Page 22 of Finding Forgiveness
“Thank you for your concern, but my daughter is fine. She’s upstairs resting.” She retreats and proceeds to shut the door.
The officer on the left takes a step forward, extending his arm to stop her. “We will need to sight your daughter before we leave, Mrs Lewis.”
She raises her chin in defiance. I get the feeling this woman is used to getting her way. “It’s Doctor Lewis, and as I just stated, she is resting.”
“I’m sorry, Doctor Lewis, but it’s protocol.”
“My daughter was released from hospital under my care. I am not only a doctor, but I am her mother. This situation is ludicrous and uncalled for. You’re wasting your time by being here. I can assure you she’s being well cared for.”
“I understand what you’re saying, but we will still need to see her.”
“Do you have a warrant?”
“In this instance, a warrant isn’t required. We are here to conduct a welfare check on your daughter, and legally we can ascertain that by any means necessary.”
“Fine,” she snaps, retreating another step. “You can wait here, while I go and get her, and once you’ve seen her, you can kindly get off my property.”
I’m surprised she didn’t come back with something like,“Do you know who my husband is?”People like her constantly throw their weight around. I’ve dealt with her type before.
I wonder if Cass’s dad has been notified yet. If he hasn’t, then why? It’s very suspicious. Why is she so hellbent on him not finding out about his daughter?
She returns a few minutes later with Cassie in tow. I stand up straighter, and my heart starts to race the moment I lay eyes on her. It’s funny how even after all these years she still has that kind of effect on me. My eyes drink her in. Her long brown hair is pulled back into a high ponytail. She’s dressed casually in an oversized hoodie, a pair of tights, and her feet are bare.
It’s not the usual immaculate attire I’m used to seeing her wear. It reminds me of the teenage version of Cassandra … the young, innocent, and impressionable girl I fell hopelessly in love with.
Cassie’s mother grabs hold of her arm and yanks her forward. “There, you’ve seen her, you can leave now,” she sneers.
Both officers’ gazes snap down to Amanda’s grip on her daughter. And as much as I hate seeing her manhandled like this, I know it’s going to work in my favour.
One of the officers clears his throat. “I’d like to have a word with your daughter.”
“That’s not necessary.”
The officer ignores her and moves his attention to Cassie. “Miss Lewis, could you step outside for a moment.”
Cassandra goes to take a step forward, but her mother still has hold of her arm. “My daughter has been through a traumatic experience; I won’t stand for you terrorising her when she’s in such a vulnerable state.”
I roll my eyes.She’s reaching and she knows it.
“We have no intentions of upsetting your daughter, Doctor Lewis, we just need to ask her a few questions.”
Her lips thin with displeasure, but she reluctantly lets go.
Cassandra wraps her arms around herself as she exits the house and moves to the side to speak with one of the officers. She looks so fragile, so broken, and it concerns me. I need to get her away from this woman.
She hasn’t noticed me standing here yet, and although she nods in response to the questions she’s being asked, her eyes keep flicking towards her mother who’s watching her every move. It’s an intimidation tactic, and I can see it’s working.
That knowledge has me removing my hands from my pockets and taking a step forward. When I’m close enough, I say, “Cass.” Her eyes widen as soon as she sees me approaching.
“I should’ve known he was behind this,” Amanda grumbles. “I want that man off my property immediately.”
“Cass,” I say, reaching for her hand and threading my fingers through hers. “Can I have a moment with her?” I ask the officer.
“No,” Amanda shrieks. She goes to take a step forward, but the officer standing beside her raises his arm to stop her from advancing further.
I take that as a sign and gently guide Cass a few steps away.
“What are you doing here, Connor?” she whispers. I can hear the quiver in her voice. She’s clearly terrified, the poor thing.
