"If you could just sign here, we'll wrap this up, Ms. Anderson," Detective Sinclair called out, tapping the paper with a chipped nail.
I glanced up as one of the detectives slid a stack of papers across the table towards me. Her voice was flat and professional. It was almost too much so.
I grabbed the pen and quickly scribbled my name, not even reading the fine print. After the last few hours of isolation, I was mentally exhausted.
"What's next?" I asked sliding the papers back to her.
She straightened the papers into a neat pile and gave me a stiff smile. "You're free to go."
I blink. "That's all?" My voice is hoarse as if I've been shouting for hours, but in reality, I haven't said a word all day.
"Yup. You're free to go," she repeated, her smile widening but not reaching her eyes.
"Okay..." I hesitated, wondering if I was missing something. "So, when can I pick up my father's car? The one you guys towed?"
She exchanged a glance with Detective Wayne who looked like he had about three cups of coffee too many. He chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"Whoa, you're putting the cart before the horse there," he said, crossing his arms.
I frowned. "What does that mean?"
"It means you should let the insurance company do their job first," Detective Sinclair cut in, her tone more sympathetic this time, "The impounded car is evidence, and once the investigation wraps up, they'll contact you."
"Be patient," the Detective Wayne added with a smirk. "They'll call soon."
Before I could say anything else, Detective Sinclair stood and motioned towards the door. "Come on, I'll walk you to the front desk. Let's get you your stuff."
I followed her, feeling like I was floating through the precinct, detached from everything happening around me. The hallway felt long, almost endless, as we made our way to the front desk.
When we got to the desk, the sergeant handed over my bag. I signed the form, checking off each item as I shoved it back inside; phone, wallet, and keys, all accounted for.
"Has anyone come by asking for me?" I asked the sergeant, trying to sound casual, but my voice gave me away.
The sergeant glanced at me and shook his head. "No one."
My heart sank, and I couldn't help the disappointed look that crossed my face. Jake hadn't come. After everything that happened, he didn't even bother to show up.
I grabbed my phone and unlocked it hoping to see at least a missed call or a text from Jake. Nothing. But there was a missed call and voicemail from my dad. I sighed, my stomach knotting up.
"Is something wrong?" the sergeant asked, watching me closely.
I plastered a smile on my face. "No, no. I'm good. Thanks for everything. I'll be on my way now."
"Take care, Ms. Anderson," Detective Sinclair said, her tone warm but distant. I nodded and headed for the door.
The crisp air hit me as I stepped out of the station, and I shivered, pulling my jacket tighter around me. My feet were heavy as I walked, the weight of everything pressing down on me. But first, I needed to check my voicemail.
I tapped on the message from my dad and held the phone to my ear. His voice crackled through the speaker.
"Hey, Kiddo! Hope everything's going okay at the station. Listen, your mother's back with the twins, but I haven't told her anything yet about… well everything. Didn't want to stress her out, you know? So just give me the rundown when you get the chance, and I'll break the news to her. Anyway, hang in there, kiddo! And don't worry, if they lock you up, I'll bake you a cake with a file in it. Haha! Alright, talk soon. Love you."
I couldn't help but smile. Trust my dad to try and lighten the mood, even when things were a mess.
I thought about calling him back, but the nagging thought in the back of my mind was louder now. Why hadn't Jake called? He knew where I was, and what I might be going through. So why the silence?
I hit dial before I can second-guess myself.
The phone rings once, then again. On the second ring, Jake picks up.
"Ella?" His voice was sharp like he was surprised I was calling.
I clenched my jaw, my frustration bubbling over. "Where are you?" I asked.
"What do you mean, where am I?" he replied, his tone defensive.
"What do I mean?" I snapped. "I texted you hours ago! I was at the police station, and you couldn't even bother to check in?"
He paused, and I could practically hear him scrambling for an excuse. "I was busy, okay?" he blurted out, "You know how things are at work."
"Busy? Busy?" I bark out a laugh, but there's no humor in it. "I don't even know what you do because you've refused to tell me. I've been sitting in a police station for over an hour, and you couldn't take two seconds to send a text or call me? I'm not talking of coming over!"
Jake sighs, the sound heavy with frustration. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't think it was that big of a deal. You said it was just bail stuff."
"Just bail stuff, Jake?" I screamed, "Can you hear yourself talk? Because from where I'm standing, it seems like you don't give a damn!" My voice was louder now, and people on the street were starting to stare.
"Babes, calm down. You're overreacting," he said, "You weren't arrested, were you?"
I felt a bitter laugh escape me. "That's not the point, Jake!" I yelled. I can feel my blood pressure rising, and my heart pounding in my ears, "The point is, I needed you, and you weren't there. My own boyfriend didn't care enough to check if I was okay!"
There's a long silence, as I can hear him breathing on the other end. "I don't know what you want me to say, Babes," he muttered.
"Maybe I don't want you to say anything," I reply, my voice dropping as I start walking again, trying to push the conversation down, shove it deep enough so it doesn't consume me.
There was a beat of silence, and then he sighed heavily. "I... I didn't know what to do, alright?" he blurted out finally, " I didn't know how to handle it."
I was about to respond when suddenly, a car screeched to a halt just a few feet away from me. The door swung open with a loud thud.
"Get in!" a voice barked from inside the car.
My heart jumped into my throat, and I stumbled back a step, my phone almost slipping from my hand.
"Who is that, Ella?" Jake's voice on the other end of the phone faded into the background as my survival instincts kicked in.
"Get in the car, now!" the voice ordered again, sharper this time.
I turned towards the car, my mind racing. The shadows partially hid the person in the driver's seat, but I could make out a familiar figure.
"What the hell do you want?" I muttered under my breath, backing away slowly. It was someone I never expected to see again here.
"Ella, what's going on?" Jake's voice was now distant, drowned out by the pounding of my heart.
"Now!" the person in the car growled, their hand on the door, ready to leap out if I didn't comply.
He looked like he didn't take no for an answer.
I had to make a decision and fast.
"Jake, I will call you back," I said as I stepped into the car.
"This better be quick," I said to the figure in the backseat.