Chapter Eighty-Four
Jake
Six Hours Later
The absolute terror that shot through me at seeing Chad holding a gun on Emily and Grace still has my stomach in knots, and I don’t know when that fear will dissipate.
Chad might be in a jail cell, but he managed to get out once before when I didn’t think he stood a chance. Granted, I don’t think his father is going to let him anywhere near his money again, and the public outcry toward the judge who let him out the last time is unrelenting.
Kaleb knocks on the edge of the door. “Coast clear?”
“Yeah.” I wave him in. I’ve spent the last three hours finalizing reports to ensure not a single ‘t’ is uncrossed. I want Chad Whitlock in jail for the next 20 years. If not longer. There will be no mistakes. “We’re all wrapped up.”
Chief Carter stops beside Kaleb, resting his hand on his shoulder. “How’s Emily?”
“She’s doing good.” He grins at my boss. Hearing his confirmation of what she’s relayed to me countless times since she left the station eases a fraction of one knot.
“Thank God. Not that I expected anything else,” Chief Carter nods, pleased with the update.
“You know my sister. She’s Miss Independent. After she gave her statement, she was with Mackenzie.” Iris picked up Mackenzie, taking her into state care after she completed her police interview.
My Em is resilient. And Grace. Thank God she’s safe and away from Chad. We’ll break the cycle. Hell, I’ll do everything in my power to help Mackenzie break the cycle herself. She deserves a good life.
“Good. Good. I’ll let you guys catch up.” Chief Carter strides toward the kitchenette where the coffee has been brewing nonstop since we stepped back into the station.
I ease into the chair, causing the springs to groan. My muscles feel like they’re groaning just as loudly. “It’s been a long fucking day.”
Kaleb arches an eyebrow and crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t doubt that.
” Slowly, his expression shifts to one I’ve never seen on his face.
“Thank you for rescuing my sister. I know I gave you a hard time when the two of you started seeing each other, but I was clearly wrong on all fronts. You risked your life to save her.”
“I was doing my job.” I rotate my head from side to side, trying in vain to ease some of the tension as those oppressive images flood my mind once again. “And she did a pretty damned good job of saving herself.”
The scent of dark roast fills the air as Chief Carter and Officer Ramirez chat by the coffee pot.
Ramirez just got back from dropping Chad off at the county lockup.
The three of us, along with Officer Sanders, are the only ones remaining after the highway patrol and other local jurisdictions have vacated the office.
“I know you’d have done the same for anyone else, but I’m still grateful.”
I shake my head. “It’s my fault.”
“Bullshit.” His eyes turn dark as he glares at me. “You did not put her in danger. Any more than Emily put herself in danger.”
“What?” I jump from the chair, sending it to skidding backward. “Does she think this is her fault?”
He grasps my shoulders. “Slow down. The two of you are quite a pair. Yes, a part of her feels responsible for not getting help and especially for taking Grace with her. But she’s smart enough to realize she’s no more at fault than you were. Chad has been victimizing people for years.”
I rake my hand through my hair. “It was worse than we thought. I can’t get into case specifics, but Chad is a vile pig.”
Kaleb swallows hard. “I’m glad you can’t tell me. I’m not sure I want to know.”
“Where’s Mackenzie going?”
“With Josephine.” Kaleb crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the doorframe.
“Good. I’m glad she’s going to stay in town where she knows everyone.” I shove my hands into my pockets. “Although I’m not sure she wants to. It’s not like she had a typical childhood.”
“That Lucas kids showed up at Children’s Division, and all the ladies in town are organizing a collection to get her on her feet. I’m pretty sure she’s not had a lot growing up.”
“Yeah, Lucas was here earlier giving his statement. He’s a good kid.” I smirk as another knot unravels. Chad is locked up. Emily and Grace are safe. Mackenzie will get the help she needs. Everything is going to be okay. “It makes me regret giving him such a hard time when we first met.”
“He could’ve been more forthcoming, and this could’ve been avoided.” The hard edge of his tone is impossible to ignore.
“Remember, this is no one’s fault but Chad’s. I don’t want people to blame Lucas for this. He was only helping a friend out of a tough situation.”
“You’re right.” Kaleb chuckles as he straightens and rocks back on his heels. “I’m going to get out of here and let you finish up. Just know that we’ve all got your back. Everyone else wanted to come in and check on you, but Chief Carter would only let one of us inside.”
“Everyone else is here?”
“Yeah, Dom, Xavier, Ben, the rest of the guys on the fire department. Sam is still in Vegas, or he’d be here. He offered to fly home, but we told him everything was under control.” His eyes float up to the ceiling. “I’m trying to remember who else is out there. Some of the guys had to go to work.”
My throat is tight as a wave of appreciation washes over me. The other officers in Columbia had my back, but nothing like this.
“Even that dude from VO-TECH that we met our senior year from the next town over, Rick something, he showed up.”
“Okay.” I chuckle to ward off the sappy feelings. “I get it. Everyone and their dog showed up.”
Kaleb winks as he takes a step backward. “Ruby does have her pig with her.”
“Why in the hell does Ruby have her pig with her?”
“She was taking her to the vet when everything went down.”
God, I love this town.