Reupload because I'm a dork who missed posting a chapter
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Warning: Chapter contains discussion of child pornography.
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The next day Rosie went to therapy. She was quiet and Orrick wasn't saying anything. He knew that she could go entire sessions not saying anything.
He had seen it in the past when things were at the worst in California. But not this time around. She had talked every session. Even if it wasn't anything significant she talked, and he always let her lead things. He took a breath
"Look we can sit here in silence for this entire session. I am well aware you can out silence me." Orrick said
Rosie smirked. "Clearly you spoke first."
Orrick shook his head with a small smile. "And the first time you went through this you were quiet a lot and I knew it was because you were living a nightmare situation. But that is not the situation here. I can tell despite the eating disorder you are so much happier now. You have real support from people who love you. So you being quiet worries me."
"I'm just." Rosie started.
"You're what?" Orrick asked
"Really confused by some things." Rosie said
"You heard about the house fire? That's being investigated cause it was arson?" Rosie asked telling him the area it was in.
"Yup." Orrick said
"That was the house next to mine. When I was kidnapped last year it was that house." Rosie said he already knew about that part of her story.
Orrick nodded abit. "Wow."
"I know I said I wanted it to burn but I didn't mean like this. I didn't do it." Rosie said. "I was no where near that house that night. I was at Hunter's" Rosie said
"I wasn't thinking you did it. If someone is going to commit a crime they don't tell me till after they do it because I cant report it unless they are at risk of doing it again." Orrick said
Rosie nodded. "Okay."
"But what about it confuses you?" Orrick asked
"My friends sent me pictures and videos cause they all live in the same general area, and they were worried because I wasn't home, and I wasn't answering texts. I was ignoring my phone for a whole other reason which I can explain later. But I went to the house and saw my friends and they were happy I was okay. I apologized and explained I didn't see their texts for a few hours. Everything seemed fine. Now since that day. Not -one of them have reached out. I have reached out to everyone of them and get responses, but you know when you can just tell something is up? And Nolan told me he had something going on but couldn't tell me what." Rosie said
Orrick nodded. "Do you think one of them burnt it down for you?"
"When the fire chief asked me that question that day I said no. None of my friends would ever do that. But I don't know if I can say that now… I mean why are they avoiding me. I have even tried to make plans with them and nothing. School starts up in a couple weeks and there is an end of summer party every year. And whose house it is always switches up. I did it last year. Cass did it the year before. And I don't know before that because I wasn't here. But plans are started like a month before. And I have heard -nothing." Rosie said. "I feel like I am losing all my friends and I don't even know why."
Orrick nodded. "Have you told any of them you are thinking this?"
"No." Rosie said
"Why not?" Orrick asked
"I-I'm scared." Rosie said voice cracking
Orrick nodded "Of?"
"Of either one or more of them being responsible for the fire and they get caught and go to jail. Or worse they are all pushing me away and not wanting to be my friend anymore." Rosie said in tears.
"Well. I have a feeling if you thought in the beginning they wouldn't do something like that you are probably right. And the only way you are going to know what is going on is if you make them talk to you. Maybe there is a perfectly good explanation that doesn't have anything to do with the fire or not wanting to be your friends. Maybe they all think someone else is throwing the party. Maybe you need to take the reins again." Orrick said
"I couldn't if I wanted to. The house is kind of in shambled. Hunter and the girls are moving in this week and well we just finished painting the rooms yesterday. Furniture and décor is showing up every day. It's a mess." Rosie said
Orrick nodded. "Okay. That's fair. Maybe someone invited you and you missed it when you were ignoring your phone?"
Rosie tilted her head. "You think I didn't check that?"
Orrick nodded. "Okay. Maybe the text invite got lost. Why don't you send Nolan a text ask him if he knows anything about it?"
"I could do that." Rosie said
"Do it now." Orrick said
Rosie took out her phone and texted Nolan
'Have you heard anything about the end of summer party. I'd throw it again but cant with Hunter and the girls moving in.'
She typed and showed Orrick.
"Perfect. Press send." He said
Rosie took a breath and did so.
"Now. Want to tell me why you were ignoring your phone?" Orrick asked
Rosie took a breath and opened the text convo with Paige and handed it to him. "The first couple dozen where from one night. The rest were from yesterday." She said.
Orrick looked through them trying to keep from showing to much of a reaction because he knew Rosie was watching him. But there were a few of them he couldn't keep his face from reacting.
It took him a few minutes to go through them all. He let out a breath and handed her back her phone.
"Okay. Paige from California?" He asked
"Yup." Rosie said
"Those are pretty nasty. Have you considered blocking her?" Orrick asked
"I have now. Well my dad did because I didn't know how to." Rosie said
Orrick nodded. "So your dad knows."
