“She is,” I told them with a smile. “She’s not there, though. She’s hiding out in the dispatch room, no doubt listening to our entire conversation on the other side of the door.”
“You’re damn right I am,” Mom called through the wall. “You don’t want us to interfere, that’s fine. But I’m gonna protect you any way I can.”
I waved my hand dramatically. “My family for you.”
Deputy Limm, who didn’t seem to like me at first, surprised me by smiling broadly. “Reminds me of my family. Willing and ready to let you handle your shit, but also there to catch you in case you fall.” He coughed and then rearranged the papers in front of him. “I’m going to be honest here. You lied on an official report, which isn’t good. But you did it under duress, and as the victim of domestic assault. There were extenuating circumstances. We’ll submit the paperwork for an order of protection in Penobscot County, but you should put one through here as well.” He looked over my shoulder and I couldn’t help it, I looked too.
It wasn’t just my dad and Remy standing there, though. Cole and Linc were there too. “Great. Every male in my life is there.”
“Doesn’t seem too bad,” Deputy Atwell said, smiling. “You could have no one there.”
With that splash of cold water on the situation, I had to admit that he was right. It could be a lot worse.
“So what happens now?” Fear had taken up a permanent residence in my stomach since I made the decision to press charges against him. “What should I expect?”
“With the information you have as well as a statement, because the abuse happened in Birch County, it will be up to the sheriff’s department to have a warrant issued for his arrest. From there, he will be given the option to post bail, and then he will go to court. Just like with any other offender.”
“Okay.” I nodded, knowing the general specifics of the routine. “Can I do anything else?”
“Stay safe,” Officer Limm advised carefully. “Royal’s not just an abuser. He knows how to game the system. Don’t think that you’re smarter than he is, because that will only make him mad. And mad means that he’ll be reckless. We don’t want him to do something out of desperation.”
“Did you talk to my dad?” The question came out before I could stop it, and I had to laugh at the looks on both men’s faces.
“No.” Deputy Atwell shook his head. “But you’ve got four men who look like they could have crushed Royal to dust without even trying, standing right outside the window. You scream trouble, Miss Townsend. I just hope that you’re able to stay out of it long enough to put Royal behind bars.”
“Or in a grave,” my mom called through the wall. I’d actually almost forgotten that she was eavesdropping.
“What she said,” Deputy Limm said with a smile. “Good luck, Kennedy.”
They let themselves out, and my mom and dad came into the room with Jake hot on Dad’s heels.
“I’ve got all the paperwork here for the protection order,” Jake said by way of greeting. “All you have to do is sign it, and I’m going to walk it upstairs to the judge myself to get that and the warrant for Royal’s arrest.”
Dad nodded. “I want you to stay home, with the doors locked. Don’t go out; don’t do anything stupid. At least not until he’s arrested.”
I nodded. Once I made the decision to do it, to press charges and move forward, everything felt easier. Like I could breathe better than I had in a long time. There was a light at the end of the tunnel that I hadn’t even realized I was missing until I saw it.
“The only thing I need to do is stop by my house on my way to Linc’s. I need clothes and a few other things to last.”
“Okay.” Dad nodded. “I’ll have one of my guys follow you over there and then to Linc’s house.”
At that, I kind of felt like he was overreacting, so I told him so.
“Dad. I’m going to be ten minutes from the minute I leave here, until the minute I get to Linc’s house. I don’t need an escort. Jake isn’t even going to have the paperwork yet by the time I get there.”
I stared at my father, who wasn’t wearing his ‘dad’ hat just then. He was wearing his ‘chief of police so you better listen to me or I’ll kick your ass’ hat.
“Don’t go anywhere else. Don’t do anything stupid. If you think you’re in danger, or someone is following you, either come here or Birch PD. Don’t try and handle it on your own.”
I nodded, listening intently.
“Oh,” Mom piped up. “Don’t forget to take a machete with you. Those things are really sharp. I made your father buy me one, and now I use it on the bamboo plants in my garden to keep them from spreading.”
“Veronica.” Dad sighed. “Stop encouraging her.”
“I’ve got one in my car,” I told her with a smile. “Don’t worry. I got this.”
On my way out, I kissed Linc on the cheek and gave my brother and brother-in-law a nod. “The girls send you?”
Two matching nods.
“Hey,” Linc said while pulling me against him. “My ring looks good on your finger.”
“I know.” I smiled up at him. “I’m headed to my house to get a few things, then I’m heading to the bunker.”
The bunker had become my name for his house. With all the security and locking windows, the name fit perfectly.
“I’ll be there after shift.”
“Bring tacos.”
“And sex,” he promised.
“Gross.” Remy groaned. “I really don’t want to listen to the fact that you and my sister have sex.”
“Go away, Remington,” I sang out. “Or I’m going to tell Parker on you.”
He muttered under his breath and left, dragging Cole with him.
“Hey,” Cole complained. “I don’t care about hearing it. I get to report back to Casper, and she loves hearing all that shit.”
“Let’s go, Cole. Tacos are calling our name too.”
They left, and I stared up at Linc who looked happier than I’d seen him in a long time.
“Did you know you’re the only one who keeps the nightmares at bay?” I didn’t mean to get serious all of a sudden, but it was the truth.
“The same goes for you. It’s why I used to sit outside your house at night. Now, I just have to open my eyes and see you there in my arms. One more reason why I want you to move in with me, when you’re ready.”
“I mean, I put your ring on my finger.” I let go and walked away before looking back over my shoulder. “I guess I might be ready.”
He winked at me before following me out the door and down the steps of the sheriff’s office, down to where his cruiser and my car were parked.
“Be careful, Kennedy. If you need me, call. I won’t insist on following you home, but only because you’re going straight to the house. We can stop by your place after I get off work, okay?” He pleaded with me silently, and I wasn’t about to tell him no. Especially when he could carry all the heavy boxes.
“I love you, Linc.”