Once the prisoners were secured in the back of the first deputy’s cruiser, Brooks spoke to his men for another moment, then said something that made them laugh.
Breaking the tension, she deduced. Yes, that would be a sign of a good leader. She started to rise and go unlock the front door, but saw Brooks head toward the back as she had. Instead she walked over and poured his coffee, adding the sugar as he liked it.
He stepped in, saw the plate. “Cookies?”
“I thought you might want something.”
“I might. I’ve got to go in and deal with this.”
“Yes, of course.”
He picked up his coffee, took a cookie. “I don’t have to ask if you’re all right. Steady as a rock, right on through it.”
“He’s a stupid, violent boy, but we were never in any real danger. You might have been cut, which would’ve been upsetting. Was he right?”
“Who, and about what?”
“Justin Blake, when he said you wouldn’t shoot him.”
Biting into the cookie, Brooks leaned back in that easy way he had. “Mostly. If I’d had to, yeah, but I didn’t have to. Better all around. Would you have shot him?”
“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate. “I’d wondered if I could or would, as he’s young and stupid, but yes. If he’d cut you, I would have. But you have excellent reflexes, and he telegraphed his move, and was slow due, I suspect, to drugs or alcohol. You weren’t afraid.”
“You gave me a moment, initially. I told you to stay inside.”
“And I told you I didn’t need or want to be protected. It’s my property, and I was armed.”
“As always.” He took another bite of the cookie.
“Added to that, though nothing registered on the monitor, I wanted to be sure there wasn’t a third who might have flanked you.”
“I appreciate it.”
“You should soak that shirt before the stain sets.”
“I’ve got a spare at the station. Abigail, I’m going to need for you to give a statement. You can come in, or I can send one of my men to take it here.”
“Oh. Yes, of course. I couldn’t give you the statement under the circumstances.”
“No.”
“I think I’d prefer to go in. I could do it now.”
“Morning’s fine.”
“If I came in now, it would be done. I’d rather it be done. I’ll change and drive in now.”
“I can wait for you.”
“That’s all right. You should go now, do what you need to do.”
“Yeah. The way you handled this makes me think you’ve handled trouble before. I’m hoping you’ll trust me enough to tell me about that someday soon.”
Wanting the link, she curled her fingers around his wrists for a moment. “If I could tell anyone, it would be you.”
“Okay, then.” He set the coffee down, took her face in his hands and kissed her. “Thanks for the backup. And the cookie.”
“You’re welcome.”