"Yes. And its being handled legally." Rosie said
"Okay. Good. But I'm guessing that this isn't helping your mental health." Orrick said
Rosie nodded. "Most of it I have been able to ignore. Just shrug it off. The comments about my dad and Hunter. I know her opinion on the LGBTQ, and I cant change that. My dad is happy. Hunter is a good guy and I'm happy for them. Comments about me being immoral and such. I don't care…" She said
"But something she has said has gotten to you?" Orrick asked
Rosie nodded. "Comments about my body."
Orrick nodded. "That was yesterday?"
"Yes." Rosie said
"You eat dinner last name?" Orrick asked
"Yes. But took some convincing at first. After talking to JJ. Everyone was at the house yesterday helping paint. We were having pizza. Saw that text and it made me not want to eat. I left the room. JJ saw me and came and found me in my room. We talked. I showed her the texts and she pushed me to eat. I had a piece of pizza. Later when I talked to my dad he asked me what I ate. I told him the truth and he encouraged me to have something more to eat. So I had another piece of pizza. And shared a chocolate bar with him. That I took out myself." Rosie said
Orrick smiled. "When was the last time you had chocolate?" he asked
Rosie took a breath. "Before the anorexia came back."
"Yes! That is a big step. I'm so proud of you Rosie." He said
Rosie smiled.
"And that was after a hard day. So unbelievable proud. You are kicking butt." Orrick said
Rosie nodded smile still on her face. Her phone buzzed.
She and Orrick looked at each other.
"Is it a text?" He asked
Rosie looked and nodded.
"Can you check who its from without seeing the text?" Orrick asked
Rosie checked. "Its Nolan."
"Its just about the party right?" He asked
"I would assume so." Rosie said
"Check it." He said
Rosie took a breath and checked
'Haven't heard anything. I think everyone has a lot going on right now. I'm wondering if there will not be one this year… No one having time to throw it'
"Apparently he hasn't heard either. He thinks that with everyone being so busy that no one is going to have the time to plan it. Wondering if there will even be one this year." Rosie said.
Orrick nodded. "Well that would suck but at least you know your not being excluded from anything."
Rosie nodded. "Unless its just an act so I don't get suspicious."
"Do you really think that is the case?" Orrick asked
"I don't know that's the problem." Rosie said frustrated.
"What do you need to hear from your friends to know your friendship is solid?" Orrick asked
"I need them to tell me what the hell is going on. I need them to reach out to me. I need them to agree to plans. Anything that shows me I am not going crazy." Rosie said in tears.
Rosie's phone went off again.
"Another text?" He asked
Rosie looked. "No. Notification on Instagram."
Orrick nodded.
They kept talking for a few minutes till her phone started blowing up. Orrick looked at her.
Rosie looked at her phone confused.
There was a text from Cass.
'I need you to do me a favor and not ask questions and not go to check anything. I need your Instagram login information. I need you to trust me right now.' Cass had sent her
Rosie tilted her head as her phone kept going off with texts and notifications on Instagram.
"What is it?" Orrick asked
She showed him the text from Cass.
Orrick took a breath. "What are you going to do?"
"I want to look at Instagram. I know something is going on." Rosie said
"But Cass is telling you its not a good idea." Orrick said
Rosie nodded.
"I think you need to do what your gut is telling you." Orrick said
Rosie went on Instagram. "Holy shit." Rosie said she pressed a few buttons and set her entire Instagram to private and changing her password quick her face going white.
"What is it?" Orrick asked
"I-I.." Rosie said
"Rosie. Are you okay?" Orrick asked
Rosie shook her head.
"What was on Instagram?" Orrick asked
"Pictures. Someone had hacked into my account. Posted pictures. I have never seen…" Rosie said
Orrick had a bad feeling. "What kind of pictures?"
"The kind that I would never take or let anyone take of me…." Rosie said
"Okay. I need to call the police." Orrick said getting up
"My dad is probably sitting outside waiting…" Rosie said
Orrick went and checked, and he was. He told his receptionist to reschedule his next appointments and called Dave in.
Dave got up and went in concern clear on his face. He sat next to his daughter who was clearly very upset. "What's wrong?"
"Daddy. I swear I would never do anything like this." She said
"What?" he asked
Rosie showed him her Instagram. "I have changed the password and put my account to private so no one can see it."
Dave felt a rage building. A rage like he had never felt before. He stood up and paced abit trying to calm himself down.
"Daddy I didn't do this." Rosie said in tears.
Dave took another breath and went and sat next to her again. "I know that bambina." He held her as she sobbed.
"I can call the police." Orrick said
Dave took out his wallet and took out Will's business card. "Call him specifically." He handed Orrick the card.
Orrick took it and went and called explained who he was and who it was regarding and where to come to.
