Page 43 of Not the Bodyguard's Baby
“I’m Detective Overton.” The woman extended a hand in greeting. “Do you mind if I record our meeting?” The officer held up a digital recorder.
“That is fine.” September took a seat and detailed the events that had unfolded in the Dallas hotel last summer. She handed over one of the flash drives. “This contains video of what I told you. I was unaware of its existence until yesterday. I had no idea my manager recorded me. I don’t really want to watch it. But I will verify its contents.”
“You haven’t seen this?”
“I saw part of the video on my manager’s tablet. She gave me the flash drive. But I haven’t dared watch it all. I lived it once.”
“Do you mind if I go get my laptop?”
“Sure.” Right now she wanted the day to be over.
The detective stopped by the door. “Would you like anything? A bottled water, perhaps?”
“Yes, please.”
The detective returned with a laptop and plugged in the thumb drive. The same video Shyla played yesterday started. Only this time the audio was on. September bit her lip at the first time Sven lunged for her.
Detective Overton paused the video. “If you would prefer, I can put on my headphones.”
“I haven’t been beyond this point, but I don’t entirely trust my manager. I think this once I need to watch to make sure it isn’t edited.”
The detective turned the video back on, and they watched in silence, the video ending as Sven exited the hotel room and slammed the door.
“I will get this to the DA immediately. One more question. Why didn’t you go to the hospital or report this crime last summer?”
“I made the mistake of listening to my manager. She said you wouldn’t believe me and it would only bring unwanted attention. Since I could get up and walk the next day, she talked me out of going to the ER as well. The next afternoon, I managed to sneak a visit to a walk-in care center. I paid in cash and used a false name.”
“Here in the Dallas area?”
September nodded.
“You used an assumed name?”
September opened her bag and pulled out an ID card with the name S. Rayne Platt. “Most places that don’t require high scrutiny will take this, and legally, it is a variation of my name. I can give you the name of the doctor as well.”
“If we can get you to sign a release for the results of the medical examination, it will be easiest. If you have time, I can have a pair of officers drive you over to the clinic and you can get a copy yourself. There’s probably ample evidence in the video, but I’m sure the doctor listed your injuries. Let me guess, you told the doctor you fell down the stairs?”
September nodded. “She didn’t believe me for a minute, especially with the bruising on my throat. She may have suspected who I really was. It wasn’t like I could hide behind my sunglasses and floppy hat during the examination.”
“I’m going to call the DA. I don’t think I need anything else from you at this time. Do you know where Sven Bent is now?”
“He was arrested last night in a small west Illinois town. Sorry I don’t know which one. I think he is still there.”
“Are you planning on staying in Dallas?”
“Do I need to? I need to get back to my baby and booked a flight out of DFW at two thirty.”
“As long as you’ve given me a valid way to contact you, there’s no reason for you to stay in town. I’ll have some officers take you over to the clinic, and then they can take you to the airport.” Detective Overton cleaned up her notes.
“I’ll take the ride to the clinic, but I’d rather not garner any extra attention by showing up at the airport in a police car.”
The detective checked her watch. “How about I take you with my partner? It’s an unmarked car and will probably be better for you at the clinic as well.”
“Thank you.” September followed Detective Overton out of the building, a new lightness in her step. A weight she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying stayed in the police station.
Thrive, not survive. She could do that.
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