Chapter 17
***TAYLOR***
Taylor was in shock, couldn’t believe that he’d been handcuffed and dragged down to the police station, things like this happened to other people, not him.
He winced, remembering how the morning started, the banging on the front door, footsteps pounding on the stairs, and Walker’s voice yelling that the police wanted to talk to him.
From there, the details were a bit fuzzy; he remembered someone accusing him of the robberies, the feel of handcuffs slipping around his wrists, and Hattie screaming at the officers.
There was a vague memory of Malcolm shouting that he’d call a lawyer as he was led across the lawn to a black and white police car, then he was shoved in the back, the door closed and everything sank into shadows.
He must have been in shock or something because he didn’t remember anything else until now, but one thing he knew, he had to get a grip before a misunderstanding ruined his life.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down, but just as he felt some of the tension fading from his muscles, the door of the room flew open with a bang and he jumped.
A second later an older man walked through the door.
He was carrying a folder and a small tablet in one hand and a can of soda in the other.
He set everything down on the table in front of Taylor, then grabbed a chair and took his time sitting down and making himself comfortable.
When he was satisfied, he looked over at Taylor. “I’m Captain Strattler. The first thing I want you to know is that I’m here to help you,” the man said. “Taylor, we’ve got a bit of a problem, and I’m really hoping you can clear a few things up, but first, let me ask you if you know why we’re here.”
“You think I’m responsible for the robberies on campus,” he said, the enormity of the accusation sinking in. “I don’t know what makes you think I did it, but I’m innocent.”
Captain Strattler didn’t say anything for a second, but he was too smart for that trick, and the man finally gave up. “You know technology is an amazing thing,” he said. “And hidden cameras are police officer's dream.”
When he still didn’t say anything, Captain Strattler picked up the tablet, tapped the screen a few times, and then slid it across to him.
“Does this look like anyone you know?” he asked.
“A lot of people think it looks like you, that coat is pretty unique; I bet there isn’t another one like it on campus. ”
“That coat disappeared from my closet three or four days ago,” he said, tapping the screen and making the handcuffs jangle. “Someone must have snuck into the house and stolen it.”
Captain Strattler looked disappointed. “I expected a better story than that,” he said, shaking his head. “Come on, Taylor. Let’s not play games. Just admit that you committed those robberies. If you cooperate now, the judge will go easy on you.”
“I can’t do that since I’m innocent, I’m telling you the truth, that jacket was stolen,” he said. “Anyone could have been wearing it in these videos. You’d better have more evidence than this, but I don’t think you do, because it wasn’t me.”
Just then, the door burst open again. “Taylor, I’m your lawyer, Mr. Anderson,” an older man said, rushing into the room. “Don’t say another word until we have a chance to talk.”
A half-hour later, he was walking out of the police station a free man, but he wasn’t happy.
It was obvious someone was setting him up, and he had a pretty good idea who it was.
Sebastian was stirring up trouble just like he’d feared, and he felt that the only way to put a stop to it was to confront the man directly, something he didn’t want to do.
He’d have been happier if his cousin had never shown up.
He didn’t want anything to do with that side of the family and didn’t like to be reminded where he’d come from.
But it was clear that he wasn’t going to be able to avoid dealing with the past, even if none of it was his fault.
Thinking about his mother made him mad all over again, and he promised himself that before the day was over, he and Sebastian were going to have a little talk.
Taylor couldn’t have known that all he would have had to do to talk to his cousin was turn around and go back into the police station. “Damn, they let him go already,” Sebastain whispered to the man with him. “I thought they’d hold him longer than that.”
“Should we follow him?” Mack asked. “Your grandfather is going to be upset that the plan didn’t work.”
“Never mind my grandfather, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” Sebastian hissed, then jumped when his phone began to ring in his pocket. “Crap, it’s him, we’d better go outside so I can take this.”
“Hey, Grandpa,” Sebastian answered when he connected the call. “How are you this morning?”
“Never mind about that,” the old man growled. “How was breakfast? Did you talk to Taylor? When is he coming to see me?”
“I’m afraid it didn’t go too well, Taylor doesn’t want anything to do with us,” Sebastian lied. “I offered him everything you told me to, but he just laughed in my face and called me a bunch of names. I know how important this is to you, but…”
“This isn’t just important, this is critical,” his grandfather interrupted.
“You and Taylor are all that’s left. The Marbury line will end with the two of you, and I can’t have that happen.
This family has always been the heart and soul of the clan.
We’ve ruled for generations, and I won’t let our legacy die away.
I want you to convince Taylor to come home, he belongs here with us, not with the Barrington’s, I’m counting on you, Sebastian, do this for me. ”
“Yes, sir, I’ll try again,” Sebastian said, then disconnected the call.
He looked over at Mack, who was staring at him open-mouthed.
“Stop looking at me like that, he’s just a stupid old man,” he growled.
“Does he really think I’m going to share everything with that bastard?
Where has he been all these years while I’ve been putting up with all of those old man’s demands?
The clan is mine and mine alone. Someday I’ll be the alpha and I’m not sharing my power with anyone. ”
“But your grandfather…” Mack started to protest, but let the words trail away. “Are you sure…”
“Are you questioning me? Are you challenging me?” Sebastian growled. “I wouldn’t do that if I was you.”
“No, no, not at all,” Mack whined. “You’re in charge, Sebastian, and you always will be.”
