I pulled into a parking spot out front and stared at the building.I hated hospitals the most, but police stations were second.After the whole Ryder gang bait situation, I had trouble really trusting that they’d keep me safe, even if I knew they weren’t all bad.They even gave me a sizable settlement as reparations, and some other stuff that my lawyer forced them to do, including an uncomfortable public apology, promising changes in their policies and whatnot.
“I can go in alone.”Janice held her undone seatbelt in her hand, staring at me.
“What?”
“I’m the older sister here, I don’t need anyone to hold my hand.You don’t need to go in.”
“You’re making it sound like I’m scared.”
“You are, though.Your face is completely white and you’ve been gripping the steering wheel like it’s your lifeline.”
I forced my hands to open, my fingers aching as I stretched them out.I think I held that grip through the entire drive here without really noticing.It certainly felt like I did.
“I’m fine.It’d be good to go in.”
“Right.There’s a nice warm-looking coffee shop across the street.”
I glanced at where she was pointing.It really was a nice coffee shop, the windows too dark to see inside.Small, with only a handful of tables, but good coffee.I’d gone there once or twice.They had fun seasonal drinks.I think Toby mentioned them currently having like ten different hot chocolate options.
“I’m coming in,” I said a bit more firmly.
“Okay.”She finally released her seatbelt and got out.
It took me a few extra seconds before I could unbuckle myself and get out of my car.
The outside air bit at my face instantly.I shoved my hands into my coat and followed Janice inside, trying to ignore how the wind felt like an icicle when it blew by.Winters were always miserable.It meant cold hands and feet, and runny noses.And I always got sick.
Always.
I sighed the moment we stepped inside, getting hit with a blast of warm air.The man at the front desk looked us over professionally and gave us a polite smile.
Janice took the lead, talking to him as I glanced around the space.It was rather large with a waiting area off to the right and a couple of doors leading further into the building.There was a couple sitting in the waiting area and a small group of police officers talking quietly before they went through a set of doors and disappeared.
“Thanks!”Janice said and turned to me.“The lead detective will be out shortly.”
I tilted my head over to the chairs.
Once we sat down, she bumped her shoulder with mine to get my attention.“I only got the gist of it, how the Ryder gang was interested in you because they thought you knew where I was, but Officer Brelly didn’t go into details.”
“I don’t blame them for being quiet about it,” I said, unable to hide the little bit of bitterness that slipped in.
She frowned as an eyebrow rose at my response.“What happened?”
“They kidnapped me.Grabbed me in the parking lot at school.”
Janice gasped, her face going pale.
I continued, my voice sounding dead even to me.“Drove me to the middle of nowhere and tied me up in the basement.Left me in the dark for a while until Rick came and tried to get me to tell him where you were.Even shot a gun to threaten me.”
“Holy shit.What the fuck?”Janice’s cheeks turned red as her anger flared.“They told me none of that.”
I shrugged.“Probably because they’re embarrassed.Turned out they used my abduction as an opportunity.”
Janice jumped to her feet, hands fisted at her side.“What the ever-loving fuck?How dare they?”
I grabbed her hand before she stormed to the police officer standing behind the desk.He was staring at us now, aware that drama was unfolding.
“Janice, stop.”I yanked her hard so she’d stumble back.She went with the movement, sitting back down.“It’s been handled.I have a really good lawyer, and Amy already raised all kinds of hell with them.Got me a settlement and everything.So please, don’t.It’s over.”
