“Yes,” Lucas said.
“Then read them, but know that I’m not going to sit down with you right now. I want my attorney.”
“Okay,” Lucas said. “Then come with me. I need to take you back to the holding area and get you ready to transport to the main jail.”
Maya took a deep breath. Josh being unwilling to talk made him seem guilty, but as law enforcement officers they all knew the drill. Once someone was read their rights, everything was admissible in court. Some suspects would chatter away and give them all the information. Others would clam up and not talk. But once someone asked for their attorney, all questioning was done. Josh was smart to do this for now. It would give Maya time to continue to investigate the senator and his men. She didn’t know when Lucas would officially indict Josh. He could be held for about forty-eight hours before charges had to be filed.
Pops came over to Maya and put his arm around her. “Nothing will make me happier than giving Josh back his badge and service weapon after he’s cleared. This is hard on all of us.”
“I know,” Maya said in almost a whisper. Then in a stronger voice, she added, “I know this is hard on you too, Pops. Especially right now with everything you have going on. We’ll figure this out. Together.”
“Maya,” Josh said, before Lucas took him back to the holding area. “Lucas is doing his job. It’s okay. My dad will help with this. He’s around here somewhere and I won’t speak to anyone without him. Let Lucas do his job and let the system work. You worry about finding Elena Pierce. Got it?”
Maya stared back at him. She didn’t like this at all, but she knew Josh was right. If there was a warrant out for him, he needed to be arrested, and the more he complied, the better it would be for everyone. They could fight it in court and the best way to clear Josh was to find the missing prosecutor. Hopefully alive.
“Okay,” she finally said. “As soon as there’s bail set, I’ll figure out a way to get you out. But I’ll also work on finding Elena. Just be careful and stay aware. I don’t want to lose you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
The room was silent. No one moved, not even Juniper. Feeling the tension, Juniper let out a little whine. Maya fought back tears, not wanting to cry in front of everyone and to stay strong for Josh. She couldn’t believe he was in handcuffs.
I don’t know if Josh will be safe in jail. Or even on the transport to the bigger county jail. Probably where they’ll take him because that way, he’ll be there for a bail hearing in the morning. They’re usually on Tuesdays. I need to make sure he has an out if something happens.
She noticed a stack of papers on the table from a previous department meeting that someone had left behind. A paper clip held the stack together. Maya leaned back against the table and managed to pry the paper clip off the stack of papers.
“Lucas, I know you need to process him, but can I have a moment?”
Lucas sighed and said, “Make it quick. And I’m not leaving.”
“Okay,” Maya said, annoyed at Lucas but also understanding the fine line he was walking between friend and law enforcement officer.
She went over and wrapped her arms around Josh, holding him. She leaned in for a passionate kiss, not caring what anyone thought. She rubbed her hands down his chest, and then behind his back. No one had a good view of his hands in the cuffs. She caressed one in a way that if someone did see, they would think she was being flirtatious. Massaging his hand, she placed the paper clip in it. Hopefully everyone was distracted by the kiss and didn’t notice what she had done. Josh gave her a look.
Before he could say anything, Maya said, “Be careful. Stay aware. I think someone has planned this and it’s working out perfectly. I love you.”
She held his hand again, her eyes begging, pleading with him not to say anything and just keep the paper clip. Maya knew that Josh would never use it unless it was necessary. He wasn’t the type to escape for no reason, but she felt better knowing he had a way to pick the handcuffs if need be.
“I’ll be okay. I love you too,” Josh said. “You be careful too.”
Based on his look, Maya thought he was going with the plan. She also figured he was talking about the evidence he’d given her. Maya was glad she’d made copies of everything and stashed them in multiple locations.
Lucas cleared his throat and Maya stepped back. She saw Josh shove the paper clip up his shirtsleeve, tucking it in near the cuff. Hopefully no one would see it when he put on the jail scrubs.
“I’ll have you change clothes,” Lucas said. “Under my supervision. My boss said there’s a jail transport coming soon. We’d rather have you down in the main county jail. That way no one can say there’s any conflict of interest with you being here.”
“I’ll cooperate,” Josh said.
“I know you will. Come with me,” Lucas said.
Josh followed Lucas out and Maya sat down on the table, her legs feeling like Jell-O. Juniper leaned up against her as Maya rubbed her pointy ears, trying to tell herself everything would be okay. Pops didn’t say a word and they sat in silence.
A few minutes later, Josh and Lucas came out from the back jail area. Maya gasped. She wasn’t prepared to see him in the striped jail clothing with his hands cuffed to a belly chain. Lucas carried ankle shackles and Maya knew Josh would have to wear those in the jail transport. Had he been able to keep the paper clip?
They all walked to the front lobby and waited. Juniper continued giving little whines, upset and knowing Josh shouldn’t be dressed the way he was. Maya tried to pet her dog, not certain who she was consoling. Headlights shone through the glass as a jail transport pulled in.
“Are there any other prisoners on this run?” Maya asked. She was concerned that if there were, they could find a way to injure Josh.
“No,” Lucas answered. “It’ll just be him and a couple guards plus the driver. It worked out because they were taking a prisoner to Wyoming for an extradition. They were coming back through this way.”