“And don’t you forget it,” Sebastian said, then slapped Mack on the back of the head. “Come on, let’s go, we have some planning to do, Taylor is going down, and I’m going to enjoy watching it happen.”
***Emily***
Emily rehearsed her story one more time in her mind as she ran across the parking lot toward Taylor. “Are you okay?” she asked when she got to him. “I can’t believe they did this to you.”
“Emily, what are you doing here?” he asked, clearly surprised to see her.
“I stopped by the house to drop off some notes you left behind last night, they’d just taken you away and everyone was freaking out,” she said. “I volunteered to come down. I still have a few contacts in the department, I thought I might be able to help, but your lawyer beat me down here.”
“They think I committed those robberies,” he said with a sigh. “I’m completely innocent, but they won’t listen to me. Mr. Anderson finally got through to them, but I think they’re going to keep pushing.”
“They think you took all that stuff,” she said, trying to act confused. “Why?”
“The thief was wearing my jacket,” he said. “It disappeared from my room a few days ago.”
She was silent for a second. “Why would someone do that?” she finally asked. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“I think it’s Sebastian, I think he’s trying to mess with me,” Taylor said. “I don’t know why, but it’s the only thing I can think of to explain why someone wearing my jacket is intentionally ending up on the security cameras.”
“Can’t you see his face?” she asked. “That would clear everything up.”
Taylor shook his head. “He was very careful not to look at the cameras,” he said. “You can see just about everything but his face.”
“It shouldn’t matter anyway, you were at work those nights, weren’t you?” she asked. “That should be enough of an alibi.”
Taylor got a funny look on his face. “Yeah, I’m sure someone will vouch for me,” he said, his voice a little strange. “I mean it shouldn’t be a problem, I’ll just have to ask around or something.”
There was something off about his answer, but before she could figure out what it was, Taylor’s lawyer interrupted them.
“Taylor, I need to get going. You shouldn’t have any more trouble for now, but I want you to call me if they try to contact you again,” he said.
“This is bordering on harassment, and I won’t stand for it. ”
“Thank you for everything you did,” Taylor said, shaking the man’s hand. I don’t think this is over yet; I may call you sooner than you think.”
When they were alone, she looked up at Taylor, saw the anger in his eyes, and realized that he was thinking about doing something stupid. “Taylor, what are you planning to do?” she asked, putting her hand on his arm. “You need to let the police handle this. Did you tell them about Sebastian?”
“What was I going to tell them?” he asked. “We’ve only talked to each other twice, neither was a pleasant experience, but he didn’t do or say anything threatening either time. There was nothing to tell them, but I do think it’s time my cousin and I had a little talk.”
She still didn’t like the look in his eyes.
“Maybe you should cool down just a little before you do that. You have every right to be furious, but going over there angry might be a mistake,” she said.
“Let me drive you home. Everyone is probably worrying about you. Sebastian can wait for a few hours; he’s not going anywhere. ”
Taylor looked like he was going to argue at first, then he let out a long sigh. “You’re probably right, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it,” he said. “I was looking forward to punching that jerk in the face.”
“Come on, my car is over there,” she said, shaking her head. “I had a feeling you were planning something like that.”
When they pulled up in front of the fraternity house, Taylor looked over at her. “Thanks for the ride,” he said. “Do you want to come in for lunch? I’m sure Hattie has been cooking all morning—she always does when she’s upset—and there will be plenty to share.”
“I wish I could, but I have class in an hour that I can’t miss,” she said, tempted for the first time in her life to ditch class. “Maybe you can bring me a doggie bag tonight, that is if you still want to study.”
“I wouldn’t mind skipping tonight, you whipped me so good last night, I’m not sure that I can take a beating like that again so soon,” he said, then grinned at her. “My wounded ego needs some time to recover.”
“You poor baby, you’d better take the night off,” she said, then noticed that he was exhausted. “You do look tired. Maybe you should call in to work tonight.”
“I can’t, my boss would have a fit,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ll be okay, I’ll find some time to take a nap later.”
An awkward silence fell between them and stretched out until the air in the car was crackling with energy, then Taylor turned toward her.
For a moment, she thought he was going to pull her into his arms and kiss her.
“Thanks again for the ride,” he said, instead.
“I guess I’d better go, the boys are probably watching us through the window. ”
She looked over his shoulder. “I can’t see them,” she said, then shrugged. “We’re just friends, there’s nothing to see.”
“Right,” Taylor said, studying her. “Friends.”
She thought she was prepared for the kiss, but when it came, it was even better than she remembered, and in only seconds, she was wrapping her arms around Taylor’s neck.
He groaned deep in his throat and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss until the world melted away just like it had before.
Lost in the swirling waves of pleasure that cascaded through her, she marveled at how right it felt to be in his arms, how natural it felt to open herself up to him, to let the passion between them carry her away.
She’d never know how far she would have let him go right there in the car because a garbage truck pulled up right next to them, and they jumped apart, aware that eyes were suddenly upon them.
Taylor took several shaky breaths, his chest heaving in an effort to get himself under control.
She understood what he was feeling; she was in no better shape.
“I better go,” he said, opening the door. “I’ll see you later, thanks again.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, her voice shaking. “
I’ll text you about our next study session. Don’t do anything stupid with Sebastian; he’s not worth it.”