Free Wildfire by Priscilla West

Chapter 1
     
    This can’t be happening. Today is not supposed to be like this. I am supposed to drive with Mark down to the courthouse to present evidence of Blake’s wrongdoing and sign the rejoinder. Today is supposed to be the day I get Lynx back. Instead, these two cops are here at my door, about to crush my hopes.
     
    “Wait. What?”  My mind reels as I feel the officer’s rough hands holding my wrists together and slipping the cutting hard plastic around them again. “I can’t be! I haven’t—”
     
    “You have the right to remain silent,” the second office reads off a card. “Anything you say can and will be used against you…”
     
    “Mark!” I scream as they begin to guide me into the hallway.
     
    “Officer, I’m Mark Stone,” Mark says rushing to the door. He’s trying to play it calm but the look of shock and fear is in his eyes. “Can I ask what’s going on?”
     
    “She’s being arrested, that’s what’s going on,” the first officer says brusquely as he blocks the door with an elbow, a polite but clear gesture that says wherever we are going, Mark is not coming with us.
     
    “If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you.” The second officer continues droning.
     
    “I can see that part, Officer,” Mark says clearly but with severe tone I’ve never heard from him before. “I am Miss Sharp’s legal contractor and I have the right to know why she is being arrested.”
     
    “Yes!” I gasp as he turns me toward the hall. I see the neighbor’s door crack open but I am far past humiliation at this point. “Tell him!”
     
    Mark’s natural authority wins the day and the policemen stop, momentarily, my progression to the elevator. The officer puts away his worn little Miranda card and opens a notebook. Both men seem to be standing straighter when addressing Mark. Having been over his lap for a stinging rebuke, I can attest it’s the wise thing to do.
     
    “Miss Julia Sharp is being arrested for New York Penal Code Violation 251.15, Criminal Contempt in the First Degree.”
     
    “But I’m not even going to court until this afternoon!” I blurt my mind solely on saving Lynx. “It’s not
    possible.”
     
    Mark stands silently trying to mentally work his way through the information. One of the many things I realize I love about him is the way he stays calm and strong, never wavering, always in control. I’m not sure if it is a learned discipline or an inborn talent but it’s amazing. It can’t be inborn though, because Blake certainly doesn’t…Oh My God…
     
    “Blake!” Mark and I exclaim at the same time having both mentally arrived at the answer.
     
    “Contempt of court is cited due to the violation of an order of protection issued to Mr. Blake Stone and the property known as Sandstone Ventures.” The officer continues reading.
     
    Damnit! That bullshit restraining order he filed against me after my first visit to his office finally comes back to bite me in the ass. Honestly, the pig had it coming to him, and despite the predicament I’m in now, I don’t regret slapping him across his greasy face.
     
    “But that’s not what happened!” I start, however, I feel the officer pushing me into walking down the hall away from Mark in the doorway.  Having dutifully satisfied Mark’s “right to know” the second officer accompanies the first in dragging me to the elevator.
     
    “Julia, I’ll call Paul Fries right now,” Mark calls down the hall, probably realizing that “legal contractor” isn’t really a position recognized by anyone and deciding to withdraw before the officers figure out they’ve been conned.
     
    “Forget me,” I shout quickly twisting around to call over my shoulder as the elevator doors open. “Save Lynx!”
     
    If they’re taking me downtown for booking, who knows how long it’ll take to get processed through the system? Maybe at least Mark can go to the courthouse and present our case that