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“Captain Morgan is putting a patrol outside your house. He’ll drive by every hour.” His eyes widen and his mouth opens to speak, but I don’t allow him to. “We still don’t know what happened to her or where she was from the time she disappeared from your house to the time she was picked up.” My jaw clenches. “Wherever she was, she was sexually abused. We’re still looking for answers, but with her memory being gone and no evidence, it’s been slow moving. Do you still have my number?” He nods. “Call me if she remembers anything, or if there’s any trouble.”
His face is red and tears track down his cheeks. “My poor Rebecca,” he cries softly and looks over my shoulder at Doe. “Why would someone want to hurt her? She doesn’t even know anyone besides myself.”
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out,” I grit between clenched teeth. “She doesn’t like to be touched or near anyone. You need to keep your distance and give her time.”
“Yes, of course.” He swallows and breathes deeply. “I just want to take her home where she can hopefully begin to heal.”
I give him a tight nod. “Take care of her, Mr. Stewart, and call me if anything happens.”
I leave him and go back to Doe, who looks so damn lost. This is so fucking hard on me, but I can’t imagine how hard it is for her. She has no memory of who she is, and she’s having to leave the one person she’s become comfortable with—me.
I stop in front of her and take her hand. Tavers leaves to give us a couple of minutes.
“I’ve put Tavers’ number in your phone in case, for some reason, you can’t get a hold of me. You have Mindy’s as well, in case you want … girl talk.” I smile, trying to lighten the mood a bit. Her smile is wobbly, but it’s still a smile, so I call that a win.
“Thank you, Niko,” she says tearfully. “For being my friend and for helping me.”
I’m surprised when she steps forward and puts her arms around my waist, resting her head on my chest. I slowly put my arms around her, keeping them loose, when all I want to do is crush her to me. I breathe in her sweet peach scent one more time, knowing this will be the last time I have the pleasure of doing so.
Doe is special in so many ways, and I hope one day she realizes just how much.
I release her and take a step back. Plastering a smile on my face, I grab her hand and turn us to face Mr. Stewart.
“Doe…” I clear my throat. “I mean Rebecca.” That name seems weird coming off my lips. “I’d like you to meet your uncle, Clem Stewart.”
Mr. Stewart steps forward, but heeding my warning, he doesn’t get too close. “Hello, Rebecca. I’m so glad to be taking you home.”
It takes her a minute, but she replies shakily. “Hello.”
“Are you ready?”
She’s not, I can tell by the stiffness of her shoulders, but being the brave person she is, she nods. “Yes.”
Tavers hands Mr. Stewart her travel bag. Doe looks once more at me, and I give her an encouraging nod. She releases my hand and slowly walks toward him. I should walk them out and see them to their car, but I don’t think I have it in me to watch them drive away.
Instead, I stand there with my heart pounding in my chest as Doe trails several feet behind him, leaving me to feel emptier than I did a few minutes ago.
