INK: Abstraction (33 page)

“I love Harry and
I don’t want any of this for him. I wish there were something I
could do.” She apologizes.

“You’re
doing all you can, I know.”

“I’m going
to get the v-fib machine just in case.” She goes to the back
and reappears with the machine.

I go back to Harry,
who’s now laid out across three chairs. Carl has his hand on
his shoulder and is speaking to him in a low tone. I have to get
close enough to be able to hear what he’s saying. “It’s
okay Harry. You’re going to be alright. The paramedics are
going to be here soon.”

Harry nods, but he’s
unable to speak. The paramedics come in the door and start working on
him. In this moment I feel more hopeless than I have felt. I can’t
help Shay, I can’t help Harry, Aiden’s dead. If Harry
dies, she’ll never get over this, she’ll never forgive
herself for leaving things the way she did. And she may never forgive
me.

Right about now would
be a good time for a miracle.

Shay

This
feels like it’s all come full circle. I’m back in this
room with the scarred table and two-way mirror. Filson walks into the
interrogation room with Detective Glass in tow. “How are you
holding up, Miss Baynes?”

“I would like to
speak with my attorney.” Eli told me that’s the only
thing I should say. So I’m sticking to the script. I’m
sure they are going to hold me for as long as they can without
letting Jason come back.

“In good time,”
Glass says with a shit-eating grin on his face. I’m unnerved by
his presence, knowing what he did to me and that I’m back under
his control. I shift in my seat from the discomfort of it all. I try
to focus like I've been doing with Carl so I can get inside their
heads, but it's not working.

“Surely it’ll
be fine for us to have a friendly chat.” The chair protests
under Filson's large frame. Glass leans against the two-way mirror.

“I would like to
speak with my attorney,” I repeat.

“Oh, I’ve
heard you’re a lot more fun than that.” The smirk on his
face is positively evil. If you didn't know the words he was saying
you'd think he was planning a church bake sale. “I’ve
even heard a rumor that you’re quite witty.” He leans
across the table. “And that no one begs quite like you do.”

I tilt my head, looking
at him, knowing his meaning. He’s fully aware that Glass took
me. It's in his eyes. It's in his voice. He’s a sick
motherfucker and the quieter I am the better. Unmoving, without
blinking I return his stare. For a moment the hint of a smile plays
on my lips imagining him as one of the Specter's victims. And I don't
feel one bit bad.

Carl’s voice
invades my thoughts. I always wonder if I’m imagining it at
first. “Hey darlin’, we’re working on getting back
there, but we’re getting stonewalled.”

I figured. I’m
doing okay in here. They are trying to get me to talk, but you can
assure Eli that I’m not saying anything,
I tell him.

“Regardless of
what they say or do, just exercise your right to remain silent.”
His voice is tight. I’m not sure why, although I’m sure
he’s trying to keep Dad and Eli calm.

No problem.
Honestly, I’m scared shitless and I’m feeling very
afraid.
I make the admission, wishing I could take it back.
But
don’t tell Eli, just tell him I’m being good.

“I’ll tell
him.”

And Carl, tell him I
love him.
I want Eli to know that I haven’t stopped
thinking about how awesome today could’ve been. Now I know
it’ll be a while before Jason will be able to get me out.
Oh,
and please tell my dad I’m sorry and that I love him too.

“I’ll let
him know.” He’s tense, I’m sure Dad and Eli are at
each other’s throats out there. Dad was less than pleased with
our elopement.

“It would really
be in your best interest to at least listen to what I have to say.”
Filson’s voice reaches me. I have no idea whether or not he’s
been talking to me. I only smile and nod.

There’s a knock
on the door and Glass looks irritated. Preston comes in, and here we
go.

“Hey Shay, do you
need anything?” Preston doesn’t acknowledge Glass or
Filson.

“Actually, we’re
actively questioning the suspect and don’t require your
assistance.” Filson stands. I’m sure he does that a lot
as a method of intimidation.

Preston shoots him a
look. “Pipe down, Filson.” He looks back at Detective
Glass. “I’m not sure exactly why
you’re
in
here, but you are not authorized to take part in this investigation.
As a matter of fact, last I checked you weren’t even allowed to
be within two hundred feet of Miss Baynes.”

