Free Wish of the Heart by Malia Mallory

unbearable.
    Macie turned to Rylan. “It’s done.”
    “Now we wait.”

Chapter 12
    Macie bolted out of the police station. The detectives had no further information yet. At least, none that they would tell her. According to them, they were interviewing pertinent people and collecting records. They wouldn’t comment specifically as it could compromise the investigation. It would take time, but the evidence would eventually point to someone.
    It wasn’t the outcome Macie wanted. She was impatient. After all this time, more waiting seemed intolerable, but she knew Rylan would help her through it. He’d been nothing but supportive, and she hoped to show him exactly how much it meant to her.
    As she walked, Macie didn’t pay attention to her surroundings. Her shoulders were hunched, and her eyes focused on her feet. The other people on the street didn’t even register in her consciousness. They were just a colorless blur.
    Someone touched her shoulder and Macie swung around, startled to see a familiar face. “Rose? What are you doing here?”
    “I heard about Jerry.” Her voice was oddly flat.
    “What about him?” Macie asked.
    “The police questioned him. They’re asking questions again.” Her fingers fluttered in the air.
    “I imagine they’re probably going to talk to everyone.” Macie shook her head. “I’m sorry, Rose. I have to get going. I’m not really up for chatting right now.”
    “That’s unfortunate, because I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist.” Rose grabbed Macie’s arm so hard she left marks on the skin.
    Macie pulled away and stepped back. “What?” She rubbed her arm.
    Rose put her hand in her pocket and showed Macie the butt of a gun.
    “What’s going on?” Macie’s struggled to make sense of Rose’s actions.
    “This isn’t going any further. You’re not going to poke your nose into anything anymore. Everything was fine and then you had to stir it all up.” Rose’s free hand balled into a fist.
    “Wait. I don’t understand.” A heavy weight settled in Macie’s chest as a suspicion began to form.
    “What did you think would happen when you turned on the computer? You stupid bitch. The tracking software sent me an email immediately. I was the one who suggested installing the software for the whole department in the first place. Imagine my surprise when the attachment was a photo of you, snapped by the webcam.” Rose shook with the force of her anger.
    “Rose …” Macie held up her hands in a placating gesture.
    “You’re going to be quiet now. You’re going to do exactly what I say. Step to the street and hail a cab.” Rose gripped the gun inside her pocket, and Macie could see the outline of the barrel through the fabric.
    Macie moved to the edge of the sidewalk, raising her hand as the traffic passed by. In a moment, a cab available for hire pulled to the curb.
    Rose poked Macie in the arm with her finger. “Get in the cab. Don’t say a word. You wouldn’t want to be responsible for something happening to the driver, would you?”
    Shock rendered Macie mute. She opened the door and slid across the seat.
    Rose got in behind her and gave a Brooklyn address to the driver, keeping her hand in her pocket.
    Macie avoided looking at Rose and tried to quell her shaking. Gray dots danced in front of her and she inhaled deeply. Her hand reached for the door handle and then jerked back.
    Out of the corner of her eye, Macie could see Rose rocking slightly on the seat. She hummed softly to herself.
    Macie’s mind ran through the possibilities for escape. She could jump out when they were stopped at a light, but Macie believed Rose when she said she would hurt the driver. She’d been strangely intent.
    After a lengthy drive, the cabbie pulled up in front of an old brick warehouse. “Is this the right place, lady?” He showed impatience, likely annoyed that he wouldn’t find a fare back to the city in this neighborhood.
    Rose was startled out of her reverie and