AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Babe…” There was a higher rate of domestic violence in law enforcement families than in the general public. And it sickened him. The excuse that it was a high-pressure job was just an excuse. Everyone who wore the badge knew that from the moment they signed on. That didn’t give anyone the right to hurt the people they were supposed to love the most. To protect. Period.
“I’ll talk to Daniel. Let him listen to what we heard. He won’t approve Wilson’s transfer. I’m sure of that.”
She was probably right in that. Daniel had a few hot buttons that everyone knew about. Domestic violence was the big one. Jarrod had his theories why.
Jarrod cupped her cheek. Looked down into her blue, blue eyes. He needed her to believe what he had to say now. Especially after what she’d told him the night before. “Not all of us cops are like that. I’d never put a hand on a woman in anger. Ever. I doubt anyone in Major Crimes would either. A real man doesn’t hurt a woman, especially one he promises to love and protect. A real man doesn’t hurt those he loves, man or woman or child. I will never hurt you. Ever.”
There were memories in those eyes of hers. Pain.
Fear. Why hadn’t he ever realize that before? That’s what it was—why she kept that wall. She was afraid of falling for someone just like her father. And here she was—surrounded by men who were cops, just like Gordon Harris.
But not all cops were like that. Most weren’t. They just weren’t. Most pinned on the badge to help, not harm. But his poor little rabbit couldn’t see that. Or…was too afraid to. “Come here.”
He pulled her close. Hugged her as chastely as he possibly could, considering where they were. No doubt they were being recorded right now, too. Which…Wilson would have been recorded in that conference room. If they had video, plus audio…
And he’d put his hands on Heather—Miguel’s words had almost guaranteed he’d seen that bastard’s hands on Heather. That might be enough to make sure that punk never got Finley Creek.
No. Wilson wasn’t getting Major Crimes. Jarrod was going to see to that.
46
Haldyn still felt raw when she made it back to the Barratts’ home—with her hulking shadow right behind her. Memories she wasn’t ready to face had threatened her the entire ride in the Barratts’ private car.
Then again, maybe it was memories of her own past rising up to confuse her. To hurt.
How many times had her father threatened her almost just like that? There hadn’t been sexual abuse, but there had been physical. Almost every day that she could remember.
Do what I tell you, Hallie, or your little sisters will pay the price.
That had been his constant refrain. He’d taken a lot of pleasure in beating his younger two in front of his eldest. Just because he liked the control. The power.
Steve Wilson had hurt Heather. There was no denying that.
Probably more times and in more ways than anyone would ever know. No wonder Heather had those dark shadows in her eyes at times. Haldyn hurt for her.
Jarrod was still, was very, very angry right now. She hadn’t missed that—he cared about Heather a great deal. She hadn’t realized how much until today. He wanted to protect his partner, too.
They had passed Heather in the bullpen. She’d been paler than usual—which was saying something. There had been hurt on Heather’s face. Memories. And yes, fear.
It had stabbed Haldyn right in the heart. As she remembered.
But Haldyn hadn’t said anything. She’d bring up what she’d recorded with Heather—in case Heather needed it—later. When it was just the two of them and Heather wasn’t teetering on the brink.
Heather had had a rough couple of days. She deserved a break.
But Heather had two little girls to protect.
Unlike Haldyn’s own mother, Heather probably protected her daughters fiercely. Haldyn would help her do that however she could. Even if it meant that hard conversation.
She made it through dinner with the Barratts and their families. They were celebrating. The fourth young woman hurt in the Eastman ambush had been released from the hospital after her second surgery on her injured leg and had been brought to the Barratts’ home to recuperate. The mayor’s sister-in-law Josie. The Barratts just seemed to collect lost and alone souls or something. Haldyn was grateful for what they had done for her, too.
The four girls stayed at the end of the dining room table. They didn’t say much at all. Sydney spoke the most—Melody’s sister. She was the eldest and the obvious spokeswoman for the girls—but the rest were so heartbreakingly silent. Heather’s niece Penelope was one of them. Pen just looked like she was ready to fall apart at any moment. She wasn’t the chattery, intense teenager she had been before. Their friend Grace, that girl reminded Haldyn so much of Blake physically sometimes. Grace was so heartbreakingly silent now. She hadn’t said a word since the attack. In months. No one knew if she would ever speak again.
Trauma had them all.
Powell was staring at Haldyn again.
“You okay?” Powell asked her, as dinner moved into dessert. The Barratts took every opportunity to celebrate, she’d been told before. Melody definitely liked to entertain. Houghton liked to give Melody whatever she wanted.
