Page 39 of Dead Woman Walking

“As soon as you can, that would be preferred. Thank you.” He hangs up. The music cuts back on through the speaker, and both of us look at each other.

“Well, they would have arrested you if they thought you were a murderer,” Ky assures me, rubbing my arms.

“We should probably get ready and go,” I mutter, mind racing.

He nods. “I’ll call the guys. Get dressed.”

The whole way there, I try to calm myself down but fail. The last time I was at a police station was to talk about my rape case, and it lasted for days. No one seemed to listen or believe me. Kyler tries to rub my body to help, but he looks just as concerned.

But I don’t want to talk to another cop for as long as I live.

When we enter the police station, I try to keep a false confidence. “Artemis Bower,” I say to the lady behind the desk.

“Yes. Let me show you to a room, but he will have to wait in the waiting room,” she offers, motioning to Kyler before rounding her large desk and showing me down a hall. My eyes look back as I watch Ky get further away. I follow her down the hall and into an investigation room. “Office Ryans will be with you soon. Would you like anything to drink? Water? Soda?”

So you have my DNA? I’m not that stupid.

“No, thank you!” I beam, moving to sit down in the chair in front of the two-way glass. I’ve done this before, sat in a room just like this. When the door closes, I look up at myself in the mirror. My face still has some yellow paint. Quickly, I lick my thumb and rub it against my cheek to get it off.

The door opens, making me stop and look up.

A black cop with a bright smile moves to sit across from me with a file. “Hello, Ms. Bower.”

“Artemis is okay. You’re Officer Ryans?”

“Yes, thank you for coming in today,” he says, setting down the file and opening a small notebook. “This shouldn’t take long. I just have a few questions.”

“Okay.”

“Did you happen to go to your hometown in the last two months?”

My heart drops. “No, sir. There’s no reason for me to ever go back.”

He nods. “So, you didn’t go back for the party at Field of Screams?”

“No, sir. I was home with my boyfriends.”

He nods, setting down the notebook. “I know this is hard and I’m sure you’ve seen the news about the deaths. I just wanted to let you know that your case has been reopened and will be finalized.”

My spine straightens, brows pulling together. “Why? It’s been years, and it was left cold.”

He sighs. “Over the last month, women from the school of the dead suspects have been calling about their experiences.”

I stare at him. “They raped more women than just me?”

He nods. “Yes. You seem to be the first of over ten victims so far.”

“Oh my god!” I can’t hold back the tears welling in my eyes. My bottom lip trembles.

Officer Ryans pauses for a moment, letting me sob away. “I am very sorry that the police force in your hometown failed you.”

Tears rush down my cheeks. “All those…”

“It’s not your fault,” he reassures.

“I know that!” I snap, laughing. “I tried hard to get them behind bars but…”

“Unfortunately, there will be no form of justice, as the suspects are deceased by an accidental fire,” Officer Ryans stands. “We might have more questions, but I think you’ve endured enough.”

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