logo that Molly didn’t recognize.
“How ya doing, Amber?”
Amber shook her head, looking down at the floor.
“He was going to make me go back to my father,” she said.
“Who was?”
“My boyfriend,” Amber said.
“And your boyfriend is?” Molly said.
Amber shook her head.
“Where is your father?” Molly said.
“Florida.”
“Why was your boyfriend going to make you go back?” Molly said.
“My father paid him,” Amber said.
“And what are you doing here?” Molly said.
“I ran away.”
“And you called Crow,” Molly said.
“He said he wouldn’t make me go back,” Amber said.
Molly looked at Crow again. Crow shrugged.
“So,” Molly said to both of them, “what do you need from me?”
Amber continued to look at the floor. She shook her head and didn’t speak.
“Stone around?” Crow said.
“He’s not here at the moment,” Molly said. “You’re welcome to wait.”
“Can I talk with you while I’m waiting?” Crow said.
“Sure.”
“What about her?” Crow said.
“We can put her in a cell,” Molly said.
“I don’t want to be in jail,” Amber said softly to the floor.
“Just a guest,” Molly said. “Cell won’t be locked. You can lie down, take a nap, if you wish.”
Amber didn’t say anything.
“You’ll be safe there,” Molly said. “Until we figure out a better arrangement.”
Amber nodded faintly.
“We’re going to keep you safe,” Molly said. “I promise you.”
“Take the cell,” Crow said to Amber.
Amber said, “Okay.”
Molly walked her back to the little cell block in the back of the station. There were four cells, all empty. The last one had a curtain made from a blanket that could be pulled across the door.
“This is where we usually put women,” Molly said. “Give you a little privacy.”
