Chapter 26
(Christian's Pov)
I am in Phoebe's room waiting for her to get out of the shower. Last night was a mess. It was like the newborn stage all over again. Phoebe was up every hour or two with loud screaming nightmares.
Phoebe has been really adamant about not being alone. She asked me to stay in her room while she went in the en suite and showered. She walks out dressed in a dark grey sweater and black leggings. Phoebe stays silent as she brushes out her hair and braids it to the side.
We are sitting downstairs in my office waiting for the police to come when we both turn our heads at the sound of a knock on my door. Nathan pokes his head in and I can feel the relief flowing off of Phoebe.
Nathan is sitting next to Phoebe. We all sit in silence until Phoebe speaks up. "Dad do I have to tell them about everything? Even when he um… touched me?" She asks.
I frown at the question. I know she doesn't want to talk about that with the police or anyone for that matter, but she has to. "Yes Bubs, you have to tell them everything."
The frown that appears on her face is not lost on me. She looks so fragile right now, it breaks my heart. I watch as Nathan wraps an arm around her. Phoebe seems comforted by it so I keep my mouth shut.
I check my watch and see that the police are going to be here in 15 minutes. "Dad, aren't you and Mom suppose to have dinner tonight with Aunt Mia and Uncle Ethan?" I hear Phoebe speak up.
"We did but we aren't going to go." I can't leave Phoebe alone, even though I know it will bum Mia out.
"Why? Dad don't stay home because of me." She sighs. My girl is always thinking of others before herself.
"Phoebe we can go another time, you need us more than Mia and Ethan." She sighs and starts looking down at her feet.
"Sir with all due respect, I was planning on hanging out with Phoebe tonight so if you wanted to go to dinner I will be here." I want to hate this kid but he is making it very hard.
"Dad please go I will feel horrible if you don't, besides I will have Nathan here to bore me." She giggles as he tickles her side because of her smart mouth.
"I will think about it, let's get through this meeting first." I speak up and Phoebe bites her lip.
Taylor pops his head in to let me know the police are here. "Send them in." I really am dreading this and I know Nathan is going to have to leave the room.
A young man and an older one come in and introduce themselves. The young one is Detective Harding and the older man is Detective Jameson.
As I suspected they asked Nathan to leave the room. He whispers something that I can't hear to Phoebe and walks out. We are now sitting in my office on the couches that face each other.
"Phoebe can you please start from the beginning of when you met Ryan Malford?" Detective Jameson asks.
I look over to see Phoebe. I can tell from her face that she is freaking out. I take her hands in mine, trying to comfort her. She breathes deeply before starting the story.
By the time she is finished telling them about the first incident she has tears streaming down her face. I wipe them as they fall with my thumb.
"Phoebe can you tell us about what happened yesterday at the Hospital Ball?" The young one asks. She nods and tries to compose herself.
Hearing Phoebe discuss what happened last night in detail breaks my entire heart. "Phoebe did he touch you anywhere besides your chest?" The older cop asks. I cringe at the thought of Ryan molesting my daughter.
She shakes her head. "But I don't doubt that he was planning on it." She says shakily. They ask if she has any bruises. Phoebe nods and tells them she does on her wrist, back and chest.
"Phoebe we need photos of those bruises. If you are not comfortable with one of us taking them then we can have you come down to the station and have a female take it." I hate more than anything that this has to happen. But I know it is so we can use them against Ryan.
I look to Phoebe letting her decide. I would prefer them not take the pictures and if they are I want to be in the room. Remembering what Flynn said about letting her be in control, I leave it up to her.
"Can a female come here and do it" she asks and they say they can arrange that. They call their station and the woman says that she can come to our house tonight at 7.
I make note to tell Ana and make sure she is here for it. When the police leave I let Phoebe go with Nathan to the basement to watch a movie. It is going to be a long couple of weeks getting Phoebe back to where she was.
I want justice for my daughter and I do plan on getting it. I don't care how good of a kid Ryan Malford is he is going down.