Pretty Little Dreams by Jennifer Miller Read Free Book Online Page B

dad, whom I don’t know if I’ve ever seen cry, was emotional. His eyes became glassy and he kept clearing his throat while asking me repeatedly if I’m feeling any pain. Before we could do or say much else, the police officers came into my room. Once they heard I had awakened, they were ready to begin questioning. They keep telling me the timing is so important if they are going to catch Deacon. I don’t tell any of them that I don’t think he will be found.
    “Hi Olivia, my name is Detective Kline.” Nodding to the other man with him, he says, “With me is Officer Timpleton, and we’re here to ask you some questions about your kidnapping.”
    I take in Detective Kline’s dark hair and dark eyes. He has a five o’clock shadow, hinting at a long night, and full lips. I decide he could totally be on one of those cop shows. I store that information to discuss with Pyper later. She’ll appreciate it. And it could be great conversation to use as a distraction from me and how I’m feeling. I know she will agree that he’s easy on the eyes, and speaking of eyes - his reveal compassion and kindness. They immediately put me at ease.
    His partner, Officer Timpleton, looks younger. He has blonde hair, blue eyes, and a young, boyish face. He continuously sways from side to side, with his hands clenching and unclenching. I get the impression he would much rather be running someone down on the street, as opposed to questioning me. I can’t really blame him. I would give back my favorite Jimmy Choo’s if it meant I could get out of this. Well okay, maybe not, but close enough.
    “Okay, I’m ready.”
    Before the officers speak again, the doctor and nurse excuse themselves, likely not wanting to interfere. I give them a smile as they head out and then return my attention to the officers.
    “First, I want to say I’m sorry. I know you just had surgery, and that you were just reunited with your family. I promise, we will try to keep the questioning short, so you can get back to your time with them. As we mentioned, time is of the essence if we are going to have any luck tracking Deacon down before he gets too far.”
    I flinch. It’s an automatic response to Deacon’s name. I can’t help it. Trying not to show my fear, I nod in response, and brace myself for a round of questioning that I know will be difficult.
    “Are you okay with your family being present during this round of questioning?”
    I look around at all of their faces. This is not only going to be hard for me, but it will be for them as well. “Yes, it’s okay.”
    “Okay.” The officer clears his throat and then begins, “Olivia, let’s start with the day that you were taken. Can you tell us what happened?”
    Taking a deep breath, I give them a nod and dive right in. That day has played over and over in my mind more times than I can count. I couldn’t forget it, even if I tried. I begin with the roses I received at the restaurant. They ask me specific details about everything, from where I was in the restaurant when I received them; who gave them to me; how many there were; and what color they were. “I assumed the roses were from Luke,” tears fill my eyes and I glance at Luke and see a tick in his jaw, “that’s why I texted him to tell him thank you. When I got to the condo, the door was closed –”
    “Did you notice any signs of forced entry?”
    Shouldn’t they know this already? This seems pointless. Then I remember that I’m not in my home state where the incident occurred. I should be more patient. “No, I didn’t. If I had, I wouldn’t have gone in. I would have called the police, assuming there was a break in.”
    “What happened when you went inside? Walk us through it, please.”
    “I saw the back of Pyper’s head,” my eyes well up again, making me sniff in an effort to hold them in, “I remember thinking it was strange that when I called her name, she just sat there. She didn’t turn around, didn’t acknowledge me at