Page 40 of The Final Straw

I already know it’s going to be just like last time. It was bad enough then, the way they looked at me when I told them what happened. How they laughed about a woman being able to take advantage of me.

“It’s going to be okay. Just calm down. As soon as we’re done here, we’re going straight to Olivia’s house. The two of you will be back together before the sun rises tomorrow.”

I just smile. She says that’s going to happen, but I’m not believing it until it happens.

Officer Butts heads back our way with the male detective from the last time we were here. Both of them look at me as they whisper and laugh.

This was a fucking bad idea.

“Detective Fischer will be with you shortly. She’s finishing up something,” Officer Butts explains as he takes his seat behind the desk.

“Mr. Michaels, as I told you before, I can’t do anything with that video. Are you seriously back again to try it?” He crosses his arms once he’s standing in front of us in an act of intimidation. It’s working too.

God, he’s a fucking prick.

“Sorry, whoever you are, but we’re working with someone else now. If you could kindly disappear.” My heart races with how Bre’s talking to him, an officer of the law. If I don’t reel her in, she’s going to be sitting in a jail cell.

“Is there a problem here?” a female voice speaks up.

It’s Detective Fischer. A small ounce of relief takes over.

“Yes. But now that you’re here, we’re fine. We have a confession from the perpetrator.” I rub my sweaty hands along my pants.

“A confession.” Detective Fischer’s eyebrow raises at our words and the two men’s mouths gape open.

“Yeah, we have a recording of her confessing that she drugged and raped Van. That, and the video, should be proof enough to convict her.” She cuts her eyes to the detective who’s still listening in. “Or do we need to take it to the press and let them know how you treated Van?”

Bre’s a fucking wildcat. I’m barely able to contain my laughter at the look on his face.

“Follow me to my office.” Detective Fischer covers her mouth with her hand. From the sound she’s making, I know she’s muffling her laughter. Turning, she swiftly walks away.

Bre and I fall in step behind her, only stopping when we’re in her office. She shuts the door before taking a seat behind her desk.

“Let me see what you have.”

Bre pulls out her phone and begins playing the recording. She places her hands on the desk, clasping them together as she listens. Clearing her throat, she finally speaks. “Can you email that and the video, please?” She provides her email and Bre quickly fires them off to her.

“Is that enough proof?” I ask.

“It is.” She reaches into her desk and pulls out some paper. “Can you write all the information you have for her down here? I’ll be right back, and we can start the paperwork.”

Detective Fischer stands and leaves the room. Bre and I don’t say a word until she’s gone.

“It worked,” I finally say in disbelief.

“I told you it would.”

I write down all I know about her and my recount of the events just in case she needs that. I’m so caught up that I don’t realize Fischer has returned.

“Okay, let’s get started. I contacted the DA and we have suitable evidence to issue a warrant for Barbi Johnson's arrest. As soon as we have it in the system, she’ll be picked up.”

It takes another thirty minutes to finish up.

“Okay, you’re free to go. We’ll be in contact.”

“What about Barbi?” I ask.

“As soon as the warrant is typed up, an officer will head to her home. She’ll be in custody within the next hour. There’s nothing more for you to do tonight. I do suggest that if she tries to reach out to you, avoid all contact with her.”

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