Page 90 of Tequila Tuesdays

Nothing like stating the obvious. “I will, Walt. I’m hanging up now. Please call them.”

Chapter 27

Iquicklycallednine-one-one.My heart pounded, and my hands went clammy.

“You’ve reached nine-one-one. What’s your emergency?” the dispatcher asked.

“My name’s Harley Emerson. A two-year-old child and an eighteen-year-old girl are in a domestic violence situation.” I rattled off the apartment.

“What’s the danger?” the dispatcher asked.

“The stepfather is high, probably on meth, and appears to have assaulted the older daughter. His first name is Mike, he goes by Mikey, but I don’t know his last name.” I didn’t know if Shanda had been assaulted yet, but it was only a matter of time.

“I don’t know about the younger one, but I could hear her screaming. Her mother, Charlene, isn’t home and I don’t believe anyone else is in the apartment.”

“Do you know if the stepfather has a gun?”

“No, I don’t think so.” I hoped like hell I was right.

“Stay on the line, please.” I could hear the dispatcher making the call out to the nearest units. It sounded like I would get to the complex first.

“Ma’am, we have a unit on its way. Are you outside the apartment?”

I pulled into the parking lot and quickly found a spot. “No, but I’m at the complex.”

“Do you still hear screaming?” he asked.

“Hold on, let me see.”

“Ma’am, please don’t approach the apartment. If the stepfather is high and already agitated, he could be dangerous.”

I was sprinting to the apartment by that time. “I understand.” And I did understand, but I wasn’t going to stand by while Shanda and Bertie got the crap beat out of them.

Outside the door, I heard a man shouting and a baby crying inside. And then I heard a smack.

I tried the knob, and when it turned I shoved the door open with a loud thud. Shanda sat huddled on the couch, and she had a bloody cut under her eye and a mark on her cheek. Bertie had latched onto Shanda’s waist, with her head buried in Shanda’s stomach. Mikey stood over them with his arm raised.

“If you hit her again, I will kick your fucking ass,” I growled.

Shanda turned to me, her eyes wide and glassy.

“What the fuck are you doin’ in my house?” Mikey’s words slurred a little.

“You’re assaulting twochildren, you stupid piece of shit. Shanda’s bleeding and there’s a large red handprint on her face.” I lifted up my phone so the dispatcher could hear.

Shanda started easing to the side with Bertie in her arms. There was a wrapped Christmas present on the floor next to Mikey. It looked like he’d stomped on it a few times.

I continued talking. “You also appear to be high. You’ve got sores all over your face, you have bad teeth and an ugly sunken sallow complexion. It’s not a good look.” I had no idea what his teeth looked like, but the rest was true.

He narrowed his eyes. “Who the fuck are you?”

“Shanda’s attorney. You’ve met me before, but I’m sure you don’t remember.”

Mikey was completely focused on me now. Shanda slipped around him with Bertie in her arms, staying off to the side.

“Shanda, can I come in?” I was already standing inside.

She looked at me like I was crazy. “Yes?”

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