Page 36 of Silent Road

"Actually, itismy business," she said."Both as your guardian and as sheriff."Sheila turned to Jake."You can clean this up very easily by showing me your ID.If you're under eighteen, then there's no issue here."She paused, staring him straight in the eye."But if you're over eighteen—and I'm guessing you are—that makes you more than four years older than she is.Here in Utah, that's a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to five thousand dollars."

Jake turned away and took a shaky breath."I…" He faltered, stepping back.

Sheila turned to Star."Get your things.We're leaving."

"No."Star's chin lifted defiantly."You can't tell me what to do.You're not my mother."

"You're right—I'm not your mother.I'm the sheriff."Sheila pulled out her radio."And I'm calling this in.Jake, put your hands where I can see them.You're under arrest for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and potentially much more serious charges depending on what exactly happened here."

"You can't—" Star started.

"I can, and I must."Sheila's voice cracked slightly."Star, someday you'll understand.Right now, my job is to protect you, even if you hate me for it."

She kept her eyes on Jake as she called for backup, trying not to see Star's angry tears.This wasn't a situation where she could compromise—not as a guardian, and certainly not as sheriff.Some lines couldn't be crossed.

"You're seriously going to arrest Jake?"Star demanded."You're never around, and then when I finally start having my own life, when I finally have a real relationship—"

"Star—"

"You just can't wait to ruin it!"Star's voice cracked."You didn't even notice I wasn't going to school.You're never around.You're too busy with your cases and your boyfriend in the hospital and your perfect little life that I don't fit into!"

Tears streamed down Star's face now.Jake looked like he wanted to sink into the floor.

"Star," Sheila said softly, "we need to talk about this.But not here."

"Why not?Because it's embarrassing?Because it ruins your image of the perfect guardian, taking in the troubled kid?"

"Because you deserve better than this."Sheila gestured at the apartment, at Jake."Better than hiding and lying and putting yourself at risk."

Star stared at her for a long moment.Then, without a word, she went to gather her things.

Sheila pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to the station.Jake might be leaving town after this, and she needed eyes on him.She wasn't letting another adult who preyed on minors slip through the cracks—she'd seen too many cases that started exactly like this and ended in tragedy.

The apartment was silent except for Star's movements in the other room.Sheila noticed things she'd missed in her initial rush of anger—empty beer bottles on the counter, an ashtray full of cigarette butts, video game controllers scattered across the floor.This wasn't just some teenager's apartment.Men had been hanging out here, drinking, smoking...with her fourteen-year-old ward present.

When Star emerged with her backpack, Sheila saw what she hadn't before: beneath the defiance, beneath the anger, there was fear.Star's fingers twisted the straps of her bag, a nervous habit she'd had since the day Sheila took her in.Whatever had happened here, whatever Star thought she wanted, she was still just a kid trying to play at being grown up.

"Let's go home," Sheila said softly.

Star walked past her without a word, but Sheila caught the slight tremor in her shoulders.They had a long road ahead—of conversations, of rebuilding trust, of dealing with whatever consequences came from this.But at least Star was safe.For now, that would have to be enough.

She took one last look at the apartment, memorizing details she'd need for the report she'd be filing.Then she followed Star out into the winter sunlight, already dreading the silence of the drive ahead.

This was going to be a long, long car ride.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Sheila gripped the steering wheel tighter as she navigated the winding mountain road, stealing glances at Star, who sat slumped in the passenger seat, arms crossed, staring resolutely out the window.Somewhere in the distance, a hawk screamed.

"You can't keep me prisoner forever," Star muttered, breaking the silence that had stretched between them since leaving the house."As soon as you drop me at home, I'm out of there."

"That's exactly why you're not going home."Sheila kept her voice steady, practiced.It was the same tone she used when interviewing difficult witnesses."You're coming to work with me."

Star's head snapped around."What?No way.I'm not spending all day watching you push papers around and boss people."

"Then bring a book."Sheila softened her tone slightly."Star, I can't trust you not to run right back to Jake, and I can't do my job if I'm worried about where you are and what you're doing.This isn't a punishment.It's—" She paused, searching for the right words."It's protection."

"Protection?"Star's laugh was bitter."From what?Living my life?Having friends?"

---