by Ivy Jordan
“I found her last week on the road on my way into town, bloodied and bruised. We shared a foster home when we were just kids. What could you possibly want with her?” I questioned.
“She nearly killed a man,” Jake stated firmly.
I couldn’t believe my ears. There was no way that Candace, skittish and frail Candace, could’ve done such a thing.
“You must be mistaken,” I said with conviction, ready to come to her defense in any way.
“There’s no mistake. Damien Jones had been left for dead nearly a week at an old abandoned farm not too far from here. When he finally made it to help, he named Candace as the perpetrator,” Jake explained.
“That piece of shit was abusing her. She can’t weigh more than a hundred pounds wet. There’s no way she’s capable of anything like that,” I snapped.
“Either way. I’ve got to take her in for questioning,” Jake said.
“Questioning?” I chuckled with anger.
“Yes. If there’s cause, she could be arrested. I suggest you find her a good lawyer if she’s such a good friend,” Jake patted me on the back.
He took a couple steps towards the bathroom where Candace had taken seclusion.
“Wait,” I called out, rushing towards him. “She’s suffering from PTSD, and her anxiety is off the charts. She’s just started talking to me the last couple days. Let me try to talk to her,” I suggested.
Jake nodded and backed off so I could take the lead.
I knocked on the door, only hearing sobs inside.
“Candace. Please open the door,” I pleaded.
More sobs.
“Whatever you did, or didn’t do, we will sort it all out. I’ll call you a lawyer, one of the best I know,” I promised.
“Miss Lennon, I’m afraid I can’t wait for much longer. I’ll have to take the door down. It’s better if you cooperate,” Jake stated.
I shot him a look of irritation as I let out a sigh.
“I’ll come with you. I won’t leave you,” I promised.
“Miss Lennon. We need to ask you some questions. Luke will ride with us, and he’s already calling you an attorney,” Jake informed her as he looked back at me dialing my phone.
The door opened slowly, and a tear-riddled Candace appeared in the frame. When Jake got his first look at her, it was obvious he was shocked to see someone so thin and frail.
“You’re safe, Candace. I’m going to fix this,” I promised, unsure if that was a promise I could keep.
Chapter 12
Candace
The tension was thick as I sat in the passenger side of Luke’s truck. The cop car, carrying Officer Flowers, apparently someone Luke knew, was escorting us through town like a cheap parade.
I was grateful that he’d allowed me to ride with Luke. I couldn’t bear the thought of riding in the backseat of the cruiser, handcuffed, guilty, my life over.
“Candace, I hate to ask, but if there’s anything you want to tell me, now’s the time,” Luke said sternly, his eyes offering a contradictory kindness from his tone.
“I’m sorry I pulled you into this,” I whispered.
“You didn’t pull me into anything. I’m a big boy. I make my own decisions in life,” he stated just as firmly as his first statement.
What it must be like to make good decisions in life, or to at least be able to make your own.
“I ran away from the foster home, from you, because Mr. Craft was hurting me,” I admitted.
“Donald?” Luke asked.
I hated hearing that name: Donald. He used to make me say it while he had his way with me, tell him how great he was, that he was the only one. It was disgusting.
“Yes,” I stared down at the floorboard of the truck, unable to look in Luke’s direction.
“You could’ve told me. I would’ve got you out of there, left with you,” he claimed.
“He told me I was dirty, that you’d be disgusted by me if I told,” I explained.
“I understand how he could make you feel that way. But, Candace, that is the furthest thing from the truth,” Luke assured me.
“Damien told me the same thing, that I was dirty. He beat me, Luke. He degraded me in ways I’m ashamed to admit,” I sobbed, pushing my hands into my face.
“You’ll have to tell me everything, Candace. And we don’t have much time before we reach the station. I don’t want you talking to anyone except your lawyer, Evelyn Pierce. She’ll be waiting for us there,” he informed.
