Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
The undercover op had dragged on for weeks, but in the end, they'd shut down a trafficking handoff and exposed several corrupt local cops. The bust was fast, coordinated, and efficient. Still, Paula couldn’t stop thinking about the three girls they pulled from that car.
Teenagers, terrified, barely old enough to understand what had almost happened to them.
No one tells you what happens after the rescue. I don’t know if they’ll be okay. I hope they will.
But she couldn’t shake the feeling that surviving wasn’t the same as living or healing.
Paula drummed her fingers against the desk, flicking her gaze to the door every few minutes.
The station felt unnaturally quiet, the kind of silence that let thoughts slip in too easily.
Her laptop sat open in front of her, but she hadn’t typed a damn thing since hanging up with Henry Cole.
We’ll bring Josh by this afternoon , Henry had said. Paula appreciated how quickly they’d arranged the meeting, but now her runaway thoughts were gnawing at her.
Another traumatized youngster.
And one who knew more about the hit and run.
The words kept circling in her mind, looping back with fresh questions each time. How much did the kid know? Had he seen something? Or worse— done something? No. No way. But whatever it was, it was big enough that Henry felt the need to call her directly.
She exhaled, shaking off the tension creeping up her spine.
She had no reason to believe Josh was involved, but that didn’t stop her from worrying about him.
The kid had been through enough already—more than anyone should have to deal with, let alone a boy his age.
And now, somehow, he was tangled up in this mess, too.
Paula shifted in her chair, once again checking the time. How long had they been over at the DA’s office? It felt like hours, but the clock begged to differ. Fifteen minutes. Maybe twenty.
Patience had never been her strong suit.
She stood abruptly, pacing toward the window and crossing her arms as she stared out at the parking lot. The afternoon sun scattered rays across the pavement, but her focus was elsewhere. A few vehicles came and went, but none were the ones she was looking for.
Her gut twisted as she thought about Josh.
She hadn’t spent much time with the kid, but she knew his kind—quiet, watchful—the type who’d learned too young that the world wasn’t a safe place.
He reminded her of other kids she’d crossed paths with—kids who had seen too much, been hurt, and carried secrets far heavier than they should.
What do you know, Josh? And why do I get the feeling it’s nothing good?
She released a slow breath, forcing herself to ease the tension in her shoulders. Worrying wouldn’t do the kid any good. She needed facts, not speculation.
She’d just settled at her desk when James, Laura, Josh, and Henry Cole returned.
“Hi, Paula. Are the others here yet?” James asked.
“No such luck. Kiriakis said he’d be here by 1:00 and Landis said by 12:30.” They checked the clock to see it was now 12:45. “Let me get you settled in the conference room. Are those cookies from The Sweet and Savory Table I smell?”
“They are. My sister, Suzie, is co-owner and chief baker there. Help yourself,” Laura said.
“I’ll wait until the others get here. Would anyone like bad coffee, water or pop?” she offered.
She had just returned with water for Laura and Coke for Josh when Derek Kiriakis and another man came in.
Before they could finish introductions, Landis started.
“I have a limited amount of time this afternoon. I’m Brian Landis with the district attorney’s office.
I work with juvenile court cases. If it’s all right with you, Henry, I’d like to record this.
It will save the boy from having to go through it more times than necessary. ”
“That’s fine, Brian.”
“Let’s get started.” The DA turned on the recorder, introduced everyone, then asked Josh to tell his story. “I will interrupt when I need clarification, and Mr. Cole will interrupt if I ask anything he considers inappropriate. Detective Stone, have you read Joshua his rights?”
“No, I was just getting ready to when you arrived.”
Once Paula had taken care of the required details, Mr. Landis asked Josh to tell his story.
When Josh reached the part about the drug dealing and the accident Mr. Landis stopped him to ask if he ever took drugs.
Josh drew a deep breath then another. “Absolutely not. Ethan wanted me to try them once, but I wouldn’t, and he decided it would be cheaper if I didn’t. ”
“Is that the only time you stood up to Ethan?” Mr. Landis inquired.
“Pretty much. Saying no to Ethan got me beaten. Maybe you know that my mother and her boyfriend are being charged with neglect and abuse of me. Ethan liked to beat me with his belt. That’s where most of the scars on my back came from.
” He paused and looked at Derek Kiriakis, who had asked him about the scars so many times since they had met.
“My mother tried to stop him—once—but he slapped her so hard she fell down. She hasn’t tried to stop anyone from hitting me, since.
She even started taking Ethan’s side when I wouldn’t let her… ”
He looked like he was five instead of almost fifteen. Paula wanted to reach out and comfort him.
Before she could say anything, Henry asked, “Do we really need to get into this part now? It seems to me Josh has already provided ample reasons for his actions.”
Landis looked around the room, and Paula was glad to see everyone had the same protective expressions.
No one wanted Josh to continue. Paula didn’t know what else he might have said, but in that moment it didn’t matter.
She had a strong suspicion that whatever would come next was something Josh wasn’t ready to face.
“All right. We can come back to that later. What happened the day of the accident, Josh?” Landis was clearly anxious to get through the interview.
Josh went through the details of the car theft and the accident then ended when he realized they were on foot again.
“I didn’t know the man was dead, but I knew it was bad from the way he bounced over the car.
