Every Breath She Takes [CURRENTLY ON HOLD]

Chapter 33: Clearing the Slate

Moving quietly, Jack rose, setting the kettle on to boil. He knew that Ro would benefit from a cup of tea, and guessed that the police officers wouldn’t turn down a cup either.

“Do you know his name?” the policeman asked. Ro shook her head, but another voice answered.

“Scott.”

Both police officers turned to look as Sarah came into the kitchen, her eyes wide with fear. Caliana was close behind her, looking as scared as her mother. “I heard his voice,” she said, looking at Ro. “He’s found us, hasn’t he? He wants us back.”

Both police officers looked confused, but they couldn’t say anything, as before anyone could go any further, Ro broke in, her smoky grey eyes blazing.

“No,” she snapped. “This is not a conversation that the children will hear.” She looked at the youngest three. “Go outside,” she told them. “Take Buddy with you. And I do not want to find you eavesdropping.”

Both twins gave their mother disappointed looks, but they weren’t going to make her angry now. Not with the side of her face still red. They vanished outside with Pixie, the dog following closely. Cam stayed put, looking confused.

“Mum? What’s happening?”

Ro shook her head, and Jack sat down next to her with a sigh of relief. He put an arm around her, holding her close. The two police officers looked confused, but thankfully didn’t say anything, waiting for her to speak again. Sarah came in further, sliding into a chair of her own, and Caliana stayed close to her, shaking.

“He’s going to take us again?” she whispered, and Jack felt a pang of sorrow for the pair, for what they had gone through.

“I’m sorry for interrupting,” the policewoman said. “But can you explain exactly what you mean?”

Sarah shook her head, unable to meet anyone’s gaze. It was clear that she wouldn’t be able to speak about it anytime soon. Ro sighed, tracing the grains of wood in the table.

“He’s the one who kidnapped me,” she finally said. The policeman drew in his breath in shock, but the policewoman didn’t seem that surprised.

“How long ago did you leave him?”

“Fifteen years,” Ro answered softly. “He’s always wanted me back.” She rose, turning to the bench, hiding her expression. Jack kept hold of her hand, though. “He won’t stop.”

“He had both of you?”

“And Caliana,” Ro confirmed.

Jack looked at his son, who was pale with horror. When they’d told the boy, they hadn’t gone into this much detail. He would be more horrified by the time they were done.

“What occurred at this place, can you tell us?”

Calmly, with a clear and steady voice, Ro told them. Even knowing what she had gone through, Jack shivered, gripping her hand tightly. He hated that she’d gone through all that pain and terror.

Throughout it all, Caliana and Sarah stayed dead silent. They were both pale, despite the hot drinks in front of them, and when Ro finished, she looked at the older woman, seemingly waiting. Sarah didn’t speak though.

The police officers were silent, taking a moment to let the horror sink in. “You haven’t seen him since?” the policeman asked.

Ro shook her head. “No. I haven’t seen any of the girls, or him, until Sarah knocked on the front door. And then he came.”

Nodding, the policeman turned to Sarah. “Can you tell us anything?”

“Yes,” she said softly, gripping the handle of her cup so tightly that her knuckles had gone white. “Legally, I’m his wife.”

The police officers appeared to stop breathing for a  moment. Then, the woman spoke, almost kindly. “Are you planning to take legal action?”

“I came here to heal,” Sarah said hotly, fury hot in her eyes. “I’ve been here only a few days. I can show you what he’s done to me. Nothing’s completely healed yet.”

“There’s no need for that,” the policeman said stiffly, exchanging a glance with his colleague. “But it might be wise. You’d want to divorce him? A restraining order?”

“How can I?” she snapped. “I have nothing. Only Cali.”

“There are ways,” the policewoman explained.

“That’s not important right now.” Sarah shook her head. “I’ve survived this long, I can manage. He needs to be caught before he hurts any other girl.”

The policewoman sighed, both of them putting away their notepads. Jack squeezed Ro’s hand encouragingly, knowing that it would soon be over. She was still pale.

“How will you find him?” she asked, stopping the officers. They shared a look.

“That is a matter of debate,” the man said, almost stiffly. “There are no reports of him being a criminal, so we have no records of him. It’s going to –”

Cam broke in, talking to the policeman, but keeping his eyes on his mother. “I saw him,” he said slowly. “I can draw his face for you.”

Both officers looked at him, surprise on their faces. “You’d be willing to?”

The boy shrugged. “I like drawing. If it helps Mum…” He didn’t finish, shrugging again.

“That would be very helpful, young man,” the policeman said slowly, his gaze flickering to Ro. “If it is alright with your mother, we will contact you further.”

Cam turned to look at her, as did Jack. He knew it wasn’t up to him this time. She looked down at her drink for a long moment, and when she responded, she didn’t move.

“If it catches him, do whatever it takes.”