Dave broke the hug and took his daughters chin. "I need you to be 100% honest. If you took these photos of if you let someone take them of you."
"Daddy. I would never. I barely feel comfortable in front of anyone in a swimsuit. I would not let anyone see me like that or take those photos." Rosie said. "But I think I know where they were taken…"
Dave looked at her.
"I don't know how long I was out for but that is the room I was in… Next door." Rosie said
Dave started to fume again. How were these photos not found during the investigation? How does someone have these photos of her? He had wanted this case to be the FBI leading but was told no. That they were allowed to be involved and helping but that it was a local PD case. The only reason he hadn't pushed harder is he trusted that Will would be on top of things. Will had continued to keep him updated though the entire process. So how was this missed?
Will showed up with his partner shortly after the call. He took one look at Dave and could tell he was angry about something.
"What's going on?" Will asked
Orrick left the room to let them discuss things.
Dave looked at Rosie. "You want to tell him?"
Rosie took a breath. "Someone hacked into my Instagram and started posted pictures of me I have never seen. Nor would I ever take or let anyone take of me. I have changed the password and privatized by account." Rosie said
Will took a breath it didn't take law enforcement training to know what kind of pictures she meant. "You know where they were taken? Somewhere familiar?"
"The room in the basement of the house next door." Rosie said
Will let out a breath and ran his hand over his face. This was the case that just kept on giving.
"I don't want to have to invade your privacy and look at them if I don't have to." Will said he looked at his partner who thankfully was female.
"If you would prefer I can." She said to Rosie.
Rosie nodded abit and gave her phone with the Instagram opened.
The woman looked and sighed. "I want you to know I will personally do everything in my power to find these photos and who posted them."
Rosie nodded. "But you cant make promises. Once something is on the internet its there."
"Our cyber unit is really good." Will said.
Rosie took a breath. "How the hell did they end up in someone's hands who would do this? Wasn't it your job to find -all the evidence in the first place?" She said directed to Will.
"Rosie. I am so sorry. I promise you if those pictures were in that house I would have found them." Will said
"How is that even fucking possible? They just up and walked out that house in the time that I was in that house? Because while it certainly was long enough to leave me with trauma for the rest of my life it wasn't that long in the sense of time." Rosie said her anger rising at this point.
"Rosie." Dave said calmly
"Oh so your not thinking the same thing?" Rosie asked her dad
"Rosie. You are allowed to be angry. Angry at Will even. But change the tone and cut the language." Dave said
"Rosie. I promise you. That house was searched top to bottom." Will said
"I found a fucking dog in there. Several weeks later. So I don't know if it was you personally who looked or others but whomever it was did a bad fucking job. So excuse me if I don't believe the lip service you are paying me right now." Rosie said
"Rosie. That dog was not in that house when we went and got you out." Dave said
"Well that house was locked up after wasn't it? So how did he get in? Did he preform a magic trick and get in?" Rosie asked snarkly
"Okay. Rosie. Stop." Dave said.
"No I will not fucking stop. There are pictures of me. Naked on the fucking internet dad. If it gets back to Harvard I will never fucking get in. Future employers find them? I don't get the job. My highschool finds out. They could kick me out!" Rosie said
"Rosie. I get your angry with me. I am angry with myself. Rosie. I care about you greatly. You are my niece and I promise you. I personally looked through that house and had the best investigators looking. I used every resource available. My best guess about what happened. Is someone else was in that house. Someone else he trusted. Who took the photos and left." Will said
"So there isn't a connection to the house being burnt down. Someone finding those photos in the ruble?" Rosie asked
"Rosie they would have burnt too." Dave said, "There is nothing that was salvageable from that fire."
"What if there was a safe somewhere in the house?" Rosie asked
"The walls were checked, under the floors. We talked to the previous owners there wasn't anything like that." Will said
"What is the next step?" Rosie asked the female officer.
"We need your Instagram login. If you have any other accounts that had the same change those." She said.
"I don't use the same password for any accounts." Rosie said writing down her information and giving it to the older woman.
"Good." The female officer said. "And is there someone you know who would have a personal vendetta against you?"
Rosie snorted laughed. "You want a list?"
"Rosie." Dave said warningly
"Its okay." The female officer said, "I get why she is frustrated. And yes. A list would be beneficial."
"Anyone I don't already know about?" Will asked
"Nope." Rosie said
"I have a list than. Anyone in particular causing you issues right now. Other than Paige?" He asked
"No." Rosie said she took a breath. "My friends have been hiding something though. I don't think it was anything like this. But maybe they know something."
"Your friends?" Dave asked
"I don't know exactly what is going on, but they have been standoffish. Even Nolan said he has something going on but couldn't tell me what." Rosie said
"I will look into it." Will said
"And I know some people saw the pictures because Cass texted me telling me to stay off Instagram and sent her my login. I think she was trying to protect me." Rosie said, "I didn't send her anything and I did go on clearly as I handled it."
