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“Okay,” I said.
Then I stood and handed Maria to him. He took her and without a word, or even a glance at me, turned and began to pace the small nursery as he always did when he held her. Whether his lack of communication was because he trusted me or didn’t care what I might say, I was unsure, but I wanted to get this over with. I followed Detective Murphy down the hall and we went into a small office, probably for nurses or something, and I sat in the seat he gestured toward. There was another man in the room, but he didn’t introduce himself, and I didn’t care to ask.
“You reside with Mr. Petran, correct?”
I nodded.
“Speak. We’re recording this,” the unnamed man said.
“Yes,” I said, happy my voice didn’t waver.
“And have you witnessed any criminal activity inside his home?”
“No,” I said.
“Miss Michelle, I know you’re afraid. You have every right to be, but we can protect you. He’s a violent, dangerous man, almost killed you and your child in the process. We can’t fix that, can’t make sure that your baby girl lives and isn’t…damaged. But we can make him pay for what he did to you, what he’s done to others.”
I’d known it would come to this, but I’d expected it after hours of priming, so I had to give Murphy credit for not wasting my time.
“I’m not sure what you think is happening, but Vasile had nothing to do with what happened to Maria.”
Murphy’s face folded into the most scornful scowl. “Do you believe that, or are you just covering for him? You baby almost died, ma’am. Still might, and you’re covering for that…”
I felt my own anger rise, but I bit it back. I’d gone to the police once, and they’d taken me right back to David. And now they wanted me to betray Vasile.
Wouldn’t ever happen.
“It’s time to feed my baby. Is there anything else?” I asked.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Fawn
“I get all of this personal service?” I said, smiling at Sorin after Vasile helped me into the car.
He smiled back, then looked quizzically at the huge pillow I had pressed against my stomach.
“For the bumps in the road,” I said.
He nodded. “You won’t feel a thing.” Then his smile dampened. “Fawn, I’m sorry she’s not coming with us,” he said.
“Thank you, Sorin. For everything,” I replied. He’d been there every day and had taken to Maria right off. It impressed me, showed a side of him I’d never seen.
“Drive,” Vasile said, effectively ending the conversation.
Sorin turned and then drove away from the hospital, slow and sedate. The car had a funereal atmosphere, the wrongness of leaving the hospital without the baby dampening everyone’s spirits, and even Sorin, who was usually so hotheaded, was subdued.
But true to his word, he got me home with minimal pain.
“I’m impressed,” I said. “I’m seeing a different side of you.”
“I can be different. With family,” he said, the significance of his words not lost on me.
Vasile, who’d rounded the car and opened the door, touched my shoulder. I went to stand, but he put his arms around me gingerly and then scooped me out of the car.
“Comfortable?” he asked.
I nodded, and then he set off, moving quickly but somehow managing not to jostle me.
