An enigmatic conversation

"Hold on a minute," you say, starting to protest.

"It's ok Dean Hawkfeather," Cindy interrupts, sliding off the bike like a seal off a rock. "The officer is just doing her duty." She puts her hands behind her back and turns to face you as the woman cop snaps the cuffs on. Cindy's eyes are glittering with excitement and she's biting her lips, trembling with anticipation.

Officer Cobb takes her arm and leads her away, giving you an appraising glance and a slight nod of her head towards the cruiser. You step off the bike and follow along as she opens a rear door and helps Cindy into the vehicle. The girl looks at you with a flushed and eager face, her tongue touching her upper lip for a moment before the door shuts, cutting off your view.

"I guess you heard enough to be part of this," Officer Cobb says. "From what I saw back on the highway, you might be as compromised as...anyone. Cindy has...imagination. I think it would be to her benefit to speak to her further. For her...protection...best not to do that at the station. Or at the school either I guess. If you want to follow me, we can deal with this and keep it all off the record. Keep Miss Danton from the consequences of her actions."

You look at her stoically, listening to her words and watching the flush on her cheeks and neck and the uneasy flicker in her eyes. You're still feeling out of your depth, but you have a sense of where this is going. You nod, not saying anything, waiting for her to speak.

"It's Beth. My name I mean. Beth Cobb. Why don't you follow me and we can take care of this...situation...with Miss Danton."