Page 26 of Covert Affair

Smitty comes in with a female officer that I don’t recognize and introduces himself and his partner to Stacey.

“If it’s okay with you, I’d like to ask you a few questions,” the female officer, Addison, slowly approaches us.

“Cody, step outside with me?” Smitty nods to the door.

“Are you okay if I step in the hall with Smitty?”

Stacey nods timidly and I reluctantly leave her with Addison.

“I want the bastard in jail,” I growl as soon as the door closes behind us.

“I’m sure you do. You know we’ve got to speak with him, too.”

I mutter under my breath.

“Addison will let us know if we’ve got enough to take him in, but for now I need to know your involvement for the report.”

“She called me crying and asking for help. Said the asshole put his hands on her.”

“Do you know if anyone saw it? Her bodyguard or anything?”

“He gave Stefan and Taylor the night off. Guessing they didn’t hear anything. I called Stefan to go in the room and get her out. Taylor stayed with the asshole who passed out.”

“And no one touched him?” Smitty raised a brow.

“I haven’t, yet, since we both know that’s what you’re really asking.”

“Thank Christ for small miracles,” he chuckles because he knows me all too well. As my brother’s best friend, he’s well aware of that Davenport temper when someone messes with a person we care about. “Off the record, what’s the deal with you two. Why did she call you?”

“Listen, I don’t have all the details, so maybe don’t ask any more questions,” I reply because I’m not about to tell him that she found some dirt and thinks that this guy is into something big. Not until I can get my hands on the information first. I might trust Smitty, but I don’t trust an entire department to keep things under wraps and protect the real victim from danger.

Call me jaded but that’s simply the way I see it.

13

STACEY MAE

“Willyou be staying here tonight? Or do you have somewhere else you can go? There are domestic violence shelters, I can arrange something for you.” Officer Addison Falco wraps up her notes.

“I, uhm. I can stay here. If not, I'm sure I can go with Cody.” I hope, anyway. “Either way, I’m safe. I think.”

“I’m going to give you my direct number to call if you need anything at all. I’m sure your first instinct is going to be to put as much space between you and your boyfriend as possible but you’ll need to stick around at least until you can go before a judge for a protective order and to file charges.” she says as she puts her camera away. “I’ve got everything I need here. Are you sure that you don’t want medical attention?”

“No,” I shake my head. “No medical attention. But, uhm. What if I change my mind about filing charges?”

Officer Addison pauses and blows out a deep breath. “I can’t tell you what to do Miss Adams, but given everything you’ve told me, I personally would encourage you to follow through. That’s the only way we can help you and stop him from hurting you again.”

“I’m sure you see this all the time. You must think I’m so stupid.”

She shakes her head. “No, honey. I don’t think you’re stupid at all. I think you’re brave and scared. But, that’s why we’re here. And it looked to me like that man that was here with you cares too. I don’t know much about him but my colleague said he’s one of the good guys.”

“He is,” I agree.

And if I wasn’t such a coward, I wouldn’t be in this situation right now. I should have tried harder, put myself on the line for Cody and not Wyalon’s pompous ass.

There’s a light knock on the door and then it opens. I can hear Cody in the hallway arguing with someone, about something.

“Falco, we’re going to need to take Miss Adams in as well,” Smitty grimaces.

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