Chapter 7 - The Statements
I spent the next three hours at the police precinct. I sat in a brightly lit interview room, a cold cup of coffee in my hands, repeating everything I had seen.
I told them about the bucket. I told them how the great-aunt held the girl down. I told them about the scratches, the bruises, and the way the little girl had buried her face in my apron.
The detective typed furiously, building an airtight case. "Kidnapping, child endangerment, assault and battery, and forgery," he muttered, listing the charges. "They aren't seeing the outside of a jail cell for a very long time."
When I finally finished my statement, it was past midnight. My shift at the motel had ended hours ago. My manager had called twice, frantic, but once he realized what happened, he told me to take the whole week off, fully paid.
I walked out into the precinct lobby. Claire was still there. Lily was asleep across two plastic waiting room chairs, covered in a police officer’s jacket.
"You waited," I said, surprised.
"I couldn't leave without saying a proper goodbye," Claire said softly. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small piece of paper. Not a motel reservation this time, but a phone number. "We live about thirty minutes from here. When this is all over, when you've healed... I want you to call me. Please."
I took the paper, holding it carefully. "I will. Take care of her, Claire."
May you like
"Always," she promised.
I walked out into the cool night air. My body ached in a dozen places, but my heart felt lighter than it had in years.
