“I don’t know what that was all about. I’m sorry for my younger son’s behavior, Jane. It wasn’t polite for him to take such an attitude.” Suddenly, the lines on his father’s face appeared more pronounced and deep with worry.
“Thanks for dinner.” Sully stood, pushing back the chair.
“We’ll walk you out,” his mother said rounding the table. The air had grown heavy as they collected their things and made their way to the front door.
“Don’t forget your bag.” Sully nodded toward the hook where Jane had hung her purse earlier.
“Oh right.” She slung it over her shoulder and gave his mom and dad a hug.
“Call if you need anything.” His father stepped out on the front porch and crossed his arms over his chest. Sully didn’t miss the way he surveyed the driveway and surrounding area with a trained eye.
“Did you know he was in California?” Jane asked when he started the truck.
“No.” He glanced in the rearview mirror and backed out of the driveway. An uneasy feeling settled in his gut as they drove. “I think I’ll give Red and Jude a call now.”
She gripped his knee. “Sully, look.” There was an edge of fear in her voice. “I think we’re being pulled over.”
He’d been so focused on Bentley’s visit that he hadn’t seen the cruiser pull out behind them. “Probably just needs to pass. I wasn’t going over the speed limit.” He eased the wheel to the right along the sidewalk, but instead of driving around, the police officer stopped directly behind them. Blue lights flashed and Jane’s breathing increased.
“Hey, everything’s going to be okay. Maybe I have a taillight out or something. We’ll be on our way in a minute.” He rolled down the window as the officer approached.
“License and registration.”
Sully leaned over the console to open the glove box and retrieved the information. He passed it to the officer who shined a penlight on the documents.
“Where are you coming from this evening?” The police officer shined his light into the car.
“Visiting my parents. Is there a reason you stopped us?” His body temperature seemed to increase as the light stopped on Jane.
“I’m going to need you both to step out of the vehicle.” The uneasiness that crept into his gut earlier solidified, despite the fact he had nothing to hide. There was literally nothing in the vehicle. He unbuckled his seat belt, but Jane sat frozen. “Sweetheart, we have to get out of the truck. I’m sure this is a big misunderstanding, but it’ll be better if we cooperate.”
“Good advice. Anything I should know about?” the officer asked as he stepped onto the pavement. “Any drugs or weapons.”
“Yes, I have a licensed firearm holstered on my hip. I’m a Navy SEAL stationed in Coronado.”
“I’m going to need you to put your hands behind your back.”
“Not until you tell me what this is about.”
“I have probable cause to search the car, sir.”
“I want to see your identification,” he said as Jane exited the truck.
“Of course.” The officer held out his identification to Sully. “Ma’am, please come forward and put your hands on the hood of the truck.”
Jane was visibly shaken, and he wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and let her know everything would be fine. Nothing was off about the man’s credentials. He was sure if they cooperated, they’d be on their way once the officer discovered they had nothing to hide.
The cold metal cuffs encircled his wrists, and the officer led him to the curb. “Take a seat.”
As the officer walked toward Jane, his heart rate sped up as she visibly recoiled from him. They spoke in low tones until she turned, and the officer secured her hands behind her back. He wouldn’t put it past Bentley to have called the cops and reported his vehicle as stolen, but he had no doubt it would be straightened out in a few minutes when he was done searching the cab of the truck. The officer made his way over to Jane, she shook her head, then the man showed her something in his hand. Jane dropped her forehead to her knees and shook as though her body was racked in silent sobs.
“What’s going on?” he demanded as the officer walked back toward him.
“How do you know the woman in the vehicle?” His neck and jaw stiffened as the officer once again ignored his question.
“She’s my girlfriend,” he bit out, losing some of his carefully honed patience.
“Sir, have you visited Baltimore recently?”
