Forever After (Unrestrained 5)

We remained like that for another minute or two. Finally, I realized I had to get going.

"I better get ready," I said and rolled her off me. I sat up on the side of the bed and adjusted my clothing. "Don't want to keep Lara waiting."

"Thank God for Lara," Kate said with a sigh.

"That's for sure." I rubbed her knee. "Will you be okay by yourself?"

"Of course," she said and sat up, running her hand through her hair. "I have everything under control. I have the best baby in the world and a wonderful warm home. I'll rustle up some grub for you while you're gone fighting battles…"

"Rustle up some grub, huh?" I said and grinned at her.

"I watched True Grit while you were out yesterday," she said and laughed lightly. "I always wanted to use that line."

I stood and left the room with reluctance, enjoying the quiet domesticity of the scene. I went to the bathroom and combed my unruly hair, tucked my shirt back into my slacks, and gave my teeth a quick brush. Finally, I went back to the bedroom and saw that Kate was propped up in bed, a Kindle in hand, reading.

She smiled up at me when I came over to the bed.

"Gotta go," I said softly, noting that Sophie was still sleeping, on her back, her hands in tiny fists, her pacifier in her mouth. I bent down and kissed Kate and then touched Sophie's plump cheek, which was soft and warm to the touch. Her cheeks were a bit flushed, but she was sleeping soundly, so I didn’t kiss her.

"See you later," I said and Kate nodded and blew me a kiss.

I left the apartment after getting my coat and scarf, and took my car to Lara's office to pick her up. I texted her once I arrived and she was down in a flash, dressed in her wool coat with a fur collar.

"Hello," I said when she slid into the passenger seat. "Thanks for this.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied. “Anything for you and Kate.”

“So,” I said and cleared my throat, trying to be nonchalant. “Do police always interview the husband three times in a typical investigation?”

“It depends on the investigation and the detectives,” Lara answered. “They interview you once to get down your basic account of the event. They may interview you again if and when new evidence

arises. They may interview you once more to push you for inconsistencies in your story, before letting you go and clearing your name or arresting you. In fact, they can interview you as many times as they want.”

“So what is the purpose of this interview?”

Lara smiled. “I’ll bet you a thousand dollars that they’re going to clear you and maybe inform you of how the case is going, seeing as you’re innocent.”

I nodded. “I hope so. I like the precinct and all, but I’d rather be at home with my wife and child.”

We drove in silence and although she had tried to reassure me about the purpose of the interview, I couldn’t help wonder.

“What’s the chance they arrest me?"

"Drake!" she said and frowned at me. "Of course they won't arrest you. They have absolutely no evidence except the hearsay of the accused."

"I was joking," I said and laughed ruefully, although there was this tiny part of me that imagined everything going sour. I did not want to spend any time in jail, even if I ended up being found innocent of accessory to attempted murder.

"No, you weren't," she said and gave me a scolding look. "Don't worry. I'm serious. There is no way you are on the truly looks-guilty list. Most women who are victims of an attack or are killed, it’s by the hands of their partners, husbands, current or ex. They have to give you a good look or they wouldn’t be doing their job."

"So you keep saying." I stopped the car and glanced out at the grey sky.

She reached out and squeezed my arm. "Trust me. In a few days, maybe even today, you'll be officially cleared. Then, we'll go out for a drink and celebrate."

"We will for sure," I said. "Now that we have a babysitter that Kate trusts, we can go out once in a while."

"It’s a deal."

Finally, we arrived at the precinct and I parked in the visitor's parking lot. I opened the door for Lara and we walked into the building. I glanced around and decided that once this was all over, I’d send Lara on a trip to Bermuda, which was her favorite vacation spot. A week in the sun would be a nice treat and a way to thank her for everything she had done to help both Kate and me during our crazy time both before and after the attack.