I really appreciated his help. I knew without it, I’d be going to prison for certain. He at least made me feel I had a chance, not a good one, but a chance.
I took a deep breath and then told Luke everything.
“He held the knife to my wrists, telling me to end it. He’d tortured me for hours on end, raping me, beating me. I didn’t think it would ever end. When he took a break, stopping to drink another beer, I found my chance,” I explained.
“Your chance?” Luke questioned, his knuckled white against the wheel.
It was obvious he was angry, but I wasn’t sure if at me or Damien with his silence dragging out for so long while I told my story.
“I took a ball bat. I hit him hard, hit him again, hard. I thought he was dead. I ran away; that’s all I knew to do. I didn’t have anywhere to go, and then you found me. I’m so sorry, Luke,” I cried, more shame in my heart than I’d ever felt before.
“Don’t you dare apologize, to me, or anyone. Be thankful I found you. Be grateful that it’s Jake and not some other hyped-up hick cop ready to make an arrest that showed up at our door, but do not apologize,” he said sternly.
Our door. Those words must’ve been a fluke, but they sounded so good to my ears.
Luke pulled his truck into the parking lot of the small police station. Officer Flowers pulled beside him, quickly getting out of his car and walking in our direction.
“Remember what I said: you say nothing to anyone, except Evelyn,” Luke instructed, then opened the door to the truck.
I felt sick as Officer Flowers opened my door, holding out his hand to escort me down. I pulled back, feeling my body tense with anxiety, and started to shake as he continued to reach for me.
“I’ll get her,” Luke called out, rushing to the passenger side of the truck.
I was relieved he stepped in and grateful the cop let him.
His hand was strong and tight around mine as Luke helped me to my feet. I stood in the parking lot of the police station, scared, uncertain of my future, and all I could think about was never seeing Luke again.
“There’s no need for those,” Luke glared at the officer who reached for his cuffs.
“It’s standard procedure,” the officer replied, not willing to give up his authority that easily, even to a friend.
“She’s not under arrest. She came of her own free will to answer questions. There’s no need,” Luke stated with a firmness that vibrated between my thighs.
“Consider it a favor,” the officer smiled, releasing his hand from the silver cuffs attached to his side.
We walked into the station, the officer in front, and Luke by my side, gripping my hand tightly, squeezing every so often for added assurance.
“Candace, I’m truly sorry for everything you’ve gone through, but I’m going to take care of it. I promise,” Luke said as the officer pulled me away from his safety.
A disheveled woman no more than five-feet tall made her way towards me.
“Miss Lennon, I’m Evelyn Pierce, your attorney. Do not answer any questions unless I’m present, and even then, let me answer them. You stay quiet, and we will get you out of here as soon as possible,” she assured me, extending a hand to mine.
I shook it, half-heartedly believing what she promised. I saw the shape I left Damien in that night. It was bad enough that I was certain he was dead. I wasn’t going anywhere, except to prison.
The officer ushered me into a small room with a large table, two chairs, and nothing but blue paint on the walls. A large win
dow was tinted in the center of the outside wall, and I’d seen enough television to know it was a two-way window where I’d be watched and listened to by who knows who, possibly Damien.
My chest started to tighten, and my breath was growing rapid. A full-blown attack was coming on, and I knew in this tiny room, with that giant window, I wasn’t able to stop it.
“Luke,” I gasped for air, pleading with one of the officers to bring him inside.
“I’m sorry, Miss Lennon, he can’t come inside,” Officer Flowers apologized.
“Evelyn,” I gasped again, unable to remember her last name in my fit of anxiety.
“You want your attorney present?” Officer Flowers asked.
I nodded just before my entire body froze, that fucking elephant back on my chest making it hard to breathe.
Chapter 13
Luke
“I need the pictures, x-rays, anything you have from the night you found her,” Evelyn informed me right before being summoned inside the small room where they took Candace.
“Is she okay?” Theo gasped, rushing towards me.
