Page 34 of He Doesn't Deserve You

“She didn’t have a phone. It was at my house.”

“Go on.”

“Mr. Longford agreed to give us a ride into town and went to fetch his keys,” Roman recounted. “Meanwhile, Ava got into the candy dish, and her hands were sticky. We went into the kitchen to wash them and found Mr. Longford lying on the floor, bleeding. It looked like he had fallen and hit his head on the corner of the kitchen counter. The cut was deep. He needed stitches. So, we took him straight to the hospital.”

Detective Martin leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed intently on Roman, hanging onto every word.

“While we were sitting in the waiting room for Mr. Longford to be released, a breaking news report came on the television about Ava’s disappearance. That’s when I came straight here and turned myself in.”

Remembering that Mr. Longford was still at the hospital without a ride home, Roman said, “Please, you have to send someone to the hospital to pick Mr. Longford up. I took his car. He has no way of getting home.”

“I’ll send someone,” Detective Martin said. “We received a call from Mercy Hospital. They reported someone spotting the two of you there. When they tried to apprehend you, you ran. Why is that?”

“Because if I let them take me in, you would never have believed that I was going to turn myself in,” Roman explained.

Detective Martin nodded, then turned off the recorder and stood up. “That’s enough for now. I’ll be back,” he said.

18

Detective Johnson opened the door to interrogation room three and announced, “Someone wants to see you.”

A moment later, Ava appeared in the doorway. “Mommy!” she cried, sprinting into Emily’s open arms.

“Oh, sweetheart, Mommy was so worried about you. Are you okay?” Gently releasing her daughter, she held her at arm’s length and examined her closely. “Did he hurt you?”

“No, the man got a boo-boo.”

“He did? Is he okay?”

Ava nodded, “Uh huh.”

“That’s good, baby.”

Noticing her father nearby, Ava looked up and said, “Hi, Daddy.”

Gabriel scooped her up into his arms, holding her tightly. “Hi, baby. Daddy missed you so much,” he whispered, pressing a tender kiss on her head.

Emily turned to Detective Johnson, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Where did you find her?”

“Roman turned himself in,” Detective Johnson replied. “Detective Martin is interviewing him now.”

Emily’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “He did?”

Gabriel interrupted, his voice tense. “I hope you’re going to arrest that SOB.”

“He’s in custody for now,” Detective Johnson responded. “We’re still determining the charges. We’ll know more once Detective Martin finishes the interrogation.”

Emily glanced at the detective; her voice laced with fatigue. “Can we go home now?”

“Detective Martin will likely have a few more questions for you once he’s done with Roman,” Detective Johnson sighed. “I know it’s been a long day, and you’re eager to get home, but I need you to hang in there for a little longer.”

“I understand,” Emily said. Do you need all of us to stay? I’d like to get Ava home.”

“Let me check with Detective Martin. I’ll be right back.” Detective Johnson left the room.

As soon as he was gone, Gabriel pulled Emily and Ava into a tight embrace. “I told you we would find her,” he whispered reassuringly.

Emily’s eyes, brimming with tears, met Gabriel’s. She nodded silently.

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