He straightened his jacket.
“We can settle this.”
Bear picked up his phone.
“Yep.”
Ruby looked at the screen.
Grant's photograph filled it.
Police alert.
GRANT MERCER.
Beside it:
DALE RUSK.
Her own name appeared below.
Ruby stopped breathing.
Bear turned the phone toward her.
Quietly:
“I knew who they were when they walked in.”
Ruby stared.
“What?”
“I needed them to slow down.”
Grant saw the screen.
His face went pale.
“You.”
Bear looked at him.
“Me.”
The diner doors opened.
Officer Rachel Morales entered first.
Thirty-seven.
Brown hair pulled back.
Dark uniform.
Another officer followed.
Morales looked immediately at Grant.
Then Dale.
“Mr. Mercer.”
Grant raised both hands slightly.
“Officer, thank God.”
Morales stopped.
“Keep your hands visible.”
His smile faltered.
“Of course.”
Dale swore quietly.
Morales looked toward Ruby.
“Ruby Carter?”
Ruby nodded.
“Are you safe where you're standing?”
The question nearly broke her.
Not:
What's wrong with you?
Not:
Is this your stepfather?
Not:
Why did you run?
Safe where you're standing?
“Yes.”
“Do you want either of these men near you?”
“No.”
Grant interrupted.
“She is confused.”
Morales looked at him.
“Sir.”
He stopped.
“You will not speak over her.”
The diner went completely silent.
Ruby stared at the officer.
Morales continued.
“Ruby, do you want to remain behind the counter?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Then to Grant:
“Step away from the counter.”
Grant did not move.
“I have legal paperwork.”
“Step away.”
He complied.
Dale followed.
The second officer positioned himself near them.
No weapons drawn.
No shouting.
Morales looked at Bear.
“Mr. Callahan?”
Bear nodded.
“You contacted us?”
“Mack did.”
Mack raised one hand.
Morales nodded.
“Thank you.”
Grant laughed.
“This is unbelievable.”
Morales turned.
“What's unbelievable?”
“You've allowed strangers to interfere with a family matter.”
Morales looked toward Ruby.
Then back.
“There's an active protective order.”
Grant’s expression tightened.
“Temporary.”
“Still active.”
“I have filed an emergency petition.”
Morales extended her hand.
“Give it to me.”
Grant looked toward the paper Ruby held.
Ruby did not move.
Morales said:
“Ruby, may I see it?”
Ruby handed it to her.
Morales read the first page.
Then second.
“This is a filing.”
Grant said:
“Yes.”
“Not an order.”
“It will be.”
“Today it isn't.”
Bear looked at Ruby.
She remembered those exact words.
Grant said: