“What do you mean, you hope so?” Her voice rose a few octaves. “What about truth, justice, and the American way? The law should protect him.”
Clearing his throat, Jack said, “Yeah, that worked well for me, huh?”
“I won’t lie and say we always get it right. I don’t personally think Scott capable of anything like this. However, the woman was beat hard, and they have a lot of evidence that points to him. Plus she claims it was him. Why would she do that?”
“I don’t know. All I can think is it has something to do with all the crap that has happened since we started this building project.”
Drew tilted his head. “Yeah, Scott mentioned he’s had some problems with it.”
“It’s making him a little crazy,” Jack said.
“What is this woman’s name? Have they done any backgroundchecks on her?”
“Not really, and I’m not supposed to give you any information. I’ve already jeopardized my job simply with what we’ve discussed. I’ll keep digging myself, see what I can find on her. I’ll have to do it quietly, though. If the ADA finds out I’m linked to Scott and am tampering with the case, it would be bad for both of us.”
Jack shuffled quietly. “I’ll try to call in a few favors, too.”
“What will they do with him now?” The thought of Scott hanging out in jail scared her.
“They formally charged him and have been processing his information. Fingerprints, photos, that type of stuff. He’ll be sent to the Hartford Correctional Facility for the weekend and be arraigned on Tuesday.”
“They’re putting him in jail for the three-day weekend? What about bail?”
“He has to be arraigned first and court is closed for the day. It won’t open again until after the holiday. I have a feeling Detective Thomas took her time with the questioning so it would be too late for him to be arraigned today. When I spoke with her she seemed thrilled to get Scott off the streets.”
Moisture welled in her eyes and she blinked it back. Sometimes Scott drove her nuts, but she’d never want to see him behind bars. Lowering himself to the bench, Jack hugged her to his shoulder.
“Can I see him before he goes? Bringhim something?”
“Like a cake with a file inside?” Drew grinned, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He was worried about his friend too. “No, no visitors while he’s in lock-up.”
Her eyes blurred as she stared at the police station and the squad cars parked in the side lot. People moved in and out. One set of figures caughther attention.
“Is that Scott?” She stood to geta better view.
Jack took her elbow standing too. Drew grabbed her other arm. Had she started to move toward Scott? With his head and shoulders down, he walked between two uniformed officers, his hands cuffed together. They gently pushed him into the back seat of a squad car, shut the door, and got in the front.
Jack’s fingers tightened on her arm. “I’ll call around and see if I can get in touch with a lawyer for him. With the long weekend, I’m not sure how many would be available. Otherwise he gets a court-appointed lawyer.”
“Let me talk to my dad and see what he suggests.” She hated asking her dad for favors, but she’d do it for Scott. No expense was too much. “If he doesn’t know anyone thenI’ll call you.”
The squad car with Scott inside rolled past them. He sat in the middle, his head facing the window. As their eyes met, his mouth tightened andhe looked down.
Running his hand down her arm, Drew said, “Are you all right to get home by yourself?”
“I’ll make sure she gets there,” Jack offered.
“I’m fine. I don’t need either of you worrying about me. Thank you for the information.”
Moving toward her car on autopilot, Jack and Drew watching from a distance, her mind roamed to the man who had been hauled away to jail.Hewasn’t fine. What would he be like after three days in the county jail? And what about after? Bail? A hearing? What if the lawyer couldn’t prove hehadn’t done it?
“No, he’s innocent,” she stated, and a few people looked curiously at her. They had to prove he was. Although it was supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. Was the evidence they had against him strong enoughto convict him?
She took it back. She wasn’t fine. Her stomach churned and dread filled her bones at the thought of Scott being sent to prison for somethinghe hadn’t done.
* * * *
The lock clicked behind him andScott flinched.
