“You’re not scared, are you,Shiloh?”
“Shut up, Taryn. I’m not scared ofanything.”
Hold on tight, and enjoy your ride on TheRainbow…
“You havethe right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided foryou…”
I don’t remember turning around. I don’t remember the handcuffs clicking into place. I don’t remember being turned around or being guided toward the squad car. But I do remember the moment I made the decision to beat karma to thepunch.
“Wait!” Frankie yells, pulling me out of my haze. “This is crazy! You’ve got it all wrong. That bag, it’snot…”
“Frankie!” My tone is sharp. “It’s over, all right? It was stupid to bringit.”
“But…”
“Whatever. Shithappens.”
I’m being arrested for the second time in my life, but it’s the first time I’m innocent. The drugs aren’t mine, but I know they’re not Frankie’s either. I’ve gotten to know him well enough to be certain that not only would he never bring drugs into a SARA meeting, he’d never allow me to carrythem.
This has nothing to do with Frankie, but it has everything to do with his future if I point the finger at him. If I admit that backpack is his, his life will be over. They’ll dig up his juvie past and resurrect his auto theft and possession charges. They won’t see the good he’s done for the community or the upstanding citizen he’s become. All they’ll see is a poor hood with tattoos and he’ll loseeverything.
I won’t ruin two men’s lives in onelifetime.
Holding Frankie’s eyes, I nod to where I’d dropped my phone during my arrest. “Call Malcolm to come get you, and then call my mother. Whatever you do, don’t callCary.”
Frankie presses his hands to the side of his head and shakes it in disbelief. “This is insane! What the hell do you think you’redoing?”
As the heavier cop opens the door to the squad car, I glance over my shoulder and manage a weak smile. “Paying for mysins.”
* * *
Iglare at the officer.“Don’t I get my one phonecall?”
I’ve been booked before, so I kind of went into autopilot during the whole process. However, if there’s one thing I learned during my time with Los Angeles County’s finest, it’s that everyone gets a phone call. Even spoiled richbitches.
The sneer he gives me curls his lip. “Who you gonna call?Daddy?”
“Cute, but no. I was thinking more along the lines of my defense attorney.” I don’t think he expected such a blasé response because his face turns the color of Bianca’s after she’s drained a bottle ofcabernet.
“You have fiveminutes.”
During the trial, I had to dial Barry’s toll-free number so many times, I memorized it. Now, it’s the one time a lack of technology has saved my ass. It takes three rings for him to pickup.
“BarryBroderick.”
“I need you to pull another Hail Mary out of yourass.”
“Who isthis?”
“Beyoncé,” I growl. “Who the hell do youthink?”
“You’re not a caller, Shiloh,” he says, slightly amused with himself. “You’re a texter. What’sup?”
I curl the phone cord around my finger. “Nothing much. Made up with Bianca. Got locked in a closet. Oh, and I just got arrested for felony possession with intent todistribute.”
“What thehell?”
I wince at his tone. “It wasn’t mine. There’s been a mistake, and you need to get me out of here.Now.”
