Grizzly - Bundle Parts 1-3 (4 page)

They led me into an employee break-room that had been cleared out so they could talk with me. Once I sat down, I finally looked up at them and sucked in a big sigh.

“This is Officer Rotan and I’m Officer Biggs. Mr.Silk, the man you assaulted in the pool, he is pressing charges. Care to explain what happened in there?”

I gulped, “He made a rude comment during my workout about me being a whale and for everyone to watch out. Something about a flip.”

I wasn’t entirely sure, but I saw an amused grin cross the officer’s face. “So, you decked him in the face, the nose to be specific, for making that comment?”

“Yes, sir. I did.” I said softly, the tears brimming in my eyes.

What a fucking fool I felt like! I was a good, law-abiding citizen. Not the type to hit people. Where had that come from?!

He shifted his stance and looked at me closely. “Have you ever assaulted anyone before, m’am?”

“No, not unless you include wrestling my little sister when I was a kid.” I answered.

“Are you taking any medications or recreational drugs?” He asked, his partner scrutinizing me in one way, while he did in another way.

“Yes, I take medicine for my asthma, but nothing recreational. I don’t use that type of stuff. Just a drink every now and again.”

“Any mental health issues, disabilities or other health concerns that might affect your behavior?”

“No, officer. None that I know of. I was just hurt and angry. He crossed the line and I reacted… I reacted poorly.” I muttered, holding back my tears.

“Well, ma’am, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the man you hit is a local newsman and unfortunately, you broke his nose. He’s on his way to the E.R. and when we spoke to him, he wanted to press charges.”

Suddenly, it occurred to me the extremity of what I’d done. He could sue me for all that I was worth. Make a national joke out of me. Shame me in front of the world.

I’m sure all the color in my face must have drained away. Oddly enough, they both seemed sympathetic.

“For what it’s worth, he shouldn’t have made the remark. We already spoke to another gym member who confirmed that he’d made a rude remark to you and that it wasn’t the first time, so we’ll take that into consideration. It wouldn’t be in his favor for the public to know that he was making snide remarks about someone while they were exercising, follow?”

That’s right!! Damned straight! The turd was an ass-hat…

I nodded my head ever-so-slightly, indicating that I comprehended the message he was attempting to get across.

“For now, we need to take you down to the police station.”

My heart sank to my stomach, “Okay, officer.” I put out my wrists for the handcuffs and he shook his head.

“No need, you’re not the violent type. I reviewed your record and you have no criminal history, only a couple parking tickets. We just need you to ride in the back of the police car and come down to the station. We’ll process the charges and arrest. Be thinking about who you’d like to bail you out. The weekend is coming up.” He explained and then we walked out of the break-room to a room full of gawking gym members.

I wanted to fall right through the floor and die from embarrassment.
What did I think was going to happen? Why hadn’t I thought this through before impulsively decking a total stranger?

On the way into the police station, I realized that both my best friend and my sister and her husband were out of town.

Shit! Fuck! Crap! There was no one around to literally, physically bail me out?!

That did it. I started to cry again. Despite my attempts to not sniffle and make it obvious, the officers noticed.

“M’am, you okay back there?”

“Yeah… Just realized that everyone I know who could bail me out is currently out of town at the moment.” I said miserably, “I wish I’d skipped my workout today, right about now.”

They looked at one another briefly, sharing one of those,
it sucks to be her right about now,
type of looks. I couldn’t even believe it. I was arrested, in a cop car, being taken downtown and charged with assault. All because the local weatherman, aka, ass-clown, called me a whale during the middle of my swim workout.

This day had started so well. What had happened?

Chapter Four

(( 4 ))

ABE

My cell identified the call as coming from the county jail. It had to be a mistake, or a weird prank? Nonetheless, I answered it.

“Hello?”

“Abe?”

“Yes?” I said, recognizing the voice. It was Cassidy’s.

“It’s Cassidy… this is incredibly embarrassing, but – um, would you be willing to help me? I need to ask like the hugest favor in the world…” She eeked out, her voice brimming with nervousness and embarrassment.

