CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
(part five)

Wednesday evening — 6:10 P.M.

“Who are all these people?” Aden asked.

Stopped at the corner of Broadway and Thirteenth, they could see a large crowd surrounding the downtown Denver Police Station. The police cruiser started across the intersection.

“Is there an event tonight?” Seth asked the officer in the driver’s seat.

“No sir,” the officer said. “They’re here for Norsen.”

“Those aren’t Lipson people,” Aden said. “We wear uniform shirts, hats…”

“They announced on the radio that the guy was a pedophile and pornographer. Some reporter got a Fed to say that they’ve been watching him for six months. People are pissed,” the officer said. The officer turned the car into the station. His voice dripping with sarcasm, he added, “You’re a hero, Norsen.”

Aden looked up to see the Assistant Principal from Nash’s Middle School being escorted into the building. Another cruiser pulled up. The officers pulled out the father of the boy who gave Nash so much trouble. By the time the officer came around to get Aden out, another five police cruisers pulled up with men in the back.

“Who are these people?” Aden asked Seth.

“People who purchased from Sandy’s father,” Seth said. “Having child pornography on your computer is a crime.”

“But that was Nash’s Assistant Principal!”

“Yep,” Seth said.

Two police officers came to get Aden. The crowd went wild when Aden was pulled from the police cruiser. Aden nodded to the crowd then let himself be led into the station. The waiting area was jammed with Lipson employees who cheered when they saw Aden. While the officers pushed Aden through the crowd, people touched his shoulder in support. Once in the back, the officer took Aden past the people arrested for child pornography.

“We’re kind of full up,” the officer said. “We’re going to leave you with O’Malley. He’ll get you through booking then the Chief will decide what to do with you. Your lawyer is already waiting for you.”

“My lawyer?”

“Samantha Hargreaves,” the officer said.

Policemen looked up as Aden passed. They nodded or smiled.

“In there,” the officer said.

He held the door open to a small closet like office. Samantha was sitting on a desk waiting for them.

“Can I…?”

Aden raised his handcuffed hand but the officer was gone.

“I’ll get them.” Seth unlocked Aden’s hands. “What do you know about Sandy?”

“Nothing,” Samantha said. “Jill said they’re running tests and she’s still out. She’s pretty bruised up.”

“But she had on body armor!” Aden said. “Doesn’t that mean she’s Ok?”

“Not always,” Samantha said. “Her body still received the full impact of the bullets. That’s a lot of stress. Given that she has a head wound, is pregnant and has been under so much pressure? There’s just no way to know.”

“What happens now?” Aden asked.

“We wait,” Samantha said. “They want to move the other guys through booking before they book you. They won’t put you together so we think they’ll book and release you. That was one of the deals on the table. My guess is, with the crowd outside, the DA will be here soon.”

Aden nodded.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….