I’m sorry I didn’t tell anyone at the time.
I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I really didn’t!
” His voice broke, and he looked as though he were about to burst into tears again.
Henry turned to the district attorney. “Enough mitigating circumstances for you, Brian?”
“I’m going to need to hear whatever the rest of the story is, but for now it’s enough.
Josh, let’s get you booked. Then Mr. Cole and I will meet with Judge Spenser and get you released to your foster parents.
It will take a while to get the plea deal worked out, but I think we can manage probation until you’re twenty-one and some hefty hours of community service. ”
“Surely eighteen is sufficient, Brian. Josh has had exemplary behavior since he’s been in foster care.
He’s an excellent student, and now that he’s no longer in his mother’s care, his school attendance is near perfect.
James and Laura will attest to his character.
He’s starting with a new therapist shortly.
I don’t see how the extra three years are necessary,” Henry said.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen”—Derek Kiriakis spoke for the first time—“can’t we save this discussion for another day? Josh has been through a lot. Let’s see to the formalities and send these good people home.”
“I think Derek is right,” Henry said, and Landis agreed.
“Josh, do you need me for anything else today?” Henry asked.
Josh shook his head.
“James? Laura?” Again receiving answers in the negative, he gathered his things and prepared to leave. “If we hurry, Brian, we can get to Judge Spenser before he starts afternoon court. We’ll call as soon as Josh can be released.”
“Let’s go. I’ve got five more cases to deal with today,” Landis said, and they left together.
“I must be going as well. Glad to see you’re doing well despite past events,” Derek said. “Good to see you all. Wish the circumstances were better.”
A uniformed officer came to take Josh for booking, and James went with him to keep an eye on things.
Paula and Laura watched them head downstairs, and Laura asked, “Is it really going to be so simple? Probation and community service?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t had many cases in juvenile court.
If it’s like adult court, the judge usually rubber stamps the agreement between the prosecution and the defense, but every now and then you get one who thinks the deal is too easy on the defendant and he decides to throw the book at him.
For now, Josh gets to go home with you as soon as we get the call. ”
After the duty officer had finished booking Josh, Paula went with them to the exit.
On impulse, she hugged Laura, who clung to her briefly before leaning back and putting on a brave smile.
“Thank you for your help.” Laura stepped away from her, right into James’ arms. He kissed her temple and held out a hand to Paula.
“Thank you, Paula. We’ll talk to Henry and Derek as well,” James said as his big, callused hand engulfed hers in a warm handshake. He let go, gave a friendly nod, and went away with his arm around Laura, Josh trailing behind.
Paula stared after the retreating couple. She just couldn’t wrap her head around their relationship. Both seemed really happy. Both utterly in love. But what was the appeal of being tied up and beaten? To both of them?
A shadow fell over her as Jackson Cagney came to stand beside her, a bit close for comfort.
Nevertheless, Paula lifted her chin and acknowledged his presence with a short but not unfriendly nod. “Cagney. What brings you by?”
Jackson grinned and responded. “Stone.” After a short pause, he added, “Papers to drop off for your case. What’s on your mind?”
Paula indicated Laura and James with her head. “Those two.”
“What about them?”
“I don’t get it,” she replied.
“Get what?” Jackson seemed genuinely confused. “They’re a happy couple.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Paula acquiesced. “But why do they need this inequality? Why can’t they have a normal, balanced relationship? He’s no bully, she’s no doormat. I just don’t get it.”
Jackson listened to her and considered his response.
They were in a professional environment, and she was a colleague.
Granted, they didn’t work together daily, but they were still both cops.
He rubbed his neck. “I don’t agree with your assessment of their relationship.
It’s wonderfully balanced in my opinion.
They fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. ”
“That’s what I don’t get. Why the coercion?”
Jackson felt like she’d slapped him in the face. “What coercion? Paula, there isn’t any of that. Their entire relationship is based on careful negotiation. It’s all safe, sane, and consensual.”
“But she’s strong, smart, and independent.” Paula stopped as his words sank in, and her jaw dropped. “I’ve heard that phrase from Laura. It’s a BDSM saying. How would you know that?”
“Yes, she is all that, and so are you,” Jackson answered as he moved closer to her and bent down to speak softly in her ear.
“I think you might be submissive, too. Wouldn’t it be great to have someone take care of you?
To not always have to be in control of everything?
Not to be on guard 24/7? To just let go? ”
Paula swayed on her feet and leaned into him, as if she wasn’t even aware he hadn’t answered her second question while she pondered what he’d said.
“Okay, that’s clear,” Jackson murmured, more to himself than to her.
“Clear as mud maybe. What are you talking about?”
“To answer your earlier question, I’m also in the lifestyle. I’m a member of Club Indigo, just like James and Laura.”
“Well that explains your bossy behavior on the night of the wedding,” she muttered.
He decided to ignore the comment. “Did you drive to work today?”
She blinked at his change of topic but answered, “No, the weather was nice so I walked.”
“When does your shift end?”
She told him the time.
“I’ll pick you up after, and we can have that dinner you owe me.”
Her mouth parted in surprise. She’d clearly expected him to forget about it or at least let it drop. Shoulders sagging in resignation, she gave a reluctant nod. He turned and swaggered away, feeling her gaze on his back the entire time.