1,163Chapter 1- Atlantic City
I woke up to a loud pounding noise. "Go away." I muttered
When I tried to sit up I instantly felt a pain in my head and my eyes refused to open. I heard the pounding again and forced my eyes open, but they were having trouble adjusting to the light. I laid back down feeling groggy and I looked up at the ceiling. It used to be white but now looked grey and there were water stains. I forced myself to sit up and look around to see where I was. I realized I was on the floor. I didn't recognize the room, but it was obvious I was in a cheap motel room. The floor felt disgusting and smelled like cigarettes and feet. I finally pulled myself up onto my feet and immediately noticed my hand was heavy. I lifted my hand to find I was holding a gun. I jumped as the pounding started again.
I started trying to gather the facts. I was in a motel room. I had a gun in my hand. Someone was trying to get in the door. Suddenly I had adrenaline pulsing through my body as I heard the door being kicked in and I raised the gun.
"FREEZE!"
"POLICE"
"DROP IT!"
"DROP THE WEAPON!"
"DROP IT!"
"POLICE"
"DROP THE GUN!"
At least a half a dozen men busted into the room with weapons drawn. I immediately dropped the gun when I realized it was the police. I was ordered to my knees and told to put my hands on my head. Just then my eyes shot across the room. There was the body of my skip Keith Latty and he looked dead to me. I moved my hands away from my head and immediately had them hoisted back up by one officer as another pointed his gun at my chest. I started trying to take deep breaths and kept looking all around me.
"Stephanie Plum you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions." the officer began as he pulled my hands roughly to my back and cuffed them tightly before pulling me onto my feet.
"Wait!" I cried out as I felt my breaths coming fast.
"Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law." I couldn't move my feet as the officer dragged me from the room.
"Wait." I argued as I felt the need to run to move to do something.
"You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future."
I tried to open my mouth to speak again but had no words. My mouth was dry and felt like it was full of sand. An officer pushed me against the squad car and began frisking me while the other one kept reciting my rights. "If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to you before any questioning if you wish."
I pushed back away from the car and spun to look at the officer. "Do not resist." he ordered
"This is a mistake." I explained
"That's what they all say." he smirked
"No." I tried to argue
"Get the kit." one officer said to another. My hands were swabbed and sprayed.
"If you decide to answer questions now without an attorney present, you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney." he finally finished.
"Wait, this is a misunderstanding." I lifted my hands.
"Oh trying to resist?" the officer closest to me pushed me back against the car and I pushed myself back against him.
He popped me in the mouth with his elbow as he pushed me back against the car. "Oh, I'm sorry." he told me as another officer laughed. I looked at his badge to make sure I got his name 'T. Conklin'
"But.." I wanted to argue again but he shot me a glare that told me I needed to shut up. I felt the blood drip down my chin and tasted it in my mouth.
"Positive." one officer spoke to another.
"Positive? What's positive?" I asked
"Ms. Plum, do you understand your rights?" he asked again
"Yes." I told him through gritted teeth. Once I answered Conklin yanked on the cuffs and pulled me into the back of the squad car. I tried to lean back out and he slammed the door. I jerked back before it hit me in the face.
"Positive?" one officer asked another.
"Yep, gun shot residue on her hand." he laughed
I watched out the window as they covered the door with police tape. I saw detectives pull up. I kept staring out the window as they stopped to ask questions to one of the officers. These detectives dressed in suits, but had their jackets off. They weren't in jeans like Morelli. I watched the Medical Examiner pull up next and I turned away.
"Take her back to the station." I heard a detective tell one of the officers.
"With pleasure." Conklin wiggled his eyebrows.
"Don't screw up the case by feeling her up." the detective warned him.
************************************Remembering******************************
What the hell is happening? I leaned back and tried to remember how I got here. Okay two days ago I had convinced Connie to give me one of Ranger's high risk bonds because I was broke. I mean really broke. Like negative in my bank account broke. No groceries, need to pay the rent broke. Lula had asked me to lend her money for an emergency and I gave her everything I had in my account. She never told me what the emergency was or rather she refused. I assumed it was something important so I helped her. I convinced Connie to give me Keith Latty's file. He was wanted for the rape and murder of two women. His bail was set at five hundred thousand dollars and Vinnie paid it.
Catching Latty and getting that fifty thousand dollars would fix all of my financial problem and keep me comfortable while I waited for more lower bonds to come in. I had gone to his address in Hamilton and found it was completely false. He was listed at 366 Bryant Avenue but the addresses ended at 200 on that road. His mother Elise Latty lived in Robbinsville so I went there next. She wanted to turn him in but had no idea where he was. She took my card and promised to call if he came around. She did agree to give me his brother's address.
