Faithful (3)

: 16 :

Sal's POV

I stayed up the whole night, the fear of what was to come refraining me from being able to sleep. I was so worried about Brian, but I had a plan. A plan that would get him out of there, and get that other scumbag done for what he did to my Frances. I wasn't going to just let this go, we needed justice for our girl, and that's what I was going to get. I remembered his license plate from the night that we made our deal, but seeing as he didn't keep his side of things, I wasn't going to keep mine, hell no.

The next morning, I gathered everything I needed, before dropping Ashleigh off at Murray's apartment, just while I went and freed Brian from the station. I pulled into the parking lot, making sure that I had every piece of evidence possible, before making my way into the station. I walked up to the front desk, being greeted solemnly by a police officer. He must have been on night duty, seeing as his eyes were darkened underneath, plus the fact that he was busy playing on his Gameboy...very professional.

"Can I help you, Sir?" He asked, as he brought his feet down from the desk, and fixed his cap.

"My husband, Brian Quinn, was arrested last night for assault on an individual, but I have the proof right here that it was self-defence. I'll admit that he did cause harm to the man, but for good reason. The case of Frances Owens is yet to be solved, but I have the registration plate of the man who was at fault that night. Not only was he driving under influence the night that she was killed, but he also committed hit and run, leaving my poor friend to die alone in her car." I stated, as the officer stood to his feet. He removed his cap, placing it onto the desk, as he became flustered. My vast amount of information had stunned him.

"O-Okay, Sir...let me call the officer in charge of her case, and everything will be sorted." He gulped, as I nodded my head and thanked him. He gestured for me to take a seat in one of the chairs, while I waited for the verdict of what was to happen.

Within ten minutes, his partner walked into the room, greeting me with a handshake. He guided me through the corridor towards his office. On our way through, we passed the small number of cells, Brian being in the very last one. I caught a quick glimpse of him; looking distraught, before the office door was closed behind me.

"What can I do you for, Mr. Quinn?" The officer asked, as I placed a file onto his desk.

"Here's all the evidence you need for the case of Frances Owens. This man had been under the influence of alcohol the night that she was killed, and he also committed hit and run. He came to visit us a few months back, trying to apologise, which is why my husband, Brian, had snapped at him – for self-defence reasons only. I know my husband, he wouldn't harm a damn fly. I had caught a glimpse of the man's license plate when he drove off from our property. I searched up his address, studying his vehicle. I took photos for evidence, because after studying the dents in his car, I'm pretty sure they were identical to the damage on Frances' car. So, when will Brian be released?" I asked confidently, knowing full well that they couldn't deny the evidence I had brought forth.

The officer took the files from in front of me, looking through them, before looking up at me. He cleared his throat, dropping the papers onto his desk, as he scratched at his head in thought.

"Thank you for your input, Sir. I can't deny the fact that your evidence does prove that Mr. Fisher was at fault. I will remove all of the charges against your husband, and he will be discharged within the hour." He stated, as I nodded my head. Inside I was ecstatic, Brian would be released from this hell hole, not even deserving to be in here at all. He was only getting justice for what had happened to us.

I walked back into the waiting area, as I let the officers handle the situation. Within the hour, like the officer had told me, I was called up to the desk. The same officer from earlier walked me down the same corridor, coming to a stop at Brian's cell. Brian looked up, doing a double-take, as he jumped up from his spot on the bench.

"We are dropping all of the charges, Sir. You're being discharged, do not make the same mistake again." The officer pressed, as Brian nodded his head. His handcuffs were removed through the railings, before the policeman opened up the cell door. Brian ran out to me, hugging me with all of the force he could muster. I felt bad for having him in there for so long, but I had to get all of the papers in perfect order, before even attempting to get Brian free.

We walked hand-in-hand back to the front desk, where Brian needed to sign some forms, before he was officially discharged. I could tell, as we were walking out to my car, that he was feeling a little distraught and vulnerable. I mean, I would be too if that had happened to me. I didn't want to push him into talking about it, but I also wanted him to know that I was there for him, if ever he did want to confide in me. I was his husband, at the end of the day, it was my role to be there for him. We both clambered into our seats, buckling ourselves in, as I started up the car.

"Thanks..." Brian croaked, as I placed a hand to his thigh. I don't know if it was just my conscience, but I could have sworn I felt him flinch at my touch. Perhaps it was down to the fact that he had been through a lot, and just needed time to overcome it all? I don't know.

The drive home was silent, an uncomfortable atmosphere between the both of us. Once I had picked up Ashleigh from Murray's, the tension between Brian and me only worsened. He wasn't talking to me very much, and when he did, it was often mumbled and spiteful. Was he mad that it took me so long to save him? Or maybe he was just going through an emotional turmoil and needed time to express how he was really feeling? Whatever it was, I didn't appreciate being at the brunt of it all, especially after saving his ass.