Aednat and the Wolf

Chapter 26 Into the Fire

The group of cars pulled off the road and into the driveway leading to the lodge, "Dam!" David said, "Look at all those blue lights."

"Those are cop cars," Rosemary said.

"Looks like they're finally are taking your kidnapping seriously," Gert said.

"I got a really bad feeling," Aednat whispered to David. The police were going through the blue van. A tow truck was hooking up the van to tow it away.

"Who drove the van here?" the cop asked.

"I did," Aednat volunteered.

"Would you please step out the car?" The family watched in horror as each of the girls were questioned and all six were hand cuffed and placed in two squad cars. One of the policemen walked to the family. "We are taking them into custody. They will be arraigned in court after the booking, at ten A.M."

"They're just girls," Ruth said in tears, "They've been kidnapped."

"They told you that?" The family nodded. "I remember talking to you earlier. It appears they stole the van and after joy riding attempted to steal another car from an ambassador. A man was killed when they fled the scene."

"They were kidnapped!" David insisted loudly.

"They were witnessed stealing the car. A man is dead. My advice, get a good lawyer. The local judge takes a dim view of violent juvenile delinquents and gangs," the cop said. "If they were eighteen it would have been a lot worse for them. That one girl admitted to running the man over. Real jail time seems likely."

Aednat was led into a small room with a table and four chairs. The room had a large mirror and a single door. The handcuffs were removed and Aednat rubbed her wrists and looked at her reflection in the mirrored surface. She lightly touched her bruises. Would you like anything? We have coffee and a vending machine." The arresting office said.

"No thanks, I just had pizza. Where are my sisters and friends?"

"Rooms just like these. Are you sure I can't get you something?"

"A pop, root beer would be nice." The officer nodded then closed the door. Aednat heard the door lock but tried the door knob anyway. She walked to the table and took a seat. On the other side of the mirrored glass several men stood.

"Is that the girl Ambassador?"

"I believe so, they all look so similar. But she appears to be the leader and the one I saw driving. May I speak to her?"

"Tomorrow, before the arraignment." They watched as a two uniformed officers and a female stenographer entered the room and sat with Aednat.

"Your name?"

"Aednat Hendersen."

"So what about Aedan. Your school ID says Aedan."

"I prefer Aednat."

"Where were you born?"

"Not sure, but I've been to Ireland and lived on Greenland for a number of years."

"How old are you."

"Seventeen."

"Why are you not in school?"

"I am in high school, we took a winter vacation."

"You told the arresting officer you stole the van?"

"Yes, we were kidnapped and I stole it so we could escape."

"You hit a man with the van?"

"Yes, I was trying to escape. They had already killed a man and I was afraid."

"Why did they kill the man?"

"He pulled off my pants and ripped my sweater. I kicked him and he punched me. I thought they were going to shoot me but they shot him. I don't know why."

"What else did he do to you?"

"I thought he was going to rape me, he pushed my legs apart."

"Are you sexually active?" Aednat looked at the officer shocked by the question and decided to stay with the truth.

"Yes."

"We are talking to the rest of your gang. You admitted to car theft and hit and run homicide."

"Let my sisters and friends go, I stole the van and drove it not them."

The officers left the room. "What do you think Joe?"

"She admitted everything, she was as cool as a cucumber too. I don't understand these modern delinquents. Cold as ice and spreading her legs for everyone."

"Do you believe the kidnapping story?"

"Not a bit, I wish we could charge her as an adult and put her away for good. They all know they can't be touched because of their age. That girl is a murderer, it pisses me off, and years ago we would have handled it differently. Let's talk to the rest of the gang."

It was early in the morning when the six girls were booked into the jail. They had their finger prints taken and their pictures taken and were told to disrobe. The younger girls wept as they were searched and then issued a prison orange jump suit, underwear and canvas shoes. "We only have one cell for female juvenile detention," the female guard said and motioned them into a cage with two other girls. "They are in for truancy, what are you here for?"

"Car theft and murder," Rosemary replied with a wicked smile. The attendant stared at them a shocked look on her face, and the other girls moved to the opposite side of the cell looking apprehensive.

"You will be before the judge Monday after breakfast," the attendant said.

"Then what?" Stacy said, "Can we go home?"

"Most likely you will go to the detention center in Marquette until your trial. You ain't going home for a long time."