I Need You #4
A different cop said, “The car is registered to Katie Karlton.” I whispered, “That’s me.” The cop sneered, “Prove it.” I said, “My credit card is in the car in my purse.” The one cop said, “It does say Katie Karlton.”
Office McGee was searching my pockets, then roughly grabbed my breast. I asked, “What are you doing?” He answered, “Searching you.” The nurse yelled, “Officer McGee, she is a minor according to the officer going through her things.” He still thoroughly searched me, groping as he went. Several tears spilled out.
Finally, Office McGee opened the back of the car slamming my head on the top of the door frame. I would’ve fallen if he wasn’t holding me. Office McGee sneered, “Oops.” I cried out, but I couldn’t do anything since my hands were cuffed.
Office McGee slammed the door shut. The cop that had been going through my car pushed Office McGee and told him to go in a different car. This guy got into the one I was in with an older guy. I asked, “Is Keaton ok?”
The older guy answered, “We didn’t get his status.” I really let my tears fall now. I sobbed the whole way to the station. For some reason, they didn’t process me, they just threw me in a cell. They didn’t even take the cuffs off.
One cop came to talk to me, “We need to call your parents.” I admitted, “I don’t know my dad, and I don’t know where my mom is.” The cop sighed, “Look, do you really want us to call CPS?” I answered, “No, I want to know how Keaton is.” The cop started to leave.
I yelled, “HEY! I get a phone call!” The cop turned, “Give me your mom’s number and you can make your call.” I frowned arguing, “That’s not how this works! I get a phone call.” The cop sneered, “Little girl, this works how we say this works. Give me your mom’s phone number.”
I yelled, “I don’t have it! She left with her boyfriend and didn’t give me her number! If you’d give me my phone, I’ll call my brother.” Caspian said they all had an alert set up for when I called so he would answer.
The cop asked, “How dumb do you think I am?” I retorted, “Currently? Fairly dumb. I’m not supposed to be in cuffs when I’m in the cell. You were supposed to fingerprint me and take my mugshot or something. You weren’t supposed to hurt me, and I get a freaking phone call!”
The cop snorted, “This isn’t a T.V. show, little girl. There is only a mother listed for you at the school. There is no record of you having a brother.” I replied, “Well, I do. I could have several for all you know. They are GOING to be pissed!” He started to leave, and I cursed my anger.
I yelled, “Wait! Is Keaton ok?” The cop shot back, “Maybe some more time to think in here will have you answering my questions. I yelled, “I did answer your questions, you just didn’t like the answers! Just tell me how Keaton is!” He didn’t say anything.
I sank to my knees and cried because I wanted Keaton. I wanted my Lux more than ever. I whispered, “Caspian, where are you? I need you.” It was so dark down here I saw this gold whisp leave my lips and go out the window.
I blinked in shock. What the hell? I was seeing things.
I whispered, “Sassy, are you there?” I heard the weak soft tune of her song.
Now Sassy was hurt, which made me cry even harder.
I was going crazy with worry for Keaton.
Feeling the bruise forming on my face and jaw didn’t help my mental state either. My back was also killing me.
The door opened and someone called, “Are you going to answer us now?” I immediately asked, “How’s Keaton?
” The cop crossed his arms, “What’s your mom’s number?
” I retorted, “I told you already that I don’t know.
Whatever you think a mother daughter relationship is supposed to be like, that’s not ours.
She leaves me like this all the time. I don’t even think I got her email address this time.
Track down my ex-boyfriend if you really want her number. He probably has it.”
The cop raised an eyebrow then started to leave. I yelled, “WAIT! I have a lawyer. You have to contact my lawyer, that’s a thing!” The cop snorted, “What’s your lawyer’s name?” Ok, this was progress. I will tell them about Lux Vennox as soon as they told me about Keaton.
I countered, “Tell me how Keaton is, and I’ll give you his name.” The cop snorted, “Pass.” He left. My arms were sore and every part of my body hurt. It felt like my soul was being crushed. Did I get to Keaton in time? Was he ok? Those thoughts just swirled in my mind with no answer.
I laid on the ground until the door opened again. I yelled, “I still don't know my mom’s number, and I’m not telling you my lawyer's name until you tell me how Key is. That’s all I want to know.” I started sobbing.
A man yelled, “WHAT THE FUCK?! GET THE CUFFS OFF HER RIGHT NOW!” I looked up to see an older man. I whispered, “You look like Key.” His lips twitched slightly when he replied, “Well, he’s my grandson. So, technically speaking he looks like me.”
