"You realize we'll have to check out your story, right?"
"Yes, sir. I'd expect nothing less."
The officer glanced back at the glass wall of Abe's cell. "I think I might have something in the squad car that will break through this glass."
I gestured to the strips of material wrapped around my arm. "As you can see, it's bullet proof."
The officer's eyebrows rose swiftly. "You've been shot?"
Hank winced. "Yeah, I shot at the glass trying to break it. The bullet ricocheted and hit Danny."
The police officer glanced down at the gun sitting on the floor several feet from Hank. "That the gun you used?"
"Yes, sir. It's fully registered in my name, and I have a permit to carry it."
The officer walked over and picked it up. "A Desert Eagle. Not too many people carry these as simple side arms."
Hank shrugged. "Once a Marine, always a Marine."
I was surprised when the officer chuckled. "I was a ground pounder myself, but I hear you." He pointed to the raised dais in the middle of the room. "Why don't you all go sit down over there while we secure the scene. Our backup should be here soon."
"Please, can I stay with him?" I asked.
"Him?"
I pointed to Abe. "I'm really worried about him. Atkins shocked him several times. I don't know what kind of damage it's done."
The man's eyebrows rose again. "Shocked him?"
I nodded. "That collar he has on around his neck. It's a shock collar. There's a remote…" I started looking around, not remembering where it was. "It's here somewhere."
"I have it." Hank held the small box out to the officer. "It seems to work on a combination method. It takes more than one button to open the doors. We don't know which one shocks him, so I wouldn't go touching any buttons."
The officer nodded as he took the box. "I think we'll try the glass cutter in my car first."
"I'd appreciate it, Officer," Hank said. "Those shocks can't be good for a man who just suffered a head injury."
"So, can I sit with him?" I was tired of all this chitchat. I understood that Hank was being all cordial like to keep the officer from arresting us, or shooting us, but I just wanted Abe.
"Yeah, I suppose that would be okay," the officer said, "but don't go anywhere else. You stay right there at the glass."
I hurried over to the glass and slid down until I was sitting on my ass. I pressed my hands against the cool glass and stared at Abe as if he was my new favorite obsession, which he basically was.
I was so tired of all of this. I didn't understand why people felt the need to screw with other people. It just didn't make sense to me. Just because Atkins had seen me shift didn't mean he had the right to make me his pet.
I was no one's pet.
Well, maybe Abe's.
My breath caught. Had Abe moved? I peered closer.
Yes!
His hand moved, his fingers flexing.
I banged on the glass. "Abe, wake up. Abe, come on. Open your eyes."
Please, open your eyes.
