Arrested Romance (Oak Spring Series Book 2)

by Sherri McDuffie

  Mikki looked at the girl standing in her window. “Yes, where is he?”

  Page’s eyes filled with tears. “He said you are his uncle’s girlfriend. Maybe you can help.”

  “Help who? What is going on?”

  “Austin was taken away, in handcuffs, just before school let out.”

  Mikki’s mouth fell open. “What happened?”

  Page looked at the students in the parking lot. “May I get in?”

  “Yes, of course.” Mikki moved her purse to the floor and opened the passenger door.

  Page walked to the other side and sat in the empty seat. “I think Austin is in trouble. But if it’s for what I think, he is innocent. He didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “Okay, tell me what’s going on.”

  Page began spilling out the whole story about Virgil and Frankie and the envelope. She talked so fast Mikki had to ask her to slow down and repeat herself.

  After Page finished, she said, “Austin was trying to help Virgil. He was going to have you take him to the sheriff’s department after school so he could give the stuff to his uncle and explain everything. I swear.” She broke into tears.

  Mikki dug through her purse and pulled out a small package of tissues. She handed one to Page and took one to wipe her own tears. “I have to go to the station and talk to Pete. Do you think you could go with me or perhaps your mother would take you there so you could tell the sheriff what you heard?”

  Page shrugged. “I don’t know. She’s in that blue car over there. I can ask.”

  “Come on. I’ll go with you,” Mikki said.

  After they explained the situation to Page’s mother, the woman said, “No, I don’t want Page to get involved.”

  “Please, Mrs. Graham. This is very important,” Mikki said.

  “Mom, Austin didn’t do anything. Please.”

  “I’m sorry, Page. It’s too dangerous. And from what you say, you aren’t even sure that’s what Austin was arrested for. No, I can’t let you get caught up in anything like this.”

  Page looked at Mikki with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  Mikki patted the girl’s arm. “I understand. If I were a parent, I’m sure I would feel the same way. Pete can call you if he has any questions.”

  The girl nodded. As she started to get in the car, she looked at Mikki and said, “Tell Austin”—her chin quivered, and she shrugged—“I don’t know what to tell him.”

  “I’ll tell him you care. How’s that? I’m sure that will make him feel better. Don’t worry, he’ll be okay. We’ll get this all straightened out, you’ll see.”

  Page nodded and hugged Mikki. “I hope so.”

  Chapter 26

  As Mikki drove through town, she went over everything Page had told her. She wiped her eyes and shook her head. Oh, Austin, what have you gotten yourself into?

  When she reached the sheriff’s department, she asked to see Pete. The lady behind the counter nodded to a chair against the wall and said, “He’s in the back. Have a seat, and I’ll buzz him.”

  Instead of sitting, Mikki paced the small waiting area until she saw Pete walking down the hall. Their eyes locked, and he said, “Come on in.” She followed him to his office and shut the door behind her.

  Before he could speak, she said, “I just went to pick up Austin, and Page told me he was taken away in handcuffs.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck and said, “I’m sorry I didn’t call you before you went to the school. I just got here, and I’ve been a little tied up.”

  “Then it’s true? He was really arrested?”

  “Yes.”

  She collapsed in the chair. “Oh, Pete, how could you do that? Where is he?”

  “He’s in the back. I didn’t have a choice, Mikki. It’s my job.”

  “Have you heard the whole story? Did you even bother to ask him what was going on?”

  “No, I haven’t talked to him yet. I’m waiting on a lawyer to show up. Anything he says to me can and will be used against him, so I’m trying to protect him right now.”

  “Protect him? How is sticking him in a jail cell going to protect him? He is probably scared to death.” She shook her head and said, “I can’t believe you did this.”

  “He’s upset, and I understand that, but I know if I see him, he will pour out all the details, and like I said, I want him to talk to a lawyer before he does that. I’m his uncle, but I’m also the sheriff.”

