“There’s more, I’m afraid.” I could hear the hesitancy in my uncle’s voice.
Walker’s jaw tightened. “Lay it on me.” Our relationship was new, but I was quickly learning that he preferred to face up to things, even when those things were painful.
“The use of a vehicle associated with a business would be considered circumstantial at best, but there was an identifiable getaway driver.”
Walker’s chin trembled. “It was my mom, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. She was wearing a medical mask, but she tugged it down for a few seconds, enough time for Detective Crow to make a positive identification. That’s not all, though.”
“It gets worse?” Walker asked, his soulful blue eyes rimmed with red.
“We traced the IP address from the complaint to Walker Tire Service. I personally examined the complaint that was filed against you and found the school district’s assessment—that there were no valid grounds for the complaint—to be accurate. Based on the surveillance footage alone, I had enough to request arrest warrants for both your mother and father, but this additional layer will help the prosecution’s case.”
Walker’s mouth turned down, his expression pained. “So… they’ve already been arrested?”
“Yes. Those warrants were executed about an hour ago, and your parents are in county lockup. They’ve already contacted their lawyer and will be arraigned in the morning. Most likely, after the arraignment they’ll be released on bail pending trial.”
Walker dropped his head into his hands.
Joel softly added, “I’m so sorry, Walk. In order for insurance to cover the damages, we have to press charges.”
“There’s no way around that?” I asked, pulling Walker into my arms.
“Afraid not—I reread the policy to make sure. Obviously, if they were strangers, we’d have no hesitation about it. I mean, not only did they do thousands of dollars’ worth of damage, but Tommy ended up at urgent care, needing stitches.”
Walker nodded along, biting back tears. “They’re gonna use their influence, I’m sure, and I apologize in advance for whatever that ends up looking like. But do what you’ve gotta do.”
Joel cleared his throat. “Thank you for that, Walk.”
“Do we need to go down to the station?” I asked.
“For now, no, but either Detective Crow or I will let you know if that changes,” my uncle said.
“Thanks, Sheriff,” Walker said.
“You’re welcome, Walker. I’m sorry this was the outcome.”
We said our goodbyes, and I hung up the phone, turning it face down.
“Walker, I?—”
He cut me off with a deep, searching kiss. After a few moments, he laid his head on my shoulder. “This is a shitty, shitty situation, and we both know it’s neither of our faults. This gets laid squarely at their feet.”
I nodded, then pressed my lips to his again, needing the reassurance. “You’re not just saying that? We’re going to be okay, you and me?”
“More than okay. But we’ve had a rough couple of days, and I need you to take me apart. Right now.”
Wordlessly, I planted another kiss on him, grabbed his hand, and dragged him to my bedroom.
CHAPTER27
walker
“You know it’s not gonna be good news,” Oz said, his voice soft as he pulled me toward him. “Leave it for later.”
My phone was vibrating on the nightstand. We were twisted in the sheets, Ozzie’s neck and shoulders were riddled with hickeys, and my ass was sore.
Were it not for that damned phone, it would have been the perfect way to wake up.
