The Ranger's Passionate Love

Trip stepped farther away from the three young ladies as he talked. Kyara tried to follow, but Caitlin nudged her towards Ashley.

“Kyara, I'm so sorry about all this,” said the blonde.

“Not your fault,” pointed out Kyara, trying to stay calm. “Do we know anything else?”

Ashley snorted, her face growing stormy.

“I think Rich was trying to show me what a bad guy your brother is. He left the door open when he harassed him so I could hear everything. At first he said he matched the description of someone with a warrant out? Then he said he'd refused a breathalyzer?”

Kyara snorted.

“That sounds like Marcus. He doesn't have much patience for anyone on a power trip, never mind cops,” said Kyara. “Honestly, it's a miracle he wasn't taken in for resisting arrest, too.”

“He's changed a lot in the last year,” said Trip as he came up behind her, his phone now off. “He still has a temper, but he's reigning it in. This time, I think, it's probably because he knows this cop is full of it. We've got him dead to rights.”

“We may have an issue if your brother refused a breathalyzer,” chimed in Caitlin. “That alone can lose him his license.”

“He didn't refuse,” insisted Ashley. “I was there for that part. He just said he wanted to call his Lawyer first.”

Trip's eyes locked on Ashley.

“And the officer wouldn't let him?” asked Trip, his tone measured.

Ashley shook

her head.

“Rich said there was no way he'd get cell reception out here.”

“But he wouldn't even let him try,” Trip followed up.

“No.”

Trip shook his head.

“Then we have him.”

It wasn't that easy, of course. It took hours for the Trip's lawyer friend from the ACLU to show up. When he did, a short, rounded man with large glasses, Marsh looked like he'd swallowed something slimy. The lawyer, who introduced himself as Mr. Buckner, then had to go in and talk to Marcus, and then came out to confer with Ashley as well. The others all waited in the lobby to see how everything would play out.

As they waited, Jason showed up.

He bustled into the lobby, brushing a faint dusting of snow from him coat.

“Kyara,” he said, rushing over. “I'm so sorry about this. I'm sure it's all a big misunderstanding. Let me talk to Rich, I can get this all worked out.

Kyara stared at him.

“What are you doing here?” she asked him, her voice cold.

“I came to help,” he said. “Your brother wouldn't even be here if not for me.”

“No need to remind me of that,” she replied flatly. “But we have it under control. You aren't needed here. Nor are you wanted here. I told you last night: I don't need a white knight.”

Jason stared at here. Everyone else looked anywhere but at them. Then, without a word, Jason turned and left.

Kyara turned to her brother.

“That reminds me, I'll put you and Marcus up in a hotel, unless you want to try to jam into my apartment.”