I went back to Hamilton and found myself knocking on the door. No one answered so I went to the next door neighbor and asked if they knew where Jeremy Latty was. I met Sid Worley who talked my ear off about flowers and the petunias that he was planting. I finally agreed to check out his tomatoes growing in his backyard garden before he told me where Jeremy was. He was assistant manager at the Carvel store in Sunnybrae Plaza in Yardville. I thanked him and jumped into my current POS Toyota Corolla as my stomach grumbled.
When I pulled up to Pino's I saw Morelli's POS crown vic parked in the lot. We were currently in an off stage and I wasn't looking forward to seeing him right now. My need for a meatball sub over powered my need to avoid Joe Morelli. I quickly made my way through the door and went straight to a booth in the back. I leaned back and let out a breath after Johnny had taken my order. Johnny Cassy was a teenager who waited tables after school and during the week.
"Avoiding me Cupcake?" he asked as he slid into the bench across from me.
"No Morelli, just hungry and in a hurry. No time to chat." I explained
"Bob misses you." He reached his hand across the table and I pulled mine away and put under the table and onto my lap.
"I'm tired and I am hungry." I whined
"Not sleeping so well? I know ways to make sure you sleep like a baby." he raised an eyebrow
I couldn't help but laugh "Morelli you just offered to put me to sleep rather than keep me awake."
"Don't make me explain exactly how I can tire you out." he shook his head
"Finally" I said as Johnny placed my sub and a can of coke in front of me.
"Want to come by and watch the game tonight?" he asked
"No" I answered before I took a big bite.
"No? Come on Cupcake, the boys miss you." he pleaded
"The boys?" I glared with a mouth full of meatball "Did you forget we are off?" I set down my sandwich and took a drink.
"You're still pissed?" he sat back and sighed
"You freaking screamed at me like a caveman in front of everyone. You called me stupid and reckless. You said my life was a disaster and I was wasting my time trying to be good at bounty hunting when I would never get better." I took a deep breath trying to control my anger as the memory came rushing back. "You said I was a danger to everyone around me and I was going to get Lula or Ranger killed one day because I don't ever use my brain."
"I was mad because your car blew up again. It set two others on fire when it exploded. I didn't mean those things I was just upset and angry." he tried to explain.
"You said my instincts sucked." I glared
"Cupcake." he pouted
I stuffed the rest of my sandwich in my mouth and stood up as I grabbed the coke to bring with me "Screw you Morelli."
He followed me and stepped in front of my door before I could open it "MOVE!"
"Stephanie, I know you're pissed but don't do anything we'll both regret." he warned
"What the hell do you mean?" I asked
"Don't go running to Manoso." he glared at me
"Is that an order?" I gave him my best Burg glare.
"Well..."he stuttered "yes it is."
"Okay noted. Now, get the hell out of my way." he moved and I opened the door and slid in.
"He's not good for you. Every time you hang around him bad things happen." he warned
"He is usually saving me from those bad things." I corrected him
"I don't trust him. He wants you in his bed. Another notch on his bed post." he shook his head
"Where do you hide your bed post? Did you fill up every post on your bed and had to buy a new one?" I tilted my head and stared at him
"That's not fair." he whined
"Life isn't fair." I sighed
"'ll bring some pizza by tomorrow night." he offered as I slammed the door.
So after that I called Ranger on the way to Carvel. He answered quickly.
"Babe"
"Yo, any distractions or work for me to pick up?"
"I was going to call you about a distraction tomorrow night." he answered
"Perfect." I smiled
"You can always come in and do searches." he offered
"I don't want a pity position." I confessed
"What kind of position do you want?" he teased
Anything that involves your soft sheets or fluffy towels I thought before I answered "I'll let you know."
"You're playing with fire." he warned
"Did I say that out loud?" I blushed
"Babe" and then he disconnected.
************************************************Happening now*************************************
The car pulled into the station and I was yanked out. The officer pushed me through the doors and set me in front of a desk. "Stephanie Plum" he told the woman as he handed over my purse. She opened it up and went through my wallet as she pulled out my driver's license and started typing stuff into the computer.
"Charge?" she asked
"Murder" he answered
My breathing became short and fast and then I saw black dots in front of my eyes.
