Part of me knows he could actually do it. The Carlstons have that kind of power. Everything I've worked for could disappear. But looking at Alice pressed against that bookshelf, terrified—none of that matters.
He shoves Alice away from him so hard she hits the bookshelf. Books tumble to the floor around her, and she slides down, cradling her wrist.
That’s it.
I move fast, grabbing Lance’s arm and spinning him around before he can react. “Lance Carlston, you’re under arrest for assault, stalking, and breaking and entering.”
“Get your hands off me!” Lance tries to pull away, but I’m stronger and I have training. I force his arm behind his back, applying just enough pressure to control him without causing injury.
I key my radio. "Dispatch, this is Edwards. I need backup at 337 Maple Street. One in custody, assault and B&E.”
“You have the right to remain silent,” I start, but Lance isn’t done fighting.
He tries to elbow me in the ribs, so I press him firmly against the wall to control him. His cheek scrapes the surface. “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”
“Alice, tell him to stop! Tell him we were just talking!” Lance shouts.
I get the first cuff on him, but he’s still struggling. “You have the right to an attorney…”
“I’ll destroy you,” Lance snarls at me over his shoulder. “Both of you. My family has connections in this county you can’t even imagine.”
I get the second cuff locked and step back, breathing hard. The metallic click echoes in the quiet house. Lance's cheek is red where it pressed against the wall, but I don't feel an ounce of sympathy for him.
“If I were you, I’d worry less about making threats and more about getting a good lawyer,” I tell him.
I turn to check on Alice. She’s sitting on the floor next to the bookshelf, rubbing her wrist where Lance grabbed her. Her glasses are crooked, and there are tears in her eyes she’s trying to hold back.
“Are you hurt?” I ask, kneeling down beside her.
“My wrist hurts, but I think I’m okay.” Her voice is shaky.
“I need to document your injuries. Can you show me your wrist?”
She extends her arm, and I can see red marks already turning purple where Lance grabbed her. I take photos with my phone for the report.
“How did you know to come?”
“I wanted to check on you after this morning. Good thing I did.”
If I'd been five minutes later… Five minutes and he could have—
No.
I'm not going there. She's safe. That's what matters.
Lance is still ranting from where I have him positioned against the wall. “This won’t stick. You can’t prove anything. It’s her word against mine, and everyone knows she’s unstable.”
“Actually,” I say, standing up, “I witnessed you assault her and force entry into her home. That’s more than enough.”
I grab Lance by the cuffs and guide him toward the door. He tries to resist, dragging his feet like a child, but I’m done being patient.
“Alice,” he calls over his shoulder as I force him outside, “this isn’t over. You know you belong with me. You know no one else will ever want you.”
“The only place you belong is in a cell,” I tell him, opening the back door of my patrol car.
He tries to resist getting in, so I have to use my hand on his head to guide him down into the seat. Standard procedure, but Lance acts like I’m trying to kill him.
“I’m going to file a complaint!”