Will and the female officer nodded.
Will had been standing but he went and bent in front of where Rosie was sitting.
Rosie wouldn't look at him.
"Please look at me." He said
Rosie looked up.
"I promise you. I have done everything in my power. And I will continue to do so. This will be fixed. It will not affect your future. I will personally write a letter to any admissions boards who might come across some of these photos." Will said "Rosie. I have done everything I would do if I had a daughter, and this was her situation."
Rosie nodded. "You want to prove that. Find all these pictures and who is responsible. And find that little girl."
"Rosie." Dave said
"No. Dave its okay. I will find the pictures and everyone who is involved and find that little girl." Will said
Rosie nodded.
Will got up and went to Dave. "Not telling you how to parent but I'm not upset about the attitude or language so you can let it go."
Dave smiled abit and nodded. "Noted."
Will and his partner left. Rosie let out a sigh and closed her eyes.
Orrick came back into the room.
"Rose. Come on. Lets give him his office back." Dave said
"Not a rush." Orrick said
Rosie got up. "Its okay. I just want to go home. Well actually I want to go punch something."
Dave nodded. "Come on. I can arrange that."
Rosie looked at him.
"Lets go." He said
Rosie went with him. Dave sent a text before they drove to the gym where she had dropped Hayley off for her class a few days before.
Hayley got out of her dad's minivan and went over. "Come on." Hayley said to her older sister.
They went inside. Hayley looked at her coach. "This is my new sister. Needs to just punch the crap out of something."
Coach nodded. And got a new pair of boxing gloves and handed them to Rosie and told Hayley which area to use.
Hayley took her.
"Come on put the gloves on. You don't want to break your knuckles. Trust me." Hayley said
Rosie hadn't said anything, but she looked at Hayley with a raised eyebrow.
"When my parents divorced. I was angry. I didn't use the gloves. I'm lucky they healed. My coach ripped me a new one. And he will do it to you too regardless of not knowing you." Hayley said
Rosie chuckled and put the gloves on.
Hayley made sure she had them on right and telling her the proper way to punch once she had given her instructions she looked at her and said, "Go for it."
Rosie punched the bag.
"I thought dad said you had a lot of pent-up rage. That doesn't look like it." Hayley said
Rosie punched again abit harder.
"Really? Come on. You can do better than that." Hayley said
Rosie punched even harder.
"Good. Again." Hayley said
Rosie started to punch at the bag hard over and over again. Causing it to move a lot.
"I can hold it for you. Just don't punch me." Hayley said grabbing it from behind.
Rosie took a breath and went all out punching like she hadn't before. She punched over and over again for over a minute before she fell to the ground sobbing.
Dave and Hunter had come into the gym as well and were just watching from a far.
Hunter looked at Dave. "What happened?"
"There were pictures taken of Rosie when she was drugged and in that house. She didn't know. Till someone hacked her Instagram and started posted them as if she did. And yes. They are exactly what you are thinking. I only saw one before I stopped looking. But there are a dozen apparently." Dave said
Hunter let out a breath coming out in a low growl.
Dave took a breath holding back tears seeing his little girl looking so broken and angry.
Hunter put an arm around him. "Hey. Its going to be okay." He said pulling him into a hug.
Dave shook his head. "I don't think she can handle much more."
"We will get through this. As a family." Hunter said. "You are not doing this alone anymore."
Dave nodded. "I know. I'm so grateful for you and the kids. Hayley was the first person I thought of when she said she wanted to punch something. I knew she could make it happen."
Hunter nodded. "She didn't ask questions. I texted her and her mom. Saying that Rosie needed to punch something, and Hayley was waiting for me when I got there to pick her up. No questions were asked."
"She follow Rosie on Instagram? She might have seen them." Dave said
"We can talk to her together and find out." Hunter said
Dave saw his daughter sink to the floor and sobbing he went to go over. But Hayley dropped with her and wrapped her arms around her and held her.
Rosie buried her face into Hayley's shoulder and sobbed.
Hayley held her but the sobbing continued. She tried to help but she didn't know what was going on and didn't know what to say. She looked up at papa and dad silently asking for help.
Dave went over and knelt down and took over hugging her. Rosie turned to her dad and buried her face.
Hayley got up and went to papa wiping at her eyes.
Hunter hugged her. "You okay?"
"Papa. She is hurting so much. I don't know why I cant help." Hayley said
"Hals. You helped. She was angry. She punched that out. And you helped that. And she is hurting. But dad and I will help her through this." Hunter said
"What did happen?" Hayley asked
"That's her choice to tell you." Hunter said
Hayley nodded.
Rosie and Dave came over a few minutes later. Rosie took the gloves off.