"Let's go Plum, we need to finish the booking process." I instantly recognized his vice and knew it as Conklin. He slapped my cheek a couple of times and then slapped my lip as I whined. "There we go."
I opened my eyes and noticed I was sitting in a chair across from the desk. "Let's go." he lifted me up roughly pulling me to a small screen where my mug shot was taken.
He brought me back to the desk "The purse was the only personal property on her." he explained as she nodded.
She asked me a series of questions. Name, birth date, address and all of the basic information.
He dragged me over and another officer took my fingerprints. I was fighting to hold back the tears. "Now it's fun time." Conklin smiled as he led me into a small room.
A woman came in wearing gloves and ordered me to strip. I was frozen in place for a second and then slowly stated taking off my clothes as Conklin looked on. "I got this." the female officer told him
"She tried to resist. I'll stick around." he smiled
There wasn't much to remove so I pulled off my skirt and tank top. I stood there feeling totally exposed in just my blue panties and matching push up bra.
She nodded to Conklin and stepped towards me. "Take it all off." she ordered "Full body cavity search."
Now the tears came and just steamed down my face as I pulled off my bra and underwear. I used one hand to cover my breasts and the other to cover my vagina. I looked up to see Conklin smiling. He was picking up all of my clothes and placing them in a bag. I could swear he brought each item close to his nose before he dropped them into the bag. I stopped staring at him and then looked back to the floor.
"Turn around and put your hands against the wall." she ordered as she moved to uncuff me.
I complied as she used a small flashlight to check my ears, my nose, and my mouth. Then I closed my eyes as I felt her spread my legs apart. I focused on Rex running on the wheel and hiding in his soup can. "Spread your..." Riding in Ranger's Porsche. I sniffled as I followed her directions. I felt so humiliated. Taking Bob to poop in Joyce's yard. I felt that bastards eyes on me. The smell of Ranger's shower gel. How the hell did this happen? My mother's pineapple upside down cake. I wanted to throw up. The tears were pouring down my face and I felt myself shaking with sobs.
Finally the officer stopped touching me and had me turn around again. She handed me new underwear and a bra along with an orange jump suit. He stood and watched me dress and then put my cuffs on again. Conklin led me to the next small office and a doctor drew my blood and did a chest x-ray to look for tuberculosis.
He brought me to a holding cell next. I looked in to see it was already full with about ten women. "I want my phone call" I sniffled
"You'll get it." He unlocked the cell door.
"I want my lawyer." I cried
"I'll let someone know." he pushed me into the cell and then had me press back against the bars as he uncuffed me.
I looked around the cell and all eyes were on me. I quickly sat down on the bench and put my head in my hands. Another girl sat down next to me. "He's a bastard."she spoke
"Who?" I said as I kept my head in my hands.
"Conklin. He's a freaking pervert." she said angrily. "He can't keep his hands to himself."
"Yes" I agreed. "He makes me sick."
"I'm Andrea." she told me
"Stephanie."
"Wha'd they get you for?" she asked
"I didn't do anything." I sniffed
"Sure you didn't" another woman said as she stepped towards me. "You look like you could use an ass whooping."
I jumped to my feet "LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE." I yelled at her. My intention was to scare her and anyone else who thought about messing with me.
She held up her hands and stepped away from me "Take it easy white girl."
"Don't raise your voice up in here. Who the hell do you think you are?" another woman asked
"She's that bounty hunter bitch." another woman said as she got to her feet. I recognized her right away. Lakisha Jackson. I had brought her in a few months ago on a concealed weapons charge.
"Oh? This is the Bitch who brought in my man Mike and now he's serving three years for possession." anther woman said as she got to her feet.
Suddenly another woman jumped up and punched me in the face. "You bitch" she yelled
Some of the others cheered and yelled as she pounded away at my stomach and chest. I fought back. I was punching and using my knees and elbows. Finally she fell to the floor and another woman shouted "Damn, someone get her."
"STEP BACK!" A voice yelled as we all separated.
"Plum." he announced as I turned to face the officer. It wasn't Conklin, this was a different officer. "Come here." he ordered as I walked to the bars and he pulled out cuffs. I turned around and pressed my hands through the hole as he slipped the cuffs onto my wrists. Then he opened the door and pulled me out of the cell and into the hallway. He had me lean against the wall as he uncuffed one hand and moved the cuffs to the front of my body.
"I want my lawyer Albert Koughn" I told him as he pulled me down the hall.
"Tell the detective." he told me as he guided me to a room and pushed me down into a chair.
