Read Online Take Another Look by Rosalind Noonan - Free Book Online Page B

door. “I need you to step outside the vehicle for me.”
    She followed him to the brightly lit area in front of the cruiser’s headlights. Panic seeped into her heart as she studied him. Thick black hair and chiseled features. A stern slash of a mouth. In his dark uniform, he was a wall of strength, solid and unforgiving. His name plate read: DIXON.
    In the stark light, she felt exposed, naked despite her denim shorts and hot-pink T-shirt. She expected him to hand her something to blow in—a Breathalyzer test—but he gave her some tasks to do. Walk in a straight line. Stretch out her arms and touch her nose with her eyes closed. Nothing too hard, though she got a little wobbly when she had to close her eyes.
    He asked her a bunch of questions, probably trying to see if her speech was slurred. She told him she was a teacher, gave her address, and talked about growing up in Burnson.
    â€œHave you ever failed a student?” he asked.
    â€œNot yet.” She shivered in the cool night, unwilling to admit that so far her career had entailed only student teaching and summer school.
    â€œSo you’re a nice teacher. Well, I consider myself to be a nice cop. I don’t want you to fail, Jane. I could give you a Breathalyzer, but I can pretty much guarantee you’re going to blow hot. Once you do that, I’ve got to take you in and press charges. Driving Under the Influence. You’ll probably lose your license, a year minimum. And the arrest would be a public record. The local news can broadcast your mug shot. For some reason, they like to expose cops and teachers.”
    A sob wracked her words. “I could lose my job.”
    â€œRight. See how one failure affects so many people? I bet your husband would be upset.”
    â€œI’m not married.” It came out in a whimper. “But my parents . . . they’ll be mortified.” She imagined her failure as another encumbrance to heap onto her father’s shoulders, adding to the burden of supporting his elderly father and the scars of three tours in Vietnam, memories he kept sealed up tight under his wounded eyes. On the other side of the spectrum, her mother would be concerned about how such a scandal might reflect on her. Sandra Flannery would be afraid to attend church, worried that people were whispering about her daughter the “criminal.” Jane sucked in a desperate breath. Her life was tumbling down before her, a row of dominoes, each one slapping the next to the ground.
    â€œMy hands are tied if I give you the Breathalyzer.” The cop paused, watching her, assessing. “If I don’t give you the test, I have some discretion. I could give you a ride home, let you off with a warning.”
    Jane sucked in a breath. “Would you? Please? That would be such a relief.”
    â€œBut I would need something from you. A promise that you’re going to be a good girl for me. Can you promise that, Jane?”
    â€œYes. Yes, I promise. I’ll never drink and drive again. Not even one drink.”
    â€œYeah?” He assessed her, and although she tried to demonstrate her commitment, she found it hard to meet his eyes. His stern, iron-clad demeanor scared her, even as it excited her in a surprising way. Being in the presence of authority was like veering dangerously close to a fire. The closer you came to the flames, the more thrilling the dance. But the greater thrill also increased the danger of being burned.
    â€œYou’re not just bullshitting me to get out of the charges.”
    â€œNo. I’m an honest person. Please, I’ll do anything for a second chance.”
    His eyes were smoky and unreadable; she sensed power and unleashed fury. Her knees began to quiver.
    â€œAll right.” He nodded at her car. “Get your purse and keys, and then lock it up. You’re coming with me.”
    She thanked God for mercy as she hurried to the car. Hitching her bag onto her shoulder, she