The Nanny

Balancing the Scales

         The limo pulled up to the back of the precinct, next to the courtyard that separated it from Storybrooke's courthouse. "I got them to agree to this given how much media attention this is getting despite it being a ten years old embezzlement case," John explained.

"What happens now?" Regina asked, hand-in-hand with Robin.

John smiled at her. "You'll go in and they'll book you—take your fingerprints, your pictures, some basic information. Then you'll be taken to the courthouse for your arraignment. I'll figure out our next steps from there."

She nodded, glancing out the window again. Robin squeezed her hand, drawing her attention to him. His blue eyes shone with love and he smiled at her. "You'll be fine. And I'll be sitting right there in the courtroom."

"Me too!" Will called from the driver's seat. "Tuck's watching Roland until Dr. Hopper comes. For some reason, I couldn't reach Mary Margaret."

"That's probably for the best right now," Robin said softly, glancing at her.

Regina shook her head. "I've never blamed Mary Margaret for her father's sins. I'm not going to start now. She's an innocent in this."

"I'll yield to your feelings," he said, "but you just say the word and I can keep you and Mary Margaret apart."

Gratitude overwhelmed her before she felt guilty. She didn't want to be the reason Roland lost his beloved tutor. Mary Margaret was good for him and clearly cared about the boy. Regina hoped her gut feeling that she would be fine around the young woman was right.

John peered out the window and nodded. "There's the lieutenant. Time to go surrender yourself, Regina."

Robin leaned forward, giving her a kiss. "Good luck. I'll see you at court."

She nodded, letting John help her out of the limo. An older man greeted them, his gray eyes and smile kind. He wore a suit rather than a uniform, so she figured he was a senior officer in the precinct. "It's a zoo out front. You'll be safe here, though. I have people making sure they can't get back here now or when we take you to the courthouse."

"Thank you," she said softly, following him into the precinct. Like most government buildings, it smelled of extra potent, industrial strength cleaners. It made her stomach turn.

"I hope I'm not stretching your hospitality, lieutenant, but my client hasn't been feeling well lately. You might want to keep at least a trash can nearby," John said, no doubt noticing how green she had gotten.

"Of course," the lieutenant said. "Detective Humbert will make sure Miss Mills has everything she needs while we book her."

A brown-haired man close in age to her and Robin stepped forward. He wore a blue-striped shirt under a brown vest, which matched his suit pants. His sleeves were rolled up and his badge and gun were attached to his belt.

"Detective Graham Humbert," he said, shaking her hand. "I'm assigned to White Collar crimes, so I also worked with Mr. Locksley."

Regina smiled. "I know Robin is very grateful to finally know who stole the money."

Graham nodded before motioning for her to follow him. "I'll try to make this as easy and as painless as possible."

"I'm getting special treatment, aren't I?" she asked, following him down the hall.

He paused outside a room, considering his answer. "Yes and no. White collar criminals are usually handled a bit differently than your other criminals. But ADA Pendragon also asked us to expedite your booking, so you are getting special treatment in that regard."