Page 10 of Denial
I sit back with a satisfied smile and enjoy the rest of the ride.
3
Sutton
Dammit to hell.
Whois this woman?
And why did she have to run across my cruiser?
I take her through booking. My brother Silas clocks us the moment I walk her through the door. His smile melts away into a studious expression, but he quickly settles on amusement when he notices my scowl.
“Stand here for your photo.” I direct her to the place in front of the solid gray backdrop. Before my colleague can snap her mug shot and move us along, she fuckingsmileslike she’s getting her picture taken for the high school yearbook.
“Fuck me,” I mutter.
I rush through her fingerprints like my ass is on fire.
“This way,” I order, doing my best not to actually touch her. This is strictly procedural. I doubt she’s going to sprint out the doors if I don’t hold her arm and lead her around like she committed a felony.
“Are you taking me to a cell? I wouldn’t mind seeing one. For research purposes, of course,” she says brightly.
I don’t bother asking what research she might be conducting. For all I know, she’s some internet influencer, and the last thing I need is my privacy being invaded for content.
“This isn’t funny,” I insist as I open the door to a holding room.
Her dazzling grin nearly knocks me on my ass. “It absolutely is.”
I clench my jaw.
“Wait here.” The demand leaves no room for argument. Not even from her.
I leave her in the room while I sort through the paperwork. On a slow day, the process would be welcome. But when I want nothing more than this woman to get out of my hair, I couldn’t think of anything less enjoyable.
I study the information in front of me from Arizona’s motor vehicle department.
Alice Jane Thompson
Age 32
Unpaid traffic ticket
No response
Failure to appear
I think about the woman waiting for me and roll my eyes. My lips twitch. Fits the bill. Easy enough for her to clear up if she’s able to pay the fines.
Which means I can get her out of here and back on the road to anywhere else.
On my approach back to the holding room, I remind myself to remain unruffled. I shake off her amusement and straighten my spine, rolling my neck on my shoulders until the bones pop and release.
Only for a second later to stop in my tracks.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
The large glass window reveals a mess across the table. Silas leans across the opposite corner, grinning at something she says, with his arms crossed over his vest.
