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Chapter_76
Quinn’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of the voice, her shoulders tensing even further. She opened her eyes slowly, already dreading the inevitable confrontation. The officer, a tall man with a grizzled face, approached with a knowing smile that seemed both professional and slightly amused. Quinn’s gaze flickered over to Abigail, whose posture remained unyielding, the baton still loosely held in her hand as she shot a brief, amused look at Quinn.
“Well, well,” the officer continued, his tone soft but steady. “I’m sure you two didn’t mean for all this to happen.” His eyes twinkled with a mix of amusement and curiosity, as if he were trying to decide whether he should find their little standoff funny or troubling.
Quinn swallowed, pushing her fears to the back of her mind. She couldn’t let herself falter now, especially not in front of Abigail. “We didn’t start this,” she replied, her voice calm but strained. “But I’m afraid things got out of hand. We’re just trying to make it right.”
The officer nodded, clearly taking in her words, but his eyes lingered on the baton in Abigail’s hand for a moment longer than was comfortable. The tension in the air thickened. “I’m sure you have your reasons,” he said, lowering his tone. “But, you’ll both need to stay here for a bit longer. I’m afraid it’s just procedure.”
Quinn’s stomach churned as the officer signaled to the desk sergeant to get them processed. She exchanged a glance with Abigail, who had shifted her gaze to the officer, her expression unreadable. Abigail was always difficult to read in situations like this—her outer calm masked a deeper, more complex inner world. Quinn knew that her friend’s life was filled with complications, but seeing her so composed in the face of danger only made Quinn’s worry grow.
As they were escorted to a small holding area, Quinn’s mind raced. What was Alexander going to think? Would he be furious? She couldn’t bear the thought of him finding out—of him seeing her like this, tangled in Abigail’s mess. She had been so careful, so protective of their life together. This wasn’t how she had imagined things turning out.
Abigail seemed to sense her unease. She gave a soft chuckle, her voice surprisingly light considering the gravity of the situation. “Don’t worry, Quinn,” she said, her lips curling into a smirk. “Alexander will get over it. He’s the type to hide his temper behind a smile. You know, he’ll act all calm and collected, but you’ll see it in his eyes. The man’s got a lot of pride, but he won’t throw you under the bus. Not after all this time.”
Quinn wanted to believe her, but the gnawing fear in her gut wouldn’t let go. “I hope you’re right,” she murmured, her fingers tightening around the edge of the bench. “But I can’t help thinking this is more than just a minor setback.”
Abigail’s expression softened for a moment. “You’re too hard on yourself. You’re not the one to blame here. People are always looking for someone to blame when things go wrong, but that doesn’t mean it’s your fault.”
Quinn nodded, but the weight of the situation still hung heavy in her chest. As much as she tried to push the thoughts away, they clung to her like shadows. The door to the holding area opened, and a uniformed officer stepped inside.
“Your bail’s been arranged,” the officer said, glancing at both of them. “You’re free to go. But we’ll need you both to come back for questioning tomorrow.”
Quinn stood up slowly, her legs unsteady as she glanced at Abigail, who was already stepping toward the door. Despite the situation, there was a small, almost triumphant look in Abigail’s eyes as she made her way out of the cell. Quinn followed her, a sense of relief washing over her as they were led out of the holding area and into the main foyer of the station.
Outside, the city was still bustling, oblivious to the chaos that had unfolded only a short while ago. The cool air hit Quinn’s face like a slap, and for a moment, she let herself breathe deeply, trying to steady her racing heart.
As they walked toward the exit, Abigail turned to Quinn, her expression softening slightly. “You did good,” she said quietly, as if the words themselves were a rare gift. “You didn’t let them break you. You held your ground.”
Quinn couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, though it was tinged with nerves. “I didn’t do much. You were the one who handled the situation.”
Abigail grinned, the familiar fire returning to her eyes. “Just don’t forget, Quinn,” she said, her voice a little less serious. “I’m not the one who needs saving. But you, on the other hand…” She trailed off, letting the words hang in the air, the unspoken challenge between them
