Читать книгу Hers To Protect - Catherine Lanigan - Страница 16
ОглавлениеVIOLET HANDED THE document to the bondsman, who scribbled something illegible on it and handed her the cash.
She stapled the paperwork together and went to the cell block, unable to help the wave of incompetence that swept through her veins. Deflated and riddled with guilt for the disappointment she’d caused Detective Davis, she was in no mood for gloating from Josh Stevens.
She squared her shoulders as she tucked in her shirt and smoothed her uniform slacks. It was the end of the day, and all she wanted was a hot bath. But first, she had this duty to perform.
She handed the paperwork to Trey as the metal door closed behind her.
“He said his manager would pull through,” Trey said, smiling.
“Had a nice chat, did you?”
“Oh, we did. Josh has the most amazing stories. You know he’s raced in Europe and...”
“Not now, Officer. I’m here to release him.”
Josh was sitting on the bare bench inside the cell. He looked up at her. “Nice jail you have.”
“This isn’t the jail. We use this room to house criminals we know will only be here a few hours. Like you.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m not a criminal.”
“Fine.” She motioned to Trey. “You can open it up.”
Josh stood. “I’m being released?”
“Yes. It’s my duty to inform you that you will have to return to Indian Lake in ten days for a hearing. At that time, I will give my testimony to the judge. You will give yours or your lawyer will speak for you. That’s your call. What happens next will be up to the judge.”
“What’s typical in cases like mine?”
“There aren’t many cases like yours.”
“Okaaay. Similar cases.”
“He or she may give you a fine. And the speeding ticket will be reported on your record as well as the charge of resisting arrest.”
Josh walked to the open jail door. “And the endangerment to others?”
“That, too.”
Violet struggled to remain calm. She took a step back from him, wondering how he could smell like clean soap and spicy cologne after most of the day in lockup.
Just looking at him reminded her that she’d bungled her job, and badly. All her life, she’d prided herself on her instincts and her intuition. She’d relied on those instincts when she’d started the chase after Josh, believing him to be the drug lord. She had wrongly mistaken his Bugatti as Miguel Garcia’s car.
She handed Josh his release papers.
“Well, Officer Hawks, I can tell you that my attorney is not only smart but effective. This speeding ticket and the other trumped-up charges you’ve brought against me won’t fly. As far as I’m concerned, you stole a day of my life. My agent has been dodging calls all day about my whereabouts. And the fallout I’m going to face once the story gets out that you, Officer Hawks, chose to incarcerate me to make yourself look good to your superiors...”
Violet opened her mouth to speak, her words coming in an indignant squawk. “Mr. Stevens,” she managed, “this disruption in your life is your fault. Not mine. Apparently, you haven’t learned there is a price to pay for your behavior.”
“Behavior? Your hot-headed reaction is to blame here. My guess is that because you’re so young, you haven’t been doing this long. So, I’m going to give you that, Officer Hawks. I’ve told my attorney I won’t sue you, the city or the county. But trust me, this bust you made is gonna go away.”
Violet’s nerves jangled from the tip of her skull to her toes. She had to remember that Josh Stevens was the kind of person who thought he had the upper hand—always. And she’d had just about enough.
Instead of losing her cool, she smiled as charmingly as she could. “I appreciate your position, Mr. Stevens. In ten days we’ll see how it all falls out. In the meantime, please understand. You aren’t the only one with responsibilities. I have people who depend on me and my judgment, as well. They aren’t my entourage as you label your people. I call mine family.”
She turned to Trey. “Please see Mr. Stevens to the front door, Officer. Make sure he has his cell phone and belongings upon his departure.”
She turned and walked out of the cell block.
