I look at Olivia. “Your take on this?”
“Like Katy said, it’s bullshit. If they find nothing here today, they’ll still need to take her in because she has been arrested. My problem with that is I don’t think they had any actual evidence to support the arrest. I think they assumed they’d find something here today, and then the hows wouldn’t matter.”
“You think they’ll plant something?” I lower my voice, unable to hide my shock.
“Or they already did. That’s the only reason I can think of that they’d call in the K9 officer.” She lowers her voice so only I can hear her. “They don’t drop everything for us, so the chief would have had to ask in advance. My guess is that he called for K9 assistance the day before the rookie brought her in. This stinks of corruption, Banner.”
“Alright, say nothing else while there are too many people around to hear you. Stay out of the way until they’re done. We’ll talk more afterward. Katy, why don’t you go home?”
“They’re not gonna let me leave while they’re raiding the place.”
“They shouldn’t, but they will if you remind them who you are.” I grimace at what that implies.
“I don’t throw my name around to?—”
“They know who you are, anyway, Katy cat.”
Before she can argue, Olivia squeezes her arm lightly. “Actually, I have a big favor to ask. Could you collect Mia from preschool and sit with her until I can get home? I don’t want to leave Sorrow without her lawyer.”
“Of course,” Katy mutters, taking Olivia’s keys from her.
“I’ll give them a call so they know to expect you.”
“Okay, can one of you keep me posted?”
“We will,” Olivia answers. I walk Katy out. Lo and behold, when they see who’s leaving, they not only say nothing, but they clear a path for her. I get why it pisses Katy off, even though I’m grateful for it right now. It makes me wonder, though, what would happen if she didn’t have her head screwed on right? What if she’d grown into a wild teen and thrown the family name around so she could get out of trouble? That would have been a whole other pile of shit to deal with and makes me look back at some of the stuff Alec got into. An uncomfortable feeling steals over me.
Once she’s gone, I head back to the kitchen, finding Sorrow where I left her. A cop searching the kitchen is keeping an eye on her as he moves around the room.
I crouch in front of her and take one of her smaller hands in mine. “Katy has gone to pick up Olivia’s daughter. Olivia will be going with you to the police station, and I’ll be following behind you. I know this is shitty, but I need you to hang on for me.”
She nods, a stray tear slipping down her cheek.
I reach up to wipe it away just as the garage door opens, and the K9 handler walks in with his dog. His jaw is clenched as his hands tighten on the dog’s leash.
“Everything okay?” I ask him as Smith stomps through the door and throws a glare at Sorrow. Wade brings up the rear, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’ll be in touch with your chief,” the K9 officer says before leaving, not sparing Smith a backward glance. I look at Wade, who shakes his head, and feel myself relax somewhat. When Olivia walks in, I wait for her to snark off at him.
“I’m heading to the station with Sorrow as I’m representing her,” Olivia tells Wade.
Smith grunts before looking at Sorrow. “Let’s go.”
She gets to her feet, but when he reaches for her, I step between them. “I think I’ll feel more comfortable with Wade taking her in. She needs medical attention, thanks to your manhandling.”
I wait for him to argue, but he must know to count his losses.
I lean over Sorrow, who looks up at me. “Go with Wade. I’ll come pick you up when you’re done. You got your phone?”
When she nods, I reach into her back pocket, making her gasp. I add my number to her contacts before putting it back.
I look at Wade. “Take care of her. I’m going to wait here until the cops leave so I can lock up,” I add, holding my hands out for the keys that Smith still has.
I half expect him to play dumb, but he doesn’t. He slaps them into my hand before turning and leaving.
“I’ve got her,” Wade tells me as he gently guides Sorrow outside.
“See you at the station, hubby,” Olivia calls out, making Wade look back with a grin.