  “Is that poor boy sitting in some hellhole back there all alone, or worse yet with some deviant lowlife? What in the world are you thinking? He’s just a kid!”

  “Yes, a kid heading down the wrong path. He’s going to end up being one of those deviant lowlifes if I don’t step in and do something.”

  “He’s not a bad kid, Pete. Give him a break.”

  “A break? You mean like you did when you dealt with this without telling me?” He pulled the discipline slip out of his shirt pocket and threw it on the desk in front of her.

  Mikki unfolded the paper. “The school put him in ISS. Mr. Dipton and I both chewed him out, and I felt like that was enough. He’s a kid. They try things.” She shrugged and said, “We talked about it. He explained what happened, promised not to do it again, and I believed him.”

  “And look where that got us. If you had come to me, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. You had no right to keep it from me, Mikki. I’m responsible for him, and now, because you showed him he can get away with things, he’s been suspended for two weeks, and I’ve been put in one of the worst situations in my life.”

  He sat back and looked at her with hard eyes. “Arresting my nephew just about tore my heart out. Then I had to call his mother. Do you have any idea how hard it was to tell my sister I just put her son in jail?” He leaned forward and placed his arms on the desk. His fists clenched. “Lisa trusted me. She let me bring Austin here because I promised her I would make sure he stayed out of trouble. And I trusted you to help me with that.” He leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. “Now I feel like I failed both of them.” His jaw clenched as he turned and looked out the window.

  “I told you, there’s a good explanation for all of this, if you’ll just talk to Austin.”

  “No, Mikki, he isn’t going to worm his way out of this like he did with you. I’m waiting on the lawyer.”

  Mikki sighed in frustration. “Well, may I see him? He’s probably scared to death. Will you let me talk to him?”

  “No, I think you’ve done enough. I want you to stay away from him.”

  Mikki gasped. Tears of hurt and anger stung the back of her eyes as she stood. “You’re wrong, Pete Foster. But if that’s the way you want it, then that’s the way it will be. If you can’t trust me with Austin, then you can’t trust me at all. I’ll stay away from both of you, but make sure he understands this was your decision, not mine.”

  She walked out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

  Chapter 27

  Two hours after Mikki left his office, Pete wadded the form he was working on into a tight ball. It landed beside the trash can next to the three others he had tossed earlier. He ran his hands through his hair and sat back with a sigh. After drumming his fingers on the desk for a few minutes, he walked to the window and began to rock up and down on the balls of his feet. Lisa’s car was parked in front of the station.

  A knock on the door made him spin around. “Come in.”

  Gil Keaton, a dark-haired man with a hint of gray at the temples, walked in and said, “Can we talk, Sheriff?”

  “Sure.” Pete returned to his desk and sat down. “Are you through with Austin?”

  The lawyer sat in the chair facing the desk and placed his briefcase on the floor. “Yes. I think I have all I need. He’s with his moth
er now.”

  Pete sighed and said, “Is he okay?”

  “He’s scared, but he’s all right. He told me everything. I’m on my way to see the judge to try to get him out of here.”

  Pete picked up a pen and began to click the button on the end. “Is it okay for me to talk to him?”

  “Yes, but I want to be there when you do. The kid is pretty shook up. I think you should wait until tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? I was planning on taking him home tonight.”

  “That’s what I want to talk to you about. Speaking as his attorney, with you being his uncle and the lead investigator on this case, I would prefer that he not stay with you until this matter is resolved. I doubt the judge will allow him to leave town, so going back to his mother’s isn’t an option right now. Is there anyone else who would take him in for a while?”

  Pete leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Mr. Keaton stood and adjusted his tie. “If I want to catch the judge before he leaves, I need to go.” He walked to the door and looked back at Pete. “For what it’s worth, I believe him. And I’m not just saying that as his lawyer. In my line of work, you learn how to read people, and I would stake my reputation on that boy telling the truth. He wasn’t doing anything wrong, Sheriff. He was just trying to help a friend who’s caught up in something he doesn’t know how to get out of. I’ve had dealings with some of the people he told me about. Yes, sir, that’s a decent young man in there. I can tell. You ought to be proud of him.”

