wonder if I’m now an accessory to the crime. Damn it. I’ll go down with Kayla because it’s what friends do, but at least I now have a boyfriend that could bail me out.
Chapter Twelve
Shaw
I sit in the hard plastic chair waiting for them to call my name. My sigh is long and the receptionist at the desk looks over the top of her glasses at me then back down to her paperwork.
“The chief will be with you soon,” she says for what must be the hundredth time.
The only notice I got was a static-filled phone call from Barbara I could hardly understand. Something about getting arrested and needing to get bailed out. I was in my car and busting my ass to get back to Magnolia Springs before the call abruptly ended.
I’ve been sitting here for hours waiting to see what the hell happened and no one has talked to me yet. I’m two seconds away from breaking something so I can get locked up back there with her.
The beep on the door goes off and I see a big guy with close-shaven blond hair and wearing heavy combat boots walk in the door.
“I’m here to bail out Kayla.” His voice is low and stern, but the receptionist just rolls her eyes.
“Take a seat, Joe. I’ll let the chief know you’re here too.”
He grunts and walks over to the bank of seats I’m on and lifts his chin to me.
“I think my girl is in there with Kayla.” I never heard Barbara talk about Kayla dating someone, but maybe this is her brother.
“Hm,” he says in response as his eyebrows furrow. “What the hell did they do?”
“No idea.”
“Shaw!” the receptionist calls like I haven’t been sitting here waiting the whole time. “Chief will see you now.”
She points over her shoulder and goes back to her paperwork. I guess this small town plays it a little laid-back when it comes to how this police station runs.
I can feel the guy’s eyes on my back as I push through the little swinging half door and walk down the long hall. When I see the door marked Chief, I knock on it as I walk in. The guy behind the desk stands up and walks around. He shakes my hand and closes the door behind me then asks me to have a seat.
He’s tall and slim with a bald head and dark skin. When he takes his seat, I look at his eyes and feel like I know him from somewhere.
“Thanks for waiting. I just wanted a chance to talk to before I let Barbie and Kayla out.”
“What were they arrested for?”
He sighs as he shakes his head. “‘Arrested’ is a bit of a dramatic term for making them come down here and tell me what happened. Barbie didn’t have her cell on her so I made her use mine and I don’t have service for shit in this building.” He shakes his head as he leans back. “My daughter Kayla means well and I think she and Barbie may have gotten a little overzealous with Missy.”
“Oh god, what now?”
He waves his hand as if to say it doesn’t matter. “That’s for Barbie to discuss with you later. I personally just wanted to thank you for seeing to the security of Barbie’s store. I know you’re new in town and I appreciate all the extra help I can get right now.”
“She’s my girl, it’s my job to look out for her.”
He nods as if he likes my answer. “Barbie is a good friend to Kayla, and I know that by looking out for one you’re looking out for both.” He sighs again. “Kayla is my only child and it’s just me and her. She’s a bit of a handful sometimes, but she’s all I’ve got.”
“I can understand the feeling. Barbara’s my whole world.”
“I won’t keep you because I know you’re anxious to speak to Barbie, but I just wanted to welcome you to town, and thank you again for securing the store.” He stands and I get up with him. “I’m in desperate need of a new deputy chief if you know anyone. The two guys I have on staff aren’t what I’d call the cream of the crop.”
“I’ll keep that in mind if I think of someone.” I reach out and shake his hand and then he points to the office door where Barbara and Kayla are waiting.
When I open the door, Barbara comes rushing at me and into my arms.
Without thinking I wrap myself around her and breathe in her scent. “How does it feel to be a convicted criminal?”
She leans back with shocked, wide eyes. “They told me they were letting me go.”
“Sorry, babe, they said you’re getting the chair.”
Her shock fades into a scowl as she playfully slaps my chest. “Don’t make fun of me! I was scared.”