Page 57 of True North
JT called his agent with no guilt because it was only seven thirty in Los Angeles. Gary answered on the third ring. “Howlett? What’s going on.”
“A friend just got picked up by the cops. What do I do?”
“A friend,” Gary drawled.
“Fine, he’s my boyfriend,” JT said, because Mishawas, even if they had never talked about it. He stared through his windshield at the empty sidewalk in front of the restaurant where Misha had stood, his whole body tensed like a spring pulled to its fullest extent. He had thought for sure Misha was going to run.
“You’re dating a criminal? Fantastic. I thought we already had the talk about your poor life choices.”
“Gary,please.” JT took a deep breath and let it out slowly through his nose, trying to get a handle on his frustration. His hands trembled with adrenaline, jittering his phone against his cheek. “He’s not a criminal. I don’t know what’s going on. He just got out of work and the cops were here waiting for him.”
“Okay.” JT heard some rustling on Gary’s end. “Where are you?”
“Sitting in my car. I came to pick him up from work. When I saw the cops I just—I should have gone over there and, I don’t know. Donesomething, but—”
“I’m glad you didn’t. Staying in your car was the right move. We don’t need you getting into some kind of altercation with the police. Do you have any idea what they picked him up for?”
“Absolutely none.” JT rubbed the bridge of his nose. At the end of the day, there was a lot he didn’t know about Misha. He’d learned some tidbits here and there, but those were just minor details. Huge swathes of Misha’s life were entirely obscured to him. “He doesn’t speak great English. I’m afraid he’s going to say something that’ll get him in trouble.”
“Okay. I don’t want you going to the station yourself. Send someone else. Not Alex. I need an actual adult involved.”
JT rolled his eyes. “Noted.”
“I’ll send you the contact information for a lawyer. Get that to your boyfriend. He should say nothing to the police. Zero words. Get someone down there as soon as possible and make sure he knows to keep his mouth shut.”
“Okay.” JT hesitated. “He’s, uh. He’s living with me, so. Maybe they’d let him come home with me instead of keeping him there or, I don’t know, sending him to jail. I don’t know how any of this works except from, like. TV shows.”
“Living with you,” Gary muttered. “Christ. Okay, sure. I’d really rather you stay out of it altogether, but I can see that’s not going to happen. He’ll likely have a bail hearing tomorrow or the next day. Talk to the lawyer and see what they think, but I’d be fine with you swinging your dick around a little to see if they’ll release him to you.” He paused. “I know you’re always worried about this, but people aren’t going to jump to the assumption that you’re screwing him. Just act normal about it. He’s a friend, he’s a roommate. Nothing to see here.”
“Right. Okay.” JT exhaled hard. “I know who I can send to the station. Send me that lawyer’s number. I’ll call you tomorrow and give you an update.”
“Don’t do anything stupid. I know I give you a hard time, but I’ve seen you grow up a lot since you started in the league. I trust you to do the right thing in this situation. Be cautious and watch what you say to anyone but the lawyer. Good luck.”
“Thanks, Gary,” JT said, genuinely touched. Gary had cleaned up more than one of his messes, so Gary’s confidence in him meant a lot. “I’ll do my best. Talk to you tomorrow.”
After he hung up, he sent Misha a text message:Don’t say anything. I’m getting help.He didn’t know if Misha would still have his phone at this point, but it couldn’t hurt.
He sat in his dark truck for a minute, too scared and overwhelmed to take the next step. He had seen Misha look his way before he got in the patrol car, and he hoped Misha would understand why he hadn’t acted and forgive him. He hoped all of this was some terrible mixup, and Misha would be home in bed with him before the night was over.
He picked up his phone again and called Lenny.
* * *
Lenny was waiting for him in the small lot behind The Ursid, as he had promised. JT pulled up beside the dumpster and leaned over to crack open the passenger door. “Hey, Lenny,” he said as Lenny climbed into the truck. “Thanks for coming with me. I know the pub’s busy right now.”
Lenny made a dismissive gesture. “Marie’s got it. I’m glad you called me. Shifters are my job, too, eh? And Misha’s one of ours now.”
“Right. Well, I appreciate it.” JT backed out and turned down the alley toward Bruce Street. “My agent sent me a lawyer’s name and number when I was on my way over here. I forwarded you the text. Could you call her now and ask her to meet us at the station?”
“You got it.” Lenny shifted on the seat to pull his phone from his pocket.
JT tried to focus on driving and not get distracted by Lenny’s conversation. Misha was going to be fine. JT had resources and would bring all of them to bear on getting Misha released. And in the meantime, he thought Misha’s survival instincts were good enough to keep him from getting into any worse trouble than he was already in. He would be fine. He would be home with JT soon.
“All right,” Lenny said, hanging up. “She was still awake. She said she’ll be down there ASAP. I’m supposed to demand a translator if they haven’t gotten one for him already.”
“Good. Okay.” JT exhaled. “This is going to be fine.”
“It’s going to be fine,” Lenny agreed. “Believe me, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to bail someone out of jail.”