Page 25 of Evidence of Us

“Alright. Get to it and report back here. Once he is in custody, stick him in holding until morning,” Kevin says.

We pull into thedriveway of Adam Sloane and stay aware of our surroundings as we get out of the car. I lead so Zeke can stay back a bit. I knock on the door, and seconds pass before it opens.

“Can I help you?” the man asks hesitantly.

“I am Detective Mariska Rowan, and this is my partner, Detective Zeke Jacobs. Are you Adam Sloane?” I ask.

“I am. What can I do for you?” he asks, slipping out and shutting his door.

“You are under arrest. Please turn around for me,” I say. He appears to be confused, but complies as I grab his wrist, and he places them both behind his back. Zeke hands me the cuffs, and I lock them in place.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to have an attorney present. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed for you,” Zeke recites as he steps him down from the porch. We get him into the back seat of the patrol car we brought before shutting the door.

“I find it interesting that he isn’t asking why he is under arrest,” Zeke says.

“He doesn’t ask because he knows why,” I say. “This is too easy.”

Adam is eerily quiet on the way to the station. He gets all the way through booking and into a cell without saying more than a few words. He is weirdly calm, even once locked in a cell. He refused a lawyer, though, so that is odd.

When we get done there, we go to the conference room and find the others.

“Hey. How’d it go?” Kevin asks.

“Shockingly well,” I say. “He didn’t ask why he was being arrested and didn’t want a lawyer.”

“Yeah, that’s odd. You can interview him in the morning, though,” Kevin says.

“Where do we go from here?” I ask.

“She hasn’t slept in thirty-six hours,” Zeke says.

“Tattletale,” I say.

“You and Zeke, go home and rest. Be back in the morning. Geno and Parker, check on the family, but bunk up here and be on call. I’ll hang out for a while before I go home to check on the Mrs. and the kids,” Kevin says. “Dawson, if you want to come back tomorrow, we could continue to use your expertise.”

“Of course,” Dawson says. “It was wonderful meeting everyone.”

“Come on,” Zeke says.

“I am pretty exhausted,” I sigh. “Alright. Let’s go.”

Zeke puts me in my car before giving the address to Dawson. I don’t even make it until he gets into the car before I fall asleep. I wake to a warm hand on my face.

“Mariska, honey,” Dawson says softly. I groan as I force my eyes open. We are in my driveway, and Dawson pulls me out of the car so Zeke can scoop me into his arms. I don’t protest because I am so tired that it hurts.

When I am set on my feet, Zeke and Dawson start removing my clothes. “I want to sleep,” I complain when I am pulled to the bathroom.

“You’ll sleep better if you shower first,” Zeke says.

They also get undressed, and we all step into my shower. They work together and wash me as I practically fall asleep standing up. I feel sluggish and weak by the time they get me out. When we are dry, they put me in bed instead of dressing me. I am thankful for having a king bed, even though I absolutely didn’t need one when I was single and alone. Now I am able to snuggle between both men comfortably. Zeke has my back against his chest so that I can bury my face in Dawson’s chest. They have their arms wrapped around me, and I sigh as I relax.

“Comfortable?” Zeke asks humorously.

“This is so nice,” I mutter. “I feel safe.”

“Good,” Dawson says, kissing my head. “Sleep, Mariska. We aren’t going anywhere.”

“I love y’all,” I sigh.