The coach saw and came over. "Keep the gloves. You are welcome to come and punch anytime. Just give anyone my name if they give you any troubles." He said, "And if you ever want to learn more just let me know." He said
Rosie nodded. "Thank you."
"Hayley you ready for the meet tomorrow?" The coach asked
"Yes." Hayley said
"That's tomorrow?" Rosie asked
"Yeah. But its okay I don't know what's going on, but you don't need to worry about coming." Hayley said
"Of course I will be there." Rosie said, "You couldn't pay me not to come."
Hayley smiled. "Okay."
They all said goodbye to the coach and headed out.
"Come on. Lets go get some food." Hunter said
"Take out?" Rosie asked, "I just want to go home."
"Yes." Hunter said. He looked at Hayley. "Do you want to do dinner with us or go back to your moms?"
"Hang out with you. The twins have their friends over and well. Its loud." Hayley said
Hunter chuckled. "Let your mom know." He was glad that he had a good relationship with his ex and that his kids always got the option of if they wanted to spend extra time with one parent or the other.
Hayley called her mom who told her to have fun. They went to Rosie's favorite place and got take out and took it back to the house.
They sat at the table and ate.
Rosie was quiet and just poked at her food.
Dave and Hunter kept the conversation with Hayley going. Both of them noticed Rosie wasn't eating. When Hayley had finished Dave looked at her.
"Hey, I need your help. With something in your room. A decision to be made." Dave told her and the two went upstairs.
Hunter looked at Rosie. "You need to eat. I know you are dealing with something awful. But not taking care of your health isn't going to help anything."
"I just feel so sick to my stomach." Rosie said
Hunter nodded. "I get that, I couldn't imagine going through what you have been through and the hits just seem to keep coming. But you have got to eat."
Rosie looked up at him. "I swear this isn't me simply not wanting to eat. I'm really not feeling well. I don't think I could eat without being sick…"
Hunter took a breath. He wasn't sure what to do.
"I promise." Rosie said
"I believe that sweetie." Hunter said
"You just don't know what to do because you haven't had much experience with knowing what to do." Rosie said
Hunter nodded. "Yeah."
There was a knock at the front door.
Rosie looked at Hunter.
"Go. Answer it." He said
Rosie got up and went to the door and opened it.
"Ro. I'm so sorry. I made you feel like I have been avoiding you." Nolan said. He was holding a bouquet of flowers.
Rosie let tears fall.
Nolan came in and wrapped her in a tight hug. Rosie sobbed into him.
Dave and Hayley came downstairs.
Rosie pulled apart from the hug and the two of them came all the way into the house. Rosie took the flowers and smelt them a small smile on her face.
"I can get those in water for you." Dave offered.
Rosie nodded and gave them to him. "Thank you."
She turned back to Nolan. "How did you know that's how I have been feeling?" She asked having a gut feeling she knew.
"Officer LaMontagne came to talk to me about what happened. Let me have it. In the way only an uncle could." Nolan said with a small smile.
Rosie chuckled a bit.
Nolan lifted her chin. "I want to be perfectly clear. What has been going on has nothing to do with those pictures."
"D-did you see them?" Rosie asked
"I saw one but stopped looking the second I realized what I was seeing." Nolan admitted.
Rosie nodded.
"I'm so sorry Roe." He said
"You said the thing that has been going on isn't about the pictures. Does it have anything to do with me?" She asked, "and is it the same reason the entire friend group has been very aloof?"
Nolan took her hand and led her to her room. "Yes and yes." He said
Rosie nodded.
"Not because we are angry with you, or you have done anything wrong." He said sitting down on the window seat and pulling her gently to sitting in his lap.
Rosie nodded.
"Because we have felt like we were betraying you…" Nolan said
Rosie looked up at him.
"We know who started the fire next door. I told Officer LaMontagne today." Nolan said
"How do you know who did it?" Rosie asked
"She drunk texted Cass admitting it while admitting she is in love with her." Nolan said
Rosie tilted her head. "Who?"
"Sierra…" Nolan said.
"Why would she start the fire?" Rosie asked
"She told Cass that she did it to try and get us to forgive her for what she did to you. She wanted to get revenge for you. So Cass would give her a chance." Nolan said. "Cass didn't know what to do. We didn't know what to do. We made a big mistake. I told them I was coming here. I was telling you the truth. They wanted me to be clear that they are really sorry. We all were just so confused." Nolan said
Rosie nodded. "I get it. I'm not angry. Just hurting."
Nolan nodded "Rosie. I cant begin to apologize enough for all this. I should never have agreed to keep it a secret. I should have gone to the police. I should have made Cass and the others do it to. We all have now. Its being fixed. But I know that doesn't change what we did."