I nodded, taking a seat on the small bench outside in the lobby. My eyes lingered on Theo’s, waiting until I knew we were alone.
“Theo, you were right about the abuse. She confided in me why she left the foster home. That’s where it started, and since then…” My voice traveled off, trying to regain composure.
“We don’t have to talk about it,” Theo patted me on the back.
“This Damien guy, her ex, he’s the one pressing charges,” I snarled.
“What kind of shape is he in?” Theo inquired.
I shrugged.
“She said she thought he was dead. I guess she done a number on the son of a bitch with a baseball bat,” I growled under my breath.
I wanted to finish the job, to walk into his hospital room and let him know I wasn’t going to allow him to hurt her anymore at any cost.
“So, it’s looking pretty bad,” Theo sighed.
“Evelyn’s in there with her. She said we’ve got a good case. Candace was only trying to get away, to escape the torture and abuse,” I informed.
I wanted to tell him more, but it wasn’t my horror to tell. Candace had confided in me, and I could only hope she was confiding in Evelyn.
“What can I do?” Theo asked.
“We need the pictures from that night and the x-rays,” I replied eagerly.
Theo nodded, got up, and lingered over me.
“You gonna be okay here until I get back?” he asked.
“I’ll stay put,” I promised.
Evelyn and Jake walked out of the small room where Candace had been secluded. Their faces were pale and exhausted, and I feared the worst as they neared my seat. I stood, waiting to hear whatever bad news they had to deliver after two hours of waiting.
“She won’t talk,” Evelyn sighed.
“Is she okay? Is she having an anxiety attack?” I questioned, concerned they didn’t understand just how serious her disorder really was.
“She did have an attack. We gave her water, some space, and calmed her down. But now she won’t speak, not even to me,” Evelyn explained.
“Give her this,” I quickly grabbed a pen and paper from the small table by my bench.
I scribbled a note, to be delivered to Candace.
Trust Evelyn. Please talk to her… She will help you. I am still here, and I won’t leave. You are safe, and I promised to fix this. I don’t break promises.
Luke
Evelyn took the paper, rushing back into the room.
Jake sat down beside me, his uniform clanking with keys, handcuffs, and whatever else he had dangling from his belt.
“I’m going to make a visit to the hospital to let Damien know we picked up Candace,” Jake stated without emotion.
My blood boiled, my fists clenched, and my teeth started to grind together as my jaw locked.
“Fuck him. Let me go talk some sense into him,” I demanded, trying to stand as Jake pushed into my chest, keeping me on the bench beside him.
“I’m going, so no one gives him any information about what we’ve discovered. I will, however, hint to him that pressing charges may not be a solution without more problems for him,” he stated.
I sighed, trying to calm myself, but was unable. I wanted so badly to go meet this coward, to beat him the way he’d beaten Candace.
“How long will she be in there?” I asked.
“That’s more up to her than anyone else,” Jake smiled warmly, patting me on the back as he clanked back to his feet.
His eyes were fierce as they burnt into mine. I knew it was a silent warning, to stay here, stay out of trouble, and stay away from the hospital, from Damien.
“I’ll stay put,” I gave him the same promise I’d given Theo.
I stared at the small door where Candace had been taken, waiting, hoping that she’d come out any minute.
My head in my hands, I nearly fell asleep. Theo pushed against me as he sat down, causing my eyes to shoot open.
“She come out?” I asked.
“No. I just got the x-rays and photos to Evelyn. She said she’s talking now,” he sighed.
I nodded. “Thanks,” I mumbled, taking my position staring at the door once more.
Theo distracted me by asking about the ranch, but I couldn’t think of anything except Candace.
“I’d like her to stay,” I insisted.
“I’m sure Jackson would be willing to hear you out on that,” Theo noted.
“Lyla’s been working with her, and she was coming around. She loves the kittens, but she’d be great with all the farm animals. I know she would,” I gushed.
