Chapter 12 - An Unlikely Ally
"Get in," Martinez said quietly, holding the door open. "Before their patrol scouts check this road."
Clara hesitated, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "How did you know about this trail?"
"Lawson radioed the precinct before the power was cut," Martinez explained, his tone urgent. "He told me if things went south, to meet you at the kilometer-four marker on the old logging road. I’ve worked at St. Jude's for ten years, Clara. I know a innocent person when I see one. You spent eight years never causing trouble, never holding hate... just waiting for someone to listen. I'm listening now."
Relief washed over Clara like warm rain. Together, they helped Arthur into the backseat of the unmarked police cruiser. Martinez threw a heavy wool blanket over Arthur’s shoulders and handed Clara a thermic flask of hot coffee.
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"Where are we going?" Martinez asked, stepping on the accelerator as the car glided down the muddy mountain road, leaving the flashing lights and chaos of Miller’s Ridge behind.
"To the Federal Building in the capital," Clara stated, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. "We're taking this out of county jurisdiction. We're giving this to the District Attorney before Eleanor and Richard can buy another judge."
