Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
"I don't have problems with my memory," I assure him.
His smile is quick, and I know it's just his personality, but I haven't told a joke, and in a way, it feels a little mocking.
"It's protocol," he clarifies.
"Anything can happen in a few minutes," I argue, looking back at the front door of the house.
"It'll only take a moment. The other guys are going to relieve you and Holler while we take care of it."
I take a step away from my station, watching Griffin as he pops in an earpiece and takes my place.
I have never doubted any of these guys. Some of their personalities don't exactly line up with mine, but I know they'll get the job done. Even with the issues I thought we were going to have with Recon, with the stupid questions on that first day, he has done well in everything that has been asked of him.
But this is my shift, and that drunk, raving lunatic showing up today proves just how needed we are here.
"Okay," I agree. "Protocol."
"Max made notes as the incident was happening," Shadow says as we walk toward his SUV. "Let's get out of the sun."
I climb into the passenger seat, staying silent as Holler walks across the yard and climbs into the back seat behind me.
"Let's go through it," Shadow urges.
"The subject pulled up. His front passenger side wheel popped the curb, leaving his car blocking the sidewalk," I begin. "He got out, demanding to know if his kids were in the house."
"I came around and provided the license plate to Max," Holler adds.
"He stumbled, tripped over the grass, and hit his knees," I say. "He continued to yell and cuss, but stayed down."
"Did you touch him?" Shadow asks.
I shake my head. "Didn't have to. He was so drunk that he couldn't get back on his feet."
"The cops were there very quickly," Holler says.
"What was said to him?" Shadow asks, his eyes locked on me.
Holler remains silent for a moment, probably replaying the scene in his head before speaking. "I told him he needed to leave, that he wasn't supposed to be there."
"He said he had a right to his kids. I told him the restraining order against him said otherwise."
"That all?" Shadow asks.
The man knows exactly what was said. They record everything in case it’s needed for court or for police reports later.
"He claimed he had stopped drinking, which was clearly not the case. He continued to yell. At this point, the wife and small children were at a minimum in the doorway, if not on the front porch. I didn't pull my eyes from the suspect to check."
"They were standing outside the door," Holler clarifies.
"And?" Shadow asks.
"He was still trying to get to his feet," I continue. "I told him that if he made it to his feet, it would be the last time he ever stood up."
Shadow nods as if those words are the entire reason he's here—to debrief my ass.
"As in?" he prods.
I frown at him, resisting the urge to look away.
I don't know that there will ever come a time working for Cerberus when I don't feel like I'm walking a tightrope and one slip is going to have me plummeting to the earth, alone, and without a team of men at my back.
"I think you know what I meant," I mutter, keeping my eyes on his.
"The man is claiming harassment and brutality by both the police and Cerberus," Shadow says. "Did you use those words exactly, or did you tell him you were going to kill him?"
"Those words exactly," I say, telling the truth.
"He never said he'd kill him," Holler adds. "We never even pulled our guns."
"The guy was too drunk to do anything," I say. "He acted like an ass, and his kids had to witness that. It's disgusting for a man to put his family in that situation."
"I don't disagree," Shadow says. "We just have to dot our Is and cross our Ts. What else?"
"That's it," I say. "The cops showed up and took him into custody. Holler dealt with the police, and I got back to my post."
"I think you guys handled the job perfectly," Shadow says. "We don't get many incidents like this, but—"
"Help requested at Cottonwood," Max says, his voice coming through my earpiece. "Physical altercation on the front lawn."
I start to argue when Shadow shifts in his seat and slaps on his seatbelt, but I know the guys who are outside of Juniper are more than capable of handling any situation.
"We're closest," Shadow says.
I pull on my seatbelt. "You were saying?"
Shadow shakes his head as he backs out of the driveway. "Is it a fucking full moon or something?"
Oracle steps from around one of the other vehicles, nodding at us as we pull away. Beth is inside for school with the kids, leaving three men to secure the house rather than the minimum of four they have when one of their women is inside.