The scary officer narrowed his gaze. “Who are you?” he cracked out.
“Arilyn Meadows. I’m the one who called.”
“How?” Gen whispered. “How did you know?”
“I came by to drop off the manual since I never got back into the office today. When I saw his car out front, I sensed trouble. I didn’t want to do anything by myself so I called the cops. But Wolfe beat them to it.” She stuck her nose in the air and sniffed like she smelled something bad. “I called in with an emergency and it took you forever to get here.” She glared at the cops. “I thought Verily would be better prepared. You’ve been quite disappointing.”
The beautiful one grinned. His partner grunted and looked annoyed. “You got a set of balls on you, lady. How about we get past the tea-and-cookies part of this and I get some answers?” He motioned toward Wolfe. “Don’t move, Rambo, got it?” Wolfe lifted his hands so they were in plain sight. “Let’s keep our distance and go one at a time. You. Tell me what happened.”
David spoke. “Genevieve and I went through a breakup, but we discussed getting back together. She called me this afternoon while I was at the hospital and asked me to come over. Wanted to talk. Said she was sorry about cheating with Wolfe—that guy.” He motioned to him. “Things were going well, got heated in a good way, and we were against the wall, kissing. Then this psycho roars in, grabs me, and starts beating the shit out of me.”
Gen grabbed Arilyn’s hand for strength. “Not true,” she said raggedly. “It’s a lie.”
Both officers studied David, then nodded. Beauty spoke. “Ma’am? What’s your side of it?”
She began shaking again. “David and I broke up. We were never getting back together. He called and said he’d bring some of my stuff over from his apartment. When he got here, I asked him where it was and he said it was in the car. Then he started getting verbally abusive, pushed me against the wall, and intended to . . . intended to . . . to—”
“Hurt her!” Arilyn finished. “Rape her. For goodness’ sake, Officers, do your job and arrest this man.”
Brute gave her a sharp look. Arilyn fell silent.
Beauty strolled forward and guided them toward the kitchen. “Ladies, why don’t you come over here. I can get more specific details on your story.”
Brute turned toward Wolfe. “And you? What’s your side in this?”
“Gen and I had plans for dinner at seven. I got here early. Saw his car. Heard her yelling when I was at the door, so I busted in and found him trying to assault her. I pulled him off and hit him.”
David shook his head. “You son of a bitch! You set me up! You have Gen so scared over your temper she’s afraid to tell you we’re back together. Why do you think I got a restraining order?”
Gen froze. “What?”
Brute gave Wolfe a look. “Is that true? Is there an order of protection out on your behalf?”
Wolfe’s jaw tightened. “I just found out about that today. He’s been manipulating this whole scene from the beginning.”
The cop muttered something under his breath. “I need to check this out. Let me call it in.”
Beauty looked at her with concern. “Ma’am, do you need to go to the hospital? Were you assaulted?”
Gen rubbed her hands up and down her arms for warmth. The room began to blur. “David threatened me. I’m not sure what would’ve happened if Wolfe hadn’t come in.”
David stabbed a finger through the air. “Do you realize my whole medical career can be destroyed by your lies? Hell, I can prove it. She called me on my private number. She’s the one who set up the whole encounter. Check her cell phone for proof.”
“No, no, you called me! Well, I mean, Sally called me and asked if I would . . .” She trailed off, the whole scenario suddenly making sick sense. “You told her to do it.” She pressed a trembling hand against her mouth. “You made me call you so it would be on record.”
“I’ve had enough. I want to press charges against him. I’m calling my lawyer right now. He’ll prove there’s a restraining order that he failed to obey. I want him in jail.”
“No!”
“I’m her witness!” Arilyn shouted. “We’re pressing our own charges.”
Brute raised his voice. “Everyone calm down now. No more speaking and stay separated.” He muttered something foul under his breath, communicated with his partner via psychic silent communication, and grabbed his radio. Beauty took some notes on her story in his pad, nodding as Arilyn faltered from her usual calm center and began babbling on her behalf.
Finally, Brute turned toward Wolfe. “I’ll have to ask you to come with me down to the station. There is a legal restriction against you being in the same vicinity, and proof of physical abuse.”
Wolfe nodded. The cop took out the cuffs.
“Oh my God, no. This is ridiculous—I’m coming with you,” Gen said shakily.
“That’s probably a good idea. I’d like all of you to come. We’ll take official statements there.”
David glared, his face full of dried blood. “I’ll drive myself. My lawyer will meet you downtown.”
Brute rolled his eyes. “We’re not downtown, sir. You’ll find us on Main Street. It’s actually uptown.”
Beauty looked amused. “I’ll take him in my car.”
Wolfe took a few steps toward Gen, but Brute grabbed his arms. “Not yet. I’d rather you not talk to her until we get everyone’s story.”