Rosie nodded. "I can get you all didn't know what to do. I know Sierra was your friend long before me. I can understand not knowing how to handle this. But I cant understand why you all had to make me feel like I was being outcasted from the group. Not one of you have reached out to me since the day of the fire. Until Cass did when the pictures ended up on Instagram."
Nolan nodded. "We have been horrible friends. And I have been a horrible boyfriend. Roe I am so unbelievably sorry."
Rosie nodded she leaned her head on his shoulder.
Nolan took a breath and just held her close.
Dave knocked on her open bedroom door.
Rosie looked up.
"Your friends are all here. They said they weren't sure you would want to see them, but can I let them up?" Dave asked
Rosie nodded and wiped at her eyes. "Its fine."
Dave went back down and told them they could go up.
They all went up and into her room.
Rosie took a breath. "I'm going to get one thing straight. I get you didn't know how to handle it. I understand why you didn't know what to do. And I know a lot of you were friends with Sierra long before me. But I'm not okay with the fact that you all made me feel like I was being outcasted from the group because you didn't have the balls to face me. Nothing that happened was my fault and I felt like I was losing all my friends and didn't know why."
"Rosie. I'm really sorry." Cass said
"We all are." Taylor said
"I know your sorry. But I have been going through some of the worst weeks of my life and I didn't have any friends to turn to." Rosie said
"What else has been going on?" Nolan asked
"Why should I tell any of you?" Rosie asked
"Rosie. We are your friends. And I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but we are all here because we are, and we want to fix this." Pierce said
Rosie nodded. "Apologies don't just magically erase everything that has happened."
"What can help?" Nathan asked
"Time." Rosie said
They all nodded.
"What is happening with Sierra?" Rosie asked
"Not sure." Cass said. "We all told the police everything we know."
"I don't think Officer LaMontagne would leave without answers." Nathan said
Rosie chuckled
They all looked confused.
"He's basically my uncle. He is married to one of the people my dad works with. They got married in this backyard." Rosie said
"That explains why he was very. Insistent." Abbigail said
Rosie nodded.
"Can we do anything for you right now?" Cass asked
"Yeah. I appreciate you all coming to apologize. But right now I think I just need to be alone." Rosie said
They all got up to leave. Rosie stopped Nolan and waited for everyone else to leave. She took a breath.
"You were supposed to be my person. You were supposed to be on my side. It shouldn't have been a second guess for you." Rosie said
Nolan closed his eyes and took a breath. "Roe. Please. Forgive me." He said
"I cant." Rosie said. "I think right now I need to focus on myself and everything going on. I need to be alone right now. And that means we cant be together anymore. I still want to be your friend. But for right now I cant be more." She said in tears.
Nolan nodded and held back his tears. "I get it. I'm still here for you. And I hope in time we can fix this because I know in my heart that we are meant to be, but I respect what you need right now." He said. He kissed her cheek before leaving. Rosie sank to the ground and broke down sobbing. Nothing hurt her more than having to do that, but she knew she needed to. She needed to pick herself right now.
Dave heard the loud bang of her falling and ran upstairs and found her on the floor sobbing. Dave wrapped his arms around her and just let her sob into him. When she managed to her told him. "I broke up with Nolan."
Dave closed his eyes and though to himself 'What did he do?'
She went back to sobbing herself to sleep in his arms. Dave picked her up and moved her to her bed.
Sascha had been staying by her side the entire time and he climbed on the bed with her.
Dave went downstairs.
"She broke up with Nolan. And I don't know why but I feel like the only reason she would do that is if he did something. Pretty bad. Because she loves that boy." Dave said
Hunter sighed and nodded. "Agreed. But all we can do is take care of her."
Dave nodded. He noticed the plate on the table. "She didn't eat?"
Hunter took a breath.
"Did she get to you?" Dave asked
"She told me she felt sick to her stomach and didn't think she could eat because she would be sick…" Hunter said
Dave nodded. "Okay."
"Did I get played?" Hunter asked
"Possibly." Dave said
Hunter looked away.
"Its okay Hunt. This happens. She went through a lot today and her mind isn't helping her. It's a minor set back. When she wakes up we will talk to her and get her to eat. One meal isn't going to cause her to much of a set back as long as we get her right back on track." Dave said
Hunter nodded.
"We have to be on the same page though moving forward." Dave said
Hunter nodded. "I know. I'm sorry. She just looked so sad.."
"She is sad. And she might not even realize what she was doing. Her eating disorder takes control and tonight it won but its okay." Dave said
Hunter nodded.
"Eating disorder?" Hayley asked from behind
They turned and looked at her.
"What happened to putting your night tables together?" Dave asked
"I finished…" Hayley said
Dave smiled and nodded. "Good job."
