Page 77 of Jagger
“Mr. Morgan, I believe this is a clear case of self-defense, and I’ll be stating that in my report. The gun is registered, and you have a permit to carry it, so as long as the ballistics and fingerprints check out on both guns fired today, this won’t go any further.
He thanked me for cooperating with their investigation and told me he hoped Molly would make a speedy recovery. As I stood up to leave, I realized there was one question I hadn’t asked.
“Can you tell me how Monica Laskey got out of jail? I was told she couldn’t afford to post bail.”
“She couldn’t, but apparently after her husband was killed, her mother-in-law posted bail for her so she could attend the funeral.”
We walked out of the interrogation room, and I found Randy and King waiting for me in the hallway.
“How’s Molly?” I asked my dad, and he assured me she would be fine.
“Rome and Abby are with her, and she knows you’ll be there soon. The doctor ruled out a concussion, but she’s going to need a few stitches before they send her home.”
My body sagged in relief, and he reached over and pulled me into a hug the likes of which I hadn’t had from him since I was about twelve or so. He pulled back and gripped my shoulders, looking me in the eye.
“AreyouOK, son?”
“I’ll be fine, as long as I don’t end up behind bars I guess,” I joked, eyeing Randy, who shook his head.
“Everything’s going to be fine, Jagger. I can guarantee there won’t be any charges filed. This case couldn’t be any more clear-cut.” I thanked him for his help, and he told me to wish Molly well, before he returned to his office.
Brick’s uncle left at the same time, telling King he’d send the bill to the clubhouse like always. King and I headed down the stairs, and he waited until we were almost to his car before he said anything else.
“Are you sure you’re OK?” He asked again, and I nodded. “You had to kill someone today, Jag. Even though it was legally justified, and God knows she deserved it, that’s still a lot to process.”
“I’m not sure what it says about me, but I don’t feel guilty at all, Dad. Not one damned bit.”
He nodded, satisfied with my answer.
“Good, you shouldn’t. Now, let’s get you to the hospital. I know Molly’s anxious to see you.”
Chapter 25
Molly
I had been poked, prodded, and scanned until I was ready to scream before the doctor finally declared that I did not have a concussion and would merely need a few stitches to close the wound on my temple.
The emergency department was busy, and it seemed like it took forever for the nurse to come back to stitch me up. Rome and Abby had shown up in the meantime, and I was relieved to hear that King was with Cole sorting things out at the police station.
“He just has to give a formal statement, and they will send him home. They’ll keep his gun for now to run ballistics, just to make sure they’ve covered their bases, but it was a clear case of self-defense, according to my dad,” Abby assured me.
Cole arrived at the hospital while I was awaiting my discharge papers. He burst into the small exam room we were waiting in, his eyes roving over me, lingering on the white gauze dressing the nurse had taped over my stitches.
I held out my arms and Cole lurched forward, enveloping me in his hold. I breathed in the calming combination of sandalwood and leather that I loved so much, and instantly felt better. I vaguely registered Rome say that they were going to wait for us outside, as I stared into Cole’s beautiful brown eyes, which were brimming with tears.
“I love you so damned much, Angel. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Ask me, Cole,” I said softly.
He looked at me in confusion, and I smiled.
“It’ssomeday,Cole. Ask me, and I promise I’ll say yes.”
???
Epilogue – Six Months Later…
(Please note: This epilogue may contain hints for the future books in the series.)
