“Is it necessary? She’s been through a lot the last couple days.”
“Fine,” he answered, then hung up.
“The police have someone in custody. They think we should come in,” Chad told her. Bree’s eyes widened, but he was impressed by how quickly she squared her shoulders and pulled herself together.
“Then we’d better get down there,” she said without hesitation.
“I can deal with it on my own,” Chad offered.
“No. I want answers. I want this to be over,” she answered and he heard the steel in her voice.
Chapter Fourteen
Bree’s stomach turned as they stepped inside the huge double doors into the sheriff’s station. She glanced at the reception area with people calling out orders, and chaos reigning. Somewhere among the throng of individuals was someone who could be responsible for disrupting her life, shooting her in the head, and endlessly pursuing her.
She squeezed Chad’s hand tightly in her own. She was unaware of Chad scoping the room, looking for possible exits, noticing anyone looking suspicious. She would feel more reassured if she could see how aware he was of everyone and everything around him.
This could be the end of the chase. She could possibly start focusing on her life and getting her problems worked out, without having to look over her shoulder every five minutes. If the person after her was caught, then she could focus on her child, and if she were relaxed, then maybe she’d get her memory back.
She smiled at the thought. She really wanted to know her past – her family.
Chad led her to the reception desk, where a harried looking woman in uniform barely glanced away from her computer screen as they approached.
“How can I help you?” she practically yelled, reaching into her messy hair and grabbing a pen that had seen better days.
“We’re here to see Captain Musket,” Chad replied. That seemed to snap her to attention.
“Name?”
“Chad Redington and Bree Anderson.”
She typed something on her computer keyboard, dropping the pen on her desk.
“ID, please,” she said while sticking her hand out, still without looking up. Chad reached into his wallet at the same time as Bree pulled her purse forward. They handed over their ID’s and waited while she typed something else.
“Head over to the door on the far right. Deputy Mitchel will let you through,” she said without as much as a smile. Bree felt like a criminal for all the warmth the woman showed. She’d hate to be on the wrong side of the law.
“This way, please,” Deputy Mitchel said when Bree took too long to move forward. She jumped at the sound, then followed Chad’s assured steps as he made his way toward the huge officer. He looked around the room, his hand resting on his gun, before opening the door for them. “Go down this hallway, turn right. It’s interrogation room number two. Wait there and the Captain will meet you.”
Chad pulled Bree along as they made their way down the plain, narrow hallway. They passed a door where she heard someone shouting and a chill went down her spine. The place gave her the creeps.
Bree had always been curious what a jail was like from the inside. How the cells looked, if the interrogation rooms really were the same as they appeared on her favorite crime dramas. Now that she was there, her curiosity took a nose dive. She couldn’t wait to get back out into the fresh air. She didn’t understand how prisoners could stand the confined space, day in and day out. It was too much.
They stood where the officer told them to and waited.
“Are you okay?” Chad asked, startling Bree out of her thoughts.
“I was thinking I wouldn’t want to be locked up in one of these places. Just standing here in the hallway is intimidating enough,” she answered with a nervous laugh.
“This is luxurious, believe it or not. I’ve been places overseas that still give me nightmares,” he said in a voice that made Bree realize she didn’t want to hear about those places. If he wanted to talk, she’d listen, but she knew it would rip her apart. She knew nothing of his life, nothing at all about the father of her unborn baby.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Chad, Bree,” Captain Musket said as he stepped up to them with his hand out. He was a pleasant looking man, appearing to be in his sixties; probably about five feet seven, with a round belly. Even with his weight, he still looked like he’d be able to take down a criminal if the need arose. By the twinkle in his eye, Bree had a feeling he’d love for someone to get out of hand. She liked him instantly.
“We understand. You’re a busy man,” Chad replied.
“Let’s step into the viewing room so Bree can look at who we have,” the Captain said while opening a door. Bree was the first to enter, coming face to face with a dreadful looking man. She didn’t have any clue who he was, but he was staring right in the window at her.
“Don’t worry, Bree. He can’t see you. He just knows we can see him and he’s trying to intimidate you. This room is soundproof so he doesn’t even know we’re in here for sure. He’s just assuming,” the Captain assured her.
The man seemed to be looking directly at her, freezing her with his cold stare. Then, she watched as he placed his hands on the window and leaned his head forward. He stuck his tongue out and swiped it up the glass. Bree jumped back, completely disgusted.
Chad bunched his fist, having to fight the urge to punch the bullet proof glass, rattling the window, surprising the creep.
“He’s a winner,” the Captain said with a disgusted sigh. “Is anything coming to you, Bree?”
“No, I have no clue who he is or what he could possibly want.”
“Do you want to stay in here and watch the interview?”
“No, he said he wanted to speak to me, so I’ll go in there. I refuse to let him intimidate me,” she said with resolve. The Captain patted her back, then opened the door and waited. Bree took a deep breath before she stepped out. She could do this. She wouldn’t let any person control her emotions, especially a disturbing, pathetic man.
“Hey, sexy lady. You can use my lap if you want a more comfortable seat,” the man said with a leer as Bree entered. She heard Chad curse behind her, and she put out her hand to touch him, letting him know she was fine.
“I’m fine in a chair. What do you want?”
“Is that any way to act when a man calls on you?”