“She made me hold it. It’s all hers. Please, I need you to help me, she forced me…”
Her cries become heavy sobs and the officer draws his gun and points it at me. Taking a step back in shock, his partner comes up behind me, yanks my arm and twists it up behind my back.
He forces me forward and pushes me against the side of the car. The officer brings the bag around and dumps it on the hood. My eyes bulge when I see what’s inside.
Blocks of white powder.
Cocaine.
A shit load of it.
And Clare’s just told them it’s mine.
My heart hammers in my chest, and a hot tear rolls down my cheek.
“That is not mine. I swear, I was just picking her up to take her home… Clare, tell them the truth.”
The officer who has a hold of me, pulls me back and slams me forward against the car, pain jolting through me.
“I’m so glad you stopped her, I was so scared.”
Her tears double and she continues to shake. How can she do this to me?
“Amelia Haynes, you are under arrest…”
I drown out his voice, the sound of metal cuffs taking over. My so-called best friend has just sold me out and even though I don’t have much knowledge in the drug world, I do know the amount in the backpack is a damn lot.
Taking a deep breath, I tell myself I just need to call my dad and he’ll get this sorted out.
The officer shoves me toward their cruiser and Clare shoots back as I pass. What does she think I’m going to do to her? This is ridiculous.
Sat in the back of a cop car is terrifying. The officer who first approached us rubs Clare’s back trying to soothe her and I just can’t believe this is happening.
It’s not long before another cop car pulls up and Clare is led into the back. The officer who pulled us over sighs heavily as he climbs in behind the wheel.
“I don’t know what the heck you thought you were doing running around with that amount of sniff on you, little lady, but I wouldn’t make any plans for the foreseeable if I were you.”
My heart sinks listening to the officer and before I can open my mouth to ask questions, he’s talking to his partner and the car is moving.
I can plead my defence once I get to where they’re taking me. This is a misunderstanding and I’m sure it’ll be cleared up as soon as I can talk with my dad.
I should be at home, finishing my schoolwork, checking on Elsa-Marie and tucking myself up in bed. I open my eyes and the car is pulling in through the gates to the county jail.
I’m numb as I’m led through the back door. The bright lighting attacks my eyes and it takes a minute to adjust. I’m stood before the front desk.
The arresting officer’s voice blurs in my ears and then I’m nudged.
“Stand on the line.”
I stare to where he points, and a female officer joins us.
“Feet apart,” she says.
I do as I’m told, and she pats me down, searching me. She doesn’t find anything. I only took my keys when I left the house and they’re still in my car.
“Go stand by the wall, hands behind your back.”
I follow her instruction and clasp my hands together behind my back. The wall is cold against my skin and it’s a stark reminder of where I am.
