Jekyll's Wife

Chapter Sixteen - Arrested Love

Even though she knew that she must have looked like a chaotic mess, she was surprised by the daggered gazes she received from her neighbours as she walked along the road.

People stopped, whispered and left in the opposite direction as she walked, mothers pulled children away and old woman paused their whispered gossip.

Paranoid, she tucked her head down and walked a little faster, eager to be in the safety of Nancy's home. With the door in sight she broke into a subtle run, eager not to draw attention to herself, slowing when anyone glared in her direction.

She raised her hand to knock, but paused as the door was yanked open, the rush of air momentarily knocking her off balance.

"Maria!" Nancy exclaimed, a look that Maria could only describe as pity, on her face. "I'm so sorry." She whispered, looking over Maria's shoulder.

Confused, Maria spun around, coming face to face with one of the towns police officers. Blinking in surprise, Maria looked back at Nancy, before refocusing on the police officer. "Maria Lantmore?" He asked, his tone more official than she'd ever heard.

"Yes." She replied, her eyes scanning the prying eyes that surrounded her.

"I'm afraid I need you to come with me. Your husband has been arrested following two murders earlier today and we need to question you."

Flinching in shock, Maria went to protest, but the officer motioned for two of his colleagues, who Maria hadn't noticed, to step forward.

They each took one arm and proceeded to carry her off towards the police station, despite her protests. "But you don't understand! My husbands at home! He can't be responsible!"

"She's hysterical" She heard one of the police officers mumble.

Growling in rage, she fought harder, calling out to Nancy, or anyone who might help her, but she quickly realised that no on was stepping forward to stop them.

Resigning herself to her fate, she stopped fighting against them and let them frog march her towards the police station, awaiting the chance to speak to their boss and have them all punished.

As soon as she walked in, told them it wasn't her husband they had arrested, as he was at home having just attacked her, then they'd be sorry.

They'd all be sorry.