He stood beside me as the door opened and two detectives entered the room. One of them nodded at the officer and he left. "Would you like some water?" he asked me and I shook my head.
"My name is Detective Martin and this is my partner Detective Harris." he explained.
"Were your rights read to you?" Harris asked
"Yes." I answered through gritted teeth. "I think I have a broken rib."
"Do you understand them?" Martin asked
I repeated my answer as my teeth remained clinched tight together "Yes"
"Do you know why you're here?" Harris asked next
"I didn't do anything." I glared him "Did you hear me tell you I think my rib is broken?"
"The evidence says differently." Martin smirked
Harris sat down across from me. "What happened to your rib and your face? Did Latty do that to you?"
"NO! Officer Conklin is responsible for my busted lip and some girl in the holding cell is responsible for my broken rib. I want out of here."
"We're trying to help you." Harris assured me
"Why did you murder Keith Latty?" Martin asked
"I didn't do it. I want my lawyer Albert Kloughn. I want my phone call." I demanded
"Are you sure you don't want to talk to us first?" Martin raised an eyebrow
"What time is it? How long have I been here?" I asked
"It's 6:00am. You've been here since 1:00am." Harris answered
"What day is it?" I shook my head as I tried to get my thoughts together.
"Saturday, May 6th" Harris looked at me as if he as studying me
"I want my phone call." The tears came again.
"Hey, I answered all of your questions." Harris reminded me
"Thank you." I told him
"So are you going to tell us what you were doing in the motel room?" Harris tried again
"I want my lawyer." I sealed my lips and immediately felt pain where my lower lip was now swollen.
"Okay Plum." Martin opened the door and asked the officer to come back in.
He pulled me back down the hall leaving me cuffed in the front. I looked over to see his name tag. 'J. Taylor' . He pulled me to another room with phones attached to the wall and handed me a quarter. I didn't even know they still had payphones anywhere. I stood in front of the phone for a minute thinking of who to call. Finally I picked up the receiver and put in the money. I dialed the number and waited for an answer.
"Yo" he answered after the second ring
"I need you." I told him as the tears returned and I barely got the words out.
"Babe" he was worried
"Ranger I need you." I repeated through sobs
"Where are you?" he asked
"I was arrested" I hiccuped and tried to get the words out. "He hit me. They made me take my clothes..." I cried
"Tel me where you are." he demanded
"I'm in Atlantic City." I hiccuped up again.
"I'll be there in 40" he told me
"Hurry" I pleaded with him before he disconnected.
"What happens now Officer Taylor?" I asked
"Arraignment and the judge will set bail." he explained as he pulled me out of the room.
"When?" I asked
"An hour or two." he told me as he unlocked the cell.
Most of the women were sleeping or at least laying down across all of the benches. I sat in the corner on the floor and pulled my knees up to my chest and leaned my head down. I was trying to disappear. How the hell did I get here? I thought back to when I met Jeremy Latty.
************************************************Remembering********************************************
I pulled up in front of the Carvel and went in to find Jeremy Latty. There was only a woman behind the counter so I decided I must order ice cream so I can have an excuse to sit around and wait. I was sitting at a table enjoying my hot fudge sundae when the door opened and in came a man. He apologized for being late and went behind the counter. I watched him wash his hands and put on an apron. The woman told him she needed a break and left. The store was empty. I approached the counter and he looked up at me.
"Jeremy Latty?" I asked
"Yeah, what do you want lady?" he asked
"I am looking for your brother Keith." I told him
"Don't! He's trouble. Stay away from him or he will hurt you." he told me
"What makes you think that?" I asked him
"He gets off on rape and I wouldn't be surprised if he was guilty of murder like they say. He is a sick bastard who needs to be put out of his misery. Maybe he will piss off some jealous husband and get what he deserves." he smiled
"Any idea where he is?" I asked
"He hangs out in AC. He likes to go to clubs. Boogie Nights, Dusk or maybe Haven. I don't know. I don't hang out with him anymore." he shook his head
"Why not?" I pushed
"Because last time I hung out with him he raped my girlfriend. I beat the shit out of him and told him never to come around me again." he glared
"Did your girlfriend..."
"report it? No, she refused. She said she was too embarrassed. I tried to help her but she dumped me. I think she just didn't want to be involved with someone connected to the hell she endured." he stared off into space a he spoke.
"I understand." I nodded "Thank you for your help."
"You're going after him?" he asked me
"I'm a bond enforcement agent, it's my job." I shrugged.