Glass folds his arms
across his chest and I can’t help but notice that his jacket is
a little tight around the shoulders. I have to work to keep from
making a snide comment about his increasing girth.

He spouts out his
well-rehearsed answer. “Well I’m here as part of an
active investigation.”

Preston turns around to
him. “No you’re not, out.” He dismisses him just
like that.

I’m not able to
keep from giving him a sassy look. Just for old time’s sake. I
wave as he leaves the room sneering at me. I look at Preston and just
want to say thank you, but I’m not saying a damn word. I just
want to get home, and I know that I have to do as I’m told.

“Filson.”
Preston addresses him.

“Yes?”

“I’m going
to need a few minutes alone with Miss Baynes.” He takes the
seat across from me.

“Excuse me?”
He’s baffled.

“I said I need a
few minutes alone. Why don’t you wait outside,” he
insists.

Filson begrudgingly
walks out the door. Preston reaches across the table, motioning for
my hands. I hold up the handcuffs. “Sorry.”

He goes to the door and
comes back with a key. “I’m assuming if I take these off
you are going to behave.”

I nod. I would do just
about anything to get these cuffs off, because honestly, I’m
having one hell of a time not freaking out about being restrained
again, and it hurts. I still have the wounds on my hands from the
kidnapping.

“Listen
sweetheart. I’m not here in an official capacity. I hope that
you take Eli’s advice and don’t talk.” He's
sincere, the sufferance is apparent in his eyes. “Are you doing
okay?”

My nod is half-hearted.
I still don't think I can trust him. I don't know that I can trust
anyone.

“Do you need
anything?” He’s taken the cuffs off and is now holding
onto my hands.

I shake my head. He
gives a disapproving look. “I’m not hear as the DA, I’m
here as your godfather. I need to make sure you’re okay because
I love you. Do you need a soda? Something to eat?”

He’s genuinely
concerned and I don’t think this is a trick to get me to talk.
“Water?”

He turns to the window
and waves; I’m sure that must have been the secret code for get
her some water. “I’m worried about you and Harry. I want
to get you out of here as soon as we can, so I need you to cooperate
when Jason gets here.”

“Where is he?”
I’d really like to have him here. Even though I trust Preston,
I’d be more comfortable.

“He’s doing
everything he can.” He blinks slowly. “Eli’s out
front pacing the floor like a caged tiger.” He manages to
inject some levity in his statement.

My heart softens for a
moment, invoking a small laugh at the thought of Eli my great
champion. “That sounds about right.”

“You know I love
that boy as if he were my own,” he says with a hint of warning.
“I wish things could have been different. But hey, we don’t
always get what we want, right?”

“I know that’s
the truth.” I roll my eyes and am lulled into the sense of
familiarity sitting with a man I’ve been fishing with many
times. He’s spent countless holidays with us and has been a
fixture in our family for as long as I can remember. That’s how
he knows Eli, because we’ve always been a package deal.

A smile blooms on my
lips thinking of all the wonderful memories that Eli and I have had
and all that we’ll make. The door opens and it’s someone
with two bottles of water and a pack of peanut butter crackers.

Preston slides them
across the table to me. The female officer leans down and whispers in
Preston’s ear. He nods. “Thank you Charlise.”

She looks at me with a
heavy sadness. There’s something haunting about how she can’t
take her eyes off me until she disappears through the door. I try to
dig into her thoughts, but all I get is an echo of interference.

“Shay.”
Preston sucks in a breath and doesn’t continue.

“What is it?”
My spidey sense is tingling. It seems as though he has something
important to say but can’t find the words.

“Um, do you…do
you need anything else?” Whatever he was going to say
originally, he changed his mind.

“A get out of
jail free card?” I joke.

“They’ll
let Jason back here soon. Hopefully they’ll get the arraignment
set and you’ll be able to go home.” He’s really
holding back. This might be a good time for me to try some of my new
tricks. I wonder if I can get into his mind.

I need to keep him here
another minute. “Todd? Can you tell me why I’m here?”

