Her legs wobbled and she held onto the chair and sank heavily into it. Beck was on his phone, gesturing angrily. Alyssa knelt in front of her. “Are you okay, sweetie?”
Maryn was horribly cold and so alone without Tuck. “No, not really.”
“Let’s get out of here. Beck’s brother-in-law is going to find out where they’re taking him. You can visit him in a little while and we’ll figure all this out.”
“Thanks.” Maryn allowed Alyssa to pull her into a hug, but she couldn’t feel anything but the chill and the fear.
* * *
Tucker was afraid and the unfairness of the situation made him want to lash out. He strode between a circle of policemen and felt like he’d reverted to childhood. Misunderstood, accused of something he didn’t do so one of the other children in the house wouldn’t get a tongue-lashing or worse. He forced himself to stay straight and tall as cameras flashed around him. He really didn’t care where the paparazzi plastered his picture, but he didn’t want them to exploit Maryn.
Ah, Maryn. What must she be thinking? Did any part of her believe it might be true?
Murder? What in the world? The children he’d murdered in Afghanistan flashed before his eyes, but he knew he’d never be arrested for that. It was classified Army information and he had been under orders to do exactly what he did. Maybe this was his penance for following those orders so long ago.
“Who did they claim I murdered?” Tucker asked the redheaded policeman as they reached the car.
“Jaron Underwood.”
Tucker shook his head, the name didn’t sound at all familiar.
“And how?”
“You might want to wait and talk with your lawyer present.”
“I just want to know how.”
“Bar fight.”
Tucker arched an eyebrow. He didn’t visit bars and though he did enjoy his gym in Laguna Beach where he could spar with someone occasionally, he hadn’t been in a real fight since junior high school.
The policeman escorted him into the car. “Watch your head, sir.”
“Thank you,” he murmured. He leaned back against the stiff seat. He’d call Johnson with his one phone call and let him get the legal team here. This had to be some awful mistake. He almost smiled as he thought of how upset his PR team was going to be.
ChapterNineteen
Maryn waited hours with Alyssa and Beck in the stark waiting area of the Orange County Jail. They saw Johnson and Braxton for a few minutes, but they were working with the lawyers and police to try to get to the bottom of this.
Finally, they got news that she could talk to Tuck for a few minutes. Everything the officer said about arraignment and bail blew over her head as all she could think about was Tuck. At least they were allowing her to see him. Beck and Alyssa followed close behind. The officer escorted them down several halls and then into a room with an arrangement of tables and chairs. Beck and Alyssa waited in the hallway. Alyssa gave her an encouraging smile. Although she appreciated her friend’s support, Maryn couldn’t return the smile.
She sat in the chair the officer indicated and waited with hands clasped together to try to control the shaking. Tuck walked in wearing an orange jumpsuit, handcuffed and chained to shackes on his feet. It looked like he’d already been convicted and sentenced.
Maryn gulped and tried to plaster a smile on her face. “Oh, Tuck.”
The guard sat him across the table from her then stepped back. Tuck’s eyes swept over her. He blinked and looked down at his manacled hands. “I didn’t want you to see me like this.”
“Tuck.” She reached out a hand to him, but a warning look from the guard had her pulling it back. “You didn’t do this.”
“You sure?” He leaned closer and lowered his voice, “You’ve seen my temper. You know what I’ve done in the past.”
“Your temper?” She scoffed, glancing at the guard and officer who were talking and far enough away they couldn’t overhear. “You got upset when I intruded on your personal life and as I recall you didn’t even touch me or try to hurt me. And what you’ve done in the past is the Army’s fault, not yours.”
“I can’t help but wonder if this is penance for what I’ve done.”
“The Lord doesn’t work like that Tuck. He forgives and loves. You’ve done your penance, it’s time to move past that.”
He glanced at her with a wistful expression.