Page 91 of Tequila Tuesdays

I turned back to Mikey. “I’ve been invited inside. Now I’m going to walk outside—with Bertie and Shanda. And you are not going to touch either one of them.Ever again.”

Mikey rushed at me. He didn’t give me any warning, but he was high and uncoordinated, and I quickly stepped to the side. He plowed into the small kitchenette behind me and fell on his ass. I wanted to stomp on his face while he was down, but I had a good idea of what charges I’d be facing if I did. But Ireallywanted to.

Mikey groaned and started slowly gathering himself to get back up.

I could hear the dispatcher on my phone calling my name.

I put the phone to my ear and started talking. “Shanda has a bloody laceration under her eye and a big red hand impression on the side of her face. Bertie looks like she hasn’t been bathed in days and is clinging to Shanda like a spider monkey, but otherwise, she appears to be unharmed.”I sounded like a damned robot even though my heart was beating fast.

“What about the assailant?” the dispatcher asked.

“He’s still struggling with a chair. And losing. He tried to body-slam me, but I stepped out of the way. I’d rather not be the one to try and subdue him when he gets up and goes after me again though. Where are the officers?”

Just then I saw movement at the door, and two officers strode in.

“They just walked in, thank God. I’m going to hang up now.” I turned off my phone and faced them.

Shanda put Bertie down next to her and stepped behind me. The cut under her eye was bleeding a little.

“We got a call about a domestic disturbance,” one of the officers said.

I pointed at Mikey. “He was yelling at Shanda here, and then he assaulted her and had her trapped on the couch with Bertie in her lap when I came in.”

The female officer turned to Shanda and started assessing her and Bertie for injuries. The other officer walked over and squatted down by Mikey.Just then my phone rang.

I looked down and saw it was Damien, so I took the call.“Hey. I don’t think I’m going to make lunch.”

He paused. “You okay?”

“Umm, kind of. I got a call that Shanda’s stepdad was beating the shit out of her, so I came over to her apartment.”

Damien’s voice grew sharp. “You’re over there right now? Are there any officers there?”

“Yeah. They just walked in.”

“What’s the address?” he asked.

I told him the name of the complex and the apartment number, but I couldn’t remember the exact street address.

He sighed. “I know the complex. I’ll be there soon.”

“I’m not going to say no. Thank you.” Relief flooded me. I could handle the situation without him, but it would be better to have him here.

Mikey got to his feet.“She fucking walked into my house and started threatening me.” He pointed at me.

I stepped forward. “I’m Shanda’s attorney. I was notified Shanda was in danger, so I called the police, then came over to see what I could do.”

The female officer looked at Shanda. “I’m Officer Schroeder. What’s your name?”

Shanda glanced at me, and I nodded. I was proud of her that she’d checked with me before she started talking to the officer. Maybe a few things I’d told her had gotten through.

“Shanda Briggs. I live here on and off with my mom and little sister. He’s the freeloader.”

Officer Schroeder pointed down at Bertie. “And who’s this?”

“Bertie. She’s my little sister.”

The officer pointed at Shanda’s face. “What happened to you?”

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