The look on her face told him it wasn’t good.
“Shit,” he muttered.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Katherine
KATHERINE WAS BARELY holding it together. The female police officer seemed kind and understanding, but no one was really listening to her. She’d told the same story at least twenty times, but Ben was still in the back of the car. Talia had called the manager who was on his way in. Katherine had a feeling that was going to be an unpleasant encounter as well.
“You’ve got a minute,” the female officer said.
“No way, I’m taking him in,” the male officer said, standing near the car where Ben was being held.
“Back off Jenkins, you heard the statements,” the female shot back.
“She can say whatever she wants. I walked in and saw this guy beating the shit out of the guy on the floor,” he replied, sneering at Katherine.
Katherine glared back at him. She was tired of explaining herself and knew it was futile.
The officer opened the door and stepped out of the way.
“I’m so sorry,” she blurted out, the second she saw him.
He smiled. “It’s okay. It’s all going to be okay.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s not. This is my fault. I never wanted you to get involved.”
“Hey, it isn’t your fault. It’s his fault. I would have done it for anyone. No man should hit a woman,” he growled.
“They took Tim to the hospital. He says you broke his nose,” she whispered.
“Is he going to be charged?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Shit. Don’t go home tonight, do you hear me?”
She nodded her head. “I won’t.”
“You can stay at my place,” he blurted out.
She smiled. “No way, not without you.”
He shrugged. “I’ll be out in no time.”
Her eyes were filled with tears. “I hate this.”
“I understand you want to leave and I get it, but please, wait until I get out. Stay with Talia.”
She nodded her head. “I’ll wait. I’ll stay with Talia tonight.”
“Good.”
“Time’s up,” the gruff male cop snarled.
“Call Rachel for me, please,” he said, having to shout as the door was being closed.
“I will,” she shouted back, happy to have something she could do for him.