  After Keaton left the office, Pete went back to the window. He watched the attorney cross the parking lot and get into a convertible. There was another knock on the door, and his sister walked in. Her eyes were red and swollen. Worry lines creased her brow.

  Pete crossed the room and hugged her to his chest. “How is Austin?”

  She pushed away and wiped her eyes with the shredded tissue in her hands. “What do you expect? He’s scared to death. Does he have to stay in there?”

  Pete went to his desk and sat down. “Keaton is on his way to see the judge. He’s going to try to get him out.”

  Lisa dropped into the chair across from him. “And then what? Can I take him home?”

  “I’m sure the judge won’t allow him to leave town.”

  “So, he’ll go back to your house?”

  “Keaton doesn’t think that would be such a good idea, since I’m the sheriff.”

  “Then what’s going to happen to him? Pete, if my boy goes to some foster home with a bunch of strangers, I’ll never forgive you.” She broke into tears and buried her face in her hands.

  “Don’t worry, Lisa. I won’t let that happen, not if I can help it.”

  She blew her nose and said, “Don’t you know anyone he can stay with?”

  Pete rubbed his temples. “I’m thinking, I’m thinking.”

  “What about Mikki? Austin was talking about her. He said you two were serious. Could he stay with her?”

  Pete shook his head. “I don’t think that would work. Mikki is pretty upset with me right now.”

  “Oh, Pete, what are we going to do?” She began to cry harder.

  The phone on his desk buzzed and a voice said, “Judge Gaston’s office is on line one.”

  Pete held his finger to his lips. “Sheriff Foster here.” He nodded twice. “Yes, I’ll be right there.” He hung up and said, “Judge Gaston wants to see me in twenty minutes. I’m sure it’s about Austin.” He pushed away from his desk and stood. “Why don’t you go back and spend more time with him. I’ll let you know what happens.” He stopped beside her chair and squeezed her shoulder. “Tell him I’m trying everything I can.” She nodded and pulled a fresh tissue out of her purse. He cleared his throat. “And tell him I’m sorry.”

  She rubbed his hand and said, “I will. Now go get my boy out of here.” She headed toward Austin’s cell, and Pete went to the courthouse.

  Chapter 28

  The Pope County Courthouse was a stately structure. Carved double doors faced the street. A portico with four white columns centered the front wall. Three rows of shuttered windows also decorated the gray brick building. Two large oaks stood in the front lawn. When Pete walked down the hallway of the old building, his footsteps echoed off the marble floor. He admired the granite staircase and polished handrails as he waited for the elevator.

  Judge Gaston’s office was located on the third floor. Pete stepped inside and said hello to the woman at the front desk. Without smiling, she said, “Have a seat, Sheriff. I’ll let the judge know you’re here.”

  Pete sat down and picked up a magazine from the table beside his chair. He flipped through a few pages before the woman said, “Judge Gaston will see you now. Follow me.” She led him down a hallway lined with closed doors. They stopped at the last one on the left. She knocked once then turned the knob.

  A man with a halo of gray hair was behind a large wooden desk. Two red leather chairs faced him. Gil Keaton was in one. Without looking up, Judge Gaston motioned toward the other.

  “Come in, Sheriff, and have a seat.” He continued to sign forms and shuffle papers while Pete walked across the office and sat down. No one spoke. Pete crossed an ankle over his knee, and his foot began to shake as he looked around the room. A large credenza lined the back wall with an ivory bust, brass scales, and a stack of folders on the top. Behind the desk was a tall bookshelf. Law books and photographs filled the shelves. A coat tree stood beside the door with a black robe hanging on one of the hooks. An umbrella hung on a second. The silence grew louder.

