Page 45 of Charmed Forces
Solomon narrowed his eyes.
“They’re a little cold,” I said. “I got those plastic zip-ties last time. Officer Sneery Pants is definitely old school. Why didn’t we get a choice?”
“You don’t get to choose the method of restraint. You were arrested, not being offered refreshments,” said Garrett.
“Yeah, speaking of which… Can you get us out of this?” I asked. Sneery was at the booking desk, regaling the desk sergeant with his daring arrests. The desk sergeant didn’t look like he believed a word of it, which I found comforting, especially as Sneery waved Redmond quiet every time he started to speak.
“What were you arrested for?” asked Garrett.
“Saving a life,” I said.
Garrett frowned. “Whose?”
“Here they are, Captain.” I grimaced when I heard Sneery’s voice getting closer. “These are the two hired assassins that attempted to kill Detective Wayne.”
“We did not!” I snapped.
“Why’d you leave your posts?” asked Captain Brandt. After taking a long look at me then Solomon, he returned his attention to Sneery and an uncomfortable-looking Redmond.
“I sent for backup and as a senior officer, I knew I had to bring them in. Right, Redmond?”
“Well,” started Redmond.
“This one is Detective Graves’ sister,” Sneery continued, cutting him off. “I recognized her right away. I think there might be a bad apple in the bucket.”
Garrett and Jord squared up. “Lieutenant Graves’ sister too,” said Jord, pointing to our older brother, then at his own chest. “And this Detective Graves’.”
“Did you just imply what I think you did?” asked Garrett. He pushed his shoulders back and rose to his full height, towering over Sneery. Sneery didn’t back down. Instead, he muscled forwards like a stout bulldog.
“I’m not the one with the psycho sister,” said Sneery, thrusting his chin up.
“That’s enough,” said Captain Brandt. “Lieutenant Graves and Detective Graves, please return to your desks. Officer Harold, please remove the cuffs and put these two in the interview rooms.”
“Let’s get this over with,” said Solomon. “Lexi, I’ll send a lawyer for you soon.”
“Do you two think you need lawyers?” asked Captain Brandt.
“Sure,” said Solomon. “I want them to take down the names of everyone involved so we can sue them personally for wrongful arrest and anything else they can think of to throw at you.”
Captain Brandt looked at him for a long moment, then said. “Escort them to the interview rooms please.”
“I’m really sorry about this,” said Redmond as he uncuffed my hands inside the interview room. “I know I shouldn’t talk, but I know this is wrong and I hate working with that old dinosaur. I hope you and your partner do sue him. It might force Harold into retirement at last.”
“Not your favorite fellow officer?” I asked, taking a seat on the basic wooden chair.
“I’m counting the days until I can take that sergeant’s exam and move far away from the likes of Art Harold,” said the younger cop. “I called Detective Graves to come and help you. I hope that’s okay.”
“It was very thoughtful of you,” I said. “I appreciate it.”
Redmond paused at the door. “I know something weird is going on,” he said, “it’s all everyone’s talked about today and I felt really privileged I was trusted to be Detective Wayne’s guard. I’m glad he’s okay. I don’t think he would have been okay without you. I feel damn stupid to fall for a trick like that.”
“Go easy on yourself,” I said. “She was smart. She nearly fooled me too.”
“What gave her away?”
“Wrong color uniform and wrong shoes,” I said.
Redmond nodded thoughtfully, processing that. “Do you really think she was an assassin?”