"Yeah. I'm not just going to forget what I heard…" Hayley said
"Yes. You are." Hunter said
"How long?" Hayley asked
"Hayley. Drop it." Hunter said
Hayley shook her head. "Fine. I'll go ask her."
"No you will not." Dave said
"Your not my dad." Hayley said
"Hayley Elizebeth." Hunter said
Hayley turned and went to go upstairs. Hunter went after her and took her arm and pulled her into Dave's office and closed the door behind him.
He swatted her butt hard. "Sit down." He said sternly
Hayley yelped and sat down crossing her arms.
"We will get to the blatant disrespect for Dave in a minute but first. Rosie has had a really hard life up till now. I know you know some of it but that's what she has chosen to share. Until she decides to talk to you about things. You don't know. Am I clear?" Hunter asked leaning against the desk arms crossed
Hayley nodded.
"I need to hear it Hayley."
"You're clear." Hayley said
"Now. The way you spoke to Dave was incredibly disrespectful. He has made it clear to you that he loves you and while you don't need to call him dad. You do need to respect him and listen when he tells you to do something." Hunter said
"Yes sir." Hayley said
"You ever speak to him like that again and it will be him you answer to." Hunter said
Hayley nodded.
Hunter sat next to her and pulled her across his lap and landed a dozen hard quick swats to her butt.
She was sobbing by the end.
Hunter sat her up and hugged her.
She calmed down quickly.
"Do I need to tell you to apologize?" Hunter asked
"No." Hayley said.
She got up and went to the kitchen where Dave was putting Rosie's dinner away.
"I'm sorry." Hayley said from across the kitchen.
Dave looked up. "Come here." He said
Hayley went over.
Dave gave her a hug. "Its forgiven. And just to make it clear. I'm not trying to replace anyone. Just want to be another person you can depend on. Another person who always has your back."
"I know." Hayley said giving him a hug.
"But I don't take kindly to being spoken to that way." Dave said
"Wont happen again." Hayley said
"Okay." Dave said. He kissed her head.
Hunter had come into the kitchen too.
"You're mom wants you home tonight because she is taking you to get school clothes tomorrow morning." Hunter said
"Okay." Hayley said
Hunter looked at Dave. "I'll come back here after okay?"
Dave smiled. "You don't have to ask. Its your home too."
Hunter smiled "Okay." He left to take Hayley home. Dave went and checked on Rosie who was still asleep.
Hunter came back a bit later and Dave was in his office working. Hunter looked in. "What you working on?"
"Case file." Dave said closing it out as his phone rang. It was Will.
Dave answered it on speaker. "Will. You're on speaker. Hunter is here. Any new information?
"Did your daughter's friends come talk to her?" Will asked
"Yes. And she broke up with Nolan." Dave said
Will sighed. "Shit. Well. Good. That kid was an idiot."
"What did he do?" Hunter asked
"He knew who burnt down the house. All her friends did. They choose not to tell her because they didn't know what to do and felt so guilty that they had to avoid her. I ripped them all a new one." Will said
"Good." Dave said
"Anything about the pictures?" Hunter asked
"Found the source to be a child pornography website. It has been shut down. Our tech guys are tracking any leads they can to find them elsewhere and get them deleted as well. We are trying to find who added the photos in the first place." Will said. "We are doing everything we can."
"We know you are." Hunter said
"Who set the fire?" Dave asked
"Sierra Walsh." Will said
"Seriously?" Dave asked
"Yup. I guess she thought if she did this for Rosie the group would forgive her, and she would have a shot at being with Cassandra? I guess Sierra had a crush on her and… some mixed up teenage drama that Rosie got caught in the middle of." Will said
"Teenager drama is so much more complicated than when we were younger." Dave said
"Its just stupid is what it is. Sierra couldn't have just apologized?" Will asked
"You know what she did right?" Dave asked
"Yes. She told the whole school Rosie's story." Will said. "And yes. That's bad but how can anyone think starting a fire would make that any better."
"Because Sierra was threated not to talk to me, or Cass would share her secret." Rosie said
"Oh?" Dave asked.
"What secret?" Will asked
"Who her father is." Rosie said
"Someone was holding that over her head?" Will asked.
"Yeah. I didn't know this secret till Cass texted me five minutes ago and told me. I'm pissed that Cass would threaten to release that." Rosie said
"Who is her father?" Dave asked
Rosie said a name of a well-known serial killer.
Dave sighed and shook his head.
"I don't think I have ever wanted to punch one of my friends. I want to punch Cass." Rosie said
"That will not help anything." Will said
"You do that, and I will not be impressed." Hunter said
"Same goes for me." Dave said
"Okay. I didn't say I would." Rosie said
"You better not." Will said
"I wont. What do you know about the pictures?" Rosie said
Will told her what he had already told Dave and Hunter.
