The cop was on the phone for what seemed like an eternity. Brenna felt tears sting her eyes. She couldn't believe that her father was so ashamed of his family that, apart form not having any pictures of them on his desk, he didn't once bother to mention their existence to anyone. Why did he hate them so much? Brenna didn't even know why he walked out on them. She was only ten-years-old at the time and supposed that her mom thought that she was too young to be told the truth. What about now? Wasn't she old enough to be told the truth now? Brenna blinked the tears in her eyes away and took a deep breath. She looked out the window and saw that the cop was still on his phone. This couldn't be good. A couple of minutes later, Brenna saw him hang up the phone. He then opened the car door.
"Alright, Brenna, I spoke with Detective Carver and your story checked out. The station will not be pressing any kind of charges against you." Brenna breathed a sigh of relief. "He did ask me to give you a ride to the station. He'll be meeting you there."
"Thanks!" Brenna responded. "Mind undoing these cuffs for me?"
"Of course" the cop said coming around and undoing them for her.
"Whew! Thanks. That feels loads better." The cop didn't say anything. Instead he got into the car and drove them to the station. They arrived only a few minutes later. Both the cop and Brenna walked into the police station. The cop went over and exchanged a few words with another cop.
"Your father is in his office. You can go in there now. Do you know where it is?" Brenna nodded. "Ok, have a nice day Miss Carver."
"Thanks." Brenna made her way over to Detective Carver's office and knocked.
"I'm busy" he called out.
"It'e me, Brenna." She didn't hear anything and, just when she was about to turn around and leave, the door opened.
"Get in here" he sneered. Brenna walked in amd sat down while Detective Carver slammed the door shut behind her and locked it. "You haven't even been here one day, Brenna, and already I've had to bail you out of trouble. Did you know that disturbing a crime scene is considered a Felony? Not only could you have landed yourself in Juvenile Detention, but you could have very well put my job on the line, Brenna."
"I'm sorry. I was distracted and didn't see the tape."
"I had just finished speaking with your mother when Detective Allen called. Your mother said that she never drove you to the airport. She didn't even know where you were. In fact, she's been trying to call you and hasn't been able to get through. You lied to me, Brenna. How am I supposed to believe anything you say? For all I now, you lied to me about April having cancer!" Tears filled Brenna's eyes.
"Ok, fine, I lied to you about telling mom and I'm sorry. But I would never lie about something as serious as cancer. And if you had stuck around, you would have known that about me."
"Is that what this is all about? Some elaborate guilt-trip?"
"No, I..."
"You know what? I don't care. I'm up to my neck with both a murder investigation and missing child case. I don't have time for your stupid teenage drama. Next time you go off and do something stupid, don't expect me to bail you out. Now I suggest you leave and go call your mother."
"Fine," Brenna spat back. "I guess potentially losing one daughter isn't enough for you. You know what? If you don't want me in your life, I'll just disappear for good. Will that make you happy?"
"I've got to go to a debriefing now. Stay here and call your mother while you wait. I should be back here in about 20 minutes. We'll talk more then."
"Don't expect me to hold my breath" Brenna sarcastically said. Detective Carver ignored her and just got up and left.
