AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I was just about to ask her a few questions,” the officer says, adding with a slight narrowing of his eyes, “Purely routine.”
“Then I’ll call my lawyer,” Angelo says.
“Does she need a lawyer?” Officer Bartoli asks.
I place my free hand on Angelo’s arm. “It’s all right.”
Angelo clenches his jaw. “Can’t it wait?”
“The doctor said it was fine.” Officer Bartoli’s smile is patronizing. “It won’t take long.” He looks pointedly at me. “If you prefer, Mrs. Russo, your husband can wait outside.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I say.
“It’s not uncustomary—” the officer starts, but I cut him short.
“I want him to stay.”
Officer Bartoli clears his throat. “Very well.” He takes his phone from his pocket and activates the screen. “Do you remember what happened to you?”
Angelo’s fingers tighten around mine.
“I was attacked in my house.”
He types something on his phone. “Can you tell me exactly what transpired?”
I swallow.
Angelo gives the detective a hard look. “Is this really necessary?”
“It’s all right,” I say again. “They broke down my door and surprised me. I tried to get away, but there were four of them.”
Angelo squeezes my hand so hard I’m worried he’ll break my bones.
“Four,” the detective says as he notes it on his phone. “Were you alone in the house?”
“Yes.” I glance at Angelo. “My husband was away on business.”
The detective follows my gaze before bending his head back over his phone. “What happened then?”
“They assaulted me. I lost consciousness. When I came to, they were gone.”
“They were gone,” he repeats, presumably noting that too. “Did you call someone for help?”
“I don’t have a phone.”
He looks up.
Angelo loosens his grip and brushes his thumb in soothing circles over my palm.
“I prefer to live without electronic devices,” I say. “I wanted a detox from computers and phones.”
“I see. Carry on. You regained consciousness, and they were gone.”
“I walked to the village and knocked on Mr. Martin’s door for help. That’s the last thing I remember.”
“At what time did the assault happen?”
“It was just after eight.”
