“Wow,” Becky said again and then she was gone.
Next day Rock drove to Becky’s house, parked his car out front and rang the doorbell. Same response. Dana did not wish to see him. He didn’t make a scene, just shrugged and walked back to his car where he sat listening to music. He knew Dana was watching him. He’d seen the curtain shift but still, she refused to come out.
At midday he ate the lunch he’d packed, walked back up the driveway and rang the bell.
“Rock,” Becky said, looking frustrated. “Why don’t you go home? Dana’s threatening to make that call.”
“I already told you, Becky, I have to see her. I’m not leaving till she agrees to speak with me.” Rock knew he was being extreme, acting desperate by behaving like this, but he’d already made up his mind that he was going to camp out on the front lawn, if necessary.
Becky raised her eyebrows. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you…”
Three o’clock came and went, then four, then five and still Dana didn’t come out to see him. Sitting in the car, listening to the radio, was wearing on his nerves. Time to make another trip to the front door.
Rock had just stepped out of the car and had his arms up in a stretch when he saw the police car pull into the street, its lights flashing. The car pulled up right behind his Benz.
“May I help you, officer?” he said to the uniformed woman who approached. He glanced at the burly police officer who stepped out after her.
“Can I ask what business you have here, sir?” The diminutive woman asked. She pursed her lips in a tight line, looking for all the world like a kitten trying hard to look like a tiger. Rock didn’t feel threatened by her. He was more interested in her Rottweiler of a partner.
“I’m waiting to see someone,” he said, his tone unapologetic.
“You know what? I don’t think so,” the woman said. “We got a complaint about a stalker. I suggest you get in your fancy car and move on. We don’t want any trouble in this neighborhood.”
Her partner came to stand right behind her, folded his arms across his chest and fixed Rock with a dark scowl.
Rock almost laughed. So brave of him, hiding behind the skirts of a woman he could pick up with one hand. “Sorry, ma’am,” he said in a slow drawl, “no can do. I have some unfinished business here.”
Now it was the woman’s turn to scowl. “I’m telling you, mister. Just because you dress like a big shot and have a nice car doesn’t mean we can’t throw you in the slammer. Now go on, get outta here.”
Now Rock did laugh. Did she think her threats fazed him?” “You’ll have to lock me up then, because I’m not leaving.”
Before the words were out of his mouth, swift as a kite the little kitten grabbed Rock in a chokehold and slammed him against the hood of the car. His arms were pulled behind his back and the handcuffs were on before he could say, “Hey.”
Then Rottweiler took over and peeled him off the car. “Come on, bud,” the big man said. “Off to the station we go.”
And then they were pushing him toward the squad car, not even giving him a chance to grab his cell phone. He only had time to glance up the driveway at Becky’s front window and there she was. Finally. Dana was staring out the window at him, her hands to her mouth, her eyes enormous in her face.
He could only hope that his plan had worked. If Dana cared for him at all, this would definitely break through her resistance. She would have to see him now.
Or was he the kind of fool she would let rot in jail?
He would find out soon enough.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Dear God, what have I done? Dana stared out the window, her heart in her throat. She’d made the call but she hadn’t really expected them to arrest him. Talk to him, maybe. Scare him away. But put handcuffs on him and take him away in their police car?
“Becky,” she yelled to her friend who’d gone to make dinner. “Becky, come quick.”
“What? Is the house on fire?” Becky strolled out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She took one look at Dana’s face, dropped the towel and rushed over. “What’s the matter? Are you hurt?”
“I did it, Becky. I made the call.” Dana’s hands trembled as she reached out to her friend.
Becky gasped. “You called the police.”
Dana could only nod. The words lodged in her throat and would not come out.
“So what happened?” Becky stepped past Dana and peered out the window. Then she gave a little laugh. “It’s okay. His car’s still there. He’s fine.”
“No, they took him away,” Dana whispered as she stared out the window with Becky. “I saw it. They arrested him and it’s all my fault. How could I have been so stupid?” Then her eyes snapped back to her friend. “I’ve got to go down there, Becky. I’ve got to let them know I don’t want to press charges.”
“I’m coming with you. Just let me turn off the stove.”
With Becky at the wheel, Dana had ample time to berate herself for the stupidest thing she’d done in her life. How could she have done such a thing…to the man she loved? The thought made more tears well up in her eyes and soon they were flowing freely down her cheeks.
She’d been hurt and she’d been angry – angry that he’d thought so low of her – and then she’d gone and done even worse. She’d gotten him thrown in jail. Would he ever forgive her?
It took about twenty minutes for Becky to pull into the parking lot of the police station. To Dana, it seemed like an eternity. As soon as the engine was switched off she dashed out of the car and through the sliding doors. She tackled the first police officer she saw, a very young man seated at the front desk. “Rockford St. Stephens,” she said, her chest heaving from her run. “Where can I find him?”
The young cop looked up then grinned at her. “That big shot fella? I asked him if he wanted to call his lawyer and he said not yet.” He shook his head. “Weird. He must like the inside of a jail cell.” He shrugged. “If that’s how he gets his kicks…”