Christmas on My Mind Read Free Page B

mother had gone to work as the city librarian and managed to raise two children on her own. But now her health was failing. Last winter, after she’d suffered a bad fall, Ben had moved out of his apartment and back into the old family home to be with her. After all she’d sacrificed for him, it was the least he could do.
    So far, things seemed to be working out. His mother was glad to have him, and not needing to rent made it easier to keep up the monthly child support he paid to his ex-wife, Cheryl.
    It also gave his eight-year-old son, Ethan, a room of his own and a big yard to play in when he came to visit. In three weeks, when school was out, Ethan would be here for the holidays. For Ben, being with his boy was what made Christmas worth keeping.
    Turning into the county lot, he pulled the SUV into his reserved parking place and turned to his passenger. “You’re sure you want to do this.” By now it was no longer a question.
    â€œLet’s go.” Jess unfastened her seat belt, slipped his jacket off her shoulders and thrust it toward him. “I’m tempted to keep this lovely, warm thing, but you’d probably miss it. Thanks for the loan.”
    â€œAnytime.” Ben took the jacket, swung out of the driver’s seat and made it around the vehicle in time to help her out and escort her into the building. The double doors to the sheriff’s office and jail were only a few steps from the curb. The check-in counter, where they stopped, was just inside.
    â€œSam.” Ben spoke to the sixty-year-old deputy who had the shift. “This is Miss Ramsey. She’s here to see Francine. Is the lady up for visitors?”
    â€œI reckon so. She already ate her lunch and woke up from her nap.” Sam slid a clipboard across the counter toward Jess. “You’ll need to sign in and out, Miss. It’s policy. And you’ll have to leave your purse here.”
    â€œNo problem.” Jess picked up the attached ballpoint and wrote her name and the time. She seemed calm enough, but Ben couldn’t help but notice how her hand shook.
    â€œHave somebody bring Francine to the interrogation room,” he said, knowing it would be easier on both women to meet there, rather than see each other for the first time through the iron bars of a cell. “Oh, and don’t bother cuffing her,” he added. “She’ll be fine as she is.”
    â€œSure thing.” Sam pressed a button on the counter and relayed the request. Ben turned to Jess.
    â€œI’ll have to be there with you,” he said. “I won’t get involved unless you want me to, but I can’t leave you two alone. It’s policy.”
    Jess’s nervous chuckle sounded forced. “What’s the matter, are you afraid I’ll slip her a weapon?”
    â€œThat’s not funny, Jess. Come on. Let’s go back.”
    * * *
    He ushered Jess through a set of locking doors. A motherly looking woman wearing a khaki uniform and a deputy’s badge waited for them in the hall. “Raise your arms, please, Miss,” she said, and proceeded to pat Jess down for hidden weapons. Jess tried giving her a friendly smile. The woman didn’t smile back.
    Ben stood by, his expression unreadable. “Sorry, it’s procedure,” he said.
    â€œI know. It’s fine.” Jess could’ve mentioned that this wasn’t exactly her first rodeo. But the past was the past. She was a different person now.
    â€œShe’s in here.” The deputy nodded toward a closed door. “Buzz me when she’s ready to go back.” She disappeared down the hall.
    Ben paused outside the door. “Ready?” he asked.
    â€œHow much time will I have with her?” Jess could feel her pulse galloping.
    He shrugged. “That depends. For now, let’s say you can be with her till one of you calls it quits. Okay?”
    â€œOkay.” Jess got his meaning. If, after learning