Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Today as he approached the restaurant, he noticed a police car pulled up at the front. That didn’t seem weird. A lot of officers came in on their lunch break or picked up dinner after their shifts. Armando had a special discount for first responders.
The hair rose on the back of Mack’s neck when one officer straightened and nodded his way. The other immediately pushed away from his position braced against the squad car.
“Good morning, Officers. Coming in for some lunch?” Mack asked politely.
“Mack Oliver?” the first asked.
“Yes. I’m Mack Oliver. Is something wrong?”
“I’m afraid you need to come with us,” the second answered.
“Really? Why? I’m supposed to work at eleven,” Mack told them. His racing mind provided them details they probably didn’t care about.
“You’re going to miss your shift today. Do we need to cuff you, or will you get into the car quietly?”
“I don’t understand. What did I do?” Mack asked.
“A report was made that you’ve stolen someone’s property. We’ll take you down to the police station and get this straightened out.”
“I’ll go with you, of course. Can I call my lawyer to meet me there?” Mack asked and watched their expressions harden as if mentioning representation had solidified in their minds that he was guilty.
“You’ll have time to do that at the station,” the first officer replied, pulling the handcuffs from his belt.
“I’m not resisting, Officer. I just asked to call my lawyer. You don’t need to handcuff me.”
“Innocent people don’t ask for a lawyer,” the second observed in a hard tone.
“They do if the charges are bogus,” a deep, familiar voice suggested behind him.
“Grey,” Mack breathed in relief.
“I’ll meet you at the station, Mack. Officers, those cuffs aren’t necessary. This young man is cooperating,” Grey said, reaching into his pocket to pull out a business card. He extended it to the officers. “Please refrain from interviewing my client until I arrive. We both heard him request to have his lawyer present.”
“He hasn’t been arrested, Mr. Bradford,” the officer who’d taken the card told him.
“Exactly. Nor has he committed any crime. Mack, I will let Armando know what’s happening so they can cover your shift,” Grey assured him.
“Thank you.” Mack shook his head, unable to process what was going on. He held his hands out to the officer with the handcuffs and watched him look at Grey.
“If you cooperate, I don’t think those will be necessary,” the officer holding Grey’s card stated. He opened the back door of the cruiser and waved Mack inside.
He watched through the smeared window as Grey asked a couple of questions and jotted information down in his phone. When they joined him in the squad car, the driver radioed the police station they had apprehended Mack Oliver and were transporting him for interrogation.
Completely cowed by the heavy metal grid separating the rear compartment, Mack looked helplessly out the window to see Grey standing nearby watching him. Mack knew the dark tinting kept his Daddy from seeing him clearly, but he could see the determination engraved on Grey’s face. He relaxed slightly against the padded seat. His Daddy would get this all straightened out.
“I don’t suppose you know anything about a stolen vase?” the driver said in a completely conversational tone.
“I’ve been instructed by my attorney not to answer questions until he is present,” Mack told him, surprised by the steadiness of his own voice. It didn’t reveal his nervousness at all.
That seemed to stop the attempt to question him, thank goodness. It also told Mack what or who had caused this. Joanie. This was going to be his word against hers. If John weighed in against him, it would be two against one.
Mentally cursing his decision to stay with his friend, Mack crossed his ankles, hoping that would bring him good luck. He didn’t dare cross his fingers in the monitored squad car. Who knew how they’d hold that against him? Forcing himself to stay relaxed, Mack repeated the belief in his mind that Grey would save him.
Just when he’d met his Daddy…
Grey walked into the interrogation room, finding Mack sitting visibly uncomfortably behind a table where two detectives glared at him. A large bottle of water sat empty next to Mack’s hand. “Detectives, I trust you weren’t trying to intimidate my client into talking before I arrived.”
“Don’t be worried. He kept repeating that you would arrive soon,” one man said gruffly.
“Perfect. That will avoid any miscommunications. I’ll wait until you escort Mr. Oliver to the restroom.” Grey knew that they had deliberately given him something to drink, hoping Mack would start talking to get the interview finished quickly.
“This won’t take long,” one detective assured him.
“Of course. Neither will using the restroom,” Grey answered.
Rolling his eyes, one suited man stood and waved Mack to his feet. They were back in a few minutes. Mack sat down with a sigh of relief and a whispered, “Thanks.”