Willa shook her head. “No. I just moved here.”
“I’m Bree. I’m not leaving your side.”
Willa turned to her. “You don’t have to stay.”
“Nonsense. I’d be terrified if a police officer was headed my way with that kind of purpose.”
Willa swallowed over the lump in her throat, worried that Robert had done something stupid, like accuse her of something terrible.
“Are you Willa Cagney?”
“Y-yes. Is there a problem?”
The officer glanced at Bree, then back to her. “Do you want to take this outside?”
She shook her head, and Bree squeezed her arm again. The rest of the ladies at the table were paying attention now, and another one stood up and braced her on the other side.
Her knees went weak, and she had little doubt she would be on the ground if these women weren’t holding her up. “No, here is fine.”
“Robert was taken into custody just a few minutes ago, and we found some disturbing things in the trunk of his car. We just needed to make sure you were okay.”
“Oh shit—sorry, didn’t mean to curse.”
The officer’s lips tipped up just a little. “It’s okay. You don’t have to end your shift and come down to the station now, but we’d like to talk to you. How about Monday, if that’s possible?”
She nodded. “I don’t work on Monday.”
“I can go with you if you like,” Bree said.
Relief slid through Willa. She had no idea why this woman was being so nice, but she was thankful for the support.
“I’ll get your information and give it to the detectives on the case. Robert isn’t getting out this weekend. The judge won’t weigh in on bail until Monday at the earliest.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Be careful out there, ladies. Have a good evening.”
The officer walked away, and Willa’s thoughts exploded with ideas about what the officer meant by disturbing things. What the hell could Robert have that made the officer come in and make sure she was fine?
“Hey, are you okay?” Bree asked.
She nodded. “I am. At least he’s in jail for now.”
“Let me have your number, and I’ll check in with you tomorrow.”
“Sure.” She entered her information into Bree’s phone, then headed to the bar. The other waitresses checked in on her, along with the bartender. At least Cindy wasn’t working tonight. She was sure the woman would make more of this than there was to it. She assured everyone working that she was fine, though she wasn’t sure she was really okay.
Robert had been arrested. How the heck had that come about? She was thankful she at least had this weekend free from the threat of Robert doing something stupid.
Before Bree and her friends left, they came over to check on her. She thanked them for being so nice. Bree told her she would call, and Willa wondered if it would really happen. She wasn’t the type of woman to collect good friends. Then again, Robert had driven away many of her friends. Even when she’d tried to keep friendships alive, Robert had gone behind her back and forced the women away, so it had been a while since she’d had a close friend.
After work, it felt like freedom, not having to watch for Robert. She could live like this. If only the police would keep her ex locked up for good.
On Sunday afternoon, her phone rang, and she answered. Bree had called to check in on her. She thanked her for calling.
“I really feel like I can breathe easier.”
“I’m sorry he came after you. You have my phone number now. If there’s anything you need, please call. And I want to be there for you when you go to the police station tomorrow.”
