Page 69 of Tied Over

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, putting pressure on the guy’s wrist when he tried to move.

“My son and I saw the whole thing. There’s a policeman right around the corner, and I sent my boy to—here he comes.”

Two female police officers were running after the woman’s son, who pointed.

“You protected your little angel,” she cooed, rubbing Margo’s back.

There were lots of people with their phones out, and I groaned because that was going to be a mess.

Both officers asked if I was all right, and they put on their gloves before they moved the knife out of harm’s way and cuffed the guy.

“I’ll go to the car for the evidence bag,” the older officer told the younger one. “Be right back.”

The guy, facedown on the sidewalk, wasn’t moving.

“How hard did you kick him?”

“The man was threatening his child,” the woman told the officer. “However hard it was wasn’t hard enough.”

“Oh, I’m not arguing,” the officer told her. “I’d just like to learn the angle.”

They shared a smile then.

“The hell happened out here?” Bodhi grumbled when he reached us.

“Who are you?” the officer asked, standing up.

“Deputy US Marshal Bodhi Callahan,” he said, lifting his T-shirt, flashing her some gorgeous golden skin as well as his badge. “This is my partner, Deputy US Marshal Josiah Redeker.”

“And this is your daughter,” the woman said, like she was going to cry. “How sweet is this?”

No one corrected her, just talked to both officers, and then the older one, Hartman, brought over an evidence bag and her tablet.

“You’re law enforcement?” she asked me.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh, thank God. I thought this was going to take all day.”

I was a great report giver. It was a strength of mine. I was concise and thorough. I commended Mrs. Oberman and her son for helping me, and explained how I never would have kicked the guy if he had taken no for an answer.

“Well, we’ve had a few muggings around here, and the assailant used a knife in all three cases, so…we’ll see how this shakes out.”

Bodhi, who always carried cards in his wallet, passed one to Hartman and explained that she could get us both at that number, as we were only visiting from Chicago.

Once the guy was taken into custody, there was scattered applause. I waved, thanked Mrs. Oberman and her son, Faraz, and then Bodhi took hold of my bicep and led me halfway down the street.

“I can’t take you anywhere,” he teased, smiling.

“Listen, you should go to the fancy dinner with Hayden and your soon-to-be in-laws.”

“What?”

I gave him a deadpan look.

“I’d rather work a week in Asset Forfeiture.”

That was surprising. “Why?”