Then, she turned her attention to the cruiser carrying Baird as it pulled off down the driveway. “Do what you need to do, Mr. Richmond. Just don’t go anywhere, okay?”
Bob gave her a genial thumbs-up… and even that felt bad in the circumstances.
54
Dawn Ellis sat in the otherwise empty public waiting area at the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility and played with her thumbs. She’d been there for nearly an hour, and, beyond a cursory “We’ll be with you shortly,” from the counter clerk, had no idea what was going on.
Finally, the same clerk reappeared at the counter.
“Ma’am…” Dawn asked, waving a hand to get her attention.
“We’ll be with you—”
“Shortly, uh huh. I did understand you when you said that an hour ago, ma’am. Will someone please tell me what in the heck is going on?”
The woman looked puzzled. “You mean you don’t know? We assumed that was why you were here.”
“Because of…”
“Your dependent.”
“My friend,” she said. “He’s nearly nineteen.”
“Be that as it may, he describes you in his file as his stepmother. Is that correct? You’re his next of kin?”
She felt a chill rush through her. “Next of kin?”
The woman recognized her fear and raised both hands. “Oh, Land sake’s, no! Nothing bad. He’s getting out today.”
The fear subsided to a wave of relief, her head slumping slightly as she exhaled deeply, a hand raised to her beating heart. “Oh… thank you, Lord,” she whispered. Then, louder, “He is?”
“Marcus Pell, correct? Charges against him were dropped his morning. You’re lucky; it can take twelve hours or more to get this all done, typically. Figured you were here to pick him up.”
“I… guess I am.”
“Well, you just wait a few more minutes and he should be making an appearance.”
She felt stunned, elated, as if the world weighed a little less. “Thank you.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.
The clerk’s expression was measured, as if she’d heard it before. “Well, you are most welcome, dear.”
She’d worried about him so much, not just after the arrest but even before that. She’d worried every minute, she figured, since he’d left Chicago. It hadn’t been fair, because Marcus was kind, and smart. But then something terrible had happened anyway. And then something proper and fine had happened, because…
Bob.
It had to be. He’d gone silent, but then two days later, Marcus was being released. He’d done something, somehow.
He always did.
She looked up. Thank you for looking out for him, Lord. I know he says he doesn’t believe in you, but he’s a good man.
The tears came out of nowhere, gently rolling down both cheeks, the relief washing through her. She felt the guilt again, then, just for a moment, her mind drifting to her late son, Maurice, and the life he’d never have.
But I couldn’t have saved him. I tried my best, son, I really did. It was the first time the thought had occurred and truly felt accurate. Maurice’s death had been meaningless, because he was a good boy caught up in someone else’s violence. And there was nothing, Dawn Marie, nothing that could have prevented that.
She looked up again to the Heavens. I hope you understand that, son. I hope…
I know you know how loved you were.
A buzzer sounded to her left and she turned to see the barred gate by the front desk swinging open. Marcus was in his civilian clothing, grinning as the sight of her.
They ran toward each other, the hug held for full value, Dawn intent on never really letting go.
They were halfway to the car when his voice behind them caught Dawn by surprise.
“You two look fit and rested.”
They both turned. “BOB!” Dawn practically yelled. She threw her arms around him.
Bob hugged her right back. “I’d get mad at you for being here, but your timing has never been better,” he said, ignoring the screaming pain in his ribs. He held out a hand and Marcus shook it. “Young man. You look none the worse for wear.”
Marcus shook, but his expression was considerably more concerned. “You… don’t. Brutal! What happened to your eye?”
Bob raised his left hand to self-consciously feel the swelling. “Yeah… I went a few rounds with an angry redneck. I imagine it looks worse than it feels.”
“Are you all right?” Dawn said. “You flinched a little when I hugged you.”
“A few minor bumps and bruises,” Bob lied.