"I hope you get him." he told me as the woman came back though the door
I nodded a thank you to him and left the store.
My phone rang as soon as I pulled out of the lot. "What are you doing tonight Cupcake?"
"I'm busy." I told him
"Got a date?" he asked
"Actually I do. I am headed to Atlantic City." I smiled
"Manoso with you?" his tone was angry
"Nope. Looking for a new man." I teased as I drove towards my apartment.
"You are making choices you are going to regret." he warned me
"It's my life." I told him
"Fine. Go ahead and continue to screw it up. The whole Burg already thinks you're a screw up so I am sure no one will be surprised to find out you go to Atlantic City for one night stands." he threatened
"Screw you." I told him as I hung up.
I was dressed and on the expressway to Atlantic City in less than an hour. I decided not to over dress so I wore a silky blue tank top with a short black skirt. I parked my car in the garage at the Tropicana. The Boogie Nights Club was in the Hotel.I didn't find Latty but I sweet talked the bouncer and find out a regular had hooked up with Latty last night. I waited around until the girl arrived and the bouncer gave me the nod. I moved next to her at the bar and asked her about him.
"You know a Keith Latty?" I asked
"Yeah, he's a psycho." she shook her head "Why are you looking for him?"
"To take him to jail." I told her
"Good, he is a sick bastard. I just wanted to hook up and he wanted to do all of this weird stuff. He wanted me to put on heels and step on his balls and stuff." We both made a sick noise and she shook her head like she was trying to shake out the pictures and thoughts.
"Where did you go with him when you left here?" I asked
"Room 208 Bayview Inn. It's on North Albany." she told me
"Thanks. Maybe you should just stay away from him. I suggested
"You can count on that." she assured me.
It took me about 10 minutes to get to the cheap motel. I decided to skip the office and just pull up at the corner. All of the doors faced the parking lot. I got out of the car in front of room 214. I stepped out of my car and then... and then...
**************************************************Happening now**********************************************
Shit, I got nothing. I couldn't remember at all what the hell happened to me after I stepped out of the car.
"Plum" Officer Conklin called me and I snapped my head up and went to the door. "Cuffs" he told me as I put my hands in the hole. He always squeezed them on as hard as he could and I could feel them cutting into my wrists.
I groaned as he pulled me out the door. "I bet you can make a lot of sweet noises with me on top of that sexy body of yours." he whispered in my ear. I shivered and pulled my head away from his and he laughed.
He pulled me through a door and I was in a courtroom. I looked around and saw Ranger right away. He stood when I came in the room and then his face burned with anger as he looked me over. I wanted so badly to run into his arms. I wanted him to hold me and kiss me senseless so I could forget this whole thing. He noticed Conklin pulling me with the too tight cuffs. He dragged me over to the chair and pushed me down hard and I winced at the pain in my side and then I let out what I thought was a short quiet moan.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear. "You are making me so hard. I'm off in an hour, but don't worry I will be back to visit you tonight."
I heard Ranger growl as he was seated directly behind me and probably heard everything Conklin had said. He stepped back and stood between Ranger and myself. "There's no way your thug friend here will be able to afford your bail on a murder charge. I guess you'll be spending the night with me," he laughed and I heard Ranger take a deep breath.
"I'm sorry. I had to fly in from Boston." the man explained as he slid into the seat next to me. He had salt and pepper hair and wore a simple blue suit. I could tell it was tailor made for him. "Javier Manoso" he introduced himself as I whipped my head around to look at Ranger
Bad idea as Conklin reached out and put his hand on the back of my neck and twisted it back roughly so I was once again facing forward. Javier shot him a look "Is that necessary?"
"No contact." Conklin looked angry
"She can look. Don't jump the gun again or you're going to be out of a job." Javier threatened. Conklin started to laugh, but then stopped suddenly as he looked at Javier's face and his scary glare.
Ranger was back on his feet and Javier moved to him. They exchanged whispers and nods but I couldn't make out anything they were saying. Javier moved back to the table and he turned to me. "Okay Stephanie I'm sorry I didn't get here soon enough to talk to you. I am a criminal attorney and as I am sure you have guessed my brother contacted me on your behalf."
"yes" I whispered as I nodded my head.
Before either one of us could say more. I saw what I assumed was the prosecutor come in and sit at the desk across from us. He looked up from his file at us and suddenly a look of surprise crossed his face. "Manoso!" he smiled and stood and the men hugged.
"Jacobs" Javier nodded
"What the hell are you doing in Atlantic City? No one around here could even afford to talk to you for an hour." Jacobs joked.
