Chapter 57
Night had grayed into dawn, bringing a light drizzle with it. The trailer was trashed. And cops were everywhere.
The county sheriff had dropped by to make sure backup wasn’t needed.
According to what Clint overheard, the arrangement had been set up by Ray a couple weeks ago.
Whatever happened at Clint’s place fell under the jurisdiction of Pine Bluff’s finest until further notice.
Paramedics had arrived and taken care of Clint’s arm.
It wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been.
Once she’d calmed down, Misty had given her statement, which conflicted in most every way with Clint’s and Emily’s. As Clint watched, the woman was settled into the back of a cruiser in preparation for transport to City Hall.
Clint had a bad feeling about how this would go down. As much as he wanted to believe that justice would prevail as long as he and Emily stood together, history wasn’t on his side.
Mike Caruthers walked over to where they waited. “Clint. Emily.” He looked from one to the other. “We need to go on down to City Hall and get your statements done.”
Clint figured that was a good idea, considering the press had arrived in force. “The sooner we get this over with, the better,” he said to Emily as he put his arm around her. They were both exhausted. “You okay with this? You want to call someone first?”
As much as Justine had deserved what she’d gotten, he hated that Emily was the one who’d had to do the job. That moment would forever be etched on her psyche.
She looked up at him, her eyes sad, her expression weary. “Let’s just finish this.”
Caruthers escorted them toward the waiting squad cars. “My officers will make sure the press doesn’t follow. Clint, you’ll go with Deputy Fitzpatrick, and Emily will ride with me.”
Emily looked unsure of the arrangement.
“Look, Caruthers,” Clint argued. “I don’t see why we can’t ride together. You already know what happened here. It’s not like we’re going to change our stories.”
“Sorry, Clint, we have protocol on these matters.”
Clint knew there was no point in arguing. He kissed Emily’s forehead. “I’ll see you there.” Then he refused to get into the car with Fitzpatrick until Emily was settled.
Once Clint had climbed in, Fitzpatrick pulled out onto the dirt road right behind Caruthers.
Clint tried to relax, but with Emily out of his reach, he couldn’t.
It was a short drive to town. He had to believe in the system that had failed him once already .
. . it was all they had. No need to get himself worked up like this, but his instincts wouldn’t stop humming.
When they reached the intersection at 18, Caruthers took a right. Clint sat up straighter.
Fitzpatrick took the left that led directly into Pine Bluff. Clint turned around in his seat and watched Caruthers drive off in the other direction.
“Why the hell is he going that way?”
“My orders are to take you to City Hall.” Fitzpatrick met Clint’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “I’m certain Caruthers knows what he’s doing.”
The vehicle carrying Emily faded out of sight . . . taking her farther from Clint’s reach.