I cried, “Is he ok?” Keaton’s grandpa studied me, “My grandson is fine. I saw him briefly before he yelled the emergency room down about getting you out of jail.” A cop came running, opened the cell, and uncuffed me.
I tried to rub my arms, but I couldn’t. I didn’t realize I’d lost feeling them in until now.
Keaton’s grandpa growled, “What the fuck, Brett?” Brett answered, “I had no idea Katie was down here. I actually didn’t know anyone was. I just got on shift. No one knows what’s going on upstairs. Several of the guys are being cagey.”
Key’s grandpa said, “Do some digging. I want to know what’s going on.
” Yeah, these cops totally just pissed off the mob.
IN THEIR STUPID FACES! I hoped people got whacked for this.
Whoa, Odette. Chill out. Sassy started quietly singing in my head causing me to cry in relief.
Keaton was ok, and Sassy was sounding stronger already.
Keaton’s grandpa came into the cell and rubbed my arms. The man consoled me, “You’re alright.
What happened to your face?” I answered, “I lost the battle with the floor and the hood of the car. Then there was the side of the police car. I guess when you ignore their flashing lights, they get testy. I was just trying to get Key to the hospital. I know I’m a bad driver, but I had to get him help. ”
I sobbed, “He wouldn’t wake up.” Keaton’s grandpa held me as I cried. I whispered, “Keaton’s really ok?” Keaton’s grandpa assured me, “He is. I’m Frank by the way.” I pulled back, “Oh gosh! I got snot and tears all over your shirt.”
Frank shrugged, “Trust me, it’s not the first time that’s happened, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I have a daughter and a wife. I’ve even held my sons as they cried.” I pointed out, “They are related to you.”
Frank reasoned, “Yes, and you’re dating my grandson. You’re here because you got Keaton help. What happened? Isaac was trying to track down your statement.” I asked, “Isaac? Wait! You’re Frank? You own the building I live in. Do I get evicted with a record? My mom will kill me.”
Frank snorted, “I can promise you you’re not getting evicted, and you won’t have a record. Now, about your statement…” I interrupted, “They didn’t take one. Nor did they process me or give me my phone call. They wouldn’t tell me how Key is.”
Frank growled, “Well, let’s just go see what they have to say about that.” I told him, “I don’t think I’m allowed to leave the cell.” Frank winked, “Stick with me, kiddo. They won’t dare say anything.” I got up to follow him and fell back down. My legs were asleep.
Frank helped me up the stairs. One of the officers who was there when they arrested me shouted, “HEY! She can’t be up here.” Someone grabbed his shoulder. Frank angrily shot back, “I find that odd because technically she’s not here. My grandson, Keaton Daniels, girlfriend wasn’t processed.”
More than one person paled when Frank announced I was Keaton’s girlfriend. Did they not know what he looked like? I dragged Keaton into the hospital. Ok, his head was cut and he had blood on him, but I still felt they should’ve recognized him.
Frank continued, “Katie was only read her rights and manhandled, and I talked to the nurse at the hospital. Keaton’s girlfriend didn’t resist arrest, but her face tells a different story.
You used unnecessary force, then you didn’t even take the cuffs off her to put her in the cell.
What is the matter with you?! This is a sixteen year old girl! ”
Officer McGee lamely defended, “Ms. Karlton didn’t pull over, broke several speed limits, hit several traffic signs, and she has no license!
” Another man, who must be Isaac, said, “For your negligence with my client we will pay for the repairs to anything she hit. We will plead this down to a non-moving violation.”
Officer McGee snorted, “No way.” Isaac chuckled humorlessly, “Then the pretty young girl will be in front of every news camera telling her story. You remember that my son owns quite a few news stations along with a young man I am a second father to, right?”
Isaac pointed to me, “Keaton’s girlfriend will tell her story about how she was just trying to get her boyfriend help.
Her boyfriend whose last name is Daniels.
Katie here will tell everyone how scared she was.
Then we’ll talk about the police brutality she was on the receiving end of.
It sounds like a PR nightmare you want to avoid. Does it not?”
Isaac took a picture of my face adding, “This picture on the side screen during the interview will tell quite the story.” Sassy was feeling smug again. The chief of police came out inclined his head, “Isaac, Frank, I was informed you were in house. What seems to be the problem?”
Isaac smiled, “Why don’t we discuss that in your office?” The chief inclined his head towards a door at the back of the room. I asked, “How long has he been a lawyer?” Frank laughed, “About a decade. His wife didn’t enjoy him being retired nor did he.”