The Bars Between Us

29. The Girl Who Cried Wolf

My leg bounces up and down almost involuntarily as I stare at the cop sitting across from me. I swallow, trying to get my voice to work.

"Would you like a drink?" I ask.

"I'm fine, thank you," he replies as he brings out a notebook. I examine him again. I had seen him before. Roman made us go to this event a couple of years ago when he first started out at the prison, and I had seen him there. Roman had struck up a conversation with him, while I had stood off to the side. It seemed like that had got along, and after that I had seen him a few more times. Is this the person that I want to report Roman to? Is he going to believe me? He's a cop, he shouldn't be biased.

"Can you tell me exactly what happened, ma'am?" His eyes move from the notebook to me. Doesn't he remember me? Is he using the formalities to keep from the personal connection? I swallow again, my own eyes moving from the cop to the door expecting Roman to come through any minute. I had told the 911 operator he shouldn't be home for a while, but he's already surprised me once tonight.

"I... uh-" I start.

"You said your husband tried to kill you," he prompts, his hazel eyes trained on my face.

"Yes, he did." My hand pulls the ripped shirt closer to my body, as my other flutters up to my cheek. His eyes follow my hand to my cheek, before he makes a note. "Um... he tried to rape me, and then when I escaped he came after me."

"What did he do when he came after you?"

"Pulled me back."

"So he never tried to actually kill you?" he asks, his eyes narrowing.

"Well, no, but Roman said he was go-"

"Roman Stevens?" he asks. I close my eyes.

"Yes." He purses his lips as he looks me over, making another note.

"Go on."

"He said he was going to," I finish my earlier sentence.

"What did he say?" My mind turns over, not believing all the questions that are being asked. I thought that they would just believe me. Can't he see the evidence? The bruise on my cheek, the vomit of the floor, the disarray the house is in.

"He would shut me up permanently," I mumble.

"But he didn't act on it?"

"He was dragging me through the house," I say, getting more annoyed.

"Hm." He writes something else in his notebook.

"Have you been drinking?"

"Well, yes, but not enough to make me drunk..."

"The vomit in the hall says otherwise," he comments. My mouth falls open.

"That's from my disgust at everything happening!"

"Narcotics?" he asks ignoring my exclamation.

"No." His eyes move up to mine, a light eyebrow rising.

"If I were to do a search of this house, I wouldn't find any?"

"Of course not! My husband is a Warden at the prison across the road for god's sake."

"Your husband? You're still calling him that? If it was me, I wouldn't be able to..." he comments, taking yet another note. I falter my mouth opening and closing. I am so used to calling him my husband that it has become second nature, especially if I want to survive the week without any injuries.

"Yes, but..."

"What I think happened here is that you and Roman got into a fight. Drunk, angry, and possibly high, when Roman left, you called in a false complaint." I pull my wrist closer to my body as I stare in shock at the man in front of me. I should have known. I've made a huge mistake; of course they are going to be loyal to Roman.

"But my injuries-"

"Were as a result of a fall from your drunkenness," he states, the theory gone from his voice. He was telling me that's what happened. He gets to his feet, and walks to the doorway leading out of the living room.

"Goodnight, Miss Stevens. Be careful next time you get drunk, and decide to complain. You ever heard of the boy who cried wolf? You don't want to end up like one of those sheep..."

I am so sorry for the long wait! I think in the last part I mentioned that one of my other books has been published, and as a result I haven't had much time to write and upload the parts.

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