The police station wasn’t far from the beach and it was small. “If he sees me here.”

“He won’t.”

I had to drop the glamor, of course, once we were inside. Couldn’t risk the desk sergeant not noticing us either.

“Can I help you ladies?”

She took a deep breath, looked at me, looked at him. “I…” A pause. “My husband…he’s been…”

“I don’t see any bruises.”

I gave him a look. “First of all, abuse isn’t always physical.”

“Not much we can do if it isn’t.”

Okay, this was already going badly. I thought painfully of Mike, then gave her a reassuring look.

“He didn’t beat me today. But he does. Regularly. I’m leaving him, but I need help.”

I relaxed a little. She seemed determined to get out, she seemed like she wouldn’t run right back to him as too many abused spouses did.

“Not sure what we can do.”

“You can tell her how to get a restraining order and I’m sure somebody here knows where the nearest women’s shelter is.”

“Isn’t one closer than Hampton Roads.”

And me without any kind of a vehicle.

“Then I need help getting to Hampton Roads.”

He seemed to consider this. “I’d still need some…”

“You don’t need evidence to help her find a way to get to Hampton Roads easily.”

“Would be easy if I had money.”

I glanced at her. “I can help with that. Just tell her how she can get a restraining order.”

Finally, he nodded. “I have some forms and a leaflet. Let me find them.”

She whispered, “Unhelpful.”

“Typical,” I whispered back. “I don’t have a car with me, so I can’t drive you up to Hampton Roads, and I don’t think there’s room in the van, but I do have money.”

“Are you rich?”

I considered that. “Not yet, but I have enough to help with this.”

He was handing her some papers. “I’d personally wait until you get to Hampton Roads, mind.”

She nodded. “But I can read through this.”

“It won’t be that different.” Then he looked at me. Tilted his head, but said nothing more.

I felt, almost, as if he’d recognized me. Or recognized something like me. Knew the type, as it were.

It did not make me comfortable.