The Loves and Crimes of a Queen

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Samantha continued along that train of thought until it was interrupted by one of the Deputies. With a voice full of annoyance Deputy Talkum barked, "Ma'am could you possibly, for once in your sad, terrible life be quiet and stop thinking. Your thinking is making my head hurt and if you're going to glare, glare at things outside the car and not the people inside. Thank you very much."

"Of course, Deputy Talkum. I could never say no to you," her voice so full of sarcasm it rivaled his own. "Now would you be so kind as to open the door for me. I have people to see. On the other hand, Deputy Dolo could you open the door. You seem more willing to cooperate than your partner."

Bursting out in laughter, Deputy Dolo struggled to talk through his laughter finally managed to get out, "I'd be glad to oblige Ms. Queen."

Once the door was open, Samantha got out of the car as gracefully as she possibly could and marched into the station as she was one to do. All while Deputy Dolo and Deputy Talkum trailed behind her. Dolo still struggling to keep his laughter under control and Talkum glaring at her like there was no tomorrow. Once she saw that he was glaring at her, Samantha couldn't help herself and whined to no one in particular, "Deputy Talkum's glares are making my head hurt. Deputy Dolo could you get your partner under control please." With that outburst complete Deputy Dolo's laughter was renewed.

Deputy Talkum scowled and gruffly said, "This way ma'am. I don't want to be responsible for you getting lost."

Samantha simply rolled her eyes, slipped back into her perfect facade and followed him down the hallway to a little waiting room. The first thought that came into her mind was that the department should fire their interior designer. They did a terrible job. Everything was so dull and drab. Honestly who would want to wait any amount time in a space with no personality. She would have to state her displeasure with the decor to Sheriff Stone the next time she saw him.

Luckily she was only there for a few minutes before she heard a voice, asking for her to join them in the office adjoining the waiting room. Before she could even stop herself she asked herself, "who is them? I assume Sheriff Stone is in the office, but who else could be in there?" She took a deep breath to ready her for what was wait for her on the other side of the door. Samantha thought she was ready for what was in the other room, but she was wrong. She was greeted by not only Sheriff Damien Stone but by Julie, Hunter and surprisingly the Sheriff's son, Jason. On closer inspection she noticed Julie and Jason were holding hands, which she knew was a new development. "When did that happen?," Samantha questioned, voice full of unintentional disgust. As much as she loved Colin and Hunter she also had her heart broken a couple times. With all that pain she couldn't understand why people wanted to be in love and in relationships when they would only end up getting hurt.

Julie just smiled the way she always does, small and elegant. In her small voice, her eyes full of love and devotion, she turned toward Jason, and said, "he saved my life. He noticed the signs of poisoning and just happened to have an antidote. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Jason" With as much love in Jason's eyes as Julie had in hers, Jason lifted her hand to his lips and brushed a sweet and innocent kiss on her knuckles. Samantha blanched at the sight. Julie's face became pink in a becoming way that Samantha had never mastered. "Is everything alright, mother?"

She thought to herself, this insolent girl will be the end of me. I mean seriously how many times have I asked her not to call me mother. She had a mother. It's not my fault she died during childbirth. Samantha let out an exasperated sigh, "no everything's not alright. What have I told you about falling in love, Julie? It's not a very hard question to answer."

Julie whimpered, "I'm not to fall in love."

Much more chipper this time she turned away from the disturbing display of affection she has just seen to face Sheriff Stone and Hunter Pine who were sitting in the corner of the office and asked, "why am I here? Was it just for the news of Julie's attachment or is there a more pressing matter?"

Hunter turned to face Samantha a smirk on his face, "More pressing matters I would assume, Sammy."

Samantha grumped a small smile on her face, "Hunter, you know I hate being called Sammy. I've asked since we were kids for you to call me Samantha. But no you had to settle on Sammy." Even though she wasn't a fan of the name she still thought it was sweet. No one else in her life had bothered to give her any kind of nickname.

During the entire exchange Sheriff Stone sat with a confused look on his face that both Samantha and Hunter noticed. They looked at each other and burst out laughing. Soon everyone joined in even the confused Sheriff. Once the laughter subsided a heavy silence fell over everyone in the room. Sheriff Stone took the opportunity to get in a word edgewise stated in a matter of fact tone, "you all have been brought here to be questioned about the attempted murder of Miss Snow."

Hunter and Samantha knew what that meant one of them would have l to take the fall, and neither Hunter or Samantha would let the other take any of the blame. Without saying a word that might disrupt the silence everyone simply nodded in acknowledgment. Samantha knew the department was certain she was the one that had someone try to kill Julie, they just weren't sure why. But she knew exactly why she wanted Julie dead.

"While others are being interrogated I want the rest of you to stay here. Miss Snow, you will go first. Jason, after Miss Snow and you are finished I want you to take her home to our house. That way we can make sure she's safe. She's been through enough." Sheriff Stone commented. "Ms. Queen, Mr. Pine you are free to go just don't leave town. Also be back here at ten o'clock tomorrow morning.

Once Sheriff Stone, Jason, and Julie left the room Samantha let out a breath of relief and stood up. "Let's go Hunter. We've had a stressful day. If you're nice I might even let you walk me home." Hunter extended his right arm to Samantha and she accepted. She had been taught to never turn down a kind gesture. "We can talk about what we'll tell the Sheriff in the morning."

Hunter turned to face her and in a truly terrible English accent responded, "of course Ms. Queen it would be my pleasure." They laughed at each other until their stomachs hurt. They walked out of the office and the station thinking about what the next day might bring. Or at least they were until Hunter said,"Hey, Sammy we can do this." The rest of their walk continued in silence. Once they got to Samantha's house she unhooked her hand from his elbow and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. With that she went inside not say a word. She was so emotionally drained she went upstairs and collapsed on her bed not even taking the time to take off her makeup off.