The One who got Away

I wanted to punch him right then and there. I wanted my fist the slam that smug smile off his face, and then I wanted to drag him around the office and kick at him until he was coughing up blood. The rage inside me made my head hurt, and my fists shook as I tried to control the anger.

“That’s something we’ll determine in time,” Baker replied. “Until then, I suggest you tell Mr. Collins not to leave Kent until we get this all sorted out. Shouldn’t take long.”

“Are you fucking serious?” I yelled.

“I’d appreciate if you kept your tone down, Mr. Logan.”

“You’re actually going to believe this bullshit?”

Baker shrugged. “I have to hear all sides of the story before I can reach a decision. To be frank, this is a touchy situation, and needs to be handled with great care.”

“This is ridiculous, but that’s what this is,” I shot. “We’re not talking about international relations, here. I want Heath Collins arrested for what he did to my father.”

Baker stood up and glared at me. “I will say who gets arrested and when. Until then, I suggest you tend to Samuel, and leave the police work to me.”

I scoffed and shook my head in disbelief. “Police work, huh?”

Baker didn’t reply and met my eye with a solid stare.

“Tell you what, I’ll take care of this myself,” I said, shooting an angry look at Garth before making my way out.

“Mr. Logan, I’m warning you, stay out of this or I’ll arrest you for hindering police investigation,” Baker called after me.

“You’re doing enough hindering for the both of us, Sheriff,” I called back and stormed out of the station.

If the bastard wasn’t going to get the job done, I’d do it my fucking self.

Chapter 17: Jenni

I left the diner early, telling Hank that I had to go check up on Samuel.

Word spread fast in Kent, and I found my father asking me all sorts of questions the minute I walked into the diner. I tried to answer them as best as I could, and although he seemed a little skeptical about the fact that I had spent the night at the Logan house, he didn’t seem to mind too much. At least not enough to lecture me, which I thought was just fine.

My father and Samuel went way back. They had grown up together, went to the same college, and had both decided to stay in Kent and raise their families here. Poker nights, town council meetings and school events, the two of them were always side by side. Which was why I was not surprised when he wouldn’t let me get to work until he was completely satisfied that he had learned everything I had to offer.

“I’ll come with you,” he said as I told him that I was leaving.

“No, don’t,” I said, a little too quickly, forcing a confused frown on his face. “Samuel’s still in the ICU and I don’t want you seeing him like this. It’s heartbreaking.”

“He’s one of my oldest friends, Jenni, don’t be absurd,” Hank shot angrily.

“I know, dad,” I replied. “But honestly, I wouldn’t go either if not for Kelly. She needs me by her side, and Alex is as emotionless as they come.” The lie felt a little too pushed.

“Really?” Hank scratched his chin. “Wouldn’t have guessed.”

“No, not generally, I mean right now,” I hurried to correct. “Listen, it’s a difficult time for them. Give them some space, and as soon as I’m sure Samuel’s awake, I’ll let you know.”

Hank thought about this for a few seconds, then nodded. “Okay, but keep me posted,” he said, pointing a finger at me.

“Promise,” I replied, hastily making my way out of the diner and jumping into my car.

Close one, Jenni.

In all honesty, I believe my father’s visit would have been generally welcomed, and when I had called Kelly, she told me that Samuel was already awake and making jokes about looking like the bicentennial man. Even Alex sounded a bit more relieved, although his meeting with Sheriff Baker had gone completely wrong.

Which was why I needed to leave work early.

I pulled out of the parking lot and turned right on North Main Street, driving in the opposite direction of the hospital. Alex’s recount of what had happened at the Sheriff’s office had pissed me off, and I was fuming at the thought of Heath getting away with this just because Garth knew which gears to oil. Although the smart thing was to stay the hell out of all this, I couldn’t bring myself to do that. I cared a lot about the Logan’s, and Garth’s audacity was getting to me. Someone had to let him know that not everyone was going to take his shit.