Page 46 of Linc
She takes stock of her wounds and I can tell she’s still high from the pain medication and the anesthesia.
The doctor comes in, and must feel the tension in the room.
“Ms.Bryant, I’m Dr.John Brewer.I was the surgeon who worked on your arm.”He comes to the other side of the bed opposite of me.
“Maybe we should wait until everyone leaves before we discuss her condition,” Mr.Bryant suggests, implying for me to leave and it makes me want to punch the man in the throat.He’s looking right at me but it’d take a team of gladiators to get me to move from my spot.
“What?Noo dad, Linc can stay,” Everly finally speaks up after seeing what her dad was proposing.We lock fingers and I can tell it doesn’t make him very happy that he didn’t get his way.I kiss each of her knuckles, so glad she’s awake and talking.
The next ten minutes, Dr.Brewer goes over her case and all the repairs he had to make; the metal plate he had to put in, the recovery time and the physical therapy that she’ll need after making sure everything is healing properly.To her credit, she takes it all in even though I can tell she’s a mess and wants to break down.
Dr.Brewer starts to leave but turns at the door.
“Ms.Bryant, there are some officers out in the hall that would like to ask you some questions.I’ve told them that you needed your rest but if you’re up for it I can send them in.”
“Oh.Umm, I think that would be fine I guess.”She’s overly tired.I can tell by the way her eyes can barely stay focused and open.
“Let’s wait until the morning, once you’ve had some sleep,” I offer gently.“You’ll have a clearer head, once you’ve had time to rest.”
“Sweetheart, I think you should talk to them now so that way you don’t have to deal with it later,” Mr.Bryant chimes in, making me narrow my eyes at him trying to undermine my suggestion.
“She needs some rest,” I snap, trying not to bark at him.I counsel people for a living and this is the worst time to question someone.She’s loopy and in the morning, she’ll have a better recollection of what happened to her.
A warm small hand is placed on mine and I turn to see my angel staring back at me.
“It’s okay, Linc.I’d like to get this over with.”
“Okay angel, let me call Olivia to come up here to make sure everything is handled correctly.”
I’m already texting Olivia when Mr.Bryant grunts his disapproval.Less than five minutes later, Olivia comes in with a handful of balloons and flowers.
“Thought we might need to spruce this place up.”Olivia smiles at Everly and I move slightly out of the way so she can give Everly a small embrace.
“Thank you, Olivia.”
“You’re welcome.”Olivia steps back and pulls her messenger bag off her shoulder, and collects her black framed glasses and a notebook and pen.She is now in attorney mode.“Okay, Everly, the officers are going to be asking you a lot of questions, sometimes repeating the same thing but in a different way.Answer to the best of your knowledge and if you truly can’t remember then just say that.I’ll make sure that they are aware of the pain medication you’re taking.This might not be the only trip they come to ask questions so don’t be alarmed by that.If for some reason you want to stop the line of questioning just say my name and I’ll end the conversation immediately.Okay?”
Olivia is one of the best attorneys in the state of California.Hell, maybe even better than me.She’s focused and driven and gets results, and that’s why I knew she’d be perfect for my firm when I branched out on my own.
The two officers come in and introduce themselves as Detectives Everett and Smith.
“Ms.Bryant, thank you for speaking with us,” Det.Smith starts.She’s a tall blonde-haired woman and is all business.
“Call me Everly.”Her voice screeches and I hand her a cup of water to help soothe her throat.
Mr.Bryant is standing off in the corner of the room messing with his phone as Olivia and I take up either side of Everly.
“Can you tell us how you know the assailant, Linley Lewis?”Det.Smith jumps into the questioning.
“I don’t really know her.We met one time before, very briefly maybe three minutes tops, if that.I don’t even think we were properly introduced,” she answers.“I know she’s a model and has her face on every inch of this town.”
“Who introduced the two of you then?”
“Linc.”She nods over to me and I give her hand a light squeeze.She’s doing well but I can tell she needs to rest.Her eyes are staying closed longer with each blink she takes.This is a horrible time to interrogate anyone.
“And you are?”Det.Everett condescendingly asks.He knows exactly who I am, his entire force knows me from all the cases I’ve represented from their arrests.I know this drill like I know my ABC’s.The female is to speak with the victim and play the sympathy card while the male is to play the tough role.
“Lincoln Thorne, her boyfriend.”
