Where One Goes(53)

“Don’t worry, Ike,” he says, quietly. “I’ll help her.” Then he heads toward Charlotte’s 4Runner.





“Are you the owner of this vehicle?” the officer asks as I stare at the shattered glass on the hood of my truck.

“It’s in my father’s name,” I clarify, meeting his gaze.

“Are you aware the tags are expired?” he asks, and I want to roll my eyes. I have no idea if my father paid to renew the tags and license plate after I left. I’ve been pulled over countless times for those damn tags and the expired inspection, and I’ve collected a great deal of tickets for it as well. But as I’ve been drifting state to state for the last five years, I’ve never felt the need to pay those tickets or even mind their existence.

“I am,” I answer.

“Randy,” George says, annoyed. “Shouldn’t we be focusing on who broke into her truck?”

At that moment, Officer Randy’s partner approaches and pulls him aside, leaning toward him to tell him something. George steps in front of me and shakes his head at them. “Bath County doesn’t see a lot of excitement in the way of crime around here. He’s just trying to show off,” George assures me. I nod as I suck in a deep breath. I wonder if I tell the officers to leave, if they would. The longer they’re here, the more my stomach knots up. George places his hands on my arms and squeezes gently as he leans in and kisses my forehead. “It’ll be okay,” he whispers. When I look up at him, my brows furrow. He looks pale and a light sheen of sweat covers his face. He doesn’t look well at all.

“Are you okay?” I whisper. “Do you feel sick?”

He swallows hard, and his mouth curves to the side. “A little,” he admits. “I threw up a few times this morning.”

“George, you should go home and rest,” I insist as I touch the back of my hand to his forehead, which he quickly swipes away.

“I’m fine. I’m not leaving you here to deal with this alone.”

“Ms. Acres,” Randy calls me and I turn toward him, surprised to be addressed by my last name. Did George tell him my last name? He tugs the brim of his hat down before placing his hands on his belt. His partner stands just behind him.

“Yes?” I answer.

“We’re going to need you to come with us,” Randy says, and I tense as George steps farther in front of me.

“What the f*ck for, Randy?” George snaps, and I realize how horrible the timing is. George is going through withdrawals and is already on edge. The last thing he needs is to be put in a situation that upsets him.

“That’s not your concern, George,” Randy’s partner says, as he steps forward.

“The hell it’s not, Willard. Someone broke into her truck last night, and you’re taking her in?”

“That’s Officer Lloyd to you, George, and if we say she needs to come with us, she needs to come with us,” Willard snaps back.

I have to step in and calm down George. Rounding him, I face him and place my hands on his chest. “It’s okay, George. This is probably about some outstanding tickets I have.” Cutting my eyes to Sniper, I try to tell him to help me out. He gets my message loud and clear. Stepping forward, he takes George by the shoulders and pulls him back a bit.

“It’s all right, mate. We’ll follow her to the station and get this all cleared up.”


“This is f*cking bullshit, and you know it, Randy,” George growls as he pushes Sniper off of him and steps back to me. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he bends slightly to meet my gaze. “We’ll be right behind you. My mom can come and open the restaurant, and Greg is working the kitchen today so he can handle it.” My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. Here he is being so sweet and wonderful while going through drug withdrawals, and I’m keeping things from him. It feels amazing to have someone care for me this way, but dread blooms inside of me. He’s going to hate me when he finds out the truth.

“You really don’t have to come, George. I’m sure it’s the tickets. I’d feel bad with you coming down there. Besides, you should be resting.”

“I’m coming with you, Charlotte,” he says, sternly, before leaning in and kissing me softly on the lips, shocking the hell out of me. When I glance to Ike, he’s staring at the ground, and when I look to Sniper, his eyebrows are touching his hairline. “Don’t worry. My dad is a lawyer, and if we need him he can help,” George assures me.

“Let’s go,” Randy orders from behind, and I roll my eyes.

“Can I grab my bag out of Sniper’s truck?”

He nods in answer, and after I get my bag, I climb into the back of the brown cop car and we head toward the Bath County Sheriff’s department. Ike morphs beside me and gives me a reassuring smile. “It’s not about the tickets,” he says. I nod, letting him know I know that.

“So what’s this about? Why are you bringing me in?” I ask Randy and Willard.

“An APB was put out on your vehicle and you last night. You’re wanted for questioning in the Casey Purcell investigation.”

I lean my head back against the seat and exhale loudly. This is going to be a long day.



Once we reach the sheriff’s department, I’m placed in a small room with a table and two chairs on each side. It even has one of those mirrors like in the movies, and I know I’m being watched from the other side. Ike stays with me, even though I can’t speak with him. It’s still nice to know he’s here.