewoman stated in a monotone voice.

I sat on the hard chair, my arms behind my back with handcuffs securing my wrists. I was cold and scared. “Isabelle Bentley. March 5, 1986.” My teeth chattered, quaking the words.

Squinting to read the woman’s nametag, I thought it said Officer O’Leary. She was around my age, maybe a little older with long hair pulled into a severe ponytail at the back of her head, no make-up and deep frown that seemed etched into her skin. Since she worked around criminals, I guess I could understand the lack of humor in her job. It wasn’t as if she could go around smiling and cutting up with people that were about to be hauled off to jail.

Officer O’Leary typed the information into the computer, not bothering to look up at me. “Address and Social Security number.”

I gave her the information, feeling numb.  “What’s going to happen to me after this?”

“You’ll go to lock up.”

“Oh.”

“Is there someone you’d like to call?”

Hunter
. My heart squeezed just thinking his name. He was here, somewhere in this building and I knew without a doubt that he’d come to me if I called him, but I wasn’t going to do that. It would be embarrassing for him to have to come rescue me, and I didn’t want to put him through that.

I thought of calling Reed, but I dismissed that idea for the same reasons I didn’t want to call Hunter. My little brother had been through a lot lately and didn’t need to be bailing his sister out of jail.

That left Ellie and Cora. There was no way in hell I’d call Ellie to come pick me up at the police station after our argument. I hadn’t even had the chance to apologize, and she’d been sick. No, I wouldn’t call Ellie. Cora would pick me up, but she and Jase were taking care of Amber.

“There’s no one.”

For the first time since I’d sat down, Officer O’Leary glanced up at me. “Are you sure? Any family, friends, an attorney, maybe?”

 “Do I need a lawyer?” What a stupid question! I’d been arrested and was about to go to jail. A lawyer would be good.

“You’re being charged with stealing the car. The officer that arrested you said there was reason to believe you’d been drinking and that you might be in possession of contraband.”

Contraband? “I don’t have any drugs and I took a Breathalyzer.”

“You agreed to a blood test. That should settle the DUI charge and possibly determine if you have any illegal substances in your system.”

“I’ve never done drugs. This is all a misunderstanding.”

She looked at me with flat eyes that showed not a bit of interest in what I was saying. She’d probably heard the ‘I’m innocent’ tale a few million times in her career, and wasn’t giving any credence to my story.

“You’ll be searched and then taken to a cell.”

“Searched? You mean like a strip search?” I felt suddenly sick.  “What if I refuse?”

“You can’t refuse.”

“I’ve changed my mind about talking to someone.”

“You want to make a phone call now?”

“I want to speak with Captain McAllister.”

At the mention of Hunter’s title and name Officer O’Leary perked up, looking suddenly interested. Her eyes narrowed. “How do you know the Captain?” she asked suspiciously.

“He’s a friend.”

“If he is a friend, then you’d have his number.” The statement was almost a challenge, and she picked up the phone, lifting her brows in question.

She put the phone on speaker as I told her the number I knew by heart and she punched them in. A moment later he answered. “McAllister.”

The sound of his voice brought tears to my eyes. I saw that the policewoman was surprised; she hadn’t really thought I knew him.

“Hunter.” My voice wobbled.

“Isabelle?” I heard the surprise in his voice, knew he recognized the number just hadn’t expected me to be calling from it. “Where are you?”

“I-I’m at the police station. I’ve been arrested.”

I heard him draw in a breath. “Where are you Isabelle?” he asked calmly.

“I’m being booked right now.” I closed my eyes, feeling ashamed and desperate. “I shouldn’t have called you. I’m sorry.”

“Of course you should have called me. I’ll be right there.”

“If you’re busy—“

“Isabelle, I’m on my way,” he repeated in no-nonsense tone. “Hang on until I get there.”

I now had Officer O’Leary’s undivided attention. “So you and the Captain are just friends?” she asked curiously.

“Actually, I’m his daughter’s friend,” I told her thinking Hunter would be less embarrassed than if I’d claimed to be his friend.

“Oh, you know Ellie.”

“She’s one of my best friends. We also work together.”

“You’re a nurse?”

“No. I work as a clown, doing magic shows and entertaining kids in the hospitals.” As soon as I finished the sentence, it occurred to me what my arrest might mean for Izzy because no one would want a felon working around children. I’d never be able to get a teaching certificate. I might not even be able to get a job at all.

 My throat closed up. I was not going to fall apart.

A moment later I saw Hunter walk up, and I was overwhelmed with relief.  I relaxed, knowing everything was going to be okay now. His eyes met mine and I saw the reassurance in their depths, but he did not speak or make a move to come to me, despite that I desperately needed to be touched by him.

He was dressed almost entirely in black, except for the silver-gray tie around his neck. A shiver danced down my spine as I stared at him.

“Has she been processed?”

O’Leary’s suddenly alert eyes focused on him. “Yes, sir. We’re done here.”

He nodded. “I want see the report.”

“Yes, sir.”

 O’Leary handed some paperwork to Hunter and his frown deepened. His gaze flicked to mine and then his attention turned back to whatever he was reading. It wasn’t good. I could tell from his grim expression that I was in serious trouble.

“Officer O’Leary if you’re finished with Miss Bentley, I’d like to speak with her.”

O’Leary looked suddenly uneasy.

“You’re done, right?” Hunter asked.

“Officer Duncan ordered a strip search because of the suspicion of contra---“

“I read the report, O’Leary. She’s not going to be strip searched.”

Swallowing nervously, O’Leary asked, “Captain, may I have a word with you?”

“If you want to talk about the search, nothing you say will make a difference. It’s not going to happen.”

Officer O’Leary frowned, looking uncomfortable.

“Relax O’Leary,” Hunter said quietly. “I’ll take responsibility if anything goes wrong.”

I felt terrible for the awkward position I’d put Hunter in. He was risking himself for me, and I couldn’t allow that to happen. I locked eyes with Hunter. “I don’t want to get you into trouble.”

He shot me a silencing look and stalked towards me. “Come on,” he said, helping me up and leading me down a hall. My hands were still cuffed behind my back and he made no move to unfasten them, just kept urging me forward until he reached an office where he pulled me inside and shut the door.

Reaching behind my back, he undid the handcuffs and suddenly I was free. My arms felt strangely numb.

Hunter touched the side of my face and I stepped into his arms thankful when they encircled me, holding my body tightly, protectively against his. He was warm and it felt so good to be close to him.