28. Kennedy
“I lied,” I admit to the officers sitting in the conference room to take my statement. “I was involved in an abusive relationship with one of the most affluential defense attorneys in the area. I didn’t want him to kill my family, like he threatened.”
Sitting across from the same two men who’d come to the hospital that night isn’t my idea of a good time. Not only that, but they are both watching me with matching looks of disbelief.
“I don’t think I believe you,” Deputy Limm says bluntly. “Don’t get me wrong… I didn’t believe you that night either. And there’s no doubt in my mind that you were involved in an abusive relationship. I just find it hard to believe that it’s only after he accuses your boyfriend of murder that you come out of the woodwork with this.”
I swallow down the rage I feel at his accusation and look at the victim’s advocate that Maya arranged for me. She nods silently, offering her support.
“You don’t actually have to believe me,” I tell him. “I recorded the incident on my phone. Not only that, but he videotaped multiple assaults.”
Both deputies immediately sit forward, their dismissal of my earlier statement gone. “You have the recordings?” They share a look. “Do you know where he would keep the tape of the assault?”
When I shake my head at that, the second officer, Deputy Atwell, shrugs. “With the recording of the assault that you have, we’ll be able to get a warrant for everything.”
He rubs a hand over his beard. “If you had the recording this whole time, why not come forward sooner? That’s bothering me. What can he use against you in court, Kennedy?”
“Nothing,” I admit. “There was no reason. He threatened to kill me. To kill my family. You know my brother and my father.” I nod toward the glass window behind us. I don’t even have to look to know they are standing there, silently offering their protection.
“It’s hard to miss them,” Deputy Atwell says. “But I think your mother has the scariest reputation in the state as far as dispatchers go. I’d be more afraid if she was out there.”
“She is,” I tell them with a smile. “She’s not there, though. She’s hiding out in the dispatch room, no doubt listening to our entire conversation on the other side of the door.”
“You’re damn right I am,” Mom calls through the wall. “You don’t want us to interfere, that’s fine. But I’m gonna protect you any way I can.”
I wave my hand dramatically. “My family for you.”
Deputy Limm, who didn’t seem to like me at first, surprises me by smiling broadly. “Reminds me of my family. Ready and willing to let you handle your shit, but also there to catch you in case you fall.” He coughs and then rearranges the papers in front of him. “I’m going to be honest here. You lied on an official report, which isn’t good. But you did it under duress and as the victim of domestic assault. There were extenuating circumstances. We’ll submit the paperwork for an order of protection in Penobscot County, but you should put one through here as well.” He looks over my shoulder and I can’t help it, I look too.
It isn’t just my dad and Remy standing there. Cole and Linc are there too. “Great. Every male in my life is here.”
“Doesn’t seem too bad,” Deputy Atwell says, smiling. “You could have no one here.”
With that splash of cold water on the situation, I have to admit that he is right. It could be a lot worse.
“So what happens now?” Fear has taken up permanent residence in my stomach since I made the decision to press charges against him. “What should I expect?”
“With the information you have as well as a statement, because the abuse happened in Birch County, it will be up to the sheriff’s department to have a warrant issued for his arrest. From there, he will be given the option to post bail, and then he will go to court. Just like with any other offender.”
“Okay.” I nod, knowing the general specifics of the routine. “Can I do anything else?”
“Stay safe,” Officer Limm advises carefully. “Royal’s not just an abuser. He knows how to game the system. Don’t think that you’re smarter than he is, because that will only make him mad. And mad means that he’ll be reckless. We don’t want him to do something out of desperation.”
“Did you talk to my dad?” The question comes out before I can stop it, and I have to laugh at the looks on both men’s faces.
“No.” Deputy Atwell shakes his head. “But you’ve got four men who look like they could have crushed Royal to dust without even trying, standing right outside the window. You scream trouble, Miss Townsend. I just hope that you’re able to stay out of it long enough to put Royal behind bars.”
“Or in a grave,” my mom calls through the wall. I actually almost forgot that she is eavesdropping.
“What she said,” Deputy Limm says with a smile. “Good luck, Kennedy.”
They let themselves out, and my mom and dad come into the room with Jake hot on Dad’s heels.
