Page 62 of A Deceitful Pact

“Ain’t it your day off?” He frowns.

“It was.” I raise my eyebrows before locating my uniform and heading to the bathroom to get dressed.

I had to admit defeat and order some maternity uniforms last week, and the pants are not flattering.

“Ya good with me staying here and getting this done?” he checks, once I come out of the bathroom.

“Sure.” I pick up my utility belt and buckle it to sit under my bump. Once I’m done, I look up at him and see that he’s staring at me.

“I know, I look ridiculous.” I laugh at myself.

“No, ya don’t.” He’s got a real serious look on his face when he steps toward me, and strokes his huge, rough hand over the fabric of my shirt. “I’ve missed this,” he tells me, and when I feel the baby move inside me, I place his hand over where it was.

“Do you feel that?” I ask, trying to ignore the throb in my core that having his hands on me has started.

“No,” He shakes his head, places his hand firmer against me, and focuses harder.

“It’s just got so much stronger, I thought you might be able to,” I explain, surprised at how disappointed I am that he can’t feel it, too. I get so overwhelmed every time I feel something, I guess it would’ve been nice to share the excitement with someone.

“Is it moving right now?” Sawyer asks.

“Yeah.” I look down and laugh. “Maybe she likes your voice.”

“She?” He looks up at me suspiciously.

“I got a hunch.” I shrug my shoulders.

“Were ya thinkin’ of findin’ out for sure? Doc did say at the last appointment that we could.”

“I think I’d prefer the surprise,” I answer, standing still while Sawyer keeps his hands flat against my stomach. Just seeing the way he smiles when he looks at it makes me want to force him onto the bed and climb on top of him.

“I should—” I glance toward the door when things start feeling too intense.

“Yeah, I’m sorry for holdin’ ya up.” He takes a step back, and I quickly head out before I do something stupid.

* * *

Harriet’s looking pale when I step through the station door and see her sitting at reception. Hayden steps out of the interview room door and seems relieved when he sees me.

“Boss.” He nods toward my office, and after I make my way to the door and open it, he follows me inside.

“What’s happened?” Whatever it is seems to have affected everyone.

“We got a few witnesses phone in concerned about a girl on the road near Holmebank Woods who looked under the influence,” he explains, looking just as pale and disturbed as Harriet. “I headed on over to check it out, and that's when I found her. She ain’t in a good way, boss.”

“Have you called Dr. West?” I question, wondering why he didn’t take her straight to a hospital.

“Yeah, I have him on stand by, he says he can come here to see her or we can take her to him. Right now, she’s refusing to see anyone. But I think we’re gonna need a more specialist examination.” He looks down at his well-polished shoes.

“Oh.” My heart sinks into my stomach when I realize what kind of examination he’s talking about.

“She’s terrified, Riley. I can barely get any words out of her. But she’s insistent that she doesn’t go to hospital. I figured speaking to you would be a little easier for her.”

“I’ll do my best, go check on Harriet.” I tap him on the shoulder and head back out to the hall then, taking a deep breath, I prepare myself to face the girl on the other side of the door.

She looks so small sitting at the interview table, and I predict that she’s no more than twenty. I can tell she hasn’t eaten properly from how gaunt she is, and with her one eye swollen shut, she looks up at me as she pulls the scratchy blanket wrapped around her shoulders a little tighter.

“Ain’t you supposed to be on the other side of the table?” she asks when I take a seat beside her. Her lips are trembling, and seeing the color variation of the bruises on her face is enough to confirm that whatever happened to this woman has been happening for a long time.

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