the subject of the hearing this morning. The judge granted the injunction, and you are now in violation of it, which is why we brought you in.” He fixed his eyes on her. “Did you travel to New Mexico with the intention of terminating your pregnancy?”
A fizz of anger traveled through her. “I don’t see why that’s any of your business. Abortion is legal in this country, you know.”
“Ma’am, the judge also granted an injunction preventing you from seeking an abortion, which means that any attempt to do so would be in violation of the court order, and therefore a criminal offense.”
She gripped the table with both hands. She knew that Patrick was desperate, but she hadn’t anticipated that he would have sunk so low. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Am I to understand that you’ve terminated the pregnancy?”
She was silent. She wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing that she had failed.
He shook his head. “I’m not here to debate the morality of your actions,” he said, though it was crystal-clear from the look on his face that he had already made his judgment. “I’m here as an officer of the law, and in that capacity, I am informing you that you have violated at least one of the terms of the injunction, and therefore you have been arrested accordingly. You will spend the night here in Yoakum before being transferred to Lubbock, where you are scheduled to appear in court tomorrow morning. Do you have any questions?”
“Can I see my friend?”
He shook his head. “Visitors aren’t allowed until tomorrow morning.”
“What about a phone call? I’m entitled to a phone call, aren’t I?”
The lieutenant ran a hand across his stubble. “Phone’s down the hall. Make it quick, though. It’s lights-out in an hour.”
Sergeant Bakerson led her to a cubicle with a single pay phone at the end of the hallway. Through the double doors beyond, she could hear the faint din of the other prisoners. “Dinnertime,” he said, nodding toward the noise. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they save you a plate.”
“I’m not hungry.”
He tilted his head toward her. “You’re going to need your strength,” he said, more gently than she would have expected. “Anyway, here you go.” He gestured toward the phone. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
She held out a hand to stop him. “I—I want to call my friend, the one who followed us here.”
He hid a smile. “The one with the mouth.”
She nodded. “I don’t know her number off the top of my head. I know it’s a big thing to ask, but do you think there’s any chance you could give me the number for the pay phone in the lobby?”
He stared at her for a moment, then sighed. “Wait here.”
“Thank you!”
“Just don’t say anything to my boss,” he muttered as he disappeared down the hall. He came back a few minutes later holding a scrap of paper in his clenched fist. He pushed it toward her. “Make it quick,” he said. “You heard what Walker said about lights-out.”
“I will,” she said, unfolding the scrap of paper and punching the number on the keypad. “Thank you again. I really appreciate it.” The small kindness was enough to make her want to cry.
The officer shrugged. “For what it’s worth, I think what they’re doing to you is criminal. I hope that husband of yours gets what’s coming to him.”
“Me, too,” she said, gripping the phone tight in her fist. “Me, too.”
Yoakum County Jail, Plains, Texas—72 Miles from Lubbock
Cait ignored the pay phone that was ringing next to her head until the police officer who’d led Rebecca away poked his head around the door and motioned toward it. “It’s for you.”
She jumped off the plastic bench and lifted the receiver from the cradle. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Rebecca was trying her best to sound strong, but Cait could tell that she was scared. “They’re taking me to Lubbock tomorrow.”
“Is it”—she lowered her voice to a whisper—“is it about Adam?”
“No, it’s nothing to do with that. It’s my husband and his snake of a campaign manager.”
Cait was hit with a mixture of relief and confusion. “What are you talking about? How did Patrick manage to get you arrested? You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Tell that to the judge in Lubbock.” An official-sounding voice was shouting something in the background. “Listen,” Rebecca said hurriedly, “I don’t have much time. I need you to do me a favor.”