What in the world had she gotten herself into!?

“Cassidy, are you calling from the jail?” I asked, confused.

There was a pause, “Yup, and I’m utterly mortified about it. I’ll explain everything, but are you able to bail me out? I can pay you back immediately, of course. I promise! We can go straight to the bank or something.”

“Wow! Okay, but why are you calling me? I don’t mind helping, but surely you must have someone in your life or a family member in the area?”

She fell silent, and I was pretty sure she was on the verge of crying, “Everyone I know who would help me is out of town, as luck would have it. Both my best friend, my sister and my sister’s husband…”

“Got it. I’ll head straight over.”

“Thank you. Abe, they’re saying I need to get off the phone, but I promise to explain everything.” I could hear the tears in her throat. She was genuinely upset, that was plain as day.

“Okay, it will be okay. How much? How much is the bail?” I asked.

“It’s a lot. I apologize, I’m so sorry. It’s five-thousand. Can you do it?” She said, pleading in her voice.

Five thousand?!
That would clear out my savings… But somehow, I knew she was good for it.

“Yes, I can. I’m on my way.”

“Thank you, Abe. You’re saving my ass twice in one day. Thank you…” she said softly.

“I’ll be there are soon as I can. Promise.”

“Okay.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

* * *

I pulled my
Jeep
up in front of the police station and took a deep breath. My mind was spinning with all sorts of crazy ideas about what sort of trouble Cassidy had gotten herself into. I barely knew her, but this didn’t seem like her. Somehow, I just knew this about her.

I climbed out of my Jeep and headed in. I had a cashier’s check in my jacket pocket for the bail. Once inside, I glanced around – sniffing out the space, my senses on high alert. In the shifter universe, it’s not uncommon for many to be in law enforcement and I needed to play ball so as not to make Cassidy’s situation any worse.

Being a newcomer in town only made it that much worse. No one knew me. Because of that, I was at a disadvantage. Since I had absolutely no idea what had happened or why she was even in jail, I needed to rely on instinct to get me through this.

In the end, it could be nothing and no bother whatsoever.

But never bother a bear
, they say. I hoped no one would take issue with my dormant form and true nature. I was pretty much already heading into internal hibernation mode, so hopefully, no one got a whiff of me.

Immediately, I was struck by the scent of two other bear-shifters.

Shit!

It was one thing if I was dealing with a wolf, coyote, or a big cat even. But bears?! Not good… Not good at all.

I made my way to the desk of the deputy on duty behind the bullet-proof, glass partition and politely went about explaining why I was there and for who. While waiting, filling out paperwork, the two bears I’d scented, came out to talk with me.

The bigger of the two extended his hand and introduced himself as Officer Biggs. It fit him, he was indeed big. A big bear of a man. But kindly, I could sense it in him. Not aggressive unless he needed to be.

In our own way, we all acknowledged one another. Then introductions carried on. Once that was done, they explained what had happened. Before I could choke back a laugh, it came roaring out.

“She decked a guy? While swimming?! Because he called her a whale?”

“Yes, sir. It is sort of amusing, not that we endorse any type of physical assault, mind you, as a way to handle a disagreement or rude remark, but we can appreciate the humor in these situations.”

I was shaking my head back and forth, in disbelief. And a little bit of amused pride. “And this guy, he’s pressing charges?”

“Yes, otherwise – she wouldn’t be here and you wouldn’t need to post bail on her behalf.” Officer Biggs explained to me.

I hooked my thumbs into my jean belt loops, “Uh-huh. Got it.”

“Take it easy on her, she’s been a tearful mess pretty much the entire time. I believe she’s just embarrassed more than anything. But otherwise okay.” He shared.

I took a deep breath, “Indeed. I’m ready whenever you are.”

They led me to the holding area of the station and a few minutes later, she came walking through the exit door, escorted out by another deputy.

“You’re free to go, m’am. He’s posted your bail. Behave yourself.” He said to her.

She walked up to me, her eyes averted towards the floor.

“Thank you.”

