“The bad news?” I whispered.
Chase sighed. “Just so we keep everything on the up and up, you’re being held overnight.”
“What?” Mimi cried.
“Why is she—”
Chase held up his hand, interrupting Mom.
“She’s being held overnight and Lance has already secured an in-chamber meeting with Judge Lawson in the morning to go over the charges and have them dismissed. Clifford has been called, and he said he’ll be here in the morning, too. When you add in the witness statements, the judge will more than likely dismiss all charges. But this one has to be done by the book.”
“Because you’re involved,” I said.
Chase lifted a corner of his mouth. “I don’t know if it matters, but as the arresting officer, I’ll be there, too.”
I smiled because I knew it’s what he expected. “Of course that helps.” But it didn’t really. It just made me feel even worse.
I hugged Mom and Mimi goodbye and settled in for the night. Since my ankle was feeling a little better, I decided to do some yoga. I was in the Downward Dog position when Chase appeared in front of the cell.
“I see you’re feeling better,” he said.
I lifted my head and slowly lowered my knees before standing up. “A little. I haven’t been able to do any yoga since I hurt my ankle. Figured now was as good a time as any.”
He wrapped his hand around a cell bar. “I just came to say goodnight. My shift is over.”
I sighed and glanced at the wall. It was only five o’clock. I had no idea how I was going to pass the rest of the night away.
“You should be getting dinner shortly,” Chase said. “I ordered you a salad since you have a semi-strict diet.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“You okay?”
No.
“Of course,” I lied. “I can do this standing on my head.”
Chase laughed, but it sounded forced. “If I could, I’d sit next to you in that cell all night. You know that, right?”
“Yeah.”
I knew he felt the chasm widening between us. “This is going to blow over. Just wait.”
“I know,” I lied. “How’s Dad? Did he get released?”
Chase chuckled. “Yeah. He was disappointed we didn’t want to keep him overnight. Accused me of being a lazy cop, not doing my job right. Said back in his day what he’d done would have automatically been an overnight offense.”
For the first time since the arrest, I genuinely laughed. “That sounds like Dad. I’m surprised he didn’t accuse you of being paid off to look the other way and keep silent.”
“That may have come up, hard to remember all the accusations he threw my way.”
I grinned. “You’re an okay guy, Officer Cryer.”
“Do you need anything before I leave?”
“Nope. I’m good.”
He gave me another smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”
