“Oh, sorry. Of course, you are. So, as I was saying, the company’s located in one of the office buildings on Mitchell Avenue. After a year of designing and planning, we are finally launching our new computer system this weekend. It should have been quite the milestone, instead it has been an utter and complete disaster.” I glanced at my watch and winced. “In fact, I have to be back at my desk in less than five hours. I’m terribly sorry for traveling too fast tonight”—I placed my hand over my heart—“I promise I will take it slow going forward.”
“Good.” He put his flashlight back in his pocket. “So many innocent people get hurt or needlessly lose their lives every day because of reckless behavior.”
“I know.” I met his gaze. “It’s heartbreaking.” Then, for good measure, I added, “I do take safety very seriously. I even took a defensive driving class this winter with a few friends from work. I learned so many valuable lessons.”
“Music to my ears.” He gave me a half-smile and relief washed over me.Thank god I controlled my tongue before I shared the part about using the money that I saved on my car insurance to purchase a pair of designer jeans.
“I promise I will heed your warning and advice, Officer. I don’t live far. Actually, I’m less than a mile up this road. I promise to take it slow. Can I please go now?”
“I’m sorry, not yet,” he said kindly. He held up the documents that I had given him. “Let me just check these first and make sure everything is in order, then you’ll be free to go.”
“Oh, okay,” I said. “Thanks.”
For the first time, he glanced at my driver’s license. It was probably the stress and exhaustion setting in, but I could have sworn I saw his jaw clench and his body tense. He looked at me quizzically for a few seconds before his eyes ricocheted back to my license.
I struggled to catch my breath when his blue eyes bore into mine. He must have earned anAin intimidation techniques at the academy because when he said,“Waverly Ensworth,I’ll be right back,”I felt as if I had committed a felony.
2
Furious was an understatement.I was beyond livid and getting more outraged by the moment.
I had been sitting in my parked car for over twenty-five excruciating minutes waiting for the cop to return. What could the man possibly be doing in his vehicle all this time? Was he eating a baloney sandwich? Or maybe he was having phone sex with his wife? There was no rational, legitimate reason why it should take him almost half an hour to check my impeccable driving record. I had never been in a car accident—not even as a passenger! And I only received one ticket in my entire life: a parking ticket, when I was in college, which I paid for the very next day.
I glanced at him again through my rearview mirror. He was motionless, as if he was sitting there contemplating the meaning of life rather than doing his job. If his eyes weren’t open, I’d have thought he decided to take a power nap. Perhaps he was trying to take advantage of his position of authority and try to make me squirm and sweat? Regardless, this game had gone on for far too long.
I reached for my door handle. Right before I swung it open, I changed my mind. Storming toward his patrol car to pitch a fit and demand he let me go this instant probably wasn’t the wisest idea. From our brief encounter, the man already seemed high-strung. I didn’t need my anger and impatience to fuel his fire. I wouldn’t put it past him to detain me longer than necessary for the sheer entertainment.Why are the best-looking guys always the biggest jerks?
Usually, I am a master of time management and the queen of multi-tasking. But at 3:30 a.m., I was too emotionally and physically exhausted to read or respond to work emails. I thought about scrolling through social media sites, but I couldn’t muster the strength for that either. All I wanted to do was crawl into my comfy bed and cuddle my cat.
I slumped back in my seat and took some deep, cleansing breaths. I successfully forced myself to relax. Of course, as soon as I let my guard down and yawned deeply, he rapped his fist against my closed window.
I rolled down my window again and stuck my hand out to retrieve my documents. “Thanks,” I said with a killer-watt smile. “Have a good night.”
“Not so fast.” He held up a large hand.
“What?” I blinked in rapid succession.
“You’re not going anywhere, Ms. Ensworth.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand. Clearly, you didn’t find anything concerning in my records.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Please, step out of the vehicle,” he said sternly.
“What? Why?” My pulse raced, and I felt a sliver of sweat drip down my back.
“I know you said you weren’t drinking this evening. And while I want to believe you, in good conscience, I need to be sure, especially since you were speeding.”
Anger replaced my fear. “You’re joking! Speeding? I was only goingeightmiles over the limit. I know we are in the sleepy suburbs, but don’t you have any real crimes to stop? The way you’re acting is absurd. I didn’t do anything wrong! I demand you let me go home. Now.”
He rested his hand on his holster. “I’m sorry, Ms. Ensworth. Having a temper tantrum will not help your cause. I hate to break it to you, but you’re in no position to make demands. While you’re entitled to your opinions, they are irrelevant right now.”
I didn’t move a muscle.
“When I said get out of the car, I meant you need to get out of the carnow. I want to see you walk a straight line.”
“This is ridiculous,” I fired back. “I’m not getting out of my car at three-thirty in the morning. Give me a breathalyzer or something, if you must.”
“My direction wasn’t a request nor is it up for debate, Ms. Ensworth. You have a choice. You can either get out of this car now and walk a straight line for me, or I can bring you down to the station to settle the matter there.” Then, to further his point, he tapped the handcuffs he wore clipped to his waist.
