Page 32 of Treasured
She ran her hand through her hair, her face pale. “Yes. I was supposed to be going to work right now.”
“Where do you work?” the younger officer asked.
She pivoted toward him and said, “I work at Steel Women’s Shelters. I’m the manager.”
He then asked her, “And can you vouch for your boyfriend’s whereabouts since you last used the car?”
She glanced at me and smiled. “We’ve been together the whole time. He stopped me from opening the door to put my son in. I owe him our lives right now.”
“Any idea who’d want you dead?” the older officer asked.
She showed them her son and said, “Bruce’s father. I have a restraining order against him that’s active.”
“Arthur Waterstone,” the younger man offered. My ears burned as he continued, “He works at DW weapons.”
Fuck. I needed my phone back. I grabbed hers from the counter and realized she didn’t have a password. I’d mention that to her later, but for now, I used it as she spoke to the officers. I asked fast,Mark, this is Dwayne. Arthur Waterstone? Do we have any new intel on him?
Three dots. I glanced up, but they were discussing her parking her car the night before while I was babysitting. Mark then popped up.Nothing new I see. I’lltext you when I finish a search.
I’ll call you soon,I typed fast then deleted the entire conversation from her phone and put it back.
Mary’s conversation with the police ended. “Everything okay?” she asked me.
I smiled and said, “Yes, I had to talk to my security team, so I used your phone.”
She stood up with Bruce. “I understand. The police need to finish their report.”
I rejoined the conversation, and the older man said, “We told Mary she’s not safe here until we apprehend whoever bombed her car.”
I stood above her, but she seemed more herself, with color in her cheeks again. “She’s safe with me,” I said. “In fact, we can fly to my house in Virginia tonight to get them both out of here if she wants.”
Her lips opened, and she held her breath. “I can’t be a burden.”
I stepped toward her and took her hand. My place was big enough for all of us. “It’s your life, Mary, and Bruce’s.”
She rested her head on my chest, and Bruce cooed. “I’m scared,” she said.
I hugged them. They made my life more alive. “I’ll pay for police protection if that’s your preference.”
She shook her head. “No. Don’t. You’re enough. I don’t want to be a burden.”
The police officers started leaving. I let her go and walked the officers to the door. As they left, the older man handed me a card with a case number on it and said, “We’ll be in touch.”
I left the notes on the counter and returned to them. She rocked her son, and I took the seat beside her. Neither of us said anything, but Bruce wiggled to get down.
She sighed and let him since she’d set up a playmat. Then we both put our shoes away, and I mopped her floor for her while she cleaned the cabinets.
As we finished up, a knock came from the door. She looked more like herself now, but she still crossed her arms and stood in front of Bruce. “Can you get the door? It’s probably Joseph.” she asked.
Well, I knew what Arthur looked like. I glanced out and saw a man in a business suit. I opened the door, and he asked, “Are you Dwayne?”
“Let him in,” Mary called out, sounding normal.
“I am. Are you Joseph?” I asked.
“Yes.” I opened the door wider. Mary waved for him to join her. Joseph took off his shoes and said, “Thank you for being there for my sister today.”
He worked at Wanda’s weapons manufacturing—where I was supposed to be that day. My heart constricted. “The police suspect Arthur.”
