Marsha Russo accompanied me as we made our way to the so-called Tombs, the makeshift jail that had been hastily constructed in the basement of the Town Hall building.
“You sure you want to do this?”
“Positive.”
“The paperwork hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Yeah, but it will. I attended the meeting where it was determined. I can see no earthly reason to keep her imprisoned for even one minute longer.”
“Even if it looks bad on your record.”
I stopped walking and stared at her. “I have no interest in whether this event has an impact on my record. If anyone were to use it as a chance to impugn me or my integrity, then so be it. It’s already on my head that she was imprisoned in the first place.”
“Actually,” Marsha said, “it’s on mine.”
“Whatever. I challenge anyone to say or do something about it.”
“Sir Galahad.”
“I’m not kidding around, Marsha.”
“I know that, Buddy. I really do. I’m trying to find some light-hearted way of thanking you.”
“Not necessary.”
“Thank you, just the same.”
I smiled as we stepped into the makeshift jail. Kimber was lying on the cot reading when we showed up. She looked at us.
“You might want to think about packing,” I said.
“What?”
“You’re out, Kimber. Get your stuff.”
“You’re kidding?”
“He’s not,” Marsha said.
Kimber stood and began putting her few belongings into the cotton duffel that Marsha handed her. I unlocked the cage and stood aside. Kimber slowly approached. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know how I’ll get home.”
“Sheriff Steel, here, is planning on driving you,” Marsha told her.”
She looked at me. “That’s not necessary, Buddy. I’ll Uber.”
I pointed to the duffel. “Is that everything?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s get out of here.”
“I meant it when I said an Uber would be fine.”
“I know. My car’s parked behind the building. No one will see us leave.”
Marsha picked up the duffel. When we reached the rear door, she peered outside. “It’s clear.”
I hurried to my cruiser and climbed in. Marsha helped Kimber into the passenger side and once she was settled, tapped the roof of the cruiser twice. After making certain she was belted, I fired up the engine and headed out.
Kimber sat silently beside me, watching the landscape slide by as if for the first time. “It changes you.”
“Jail?”
“Yes. I wonder if I’ll ever see things the same way again.”
“Which may be a good thing.”
She turned to me. “Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“Helping me. Getting me fresh clothing. Driving me home.”
“This was all my bad.”
“How so?”
“You were never warned.”
“I should have known.”
“Twenty-twenty,” I said.
“Hindsight?”
“Yes.”
“You still didn’t have to do it.”
“Is there any chance we could put this behind us?”
She smiled. “You’re very sweet.”
“What I really am is cynical and cranky.”
“You don’t fool me, Buddy. I owe you for this.”
“How ’bout we call it even?”
“I’ll think about it.”
I turned into the circular driveway of the small Colonial she had lived in with her husband and pulled to a stop at the front door.
I collected her duffel and helped her out of the cruiser. She unlocked the door and together we went inside. She appeared jittery and uncertain. “Would you mind staying for a few minutes?”
“Spooky?”
“That’s not the half of it.”
I accompanied her as she walked slowly through each of the rooms, stopping occasionally to examine things. Finally we made it to the kitchen where she pulled out one of the chairs at the small Formica table and sat. She looked around as if in search of something.
“Can I get you anything?”
She focused her gaze on me and nodded. “Whiskey?”
“There’s an idea.”
I picked up the bottle of Jack Daniel’s that stood on the counter beside several other bottles.
“Straight?”
“Definitely.”
I poured us each a shot and placed one in front of her. She downed it in a single gulp. She coughed a couple of times. Then she sighed. “This is easily the best-tasting drink I’ve ever had.”
She held out her glass for a refill. This time she took only a sip. “I have no idea what I’m going to do.”
“Are you in a rush to decide?”
“No. Not really. I’d certainly like to know why someone killed him. It totally creeped me out. I understand I’ll have to start over again, likely somewhere new, but I’m clueless as to where.”
She retreated into her thoughts for a while. Her uncertainty was affecting. Her vulnerability made me want to take her in my arms and hold her. Show her that everything was all right. Which would have been a grave error.
She surfaced from her reverie and gazed at me. “I’m okay now, Buddy.”
She walked me to the door. “I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me.”
She put her arms around my neck and held tight to me. Her body shook as she briefly sobbed. Then, with her arms still around my neck, she leaned back and stared at me through red-rimmed eyes. Then she let go and pulled back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Her embrace had taken me by surprise which must have shown on my face.
She quickly opened the door and I stepped outside. I looked back at her.
She smiled briefly and gently closed the door.
I stood rooted to the spot for several moments.
“That was a close call,” I mused.
Then I snapped out of it and headed for my cruiser.