The Uncanny Accuracy of Fate

Chapter 23

The air conditioner whirrs on with a low buzz and sends a shiver through me for what feels like the thousandth time since Cami disappeared through the door in front of me. To my left, an officer taps her pencil against the desk, making me jump when it hits harder than I expect. Logically, I know the door is probably sound proofed and that there's likely a couple more walls separating us, but I long to press my ear up against it to listen for some sign, any sign, that Cami's alright.

Shortly after Vanessa arrived at our apartment, hurriedly sticking pins in a half hazard French twist, the three of us were off to the police station, Vanessa rifling through Cami's file on the train, desperately searching for evidence that would confirm Cami's allegations and keep the situation from delving into a 'he said-she said' scenario. With whispered instructions not to speak unless she okayed it, Vanessa took off down the long hallway now hidden by the door, ignoring the shouts from the tapping officer at the front desk. Cami and I sat in stiff-backed chairs in the waiting room, widening our eyes at each other in regards to the handcuffed woman who sat in front of us, yelling to anyone who would listen that she had been framed.

When Vanessa came back out, she brought with her a flustered-looking woman with a nametag that read "Officer Loren."

"Cami," Vanessa said. "Do you think you can tell her what you told Pippa and me earlier? I'll be with you the whole time." Cami no longer had enough energy in her to put up a fight, and we both stood wearily. However, Vanessa was quick to push me back into my seat, muttering something about idiotic bureaucracy and not leading the witness during testimony. With a sympathetic glance over her shoulder, Vanessa vanished behind the door again, this time with one hand planted firmly on Cami's back.

I spent these last twenty minutes wishing I'd fought to be in the room with Cami while she gave her statement, but knowing Vanessa's there eases some of my worries. Vanessa, to quote Lin, is "super fucking smart," but I know her top-notch BS detector is what's keeping Cami safe in there.

The air conditioner buzzes on again, but I barely notice it as the door creaks open, as if to accompany the humming from the box in the window. Cami, looking a little shaken up, slips under Vanessa's arm and hurtles towards me, and I pull her close as I cock an eyebrow at Vanessa, asking the question I don't need to say out loud. Vanessa wobbles her hand at me, so-so, then draws her fingers down her cheeks, indicating the crying I've already assumed took place based on Cami's red-rimmed eyes. After a couple of seconds, Cami pulls away and I press a quick kiss to her temple before sitting her down and walking over to where Vanessa's beckoning me.

"Between her statement, notes from her social worker, and transfer papers for her switch out of the Walker's house, I think we've got a pretty solid case. They took her phone to track the texts, and they have enough evidence to get a warrant and arrest Jared if they can find him." This is good news, and Vanessa beams as we both glance back at where Cami sits, knees drawn up to her chest.

"So what do we do now?"

"Take your girl home. You have a show tomorrow, and you two are potentially in for a long couple of days." Grabbing Cami's hand, I lead her into the elevator, carefully studying her face for any trauma from the interview.

"I don't know if you heard Vanessa, but you did it, love. They're gonna take him into custody." Cami looks at me intently.

"Really?" She's skeptical, and I don't blame her given her poor history with authority figures.

"Really. You're safe." She nods, blinking at me through watery eyes. "Do you want to get something to eat?"

"I'd honestly rather go hoooooome." As she stifles a huge yawn, Cami's exhaustion soon becomes evident to me and I nod, pulling her beanie down so it covers her ears.