The holding cell was colder than Elena had imagined.
She sat on the narrow metal bench, staring at the rain sliding down the small window near the ceiling. Time seemed to crawl.
She closed her eyes.
Only yesterday she had been laughing across a dinner table with Julian.
Now she was sitting in a police cell, accused of betraying the man she loved.
Julian barely noticed the rain soaking through his coat as he crossed the precinct parking lot.
He walked straight to the front desk.
“I’m Julian Cross.”
His voice was calm and firm.
“Elena Brooks was brought in this afternoon. I want her released immediately.”
The desk sergeant typed for a moment before looking up.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Cross.”
Julian’s jaw tightened.
“The release has been denied.”
“By whom?”
“The authorization came dire
