Page 112 of Bombshell

“They did. How couldn’t they with all that glaring evidence?” I point out sarcastically. “I suppose I didn’t learn my lesson. A bag of my clothes—what was I thinking?”

“Arrest her!” Ginny screams. “You heard her admit to it.”

I turn to the police officers, ignoring the panicked look on Sterling’s face. “Why would I come back with her?”

“Because we caught you! You couldn’t get away, so you’re going to try to make it look like it’s a misunderstanding.” Ginny stomps towards us, and Ellie shrinks in my arms as if to make herself invisible.

A female officer’s eyes narrow, noticing this. She turns her studious gaze on me. It takes me a second to realize I know her, but I place her immediately.

“History’s been known to repeat itself,” she says so quietly that only I can hear her.

“Maybe history repeats itself to give us a second chance to do the right thing,” I say.

“It doesn’t add up,” the officer says loudly. Her colleague rolls his eyes, hitching his thumbs on his belt.

“Jami,” he says, his tone ripe with condescension, “this is Malcolm MacLaine. You know who he is.”

“Oh, I know. So does the chief and everyone else.” Her lips purse as she shakes her head.

“So, we should probably let them sort this out. It seems to be a family matter,” he says carefully.

“No!” The word spills from both me and Ginny at once.

“You know who we are,” Ginny continues, pointing her nose in the air. “I’m pressing charges. She doesn’t even live here anymore. She came to my daughter’s dance studio today and threatened me. I’m not safe.” With each word, she trembles more like she’s working herself up.

“I think they’re right,” Malcolm says gently. “We don’t want this to get ugly.”

By ugly he means that he doesn’t want this leaking to the press, affecting his campaign prospects, doing more damage to our floundering family fortunes.

“It’s going to get ugly, MacLaine,” Sterling says, finally speaking. “You know that.”

“I’m sure something can be arranged,” he says with a dismissive wave.

“No, some things in life can’t be bought and sold. You’d know that if you were a—”

“And you’re an expert?” Malcolm interrupts with a sneer that carves his face like a jack-o-lantern.

“No one cares that she was just going to make off with our child in the middle of the night?” Ginny stomps a foot. “There is nothing to work out as a family. She might as well be dead to us. Now give me back…”

“No!” Ellie shrieks, clawing at my shoulders as Ginny tries to take her away from me.

“Stop,” I beg Ginny as she tugs relentlessly. I finally release Ellie, scared she’ll be hurt.

“I don’t want to go with you!” Ellie yells. “You said if I was good and I stayed put, I could go with Auntie Dair when she found me. I want to go with her.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, darling,” Ginny says quickly. “You were waiting for Aunt Adair, right? She said she was going to come and get you.”

“You said it.” Ellie shakes her head, her jaw jutting out. “You said when Auntie Dair found me, I would go with her, and to give her the bag, but I could only go if I kept it a secret and stayed quiet as a mouse.”

“You unbelievable bitch,” Sterling says under his breath. Ellie’s eyes widen at the use of no-words, but before she can correct him, Jami holds out her arms.

“I think I should have a little talk with Ellie.” She looks at me. “If that’s okay with you?”

I nod, swallowing at the raw lump that forms when she asks me. Not Ginny. Not Malcolm. Me. Maybe it won’t change anything. But it means everything in this moment.

“I do not consent,” Ginny starts.

“Virginia,” Malcolm cuts her off through gritted teeth. “Do as the officer requests.”