Free The Border Part Four by Amy Cross Page A

Jack said after a moment.
    Ben turned to him. “What is?”
    “I told Alex about you being seen with Hayley. I had to. It’s relevant.”
    “You…” Ben paused, as a sense of horror began to spread across his face. “You did what?”
    “It’s the truth, isn’t it?”
    “You went to the police and told them I was with the girl before she was murdered?”
    “I did. Because you were.”
    Ben stared at him for a moment.
    “Benjamin Freeman,” Alex said, making his way over to the booth, “I need you to come with me to the station to answer a few questions.”
    Ben kept his eyes fixed on Jack.
    “This is for the best,” Jack told him. “It’s time to cut the crap and just focus on getting you the help you desperately need.” He waited for a reply, as the anger grew in Ben’s eyes. “You admitted it, for Christ’s sake!” he hissed. “You came up to me earlier and you told me you’d murdered a girl! Those were the exact words you used!”
    Ben swallowed hard. “That was a joke.”
    “Was it?”
    “Ben,” Alex continued, “I need you to come with me. I’ve learned some information about your movements today, and I need to talk to you in connection with a very serious crime.”
    Ben paused, before turning to look up at him. “Am I under arrest?”
    “Not at this time.”
    “So I don’t have to come with you.”
    “I’m afraid you do.”
    “Not if -”
    “Please try to make this easy,” Alex continued. “You’re not under arrest at the moment, because I’m hoping you’ll come voluntarily, but if that’s not the case…” He paused. “If you’ve got nothing to hide, I don’t see why you won’t just come to the station with me for an overdue chat.”
    “Overdue?” Ben paused for a moment, before taking a long, slow sip from his beer. Finally, he set the glass down and grabbed his jacket. “I think I’m going home,” he added, slipping past Alex and heading to the door. “You guys have fun with your amateur sleuthing. And Jack, I tried, I really -”
    “Don’t make me do this,” Alex said, following him.
    “Do what? Make an ass of yourself? You’re -”
    “Benjamin Freeman, you’re under arrest on suspicion -”
    “Based on what?” Ben snarled, turning to him. “The half-cut ramblings of my dense brother? Or does this go back to my father and the time he marched me down to the station?”
    “Ben -” Jack began.
    “Let’s do this in a more appropriate setting,” Alex said firmly, putting a hand on Ben’s shoulder.
    “Don’t touch me,” Ben hissed, pushing him away before stepping back over to Jack. “Don’t ever touch me. What the hell do you -”
    Before he could finish, he was slammed forward by Alex, landing hard against the table and knocking both beer glasses over. He tried to get up, but Alex already had a pair of handcuffs around one of his wrists and he quickly finished the job.
    “Don’t hurt him,” Jack said, unable to match Ben’s angry stare.
    “I’ll read you your rights along the way,” Alex continued, pulling Ben back and starting to lead him to the door. “All the lawyer stuff, we can arrange down at the station.”
    “It’s for your own good,” Jack called after them as they headed out the door. He waited for a response. “Ben! I’m doing this to help you!”
    He waited, but the door swung shut, leaving him sitting alone.
    “I’m your brother,” he sighed, leaning back and taking a deep breath. “I’m just trying to help you.”

Epilogue
     
    Nine years ago
     
    “Oh yeah,” Jane laughed, landing on top of Jack as they fell onto the bed. “Kids asleep, phones off, weekend ahead. A handsome man to kiss. Could life get any better?”
    “What the Border?” he asked.
    She paused, staring down at him with a hint of shock in her eyes. “What’s… what?” she replied finally.
    “The Border,” he continued, with a faint smile. “You were talking about it last night in your sleep.”
    “I was?”
    “You kept saying