I obeyed and they kept their guns firmly pointed at myself and Bill, while one of the officers untied Pat. The other kept his gun pointing at Bill, while speaking into a microphone to report back to the rest of the squad outside.
“Madam, please tell us who of these men were trying to harm you? We received a 911 about a hostage situation.”
“Bill,” Pat said with a cough and nodded in his direction.
“You,” the police officer said and pointed at me, “move away.”
I did as was told, and they handcuffed Bill and led him outside. Looking at the stunned expression on his face, I gathered he was finally sobering up.
“Is anyone injured? Paramedics are waiting outside.”
I looked at Pat and she shook her head.
“No,” I added. “I think Pat might be in shock though. The man who attacked her is her estranged husband.”
One of the police officers nodded.
“The paramedics will look her over and there will be a psychologist at the station.” He turned to Pat. “I’m sorry, Madam, but we will need to get to the station as soon as possible. Are you alright to walk?”
Pat nodded and let the officer help her up, before leading her outside. Before heading out, she turned to look at me and I could see the gratitude in her eyes. I could also see that she was too tired and shocked to talk, but her eyes said it all. I was so grateful that Shaun had told me a story that made me come here — otherwise, who knew what Bill could have done to her? If nothing else, he could have forced her into the car and driven off the road in a drunken stupor. I shivered. Yes, I was extremely grateful for my son’s big heart and how it’d influenced me.
