Page 43 of After the Burn

Her tone was almost scolding.

Gideon frowned at her before briefly turning his gaze to Harper’s daughter, Rory, playing on the cot.

Harper flinched.

When he glanced back at Harper, Gideon’s eyes were calculating, carrying an unmistakable warning. “Until then,” Gideon said calmly, “I’d prefer our guests stay somewhere secure.”

Lila and I stood together, her subtle shuffle bringing her nearer as the faint creak of the door announced Mace and his companion's arrival.

Gideon motioned politely toward the hallway. “After you, ladies.”

Mace grabbed my arm as Gage fell in behind us, leaving Lila to bring up the rear. Gideon stopped to speak with Finley but caught up with us before we’d taken more than a few steps outside.

I couldn’t wait to see what accommodations they had in store for us. Hopefully, it included hot water and something to eat.

Imagine my surprise when we stopped in front of the jail, just a few blocks from the urgent care. I figured they'd try to seem more welcoming.

I glanced around after we entered. It was a small-town police station, nothing out of the ordinary. An aging brick structure with the typical reinforced windows seen on most buildings nowadays. Several generators quietly hummed nearby.

I briefly wondered where the hell they were getting all this fuel. It wasn’t like they could just visit the closest gas station.

A guy who could be Barney Fife’s twin manned the front desk.

“What’ve you got here for me tonight?” He licked his lips as he eyed Lila and me.

Mace growled. “Nothing for you, dipshit.”

Gideon laughed as he came in the door. “Put them in a holding cell, then get them something to eat.”

“And keep your eyes to yourself,” Gage spoke for the first time.

The little man murmured something under his breath so quietly that even I couldn’t hear it.

“What did you say?” Mace narrowed his eyes.

“Nothing, sir.” He stared at the ground.

“That’s what I thought.” Mace laughed and winked at me as if his dominance over Barney should impress me.

I kept my face blank.

He’d have to work harder than that. “Please follow me.” The Barney Fife look-alike said quietly.

Gideon cleared his throat. “This is where we leave you. Someone will be back in the morning as soon as we get your test results.”

I nodded as he left, with the two hulking assholes following right behind him.

The little guy led us to a cell without a word.

“Thanks, Barney,” I said sarcastically.

He looked at me in confusion. “My name is Andy.”

I couldn’t hold in my laughter. I swear, you couldn’t make this shit up.

As soon as the outer door slammed shut, Lila turned to me, wide-eyed. “What the hell is going on?”

Slowly, I stepped toward the bars, observing the nearly empty station. “I don’t know yet, but I’m going to find out.” I leaned casually against the bars and smiled faintly.