The woman smiles kindly. Hello, Eli. I'm Detective Martinez. She gestures to her partner. This is Detective Cooper.
Hi. I say, "We know you've been through a lot," she continues. "But we need to understand what happened today. Can you tell us? " I tell them everything. Deputy Hargrove at the school, the drive into the woods, the threats, the angel's arrival.
Detective Cooper takes notes. He looks up when I finish. And you had no warning. No idea deputy Harrove might target you. I hesitate.
Not really, but Patch, one of the angels, said someone was targeting me to get to the club. The detectives exchange glances. When did he tell you this? Detective Martinez asks. This morning after my wheelchair broke.
Your wheelchair broke? I explain about the motorized chair. About the backup chair Patch provided. Someone damaged your chair inside your apartment? Detective Cooper clarifies.
I nod. That's concerning. He says, "Do you have security cameras here? " Mom shakes her head. It's a basic apartment building. No cameras.
We'll increase patrols in the area. Detective Martinez says just to be safe. After they leave, mom sits beside me. She looks exhausted. The angels want to post guards, she says.
Outside our door. Is that okay? She sigh. After today. Yes, it's more than okay.
Outside, engines rumble. More motorcycles arrive. Club members taking shifts. They're really protective, mom says, sounding bewildered. That's what family does, I say.
Her eyes fill with tears again. Oh, Eli, she hugs me tight. I breathe in her familiar scent. Feel her heart beating against mine. Get some, she whispers.
I'll be right outside. I don't think I'll sleep. Not after everything, but exhaustion pulls me under almost immediately. I dream of motorcycles again, of leather and chrome. But this time, there's something else.
A sense of belonging, a family. School is canceled the next day. The principal calls personally to check on me. Terrible business, he says to mom. Simply terrible.
We had no idea Deputy Hargrove would. Mom cuts him off. You had plenty of idea about the Finch boys, about what they did to Eli. You chose to ignore it. The principal stammers.
Mrs. Barnes, I assure you. Save it. Mom snaps and hangs up. She looks different today, fiercer, less afraid.
Detectives Cooper and Martinez return midm morning. They take formal statements. Photograph the bruises on my arms where Deputy Hargrove grabbed me. Judge Finch has been arrested. Detective Martinez tells us along with three other town officials.
Good, mom says firmly. After they leave, Hawk arrives with Mama Carter. She carries containers of food. Thought you might need some home cooking, she says, bustling into our kitchen. The smell of beef stew fills the apartment.
Fresh bread, chocolate chip cookies. Mom looks overwhelmed. You didn't have to. Of course I did. Mama Carter interrupts.