Down Home and Deadly

cleared his throat. “I’m going to fix that. Take me to the police department.” And he clamped his lips shut.
    I glanced at him, wondering if he had a weapon hidden somewhere. Was he going to bust Lisa out of jail? When we arrived at the station, I pulled up to let him out , but he motioned sharply to the small parking lot next to the department , and I obediently pulled in.
    “Come on. Let’s go in,” he said gruffly.
    I frowned. What did he think I was going to do? Play Bonnie to his Clyde ?
    He glanced back at me. “I may need you to back me up. I’m not sure how this is going to go,” he muttered.
    I trailed him into the building.
    “I need to see Chief Conner immediately,” he barked to the young guy behind the desk. We were ushered into John’s office where John courteously offered us chairs.
    I sank into the ugly plastic chair, but Bob remained standing. He leaned over John’s desk, placing both hands flat on the surface.
    “John. I’m here to confess.”
    “What did you do, Bob? Let your business license expire?”
    “I’m serious. I killed that guy.”
    I was glad I was sitting down. John glanced my way with raised eyebrows. I held my arms out, palms up. I was just the driver.
    “Bob,” John said sternly , “ w hat you’re doing is a serious offense. You can’t present false information to a police officer. Why don’t you go on home and think this over some more?”
    “What you’re doing is illegal, too. I confessed to a serious crime. You have to question me.”
    “Fine. What were you doing the night of the crime?” John spoke in an official tone.
    “Drat it, John. I’m serious.” Bob glared at him. “I killed a man. I’m confessing to it. You have no choice but to lock me up.”
    “Bob, go on home. Your daughter is fine.” John patted him on the shoulder. “Things will look better in the morning.”
    Bob’s sudden lunge was so unexpected that John had no time to react. I leaped to my feet. Two officers rushed into the room in response to the shouts, or maybe to the noise the chair and desk made when Bob turned them over. They cuffed Bob a little roughly, but their chief was nursing a bruised eye, so I couldn’t blame them.
    “Jenna . . . ” Bob turned his head as they shoved him out of the room. “Go by and tell Wilma what happened.”
    Thanks a lot, boss.
    Wilma didn’t take it any better than I thought she would.
    “This is so crazy. First my child ; now my husband. What is John thinking? Bob could no more kill someone on purpose than I could.”
    “Um, Wilma, to be fair, Bob didn’t give him much choice. He sort of slugged John.”
    “ Oh my goodness. This is making Bob so crazy. He’s never hit anyone in his life. He was all about the ‘peace and love’ thing. What was he thinking?” She twisted the towel in her hands. “I have to do something. Let me see. What do I need to do?”
    “Why don’t you lie down?” I suggested. “I’ll get you a cold glass of water.”
    “Lie down?” She stared at me as if I’d suggested she leap off a cliff. “Why would I lie down? And I’m not thirsty, thanks. I need a plan.” She twisted the towel harder then stretched it out. She looked up at me as if she’d forgotten I was there. “Jenna, run along, honey. I’ve got things to do.”
    This family was in serious need of therapy. I left before I needed it, too , and headed back to the gym , where I spent the rest of my shift fielding questions about Bob from Gail and Dave.
    *****
    “This better be good,” I muttered. I hated being awakened by a ringing phone. My heart was in high gear and my brain wasn’t engaged. Never a good scenario.
    “Hello?”
    “Jenna?” A voice I didn’t recognize. I struggled to see caller ID, but my eyes were blurry from sleep. “I need your help.”
    “Who is this?”
    “Oh, sorry. This is John. Could you come to the station, please? I can send a car for you if you wish.”
    “I have a car, thanks.” This was a strange conversation, but I tried to be polite.
    “Did I wake you up?” John’s voice was tinged with amusement.
    “What time is it?”
    “Um, about 6:00 .” He sounded a little sheepish.
    “Then you woke me up.”
    “Sorry. I’ve got a little situation down here , and I thought you might help me handle it. I didn’t look at the clock until just now.”
    “I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” I rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
    I was only a couple of minutes late, and I knew I looked