“I’m sorry
sweetheart. I’m not allowed to discuss the case with you. It’s
the only reason I’m able to come in and make sure you’re
okay.” He pulls his lips to the side. “But I’ll be
nearby if you need me.”

Trying to get inside
his head just isn’t working; I’d like to get a glimpse of
what’s going on. “Thanks, I feel better knowing you’re
here even if my dad can’t be.”

He winces like someone
just poured lemon juice on a paper cut.
What the hell was that?
I focus hard on his thoughts and try to meditate, but there’s
nothing. Probably just me.

He gets up. “I’ll
be back to check on you in a bit.”

“Thanks.” I
smile sweetly, still trying to pry into his thoughts to no avail.

“Remember.”
He makes a zipping motion across his mouth.

I mimic him and then
give him the thumbs up.

The time is passing by
like a trickle of water trying to fill a bucket. The only problem is
I have no idea how long I’ve been in here. I’ve resorted
to laying my head down on the table and taking a nap.

***

“Sweetie?”
Someone gently tugs on my shoulder. I lift my head and look around
the room. I don’t recognize where I am. I look behind me to
find Gabriel.

“Hey.” I’m
surprised to see him. “Where am I?”

“Home,” he
says simply. He rests a plate of bacon and eggs down in front of me.

“Thanks.”
Huh, instead of a sex dream I have a food dream. Interesting. I poke
at the eggs with a fork. I notice the eggs are over easy. Meaning not
cooked all the way. Gross. I never knew how Elise could eat her eggs
like this. I feel like the eggs are going to start chirping. I pick
up a piece of bacon and nibble on it.

Gabriel sits across the
table and stares at me with his head propped up on his hands. “I’ve
missed you, y’know.”

“I’ve
missed you too. I always wonder where you are when we’re not
together.” I look down to hide the lie. Gabriel rarely comes to
mind when I'm awake.

“Really? I’m
always right here, waiting.” He gazes over at me lovingly.

For some reason this
feels awkward. It could be because of my engagement to Eli, but now
it feels like I’m cheating just being in the same room alone
with Gabriel. We stare at each other for a long span in silence.

He stands and comes
over to my side of the table and takes my hand. He looks down and
presses my fingers to his lips. Yup, it feels completely
inappropriate. I make nervous small talk. “So what have you
been up to?”

“Same ol’
same ol’. Chasing the Specter, although things have changed
with him quite a bit, he’s become sloppy.”

“Really? That’s
interesting.” I slip another piece of bacon in my mouth.

“And that Aiden
guy?” He shakes his head. “He’s been hanging around
a lot. Well, he was.”

“Is he not
anymore?” I’m curious what my subconscious imaginary
dream boyfriend would have to say about my real life, not very real
boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend.

“No, he met up
with the Specter and—”

A loud crash makes me
lift my head up off the table, startled. Now I’m sitting back
in the interrogation room at the police station craving the warm arms
of Eli and a crispy slice of bacon. But all I’m going to get is
an eyeful of Filson and Glass standing behind him with a smug grin on
his face.

“Did you enjoy
your little nap?” Filson's sarcasm fills the room like a stale
fart.

A sweet smile spreads
across my face and I just nod. My silence is all I have to hang on
to. Otherwise there’s no telling what will happen if I start
regurgitating at the mouth verbally. Just the sight of Glass makes my
skin burn with anger or fear knowing how brutal he can be. Knowing
how brutal he was. I absently rub my arm.

“Good, now that
you’re refreshed let’s get these back on. Detective
Glass, would you do the honors?” Filson hands Glass a pair of
handcuffs. Great. I have to remain calm and just not fall into their
psychological mind fuck. The implication of Glass putting the
handcuffs on certainly isn’t lost on me. This is just a big
fuck you. Glass might as well say, “Yeah, just like when I had
you in my shed.”

Glass slaps them on
with enthusiasm and cinches them tighter than they need to be. They
are digging into my already battered wrists and I’m having to
work hard to maintain any modicum of calm. “Hmm, perhaps a
little smarter than rope, can’t cut through these.”

My lids rest heavy and
I inhale a deep breath, trying to close out the world. Push away his
words and his sick game. Aside from needing to maintain my cool I
also have to maintain my silence and remember it’s not just my
right it’s my duty.