“We’ve had an, er, incident,” I said, motioning toward Mia who was struggling to sit up.
One of the officers unhooked his radio from his hip and called for EMTs.
“You are the owner of the building?” asked the other officer as he eyed me, pulling a small notepad from his pocket.
“That’s right. Chester Brandfield.”
“Okay, Mr. Brandfield. What happened here?” he asked, waving his finger around the room.
“This woman.” I pointed at Mia, who was holding her face. “Mia Turner. She works here. She has been threatening me with a…suggestive photo. Sending emails and threats to me over the course of the past week.”
The officer scribbled on his notepad.
“She set up this morning’s meeting to blackmail me into paying her and hiring her as my assistant.”
“Do you have this ‘suggestive’ photo, Mr. Brandfield?”
I swallowed hard, nodding as I reached for my phone in my jacket pocket. I pulled up the text and handed it over to the officer. His eyes widened slightly, a hint of red flushing his cheeks, as he handed my phone back to me.
“I’ll have my lawyer submit it for evidence,” I said, clearing my throat. “I want to press charges immediately.Today.”
“Yes, Mr. Brandfield. But we aren’t done here…” said the other officer, stepping up next to his partner. “We have a woman with a pretty swollen eye. Mind telling me how that happened?”
Shit. He thought I did it.
“It was me,” said Juliet quickly, stepping next to me, but careful not to brush her arm against mine.
“Bitch,” muttered Mia from the floor as she glared up at Juliet.
I swore Juliet smiled slightly.
“And you are?”
“Juliet Martin,” she said.
“Officers, she assaulted me. Just look what she did to me!” she said shrilly, pointing at her left eye that was red and swollen. “I’m pressing charges!” She turned and pointed at Juliet menacingly before bursting into tears. Fake tears. She was putting on a show for the police.
Just then, two EMTs entered the office, rushing toward Mia who was now dramatically rocking back and forth on the rug, letting out sobs.
“Miss, I need you to calm down…” said an EMT, gently holding Mia still.
I rolled my eyes as I watched him perform a few tests with a flashlight and his finger, before asking her a string of questions. Juliet stood by me, watching quietly.
“It doesn’t seem like you have a concussion, miss. But we will need to get some ice on that eye. You’ll have a nice shiner for a while,” said the EMT, packing his small bag and handing it to his partner. He nodded toward the officers, signaling something silently.
Both officers stepped forward, removing handcuffs from their belts.
“Mia Turner, you are under arrest for the crime of blackmail and extortion. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law,” said one of the officers, helping Mia to her feet as he slid the cuffs on her.
“You’re making a mistake!” yelled Mia, squirming frantically.
“Miss, you need to calm down, unless you want me to slap another charge on you,” said the officer.
Mia immediately stopped struggling and glared at me and Juliet, before she was led out of the room, the EMTs following behind. The remaining officer took a step toward Juliet, unclasping the cuffs in his hand.
“Juliet Martin, you are under arrest for the crime of assault. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law,” he said sternly.
“Officer,” I said, stepping between them. “Is this really necessary?”