  Several minutes later, Judge Gaston laid his pen down and said, “What are we doing here, gentlemen?”

  Keaton handed the judge a folder. “I have a client in jail whom I would like to get released as soon as possible. I would appreciate it if you could set bail and get him out this afternoon.”

  “What’s the rush?” The judge thumbed through the folder then looked at the lawyer over the top of his glasses. “Is this a typo, or does this say your client is fourteen years old?”

  “Yes, sir, he’s a minor.”

  Pete continued to bounce his foot as he listened to Keaton explain the situation to Judge Gaston.

  The judge scanned the file again. “I see here the young man has been living with you, Sheriff. Are you expecting me to release him back to your guardianship?”

  “Austin is my nephew. Of course, I would like him to be with me, but Mr. Keaton has explained that might not be the best choice under these circumstances.” He paused and added, “I’m willing to contact some friends of mine and see if they would be able to let Austin stay with them until this situation is resolved.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t release the boy without knowing where he’s going.” The judge looked at Mr. Keaton and asked, “Have you contacted Child Protective Services to see if there is a foster home available?”

  The three men turned toward the door when a female voice shouted, “I’ve got to see him. Wait!”

  Chapter 29

  Mikki and Lisa stood in front of Gaston’s secretary, who said, “I’m sorry, Judge. They insisted on speaking with you.”

  Mikki rushed into the office without being invited. She put her hand on her chest as she tried to catch her breath. “Your Honor, please, don’t send Austin to strangers. He’s already been traumatized by all of this. I’m asking you to release him to my custody.” She motioned toward Lisa. “This is Austin’s mother. She agrees that this would be in his best interest.”

  Judge Gaston removed his glasses and said, “Who are you, and what is your involvement in this case?” He narrowed his eyes and studied Mikki for a moment. He looked back at Pete and said, “Haven’t I seen you two together? Am I mistaken, or aren’t you dating?”

  Mikki kept her eyes focused on the judge.
“My name is Mikki Gray. Sheriff Foster and I were dating, but not anymore. I assure you our previous relationship will play no part in my ability to care for Austin.”

  Pete’s head snapped up as he looked at Mikki. The brow over his left eye arched in confusion.

  Lisa stepped forward. “Your Honor, my name is Lisa Riley. I’m Austin’s mother. Of course, I would prefer to take him home with me, but I understand that isn’t an option at this time. I’ve talked to Ms. Gray, and she is more than willing to take care of Austin until this matter is resolved.”

  Judge Gaston said, “Are you employed, Ms. Gray? Will you be able to provide adequate supervision?”

  “I’m an RN at the hospital. I work in the ER three days a week, on the weekends, so I’m home during the week.”

  “I will come and spend the weekend here, at Ms. Gray’s house, and she will find someone to stay with him Sunday nights. We’ve already discussed that.” Lisa twisted her hands and said, “Austin cares for Ms. Gray. He respects her. He trusts her. Your Honor, I’m begging you, please don’t put him with strangers.”

  “Your Honor, I can watch him Sunday nights, with your approval,” Pete said. “Lisa can bring him by my place on her way home, or I can go to Mikki’s and get him.” He looked at Mikki and said, “Whatever is easiest.”

  Judge Gaston sat back and folded his hands over his belly. One finger tapped up and down. Everyone watched in silence. “Sheriff Foster, will your former relationship with Ms. Gray be an issue if I place the young man in her custody?”

  Pete shook his head. “No, sir.”

  The finger continued to tap. Silence returned, occasionally broken by the clearing of a throat or nervous fidgeting. Judge Gaston’s eyes went from one person to the next. Tap, tap, tap. A clock on the wall announced the passing seconds in time with the finger. Tap, tap, tap. After several minutes, he sat forward and looked through the file again. “Ms. Gray, I’m going to release the young man into your custody, for the time being.” He pulled a page from the folder and began to write.