Page 21 of Voracious

For some reason, I don’t remember if I reply. I look at him, and he chews on his lip.

He grimaces as he reads back through his notes then makes some more. “I’ll send over someone to have a look.”

The officer vanishes from the room to make some calls, and I close my eyes and drop my head to the table. I feel fuzzy, and I come to the horrible realisation that the drugs Chris forced into me are fully in effect, the adrenaline no longer holding them at bay. I’m floating – or rolling down a hill. I’m not sure.

When he returns, I lift my head lazily, wincing from the bright lights again.

“Well, from the location you gave, there’s nothing. I had a patrol check everywhere nearby, and nothing.”

Did I fall asleep? How did they do that so fast?

“He m-must’ve moved… moved the b-b-body. Do you h-h-have a nurse or first aider on siiiiite?” I ask, a little perplexed he hasn’t offered me any medical help. My face is swollen, and I’m covered in blood. I could use a painkiller at least. My head aches, and my lids are droopy as hell. I think my voice is cracking too.

He narrows his eyes at me. “Miss Rhodes, have you taken any drugs tonight?”

I stare at him, shaking my head. Or I think I do. I can barely feel anything other than the swelling on my face and how hard my heart is beating.

“I’ll have a nurse come over to confirm – you look out of it.” He radios to someone, and I can’t quite catch what’s being said. Something about false reporting and drugs and to contact someone.

My eyes close again, my head drops on the table and I fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.

“I’m sorry about all of this,” a voice says. “My sister hasn’t been in a good place mentally for a while. She’s been off the rails ever since her father died. We’re really worried about her.”

“That’s understandable. Do you know where she got the drugs?”

“I’ll find whoever the bastard was. I’ll be sure to let you know.”

“Thanks, Chris,” Officer Bennett says. “I won’t book her, since you’re my sister’s ex and all, but you need to get her help. Maybe a therapist and some rehab. I shouldn’t be releasing her in the state she’s in.”

“Thanks, man. I’ll make sure the right professional sees her,” Chris says, his voice clearer now. “The bathroom is covered in glass and fake blood. I think she punched the wall until her knuckles bled. My mother’s cleaning up the mess now, so we’ll get her home and into bed. She’ll need the sleep.”

“Of course. I’ll check in with you in a week or so to see how she’s doing. Give Nora my best.”

A door closes, and I slowly open my eyes just as Chris leans over and clips my seat belt in, his overwhelming aftershave filling my nostrils. “N-N-No.”

“Shut the fuck up,” he whisper-hisses, stepping back and slamming the door.

He’s still talking with the officer – my body too weak to unclip my belt and run, to slam my palm against the window and scream for help.

My heart sinks when he gives Officer Bennett a sort of bro hug, slaps his back and winks at him, before walking around the front of the car and getting in.

The body was gone. There was no blood. The SUV wasn’t there.

Did it really happen?

“W-What did you… you do?”

Chris reverses out the space and out of the station’s car park, pulling onto the road. “Officer Miles Bennett is Ashleigh’s brother.” Ashleigh – his ex. “As soon as you gave him my name, he knew it was all nonsense. He knows how innocent and safe I am, so he contacted me. You’re mentally deranged and in need of psychiatric help, by the way. He’s put forward a recommendation that I keep you close and ensure you don’t get yourself into any trouble, especially falsely reporting crimes.”

“But you k-killed him.”

“Killed who?” he asks. The smirk he pulls confirms it was real – he did kill that man. “No body, no crime. And another thing…” he trails off, chuckling, before erupting into a belly laugh.

I watch him as he tries to stop laughing. He’s a lunatic.

“Another thing?”

“I’ll give you a second chance. I won’t harm that fucking ex of yours – but you need to adhere to my rules. Got it?”

---