She lowered her lashes.“I have faith.”She rose from the couch and extended her fingers in his direction.“Let’s go to bed.I know it’s early, but we’re not accomplishing anything sitting here but making ourselves more exhausted.”
He grabbed her fingers, but stood without her assistance.They made their way up to bed and took their spots on either side of Bray.Five minutes later, Brick was snoring softly.
Natalie lay awake, Shelby’s face in her mind’s eye.
CHAPTER 26
Brick held tightto Natalie’s hand as they strode toward the police station.Déjà vu and maybe a little PTSD hit him as they made their way across the parking lot.Less than forty-eight hours ago, they’d been in a shoot-out on the ground they now traipsed.Just being in the place where Natalie had been ripped away from him was making pressure build against his temples.
All that mattered was that he had Natalie’s slim fingers in his hold.Two days ago, he’d thought that would never be possible again.They made their way inside, spoke to the same terse secretary as they had before, and waited in the chairs.
Natalie’s knee bounced.They’d dropped off Bray at Ellie’s, feeling a little less worried leaving him since Keetan was dead and his hooligans were behind bars.
“Natalie Shaw?”the secretary called.“Chief Wiebe is ready to see you.”
Brick stood at the same time as Natalie, and they made their way to the chief’s office.
He met them at the door and motioned to the chairs.“Glad to see you two are doing well.You look better than you did at the hospital.”
Brick grunted and Natalie murmured a thank-you.
“I guess I’ll cut to the chase.In case you had any more concerns regarding Keetan’s involvement with Club East, we can confirm those allegations.Club East was helpful in directing us to any other compromised officers—unfortunately for us, their compliance will help reduce their sentences.But I’m happy to have any corruption nailed in the coffin.”
“That’s good to hear,” Natalie said, her voice small.
“Of course, Keetan’s death is very disheartening.Aside from obvious reasons,” he said, looking at Natalie, “we really would’ve liked to ensure proper justice for what he did to you and your son.”He cleared his throat.“We also won’t have a testimony from him regarding Shelby.”
Natalie squirmed.Brick glanced at her face.The color she’d woken up with that morning had drained and her pallor reminded him of how she’d looked when he pulled her from the lake.Fiery protectiveness burned against his breastbone.“Surely you have everything you need already.He made false allegations—you know that, otherwise you wouldn’t have taken down the APB.”
Chief Wiebe shifted and looked away, appearing uncomfortable.If Brick were a betting man, he’d guess Arnie didn’t want that shit leaking to the top of the food chain.“We need to be thorough, Mr.Slater.You understand.”
“I understand you’ve got nothing to hold Natalie here.”
“Brick,” she hissed, giving his hand a tug.“Chief Wiebe, I just need to know where to go from here.Will an investigation be opened?Do I need a lawyer?As you can imagine, we’re trying to figure out so much already.I’d like to be prepared.I’d appreciate any advice or direction.”
“Well.”Chief Wiebe tugged at his collar.“I’m happy to tell you Shelby’s case has been closely looked at.The autopsy report revealed that the nature of her injury was accidental, due to how she struck her head.There’s no evidence to indicate otherwise.”He rubbed a spot above his ear.“That was the cause of death.Not an overdose.”
Brick’s throat dried up.Hope, raw and violent, rushed through him, but he chomped down on his questions so Natalie could take the reins.
Bewilderment clouded her eyes, but the deep frown in her forehead softened.“I-I don’t understand.What’s that mean?”
Chief Wiebe leaned forward to prop his elbows on his desk.“It means Shelby’s death was devastating and unfortunate for everyone involved.But it was an accident.You’re not responsible, nor are you going to be charged for any crimes.”
A breath whooshed out of Natalie.
Brick’s eyes misted as he watched her face crumple with relief.She let go of his fingers to cover her mouth with her hand.“Ohmigod.I—” She shook her head wildly.“I can’t believe this.”
Chief Wiebe extended his hand over the desk.Natalie took it.“Have a good life, Natalie.”Then he looked at Brick.“You too.You and Bray deserve a bright future, and I’m grateful to see you’re finally going to get it.”
Brick’s heart surged with joy.
“Thank you,” Natalie said, tears running down her cheeks.“Thank you so much.”
“Don’t thank me,” Chief Wiebe said firmly.“You’re innocent.”He dropped her fingers and opened his desk drawer.“I think I’ve got some stickers in here somewhere for Bray...”
***
“I can’t believethis.Holy shit.I can’t—” Natalie shook her head for the tenth time since leaving the chief’s office.
