Page 4 of Badges
Her mouth opens and closes before she protests. “But—”
“Now.” He leaves no room for argument.
The authority in his voice makes me shift uncomfortably.
Her nose wrinkles, the only sign of her disagreement, then she turns on her heel and leaves.
After the door latches, he pierces me with his walnut colored gaze. “Where’s Maria?”
If my hands were free, I’d cross my arms.
Instead I jut my chin defiantly, pressing my lips firmly together.
He lets out a long sigh, then runs his fingers through the copper whiskers on his jaw. “The last time I saw you, you were what…nine? Ten? And your mom was in a hard way.”
“Yea. She had a broken cheek, arm, and ribs from my piece of shit father before he left her.” I don’t know who this guy is, or what hethinkshe knows. I bet he was friends with my old man.
All I know is, he doesn’t have a fucking clue about me or my mom.
The cop winces like I smacked him.
“How is she now?” He squints, tightening the crow’s feet at his temples.
“What does it matter to you?” I don’t owe him anything.
His mouth twists as he rests his wrist across the end of the rail of my stretcher. “She was one of the first cases I worked as a deputy. Always like to hear a good ‘happily ever after’.”
I don’t think so.
That pinch of his jaw ticking tells me he’s lying.
“You know, now that I have your ID, I can probably just track her down myself.” He reaches behind him towards the exit.
I don’t want that bitchy faced woman back in here. He’s showing at leastsomeemotion.
Fine.
“She’s dead.” I didn’t intend to drop it so bluntly, but I’d rather talk to him than the other one.
The handle disappears in his broad palm as he squeezes it so hard his knuckles turn white.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he whispers.
But when he looks back up at me, there’s a new blaze in his dark eyes. “So what the hell do you think she would say if she knew what you were out there doing?”
My stomach twists.
“Don’t you have to charge me with something?” I’m not playing this game.
She’d be furious. Even though I’d argue I’m doing it for Cynthia.
Mom still wouldn’t care.
I had to. Mom isn’t here to take care of us anymore. I’m just trying to take care of what little family I have left.
His teeth grit as his lips pull back in a grimace. “You’re right. I’ll get Deputy Brooks back in here to read you your rights.”
This is what I have to endure for trying to save my sister.
