Chapter 4

Brenda was beyond reason. She lunged forward, her nails digging into the officer's sleeve. "You're picking on a defenseless family!"

"Ma'am, step back!"

Brenda's hand snapped out, slapping the officer hard across the arm.

The room froze.

The officer's expression went completely flat. He tapped the camera on his chest.

"That's assault on an officer. Body cam is rolling."

Brenda seemed to realize what she'd done. She stumbled back a step, stuttering, "I... I didn't mean to! I was just—"

"Ma'am, your son is under arrest for grand theft auto, felony DUI, and leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury. You are facing charges for obstruction and assault on a police officer. If you take one more aggressive step, you will be in cuffs too."

Brenda's mouth opened and closed silently.

Then her eyes locked onto me. The venom in her gaze was thick enough to choke on.

"Harper! Are you happy now?!" she screamed, her spit flying. "Dragging the law to arrest your own cousin! Do you have a scrap of human decency?!"

"He stole my keys, broke into my car, took my cash, drove drunk, and left a human being bleeding on the asphalt," I said, enunciating every syllable with ice. "Where was your decency when you told me to take the fall for him?"

"You're just bitter!" she screeched. "You've always hated him! You've always resented him because this family cared about him!"

"Brenda." I stepped closer, looking straight into her wild eyes. "I don't resent Leo. I resent that every time he acts like a monster, everyone rushes to clean up his mess—while I was expected to sacrifice my entire life just to keep you all comfortable."

Brenda choked on her words, then threw her head back, wailing theatrically. "God, what did I do to deserve this?! My only boy! His father abandoned us, I raised him with my blood and sweat, and now my own family stabs us in the back!"

Mom hovered near the doorway, looking miserable. "Brenda, please, calm down..."

"You shut up too!" Brenda snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at my mother. "You raised an ungrateful viper! I helped you raise her, and now she turns on us!"

Mom flinched, biting her lip.

Leo was hauled out into the corridor. As he passed me, his head hung low, completely incapable of meeting my eyes.

At the front door, Brenda threw herself at his legs, sobbing hysterically. "Leo! Mommy won't let them lock you up! I'll get a lawyer! I'll find the money!"

Leo finally broke, bawling like a child. "Mom, I don't want to go to jail!"

"You won't, baby! I'll fix this! I promise!"

The officers pulled her off him and marched him down the stairwell.

Brenda collapsed on the dirty floor, weeping loudly.

I stood in the doorway, watching coldly.

Mom lingered beside me, fidgeting before tugging on my sleeve. "Harper..."

"Mom, if you're about to lecture me, save it for tomorrow. I'm exhausted."

"I'm not trying to lecture you..."

"If you still think I should have taken the blame for him, say it right now to my face."

Mom stared at the floor for a long, suffocating moment. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Then what did you mean over the phone?"

She had no answer.

I turned on my heel and walked down the stairs.

The patrol cars were waiting. Leo was already secured in the back of the second cruiser.

I climbed into the passenger seat of the first car. My mother didn't follow.

By the time I finished giving my formal statement at the precinct, it was past 11:00 PM.

Sitting under the fluorescent lights of the interview room, I laid out everything: the duplicate key, the stolen cash, the surveillance footage, and the bribe text Brenda had sent me.

The detective typed up the report and slid it over for my signature.

"Miss Vance, based on the evidence, Leo will be booked on multiple felony counts. Your repair costs and the stolen funds can be recovered through restitution or civil litigation."

"Understood."

"Also, suspect's mother assaulted an officer on scene. She's currently being processed in holding."

I nodded.

As I walked toward the exit, I heard screeching from the front lobby.

Brenda had apparently posted bail or been released on her own recognizance, but she hadn't left. Through the glass partition, I saw her screaming at the desk sergeant.

"Why aren't you arresting that girl?! She owns the car! It's her fault!"