Chapter 17:

She hadn't really wanted to do this. But she'd been convinced that this was the right thing to do. In her rational mind, she knew that this was right. But there was still a part of her that belonged to that other code of ethics. The room was irritatingly white. A white, cold metal desk sat in the middle and the chair that she was sat on was ridiculously uncomfortable. It had a huge gap at the back which made it difficult to completely relax. A small bulb in the centre of the ceiling was the only light in the whole room and the white tiles seemed almost grey in the shadow.

A man in a brown suit walked in and sat in front of her. Enjolras was sat in the corner behind her and she wished he had been able to sit next to her.

"Good Evening," The man said as he looked at the sheet in front of him. "Epon-i-ne?" He asked.

"Epon-ee-n." She corrected and he nodded.

"So Eponine," He began. "I am told that you have information that you'd like to give us on your father?" Eponine slowly nodded. "Now you don't have to be nervous. If you give us information that leads to his arrest then you will get total amnesty seeing as you were a child for most of your criminal past or in a… bad relationship shall we say?" She nodded again, finding it very difficult to speak. You're not supposed to talk to police. The Detective leant back on his chair. "So, how abouts I ask you question and you see if you can answer them?" Another nod. "Okay, have you ever seen your father break into a house with the intent to steal?"

"Yes." She said hesitantly. She knew she shouldn't care about this. Her father was one of the worst people in the world and deserved whatever came to him. But, she couldn't help but think, I'm just as bad. "I've seen him break into at least twenty houses over the last ten years."

The Detective actually smiled. "And if you could, give us an estimate of the value of an individual burglary?"

"Well TV's, computers and anything of value was stolen so it would be in the thousands." She said.

"We would love something a little more specific." The detective told her and she nodded.

"Around 2 to 4 thousand would be my guess." She told him. "Not including damage to the house."

"Great." The detective said. He was slightly over-weight and had seemingly sculpted his beard to fashion a more prominent jawline. "Now if you end up having to give a statement in court, you will be asked why you would turn on your father. So that is my next question."

Eponine took a shaky breath. She turned to look at Enjolras who simply nodded for her to speak. He wanted her to tell the truth, he was sure this was the right thing to do. She had to believe him. "My father is a terrible person. He is physically and verbally abusive to me and has been since I can remember." She pulled up her sleeves to reveal the mark she had so often tried to hide. The divot in her skin was a strange purple colour that stuck out like a sore thumb against her ordinary pale skin. "I got this when I was eleven. I made a mistake on a job and so he put out a…" She choked a little, hating how vulnerable she felt. The detective remained impassive, she was glad of it. A few deep breaths and a quick comforting touch from Enjolras allowed her to continue. "He put out a cigarette on me." She breathed. The man in front of her furrowed his eyebrows, the only emotion shown so far. "This is in addition to the many bruises I have gotten from him over the years, if you don't mind I'd rather not list them all."

The man put his hand up. "That'll do just fine." He told her. "I doubt any jury will question your intentions after…" He gestured to the scar. "So now comes the real information Miss Thenardier." She wiped her eyes of the tears that had spilled from the moment of truth. She didn't dare look back at Enjolras for fear of how he would look at her. She'd never told anyone that story before. "Tell us how we can find your father."

She then listed all the address she knew, first her own house and then all of his friend's addresses. For good measure she also told them his process, how he had a system to the houses he would target. If anything it may help with future security. The detective seemed happy with the information given and at the end he smiled at her. "We thank you for your bravery." He told her. "I personally having been trying to get your father for years, this will help." Before he left he put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

As soon as he left Enjolras was crouched by her side and quickly took her into his arms. She sobbed onto his shoulder, a little for her father, a lot for herself and for the promise that she might be safe soon. "You did it." He whispered into her hair. "They will get him and he will go away for a long time." She nodded but the tears wouldn't stop. After a few minutes a police officer came in to tell them that they needed to go but paused when he saw the two of them. The blonde boy was kissing the side of her head as she wiped away tears. She gave them a moment before walking in.

"Dad," Enjolras said. "She's staying."

Enjolras Snr looked at his son. He had walked in the door a few minutes ago with Eponine behind him, eyes puffy and nose red. His wife had tutted and left the room but Enjolras Snr decided to stay and hear him out.

"She has nowhere to go and just practically handed her father into the police." This earned a raised eyebrow. "This is bigger than our differences Dad." Enjolras said impressed with himself at how reserved he was being.

"You turned in your father?" Enjolras Snr asked.

"Yes." Eponine said, knowing that her appearance made her look crazy but hoping that her attitude would be that of a determined young person. "I know that you associate my name with him and what he has done and I get it," She told him. "I really do. But you should know that I'm not him. You can't put the guilt of what he has done onto my shoulders because that's not fair." Enjolras Snr was rather imposing and he just stared at her with the vague air of amusement. "I know that I probably need to prove myself to you. And I'm willing to do that, but I can't if you don't give me the chance."

Enjolras Snr took a moment to think. Enjolras and Eponine agonised in the silence. Enjolras didn't want Eponine to be anywhere other than by his side. He had to know that she was completely safe and he wouldn't feel that way unless she was with him. And she didn't want to leave him either.

"Fine." Enjolras Snr said. "You can stay until your father's arrest." And with that he left the room, leaving Enjolras in a state of disbelief.

"It worked?" Eponine said laughing a little. Enjolras let out a sigh of relief and quickly picked Eponine up and swung her around in his arms. She laughed and hit him when he wouldn't set her down again.