Stef and Lena looked up in the waiting room. John and Jude had arrived at the station, where they were waiting for Stef to be interviewed about the robbery. They leapt out of the chairs and threw themselves on John, relieved that he was finally out of jail.
"How are you, Love?" Stef asked.
"I'm fine, are you all right?" asked John, looking at his Mom with concern in his eyes.
Stef nodded. "The robber wasn't able to do anything before Mike shot him. He flinched at us like he was going to shoot us, but Mike reacted faster. I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't acted."
"Don't think about it, my love," said Lena, rubbing Stef on the back. "That's not something we should even consider." She turned to John. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm OK, Mama, I'm just glad to be out of there," said John. "How's everyone else?"
"They're all at home," Lena said. "We told them to wait there while Mom and Mike are questioned about the robbery."
"But you're still worried," John said with a knowing voice. Stef and Lena nodded. "I am, too. I've seen how these officer-involved shootings have gone lately. That's why I called Kelbert and told him to meet us here as soon as he could."
As if on cue, the entrance to the station opened, and Kelbert came walking in, dressed haphazardly. He rushed over to the family.
"What happened?" asked Kelbert.
"A robber tried to pull a fast one on Mike and I," said Stef. "Mike shot him before he could try anything."
"Anything about this shooting not as it should be?" Kelbert asked in a knowing tone.
"Not at all," said Stef. "We entered and told him to drop the gun. He looked like he was going to drop the gun before he turned it toward us and Mike shot him. He died instantly."
Kelbert nodded. "Then we should be OK," he said. "This should be pretty open and shut. Still, it can't hurt to have a lawyer in the room. Does Mike have a delegate?"
"Yeah, one is in there with him now," Stef said. "They said they will be in the room when internal affairs questions me."
"They won't be needed any more," Kelbert said. "I'll take you and Mike on as clients, in case this goes any further." He turned to John. "You were smart in calling me. I know Mike is a good cop, but with everything that's happened lately with officer-involved shootings, this could go any way."
John nodded at him. "Just take care of him for me," he said.
With that Kelbert turned and left the waiting room, heading toward an interrogation room to represent Mike. The rest of the family sat down together, waiting for Stef to be called in for questioning.
John turned to Jude once they were situated.
"How have you been?" John asked quietly.
"It's been tough without you, John," said Jude. "I've missed you. We all have."
John nodded. "I missed all of you, too. I can't wait to get back home and sleep in my home for a change. How's Connor?"
"He's good. He's out of town with his dad at the moment, but he texted me to tell you hello once you were out."
"I appreciate that," John said with a smile. He threw an arm around Jude. "Everything should be OK now," he added, though with Mike and Stef both being questioned, he knew they could be in for a fight.