“I’ve got all the paperwork here for the protection order,” Jake says by way of greeting. “All you have to do is sign it, and I’m going to walk it upstairs to the judge myself to get that and the warrant for Royal’s arrest.”
Dad nods. “I want you to stay home with the doors locked. Don’t go out; don’t do anything stupid. At least not until he’s arrested.”
I nod. Once I make the decision to do it, to press charges and move forward, everything feels easier. Like I can breathe better than I have in a long time. There is a light at the end of the tunnel that I didn’t even realize I’m missing until I see it.
“The only thing I need to do is stop by my house on my way to Linc’s. I need clothes and a few other things to last.”
“Okay.” Dad nods. “I’ll have one of my guys follow you over there and then to Linc’s house.”
At that, I kind of feel like he is overreacting, so I tell him so.
“Dad. I’m going to be ten minutes from the minute I leave here, until the minute I get to Linc’s house. I don’t need an escort. Jake isn’t even going to have the paperwork yet by the time I get there.”
I stare at my father, who isn’t wearing his ‘dad’ hat just then. He is wearing his ‘chief of police so you better listen to me or I’ll kick your ass’ hat.
“Don’t go anywhere else. Don’t do anything stupid. If you think you’re in danger or someone is following you, either come here or Birch PD. Don’t try and handle it on your own.”
I nod, listening intently.
“Oh,” Mom pipes up. “Don’t forget to take a machete with you. Those things are really sharp. I made your father buy me one, and now I use it on the bamboo plants in my garden to keep them from spreading.”
“Veronica.” Dad sighs. “Stop encouraging her.”
“I’ve got one in my car,” I tell her with a smile. “Don’t worry. I got this.”
On my way out, I kiss Linc on the cheek and give my brother and brother-in-law a nod. “The girls send you?”
Two matching nods.
“Hey,” Linc says while pulling me against him. “My ring looks good on your finger.”
“I know.” I smile up at him. “I’m headed my house to get a few things, then I’m heading to the bunker.”
The bunker has become my name for his house. With all the security and locking windows, the name fits perfectly.
“I’ll be there after shift.”
“Bring tacos.”
“And sex,” he promises.
“Gross,” Remy groans. “I really don’t want to listen to the fact that you and my sister have sex.”
“Go away, Remington,” I sing out. “Or I’m going to tell Parker on you.”
He mutters under his breath and heads to the door, dragging Cole with him.
“Hey,” Cole complains. “I don’t care about hearing it. I get to report back to Casper, and she loves hearing all that shit.”
“Let’s go, Cole. Tacos are calling our name too.”
They leave, and I stare up at Linc who looks happier than I’ve seen him in a long time.
“Did you know you’re the only one who keeps the nightmares at bay?” I don’t mean to get serious all of a sudden, but it is the truth.
“The same goes for you. It’s why I used to sit outside your house at night. Now, I just have to open my eyes and see you there in my arms. One more reason why I want you to move in with me, when you’re ready.”
“Well, since I put your ring on my finger”—I let go and walk away before looking back over my shoulder—“I guess I might be ready.”
He winks at me before following me out the door and down the steps of the sheriff’s office to where his cruiser and my car are parked.
“Be careful, Kennedy. If you need me, call. I won’t insist on following you home, but only because you’re going on a mission to get what you need. But can you hold off on anything crazy until I get off work?” He pleads with me silently, and I’m not about to tell him no. Especially when he can carry all the heavy boxes.
“I love you, Linc.”
“I love you too.”
When I get home to Linc’s, I’ve already made the decision to just have Linc move the most important things over, and the rest we can either put in storage or get rid of. I’ve barely put the key in the lock of the front door when I’m hit with the scent of something sickeningly sweet.
“Hello, Kennedy.”
Royal.
Before I can move or scream or do any of the dozen of things I can do to defend myself, Royal has his arms wrapped around my neck and head, pressing a cloth to my face.
I hold my breath as long as I can, hoping that someone will drive by, but he punches me in the kidney and I gasp for air against the pain, breathing in whatever he doused the cloth in.
I’m going to die, and I didn’t even get to live yet.