Chapter 25 #4
“She was there today,” Andi whispers, a shiver working its way through her body.
“How’s that possible?” Colsen directs the question to O’Connor, knowing he’s the most likely one of us to have an explanation.
“Her psychologist agreed that it could be beneficial to her recovery. Personally, I think they’re using it as a tool to see how she responds to being placed in an environment that should, theoretically, trigger the ingrained responses she was conditioned to have.
Or so she claims,” O’Connor admits, earning him some favor amongst the five of us.
I’m actually surprised he’s revealing his true sentiments about the situation.
“Bullshit. That woman is evil incarnate. The only reason she insisted on being there today is to taunt Andi. She wanted her to know that while Veritas might be crippled, it’s still breathing…
unlike her son. Her intimidation tactics aren’t nearly as convincing as a bullet to the brain is,” Briggs deadpans, a faint smirk tilting the corner of his mouth.
“Jesus Christ, man,” Colsen huffs in exasperation. “A bit too soon, don’t ya think?” He gestures to Andi’s ashen face, the poorly timed joke clearly having an adverse effect on her.
“Shit,” Briggs swears, cupping the back of her head and bringing their foreheads together.
It’s an intimate position, making me question just how close the two of them have grown over the past few weeks.
I banish the thought before it can fully form, feeling guilty for even thinking about it when it’s not my business either way.
“You good? I’ve got some nausea meds if you need them.
” My brows pinch with curiosity, but I refrain from prying.
“I’m going to overlook your comment about a recently deceased murder victim,” O’Connor states, his unamused glare aimed at Briggs. “If you don’t mind, Miss Adams, I’d like to keep your phone for a few days, to rule out any possibility of you having been in contact with Seth earlier this morning.”
“That’s fine.” She nods in agreement, completely at ease with handing over her personal information because she has nothing to hide.
We all know it; this is just a formality.
“Are you able to tell us what’s going to happen with Hudson?
” Her voice cracks when saying his name, her worry overriding everything else.
“We have an officer en route to him, as well as a social worker to claim guardianship for the time being,” O’Connor states softly, his situational awareness kicking in and warning him to tread lightly.
Andi whimpers, a shaky hand covering her mouth as she processes what this could mean for the tiny boy she’s grown so attached to.
None of us imagined this would be the outcome when today started.
I’d give just about anything to rewrite the events of this morning, to leave a few minutes earlier, avoid being late and stuck in traffic while Andi was enduring yet another trauma that’s going to mark her soul for the rest of eternity.
“I don’t mean to overstep, but I think the best thing you can do right now is focus on your own well-being,” O’Connor advises, though it’s clear he doesn’t know Andi in the slightest. There’s nothing in the world that would take precedence over Hudson at the moment, herself included.
“Regardless of how baseless Ada Stillwater’s accusations might be, that doesn’t mean she isn’t going to come for you with everything she’s got.
Off the record, I’d advise you to seek legal counsel in case this takes a turn for the worse.
” My palms start to sweat, an anxious energy thrumming beneath my skin, urging me to get Andi away from here and tucked safely inside the walls of my apartment.
“We appreciate the transparency, Chief.” I stand, extending my hand outward for him to shake.
Despite our tumultuous working relationship, I’m grateful to him for how this case is being handled.
Too many times, shit like this has been swept under the rug or downplayed just to save face and prevent local law enforcement from looking incompetent.
No one wants to admit something so heinous has been flourishing inside of their own jurisdiction, but Chaplain’s officials have done a damn good job of keeping any defensive tendencies at bay.
“I’ll do what I can to pass along any information we get about the boy,” O’Connor assures us, propping open the door for us to exit.
No one debates our next move; somehow, the five of us come to a silent agreement that it’s best to get home as quickly as possible, though Briggs and Andi wouldn’t be coherent enough to give their input either way.
Based on the droopiness of his eyes, it’s safe to say his meds are working.
Andi, however, is likely locked inside her own head, replaying a scene she never should have witnessed in the first place.
I can’t help but wonder: how many more times is she going to be retraumatized before this is finally over with?
Honestly, I’m afraid to know the answer.