It was all she said and it appeared it would be all that she’d say until we left the police station. We walked outside and to my
Jeep
in near silence. I opened the passenger door for her and although it was bad timing, appreciated the sweet curves of her ass in the yoga pants she was wearing.

Once I was on my side of the
Jeep
and turned on the engine to get some warmth going, I sat and waited a bit.

“You doing okay?” I asked gently.

She finally glanced at me, and with a somewhat sheepish grin, “I am, now,” she said.

I smiled and reached out and squeezed her knee in a comforting gesture. “Good. Wanna tell me about it?”

“No, not just yet. Let’s leave the parking lot. I feel bad just being here.” She squeaked out.

“Okay then, tell me where you live. Let’s get you home.” I said, doing my best to be calm, neutral and understanding.

She provided her address and some general instructions since I was new to the area. For the most part, we drove in silence and I hummed along to songs on shuffle, which I hoped didn’t bother her.

Once we were parked outside of her apartment building, I wasn’t entirely sure what to say or do exactly. So, we sat there a bit, my
Jeep
idling.

“Do you want me to come in?” I asked.

She answered straight-away, as if she’d wanted to ask me, but couldn’t. “Would you? I feel like I’ve already requested so much, made a huge inconvenience of your night and I just… I just…” she started to stammer, losing her nerve.

“It’s okay Cassidy, I’ll come in. I’d like that.”

It immediately put her at ease, “You would?” She asked, an earnest sweetness and some befuddling doubt was packed into that one simple question and remark. It hit me in the gut. She wasn’t sure of herself. Despite her charming personality and vivacious energy, she didn’t know where she stood with men. She was blind to it. Her effect on the male sex. It hit me like lightning, that realization.

“Yes, I would.” There was only one way to answer it and meet her doubt head on. As straightforward and as direct as possible. Plus reinforcement. “Very much so.”

She let out a relaxed sigh of relief and smiled, “Okay, let’s go in.”

With that, she hopped out of my
Jeep
and a glimpse of smile on her face made me feel better.

We made our way into the building, past the doorman who held the door for us and I stepped into one of the nicer apartment homes buildings that I’d ever been in. She did indeed, earn good money, apparently.

The ride up the elevator was quiet and I could sense that she was holding it all in, bottled inside and waiting to explain until she was in the comfort, safety and privacy of her home.

Once the elevator doors opened, she led me down the hallway to her apartment door and whirled around to face me, “No judgment, okay? I’m sort of messy and my maid service is coming tomorrow, so I’m guilty of not being the tidiest person in the world.”

“Okay, no judgment. Scout’s honor.” I said, holding up my hand with the scout’s honor hand symbol.

She giggled and then turned the key in the lock of the door, opening it so she could usher me inside.

It was true, she wasn’t the neatest woman in the world. But it was easy to tell that her place was regularly cleaned and it was nicely decorated. She put down her gym bag, slipped of her sneakers into a basket full of her other shoes, and motioned for me to sit down somewhere.

“Please, have a seat. Do you want something to drink? I’ve got it all. From water, milk and soda to wine and hard liquor. Just say it, it’s yours.”

“Sure, I’ll have a beer. Do you have beer?” I asked.

“I do, is a stout okay?”

“More than okay, sounds great.”

“Be right back,” she said and then whirled around again to head to her kitchen.

While she was in the kitchen, I absorbed and took in her place. It was homey, cozy and charming. I could tell that she wasn’t a snob or into the status lifestyle. Her place wasn’t a museum. There were bookshelves-a-plenty and I could see her office through a door that was halfway open. It was easy to assess where she spent most of her time as there were dishes all over the desk and other items strewn all over it too.

Quality art bedecked the walls, eclectic in range and taste. But all seemed to be personally picked out. So, she was a collector. There were lots of framed photos, clearly friends and family she cared about.

She returned and extended to me a chilled glass, full of stout, that had an admirable head of foam to it. “That looks like a tasty pour.” I said, accepting the cold beverage from her warm hands.

Her soft paws…

“Very tasty, I decided to go with your choice.” She said, her eyes flickering to another chilled glass full of stout that she was holding in her other hand.