We had already blown through a stoplight at Spruce and were now approaching Clark Avenue. Constance began slowing the vehicle as cross traffic loomed in the headlights.
“You’re kidding, right?” I asked, reaching for the dash as the brakes took hold, then instantly released, causing me to pitch forward against my shoulder harness.
Constance pulled around the car ahead of us and continued forward, cautiously nosing her way into the intersection. Once everyone stopped to allow her through, she whipped immediately into a left turn from the center lane and punched the accelerator.
“I wish I were, Row,” she finally responded in an absent tone. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like it’s a daily occurrence. But, the truth is, Felicity definitely isn’t the first person this sort of thing has happened to.”
“No offense, but for me that doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence in our legal system.”
“I know, Rowan,” she sighed. “Trust me, I know. Sometimes I wonder about the system myself and I’m part of it.”
As the buildings along the block slipped past the windows, and the distance closed on the next intersection, she again tapped the brakes to slow the sedan. If ever we were going to attract attention to ourselves, now would probably be the time because city police headquarters was almost directly ahead of us on the left, just across Tucker Boulevard. Given our speed and the flashing lights, it was almost a given that we would gain ourselves an entourage.
Constance shot a quick glance in both directions and finding it clear, she barreled on through the traffic signal. Cranking the wheel hard and mashing on the accelerator, she instantly made a sharp right onto the main thoroughfare and punched forward. Just over ten seconds later, she was bringing the car to a skidding halt next to the curb.
I was out of my seatbelt before she had even begun braking, and I’m almost certain we were still in motion when I popped the door and started to jump out. At least, that’s the only way I can think of to explain why my feet scraped horizontally along the sidewalk.
It took everything I had not to break into a dead run the minute I was fully out of the vehicle. In fact, I didn’t even bother to close the door as I started toward the stairs at something between a fast walk and a jog. As I had suspected, a pair of patrol cars with light bars fully ignited were sliding to a halt behind the sedan before I’d made it five steps. I didn’t bother to stop. Constance could take care of them. Continuing forward and looking up at the entrance, I immediately spotted a slight figure moving quickly in my direction.
Felicity shot down the stairs without restraint to meet me at the bottom, her petite frame slamming into me so hard my breath escaped in a perfunctory huff. She threw her arms around my neck and buried her face against my shoulder as she started to sob quietly. I instantly wrapped my own arms about her and held her tightly, lifting her from the bottom step and slowly turning in place before finally settling her back onto the sidewalk. Still, I didn’t let go and neither did she. If anything, we both gripped one another even tighter.
As we stood there tangled in an emotional embrace, a cold November wind whipped around us on its trek through the downtown streets. But, even though I wasn’t wearing a coat, the chill didn’t faze me. I had something far more important occupying my attention, and keeping me warm.
After a moment, however, I did notice that I hadn’t yet bothered to take a breath ever since the wind had been knocked from my lungs. But, that was okay. There would be plenty of time for breathing later.
“All they said was ‘Sorry for the inconvenience, Miz O’Brien, you’re free to go,’” Felicity announced softly. She paused before repeating a particular word from the sentence, her voice falling into an annoyed whisper, “Inconvenience.”
I didn’t have an answer for that. There was nothing I could possibly say that was going to make it better or make either of us understand. Right now it didn’t matter, though, because I knew all she wanted was for someone to listen. That was a task I was more than happy to perform, if for no other reason than to hear her voice once again inside the walls of our home.
She continued, slightly louder, but still subdued. “I wasn’t even sure if they were going to let me use the phone. The first person I asked said no. I guess I just got lucky when I asked someone else. I suppose I should be grateful for that.”
“Did you say thank you?” I asked facetiously, my voice low.
“No. I think I was still too stunned.”
“I wouldn’t worry. They’ll get over it.”
True to his word, Ben had seen to the removal of Austin. He surreptitiously pulled me aside once we had returned home to let me know that my brother-in-law was being held overnight by the Briarwood police for violating a public intoxication ordinance and that he would most likely be cut loose in the morning. I sincerely appreciated his tact where that situation was concerned because it was something Felicity didn’t need to worry about at this moment. Hopefully, once Austin was fully sober, he would give some more thought to the points I had tried to make. Then, maybe we could have a truly productive discourse.
After that, Ben and Constance didn’t stay long. Once they were certain we were settled in, they said their goodnights and left us alone. I had offered to put on a fresh pot of coffee, but they immediately declined. It seemed the elation of having my wife home had nullified any of the remaining anger I was feeling toward Ben-at least, for the time being. While it would be impossible to forget everything that had transpired, I hoped that our friendship was on the mend. Of course, that was really up to me, not him. He had remained loyal throughout it all, even if my rampant emotions hadn’t allowed me to see it.
In any case, it was obvious that even though we had several questions, they were just as in the dark about the situation as us. They both definitely planned to find out what they could, but for the moment the mystery behind my wife’s sudden release was going to remain just that. Besides, and perhaps even more important than solving that riddle, they also knew what Felicity and I really needed in the wake of all this was some time alone. In the end, that was a bit of wisdom with which I couldn’t disagree.
“You’re sure you don’t want something to eat?” I asked after what seemed like several minutes of silence.
I was sitting on the floor of the master bathroom, my back against the cool tiled wall. Felicity was in the tub, up to her neck in warm water and lavender scented bubbles. I had offered to make her something to eat earlier when we had first arrived home. Ben had even offered her the left over tacos he hadn’t gotten around to devouring, but she didn’t seem to have an appetite. All she wanted to do, she said, was soak in a hot bath. That was a desire I found easy to help her fulfill.
“I’m sure,” she told me softly.
“A drink? I think we still have a bottle of Bushmills in the cabinet. There might even be some Black Bush in there too.”
“No…well, maybe…but, not just yet.”
“Okay. Just let me know.”
There was a quiet splash of water as she shifted then sighed with what sounded like reserved contentment. She stayed silent for a moment and then finally said, “You don’t have to wait on me hand and foot, then, Rowan.”
“I thought you were into that sort of thing.”
“Well…yes…I am…but, that’s…I mean…not right now…I just…”
I replied without looking up, rescuing her from the incoherent stammer. “It’s okay. I know what you’re trying to say. And, don’t worry about it. I don’t mind.”
“Aye, I love you, you know.”
“Yeah. I do. Same here.”