"Can you tell how long the photos were on that website?" Rosie asked
"Ten days." Will said
"So before the fire." Rosie said
"The fire and the photos are not connected." Will said
"Have you found anything about the little girl?" Rosie asked
"Well. Maybe." Will said. "Nothing I can share at this moment."
"Okay." Rosie said
"Hopefully because it hasn't been to long its not on to many places." Hunter said
"Its hard to know. These pedophile's work fast…" Dave said
"Will. Thank you and I'm sorry." Rosie said
"For?" Will asked
"Thank you for doing all this. And for telling my friends off. I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you today." Rosie said
"I will always have your back Rosie. And well your friends deserved it." Will said. "And its forgiven."
"You heard that he ripped your friends a new one?" Dave asked
"Nolan told me he told them off in the way only an uncle can do." Rosie said
Will chuckled. "Good."
Dave and Hunter smirked.
Rosie let out a breath and turned white.
"You okay Rosie?" Dave asked
"Just feel really light headed." She said
Hunter helped her to a seat.
"Will. We are going to go." Dave said
"Okay. I will call you with any new information." Will said before they hung up.
Dave moved his chair in front of her. Her color was coming back.
"Look at me." Dave said
Rosie shook her head.
Dave took her chin and lifted it, so they made eye contact.
"Is dinner the only mean you skipped?" Dave asked
Rosie nodded abit.
"You really feel sick?" Hunter asked
Rosie looked down.
"You were asked a question." Dave said
"I didn't feel hungry, but I didn't feel sick." Rosie said. "Sorry."
Hunter took a breath.
Dave looked at him and mouthed. "You want me to handle it?
Hunter shook his head.
"Rosie. Come on. You are going to eat now." He said
Rosie nodded and went with him.
Hunter warmed up her food and brought it to her with some water. He sat with her
Rosie ate slowly.
"You're looking forward to going to Hayley's match tomorrow it sounds like." Hunter said
Rosie smiled abit and nodded. "Want to support my sister. My family is all I have left."
Hunter let out a small breath. "Well. She is excited that your going to be there. She apparently have been talking about how cool her big sister is."
Rosie's smiled abit bigger. "She is pretty cool herself." She finished eating. She took a breath. "Sorry I manipulated you."
"Forgiven. But know that I wont be as easy to get one over anymore." Hunter said
"Got it." Rosie said
"You okay though. With the long bad day." Hunter said
"Just really upset with my friends. I don't know if I jumped the gun breaking up with Nolan." Rosie said
"Well was it a clean 'were done'. Or that you needed time or what?" Hunter asked
"Needed to focus on myself for now." Rosie said
"So give it some time. Focus on yourself. Can you stay friends?" Hunter asked
"I told him I still wanted to be friends. And he said he was still here for me." Rosie said
"Well that means there is a shot you two can work this out? When your ready." Hunter asked
"I think so." Rosie said
"So. Just take a few days. Go talk to Cass. Let her know how you feel. Talk only." Hunter said
Rosie nodded and smiled. "I wont punch her."
"Wont do anything to physically harm her?" Dave said coming into the room
"Correct." Rosie said, "Well I will go talk to her but for the next few days the focus will be on Hayley and moving them in here." Rosie said with a smile
"And the appointment with your therapist." Dave said
Rosie sighed.
"Problem with that?" Hunter asked
"Well. I take it I wont be able to convince you to forget about what happened tonight?" Rosie said
"Not a chance." Hunter said
"And even if you could convince him you wouldn't be convincing me." Dave said
Rosie sighed. "Orrick is not going to be impressed."
"Well I'm sure he is used to people having slips. Its normal in recovery." Dave said
Rosie nodded.
"I think I need a bath." Rosie said
"Go ahead." Hunter said
Rosie went and took a bath.
Dave took the plate from the table. "She ate it all?"
"She did." Hunter said
"Good." Dave said
"You okay?" Hunter asked
"Yes." Dave said
"Dave. Come on. I know you're not." Hunter said
"I'm fine." Dave said
Hunter got up and went over to him. "Don't bullshit me Dave."
Dave raised an eyebrow.
"You might be better at reading people in general. But I know you enough that I know when something is wrong." Hunter said. "You angry with me because I let her manipulate me?"
Dave sighed. "No Hunter I'm not. I'm just disappointed. I let myself believe we were getting passed this."
"Dave come on. It was one minor setback. And she ate. She had one of the worst days of her life today. And it was minor. You said yourself its normal." Hunter said
Dave nodded "You're right. I just."
"You are scared of losing your daughter again." Hunter said
Dave nodded.
"Dave, she isn't going anywhere. She is here. And we will help her fight to get healthy again." Hunter told the man.
"Come on. Its been a long day for you too." Hunter said he took his hand and led him upstairs to their bedroom for the night.