I didn’t want to tell Theo about the night before, how she’d come into my room, to my bed. I was afraid it would obscure his thoughts, thinking my reasons for keeping her there were selfish. They weren’t. Not entirely.
“There’s Jake,” I called out, standing as he walked through the front doors.
He walked over to us, his face hard to read, but stern and sour.
“He’s adamant about pressing charges,” Jake gave us the bad but expected news.
“So, what, he just gets away with all the abuse he put her through?” I spat.
“Did you bring the evidence?” Jake turned towards Theo, who quickly nodded.
“I’m going to talk to the prosecutor on this, see if we can’t get a warrant issued for Damien’s arrest, that is if Candace will be willing to press charges of her own,” Jake suggested.
She was so scared, so skittish, I wondered if she would be strong enough to go after Damien.
Chapter 14
Candace
The officers led me to a new room, one without the large window. Evelyn sat across from me, us both in chairs much more comfortable than the others in that horrid room. There was a picture on the wall, a kitten hanging on a clothesline with the caption ‘hang in there.’ I chuckled as I looked at it. Such irony.
Evelyn’s eyes drifted to what I’d been looking at, and she smiled warmly.
“Luke told me you’d made some friends in the barn,” she smiled again, this time with more concern.
I nodded.
The note she’d given me from Luke was crumpled in my hand. I didn’t know this woman, but I knew him. He said to trust her, and even though I wasn’t accustomed to trusting anyone, I trusted him.
“If I have to go to jail, I will,” I stated firmly.
Evelyn’s eyes widened. More concern.
“Do you think you should go to jail?” she asked.
I nodded.
“Why?” she questioned.
“I wanted to kill him. I’m sad that I didn’t,” I whispered.
“Don’t ever repeat that, and I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear it,” she said, her lips pursing together tightly. “Can you tell me why you attacked him?”
Attacked him. I chuckled. That sounded funny to me. I’d never raised a hand to Damien. He was the aggr
essor, the one who I feared, not the other way around. But I had attacked him so badly that I thought he was dead when I ran. Why couldn’t he have just died?
“I don’t have a life like you, like others,” I mumbled.
Evelyn leaned back in her chair with a notepad and pen in hand. Her eyes lingered on mine, waiting for me to elaborate.
Without fear, without shame, I told her everything, starting with the foster home where I’d met Luke.
“So, you trust Luke?” she asked.
“I do,” I said softly.
It felt as though I’d been in this place for hours. There were no windows, no sight of the outside world to know if it were dark, light, or if both had passed to make it a full day.
Tears strolled down my face as I thought about the outside world I might never see again, about Luke.
“Damien was a monster,” I blurted, beginning my tale of how I’d come to be in this seat.
“Was. He’s still alive, and will most likely survive,” Evelyn stated.
I looked at her with caution. If he did live, he’d come after me for sure, even if I was in jail. He’d find a way to get to me.
“Does that scare you?” Evelyn questioned.
I nodded, unable to speak at that moment. The elephant had returned to my chest, sitting heavily, firmly, and not budging as I tried to breathe.
“He can’t get to you here, Candace,” she said, using my first name for the first time.
Something about her informality calmed me. I didn’t take to being called Miss Lennon.
“You’re safe. I highly doubt Luke will let anyone harm you, and if we have our way, Damien will be the one in jail, not you,” Evelyn said with a strong conviction.
Her comment surprised me, causing me to gasp, finally getting relief from the elephant that liked to take its seat on my chest.
“Damien is a very mean man, and he has ways of getting done what he wants done,” I said softly.
“Can you tell me about that night?” Evelyn asked.
I took a deep breath.
“Damien woke up angry. He kicked me as he got up. I stayed where I was, listening as he slammed things around in the other room, cursing and calling out to me, calling me names that I’d prefer not to repeat. When he returned, he had a knife, the same knife he liked to torment me with when he was angry,” I wiped back tears.
