JENNIE

"You must be Jennie," the cop said.

I might have been mid-panic attack, but I kind of liked the way he said my name in a friendly drawl.

Lisa apparently did not like it because she was suddenly placing her muscled bulk directly in front of me, feet planted wide, arms crossed.

"I am," I said, peering around Lisa. The oaf didn't budge when I nudged her in the back.

The man looked back to Lisa, and whatever he saw there had him grinning.

"I'm chief of police around here, but you can call me V. It's real nice to meet you, Jennie. Sorry it's under these circumstances. Mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"Um. Okay," I said, suddenly wishing I would have taken a moment to wash my face and fix my hair. I probably looked like a deranged, zombie bridesmaid.

"Why don't we have ourselves a chat out in the parking lot," V said with a jerk of his head.

Eleanor's attention was back on the movie as she sipped lime green sugar.

"Sure." I followed him out and was surprised when Lisa joined us. She headed right over to V's SUV, which read Richmond Police down the side, and leaned belligerently against the hood.

"You're not necessary for this part," V told her.

Lisa bared her teeth. "You want me to leave, gonna have to make me."

"I'm sorry. She's been like this all morning," I explained to V.

"Honey, she's been like this her entire life," the chief countered.

It didn't hit me until they turned identical glares on each other. "You're siblings, aren't you?"

"No shit," Lisa grumbled.

"Sure are," V said, turning his full wattage grin on me. "I'm the good one."

"Just do your fucking job," Lisa said.

"Oh, now you want me to do my job. You can see how I'd be confused since—"

"Gentlemen," I cut in. This was going nowhere fast. I didn't have the energy to diffuse the tension between the siblings, and we had more important concerns. "I don't mean to overstep. But can we get to the part about my sister?" I suggested.

"I think that's a fine idea, Jennie," V said, winking as he pulled out a notebook.

Lisa growled.

"Let's get your statement, and then we'll figure out what needs to happen next."

A man with a plan and a smile. He was certainly more pleasant than his sister.

--

"You're saying I can just take possession of a human being?" I clarified a few minutes later. I really needed more coffee. My cognitive abilities were fading fast.

"Well, I wouldn't advise on referring to it as 'taking possession.' But in Virginia, kinship care is a way for kids to stay with a family member as guardian when they can't be with their own parents."

I might have been imagining it, but I thought I saw a guarded look pass between the siblings.

"So I would become Eleanor's guardian?"

Things were moving so fast. One second, I was getting ready to walk down the aisle. The next, I was suddenly in charge of deciding the future of an eleven-year-old stranger.

V swept a hand through his thick hair. "Temporarily. You're obviously a stable, healthy adult.

"What happens if I don't?" I hedged.

"Juvenile and Domestic Relations will place Eleanor in a foster home. If you've got no problems staying in town for a few weeks while we figure things out, the law's got no issue with Eleanor staying with you. If things work out, you can even make it permanent."

"Okay." I nervously wiped my hands on the back of my shorts. "What things are we going to be figuring out?" I asked.

"Mainly what your sister is up to and what that means for guardianship."

"I'm in big trouble. I need money, Jennie."

I bit my lip. "She called me last night. Said she needed help and wanted me to bring cash. Do you think she's in actual danger?"

"How about this? You focus on Eleanor and let me worry about your sister," V advised.

I appreciated the theory, but in my experience the only way to make sure a mess was cleaned to my satisfaction was to do the cleaning myself.

"Did you bring cash?" Lisa asked, her eyes on me.

I looked down at my feet, feeling stupid and embarrassed. I knew better.

"I did."

"She get it?"

I focused on V's face since it was friendlier. "I thought I was being smart. I had half of it in the car and left the other half in my suitcase."

V looked sympathetic. Lisa, on the other hand, grumbled something under her breath.

"Well, I guess I'd better get back in there and introduce myself properly to my niece," I said. "Please keep me posted."

"You're not staying here."

This proclamation came from Lisa.

I threw my hands up. "If my presence bothers you that much, why don't you take an extended vacation?"

If looks could boil blood, mine would have turned to magma.

"You're not staying here," she repeated. This time she pointed to the flimsy door with the busted lock.

Oh. That.

"I'm sure I can come up with a solution," I said brightly. "Chief—"

"Call me V," he insisted again.

Lisa looked like she wanted to shove her brother's head through the already damaged door.

"V," I said, turning up the charm. "Do you know where Eleanor and I could stay for a few nights?"

Lisa pulled out her phone and glowered at the screen as her thumbs moved aggressively over it.

"I could give you two a ride to Ruby's place. It's not exactly homey, but she's a lot less likely to break in and bust up her own stuff," he offered.

Lisa stowed her phone in her pocket. Her gaze fastened on me, and there was something smug about her expression that made me irrationally irritated.

"That is so nice of you. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help," I told V. "I'm sure Lisa has much better things to do than spend any more time in my vicinity."

"My pleasure," V insisted.

"I'll just pack up what's left of my things and tell Eleanor where we're going," I decided and started back to the room.

My relief at finally being free of the bad-tempered, tattooed Lisa was interrupted by a thunderous rumble.

A motorcycle with a man the size of a bear prior to hibernation rocketed down the street at a speed that was definitely not the legal speed limit.

"God damn that Harvey," V muttered.

"Guess you better go get 'em," Lisa said, still looking smug.

V jabbed a finger in his sister's direction. "You and me are gonna talk later," he promised, looking none too happy.

"Better hurry and uphold that law," Lisa said.

V turned back to me. "Jennie, sorry to leave you in a lurch. I'll be in touch."

V wiggled her fingers antagonistically as her brother hustled back to his SUV and took up pursuit with lights flashing.

Once again, I was left alone with Lisa. "You didn't have something to do with my nice, polite ride disappearing, did you?"

"Now why would I do that?"

"Well, it sure as hell isn't to spend more quality time with me."

"Come on, Daisy," she said. "Let's pack your shit. I'll take you and Ellie to Ruby's."

"I'd prefer if you kept your hands off my shit," I said haughtily. The effect was ruined by my unladylike yawn. I was running on fumes and only hoped I could hold on long enough to get away from the Viking before I crashed.