Tooth and Claw

Interegation

Even with hours of preparation from Carlisle, Charlotte still did not feel ready when morning came.
Hunting calmed her down, but once she returned to the house and changed in the clothes she was planning to wear, she instantly began to freak out again.
When the time finally arrived, Carlisle had her sit in the living room, while they waited for the police officers to arrive.
Despite being the chief of police, Bella's father Charlie was not directly involved with the case, as he was related to the people that the case was regarding.

When Charlotte heard the police car pull up outside the house, she immediately tensed up, despite Jasper doing his best to keep her calm from the room next door.
Esme went to answer the door, so that Carlisle could stay by Charlotte's side.
"It's going to be fine" he reassured her.
"I wish I had your confidence" replied Charlotte.
"You'll be fine. Now, even though you're holding your breath, don't forget to move your shoulders so that it looks like you're breathing"
"I haven't forgotten everything we spoke about last night"
"I was just reminding you"
"I know, but there was no need. I'm just not doing it now, because they're not here yet".

A few seconds later Esme opened the front door and welcomed the officers into the house, before showing them into the living room.
"Hello there Mr Cullen, it was so kind of you to allow us to conduct this interview in your home. My name is Derek Shaw, and this is my colleague Lara Skittle" introduced the male police officer.
"It was no trouble, really. And please call me Carlisle. I knew that Charlotte would find it traumatising to be taken to the police station, which is why I suggested having the interview here" replied Carlisle, as he stood up to shake Derek's hand.

"Suggested is an interesting word, since I don't think you actually gave us a choice in the matter" said Lara coldly.
The policewoman's tone made Charlotte nervous, that was until she felt a calming wave flow through her, curtesy of Jasper.
"Now, now, I'm sure Carlisle was only doing what he thought was in Charlotte's best interests" said Derek.
Charlotte could tell that the female officer was the sterner of the two, which surprised her, as she had expected the female to be on her side, and not the male.

"Forgive my manners. This is Charlotte Thomas" announced Carlisle, as he gestured towards Charlotte who hadn't moved from her place on the sofa.
"It's a pleasure to meet you young lady" smiled Derek, offering out his hand, which Charlotte didn't shake.
"Please, take a seat" offered Carlisle, as he pointed to the two seats he had already set up opposite the sofa, that separated them by a good two metres.
Unfortunately as the officers sat down, they dragged their chairs closer towards Charlotte, who then tried recoiling in her seat as much as she could.
Sensing her distress, Carlisle quickly joined her on the sofa, placing his body slightly in front of hers. Which may of seemed protective, but it was really for the police officers benefit.

"Where would you like to start?" Asked Carlisle.
"We would like to ask Charlotte a few questions first" revealed Lara.
"That's fine with me" replied Carlisle.
Lara nodded her head, before turning her attention Charlotte.
"So, when did you first learn that your father murdered your mother?" Questioned Lara.
"At the same time as everyone else. I heard his confession along with Carlisle" answered Charlotte.
"And before then, you really had no idea that he'd had a hand in your mother's death?"
"No, I had no idea. I had never seen him be mean to my mother, so he never gave me cause to doubt my mothers death".

"I see. So when did he turn his attention towards you?" Asked Derek.
"A few months after my mothers death" revealed Charlotte.
"And this abuse has continued since then, for the past 7 years?"
"Yes"
"But you never told anyone until now?"
"No, I never told anyone... I was scared that no one would believe me"
"And no one ever became suspicious, despite your frequent injuries?"
"No. Not as far as I know".

"Well there is one man who has come forward, a Mr Kent, your history teacher I believe" revealed Lara.
"Mr Kent spoke to you?" Questioned Charlotte, who couldn't quite believe what she was hearing.
"Yes, he admits to finding your behaviour the other day, concerning, which is what led him to going to your home to check on you. Do you remember this?".
Charlotte could hardly forget the events that had led to her death.
"Yes, I remember. He didn't stay very long, as my father showed him out pretty quickly" she admitted.

"Since that day, you haven't been seen at school, and we would like to know why that is?" Asked Lara.
Charlotte looked up at Carlisle, who nodded his head.
"I became very ill, which is when Carlisle started looking after me. He's been treating me for years, so we've developed a close bond. When my condition was diagnosed, he told my father that I was going to need a lot of medical attention. When he saw the state my father was in, he offered to become my temporary guardian until I was better. And my father agreed" lied Charlotte.

"So your abusive father agreed to just give you up?" Questioned Lara, not believing Charlotte's story.
"Yes. He hasn't been himself these past few weeks. He's been drinking more than normal... I expect he thought the chance to get me out of his hair for a while, was too good to miss" replied Charlotte.
"So after all this, what happened next?"
"After spending some time with Carlisle I felt brave enough to reveal what my father had been doing to me. We then went to my old house to tell my father that we were going to police. He was very hungover, and he confessed to hurting me in front of Carlisle. We were going to leave then, which is when he suddenly revealed what he'd done to my mother".

"So, when you heard this news what did you do?" Asked Lara.
"I was very angry, so Esme brought me back here. Carlisle spoke to my dad for ages, before taking him to the station" answered Charlotte, bending the truth slightly.
"I see. And you've been here ever since?"
"Yes, I haven't left the house, other than to walk in the garden".

"O.K then, I think that's all the information we need today" announced Derek.
"We'll be back in a few days to ask some more questions. And to find out in more detail what happened to you in these past 7 years. You will also have to write an official statement, and come down to the station at some point" revealed Lara.
"But we don't have to do that just yet. You need time to get over your ordeal" added Derek.

"Thank you" Charlotte said quietly.
"Yes, thank you for coming. I'll show you out" said Carlisle as he stood to his feet, and began to lead the officers towards the door.
Even once they had left the room, Charlotte didn't fully relax until she heard their car drive off into the distance.