"Helping out a friend." he explained
"Damn, must be a good friend." he emphasized the word friend. "There is no way she can afford you." he laughed and then moved back to his seat as the bailiff came in.
"Please rise." he spoke. As I went to stand up Conklin grabbed my cuffs and pulled me to my feet. "The honorable Judge Green presiding."
A short heavyset man came out of a door and made his way to the bench. Once he was settled in to his seat he looked over at the bailiff. "Docket number six, three, four, four one. The people verses Stephanie Plum." the bailiff read.
The judge nodded and moved around some papers on his desk. Glancing up at me occasionally as he read through his papers. Finally he looked up at the prosecutor "Mr. Jacobs?" he encouraged him to speak
Jacobs stood up and straightened his tie. "Thank you your honor." he began "Stephanie Plum has been charged for the murder of Keith Latty. She was caught by police with the weapon in her hand. She is also charged with resisting arrest. It is my opinion that she is a flight risk based on her relationship with Carlos Manoso. However since she has no prior arrests or convictions the state is apt to take pity on her and not ask for remand. This is a murder case so the State suggests bail be set at one million dollars."
I heard Ranger let out a breath behind me and Javier shook his head. "Thank you." the Judge Green told him as he took his seat.
Javier stood and the judge turned to him "Mr. Manoso, I haven't seen you in this neck of the woods. I moved here from Boston to escape the big city life before I retire." he smiled at Javier.
"It's a pleasure to see you again your honor." Javier returned the Judge's smile.
"Any relation to Carlos Manoso?" Judge Green asked him
"Yes your honor, he is my brother." he nodded
"That explains why you made the trip to New Jersey. Okay, go on." the judge prompted him.
"I intend to show that Stephanie Plum is innocent and I also plan to file charges against the arresting officer for excessive force. She has strong ties to the community of Chambersburg where she lives and she is not a flight risk." he assured the judge.
"What bail are you suggesting?" he asked him
"Fifty thousand dollars." Javier answered as Jacobs stifled a laugh
The judge nodded and Javier sat down. We all waited as the judge looked through his papers again. It seemed to take forever until he finally looked up at us. "I know Carlos Manoso is a man with many connections." he paused and then looked over at Jacobs "I feel like one million is a bit over the top . Bail is set at five hundred thousand dollars." He announced his decision and then pounded his gavel down and looked at the bailiff. "Next case."
Javier looked back at Ranger and then announced. "We will be posting bail immediately." the judge nodded and Conklin pulled me to my feet.
"The paperwork make take some time." The officer looked at Ranger and smiled.
Tears streamed down my face as I looked back at Ranger while Conklin led me from the court room.
Once we went through the doors Conklin pushed me against the wall. "You must be one hell of a good lay for someone to post that kind of bail for you." he whispered in my ear as my face was pressed into the wall. He grabbed my hair and pulled my head back before slamming it into the wall. I felt the split on my lip open again as the blood trickled down my face.
He laughed and then pulled me back to the holding cell. All of the women were awake and moving around. After I was uncuffed I returned to my corner and sat down. Andrea came over and sat next to me. "Your lip is bleeding again. Conklin?" she asked
I just nodded and then one of the other girls looked down at me. "He's a real piece of garbage."
"Can't keep his damn hands or dick to himself." One of the other women added
I looked up and one of the girls who had attacked me before simply looked down at me and shook her head. I guess she figured I looked too pathetic to lay into again. I buried my face back into my knees and quietly sobbed. I must have fallen asleep because I jumped when I heard my name. "Plum"
I got to my feet and looked at Officer Taylor "You made bail." he told me as I moved forward.
He uncuffed me and pulled me from the cell. He brought me to the desk where I had checked in. "They're keeping your clothes for evidence." he explained and I nodded.
I was handed my purse and after being told to check through it to see if anything was missing I signed a paper stating I had received it. I followed Officer Taylor to another door but he stopped me before he opened it. "Did Conklin do that to your lip?"
I nodded and he shook his head. "Did he touch you when you were searched?"
"No, there was a woman in there." I whispered
"Okay, well good luck." he told me as he opened the door.
I looked up to see Ranger waiting for me. I took a step towards him and he suddenly had me in his arms. He pulled me tight against him but I winced when his arms pushed against my rib. He set me own, but kept one around me and used the other to rub the back of my hair. Tears flooded my eyes as I sobbed against his chest.
"Babe' he whispered in my ear.