Page 99 of Held-

“Sheriff,” Joe begins, “my client should never have been arrested in the first place. The evidence clearly contradicts Mr. Kincaid's statement.”

Sheriff Miller leans back in his chair, the leather creaking beneath him. “The evidence I have is a sworn statement from Ethan Kincaid claiming he was assaulted.”

“And the evidence I have,” Joe counters, gesturing to my wrists, “is physical proof that Ms. Montgomery was the one being assaulted. Not to mention potential witnesses at Tony's who can testify to Mr. Kincaid's aggressive behavior prior to the incident.”

“Those marks could have happened during the struggle.”

“With all due respect, Sheriff, those are fingerprint bruises,” Joe retorts. “Look at the pattern—four distinct marks where fingers gripped, and a thumb print on the opposite side. These aren't random injuries from a struggle. They're consistent with someone forcibly restraining her wrists.”

I watch the sheriff's face as he processes this, seeing the conflict playing out behind his eyes. He's known me since I was a child, watched me grow up singing in my father's church choir. Now he has to decide if he believes I'm the kind of woman who would follow her ex-husband into a bathroom to assault him.

“There's something else you should consider,” Joe continues when the sheriff doesn't immediately respond. “My client is prepared to file sexual assault charges against Ethan Kincaid.”

The sheriff's eyebrows shoot up. “Sexual assault?” Sheriff Miller rubs his hand over his face, suddenly looking tired. “This complicates things.”

I barely hold back a bitter laugh. “Complicates things? A man with a history of emotional abuse cornered me in a bathroom and left bruises on me. What's complicated about that?”

“Cece,” Joe warns softly.

I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my anger. Getting emotional won't help my case, even if it's completely justified.

Sheriff Miller opens a folder on his desk, flipping through several pages before looking up at us again. “The problem is, we have conflicting stories and no witnesses to what actually happened in that bathroom.”

“Except Brayden,” I point out. “He saw Ethan with his hands on me.”

“Mr. Cole has a...complicated relationship with our department,” the sheriff says diplomatically. “His testimony might be viewed as biased, given your relationship.”

“So my word means nothing because I'm dating Brayden?” The injustice of it burns in my throat. “What about these?” I thrust my wrists forward again. “Do these mean nothing too?”

The sheriff shifts uncomfortably. “Those injuries are concerning, Ms. Montgomery. I'm not dismissing them.”

“Then why am I the one sitting here in handcuffs while Ethan walks free?”

Joe places a calming hand on my arm. “What my client means, Sheriff, is that there seems to be a double standard at play. Mr. Kincaid's statement was taken at face value, while hers is being dismissed without proper investigation. We're asking for the courtesy of due process.”

Sheriff Miller studies us for a long moment, then sighs heavily. “I'm going to level with you both. This situation is...politically delicate.”

“You mean because of Mayor Kincaid,” I say flatly.

The sheriff doesn't deny it. “The mayor is an influential man in this town.”

“And that trumps justice?” I can't keep the bitterness from my voice.

“No,” Sheriff Miller says, surprising me with his firmness. “It doesn't. But it does mean we need to be thorough. Careful.” He closes the folder and leans forward, clasping his hands on the desk. “Here's what I'm prepared to do. I'll release you on your own recognizance while we investigate both claims—yours and Mr. Kincaid's.”

Joe straightens beside me. “And the charges?”

“Pending,” the sheriff says. “Not dropped, but not formally filed either. We'll take statements from potential witnesses at Tony's, review any security footage if it exists, and have a medical professional document Ms. Montgomery's injuries.”

It's not a complete victory, but it's something. I feel a knot of tension loosen slightly in my chest.

“And what about Ethan?” I ask. “Will you be investigating my claims against him with the same...thoroughness?”

Sheriff Miller meets my gaze directly for the first time since I entered his office. “Yes, Ms. Montgomery. Your claims will be investigated with equal thoroughness.”

Something in his tone makes me believe him, despite everything. There's a weariness in his eyes that speaks of a man caught between duty and politics.

“Thank you,” I say, the words feeling inadequate but necessary.