Visions (Cainsville 2)

"Ricky threatened to."

"Hmm, well, sadly, that would be considered forcible confinement, so I'd have to advise against it."

I felt a little sorry for Macy. She really deserved nicer rescuers. More sympathetic ones, at least.

"Well, it's not boding well for polite conversation," I said. "Which I need to have with her. That Tristan guy suggested she's not a random victim. She has answers even if she doesn't realize it. Maybe you can play good cop."

He turned his cool gaze on me.

"Or not." I rapped on the door and called, "It's us," then walked in.

Ricky was standing there, waiting. Macy was huddled against the wall. When she saw Gabriel, she pressed against it, her eyes rounding.

"Wh-who's that?" she asked.

"Our lawyer," I said.

She tried to glare at me, though it was about as intimidating as a kitten's snarl. "That's not funny."

"Because it isn't a joke." Gabriel turned to Ricky. "Have you done anything to her?"

"Besides rescuing her ass?"

"It's not an unreasonable question, considering you've obviously been involved in an altercation."

Ricky touched his split lip. "Right. Separate incident."

"It's been a long and interesting night," I said.

Gabriel turned to Macy. "You will agree, then, that they have done nothing to you? And that your unfounded fear is simply a by-product of your captivity?"

She stared at him as if he were speaking Greek. "I-I want to go home."

"We will escort you out."

Ricky started to protest, but Gabriel said, "We don't want to detain the young woman against her will," in a tone that warned that, too, would be forcible confinement.

Ricky nodded.

Gabriel waved her to the door. "Macy, is it?"

"Y-yes." She skirted wide around him.

"And that would be Ms. . . . ?"

She didn't answer.

Once we'd descended the ladder, he continued, "I have not yet telephoned the police. I'm presuming you'd like that done now? I would offer to drive you to the station, but I suspect you would prefer a police escort."

"I can't call the police. My--my brother. There's a warrant out for him, and if I report this to the police and they come to our house . . ."

"Yes, I can see how that could be problematic."

Gabriel could have pointed out that the police didn't need to come to her house. But she wasn't paying him for legal advice. And calling in the police would be problematic. For us.

"You should report it," he said. "However, you have no legal obligation to do so. Be aware, though, that the chances of being believed if you report it later decrease significantly."

She nodded. As soon as Gabriel walked outside, Macy bolted past him. I lunged forward. Gabriel's arm shot out, practically smacking me in the face as he stopped me and stepped into Ricky's path.