I think for the rest of this story I'm going to keep the point of view from Callie's perspective. I might do a couple from someone else's POV, but it will most likely stay from Callie's view.
"There are two police officers at the front door. They said that they're looking for Callie and Jude." Jesus's words felt like a hot knife in my gut.
Stef squeezed my hand gently and led me down the stairs. There stood two tall police officers with broad shoulders and stern gazes.
Jude stood at the foot of the stairs as still as a statue. Lena, Mariana, Brandon, and Jesus stood in a close group in the living room with worry plastered across their faces.
"Jude and Callie Jacob?" One of the officers' voiced boomed throughout the house. "My name is Detective Samuelson. We have a report that says we are to inform the two of you if any progress has been made in an open rape case."
My heart dropped to my stomach and I gripped Jude's hand tightly.
"Progress has been made on my case?" Jude's voice was low and quiet. His eyes were trained on the floor and I could see tears threatening to spill over.
"James Link, the suspect in your assault, has been apprehended. He left France a week ago and was arrested in Italy. He has been extradited to the United States and is currently sitting in one of our interrogation rooms." Detective Samuelson spoke slowly, allowing us to soak in all of his words.
"Why? Why was he arrested? Were people looking for him? I can't believe that one rape case would take such high priority." Jude rubbed his brow as he spoke. He walked towards the living room and sat down on the recliner with is head in his hands. We all followed and silently filled the room.
"It turns out that the DNA found from your case was matched to several open rape and assault cases. He was arrested for aggravated assault. They ran his name through their system and found out that he has several warrants out for his arrest in the US. Our cases take priority but he will still be tried in the Italian Supreme Court."
"So what does this mean? Is there going to be a trial? Does Jude have to testify or identify him?" My voice was rather monotone. I wanted that bastard put in prison for the rest of his life but I didn't want Jude to go through any more pain.
"We would like Jude to look at some pictures and try to identify James. It would be one more nail in his coffin. There is a lot of damning evidence in all of his cases, but we need all of the help we can get to make sure this creep is put away for a long time."
The room fell silent and our eyes all fell on Jude.
"Okay, let's just get this over with." Jude took a tablet from Detective Samuelson's partner and started swiping through images. His face was hard as he looked through mugshots. I knew he would be able to identify his attacker. New Intelligence trained us to never forget a face. "This one. This is James Link." He handed the tablet back.
I quickly scanned the picture and committed it to memory.
"You're absolutely positive?" Detective Samuelson continued when he received a nod from Jude. "Okay, can you tell me where you recognize this man from?"
Jude let one tear fall from his eyes before he spoke. "That's the bastard that raped me."
I watched Jude as he retreated in on himself. He stayed seated while Stef and Lena shook the detectives' hands and showed them to the door. I think I heard them say that they would be in touch soon about the trial, but I was too concerned with my baby brother and his state of mind.
"Want to tell me what's running through that head of yours?"
He shook his head and darted up the stairs, slamming his door behind him.
"He's going to be okay. This takes a while to process." Stef and Lena sat on either side of me.
"I know, Stef. We've had to process a crap load in our lifetime. I know what it's like to process something this painful!" I jumped up from the couch and ran my fingers through my hair. "I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you, just pissed at this situation."
Even though my back was turned to them I knew Stef and Lena were having a silent conversation. Lena sighed and got up from the couch. She walked over to me and kissed me gently on my temple. I heard her climb the stairs quietly. I figured she was going to talk to Jude.
"Cal, please come sit by me. I want to talk." Stef's voice was gentle but I knew that her statement was non-optional.
I wiped away tears that had collected in the corners of my eyes, took a few deep breaths, and returned to my place on the couch.
"I know that you are concerned about Jude. Mama and I are too. I need you to believe me when I tell you that we are going to get him all of the help that he needs. I promise you that he will be taken care of. Do you understand me?" Stef paused and stared at me until I nodded. "Good. Mama and I did some research last night and we found a therapist for you. She's worked with the police department several times. I trust her completely. And she has an opening tomorrow and one in the afternoon. I don't work tomorrow so I'm going to take you, weather permitting."
Panic inched up my back with every word that she spoke. Deep inside I knew that I had to go, but every part of me was resisting. "She's going to think I'm crazy." My voice was quiet and shaky as I spoke.
Stef pulled me close to her and held me tightly. "Oh my sweet love, she's not going to think you are crazy. Do you know why? Because you aren't crazy. You and your brother have been through more in your short lifetimes than anyone should have to go through in six lifetimes! I promise you, she will understand. Please give this a shot. I truly believe that it will help you get better."
I nodded, even though I was still very apprehensive. My reluctance was growing by the second but I knew I didn't have a different option.
We stayed sitting together for a couple minutes, but the comfort of our bond was interrupted by fast, heavy footsteps on the stairs followed by slower softer ones. Lena was calling out to someone but there was no answer. Her words morphed into unintelligible mumbles when the two reached the kitchen and were cut off by a loud slam of the back door.
Stef and I shared a look, both knowing who Lena was chasing after. We made our way into the kitchen and found her staring out the window above the sink.
"What's going on?" Stef gently rubbed Lena's back and sighed when she caught sight of the object of Lena's gaze.
I too looked out the window and saw my baby brother making his way through the snow to the garage. He had his laptop under one arm and his backpack slung across the opposite shoulder. Headphones covered his ears and I just knew that the music he was listening to was loud enough to deafen him.
"I went up to his room to check on him but he wouldn't even look at me. He just sat on his bed like a statue." Lena wiped a tear away from her face. "I tried to give him a hug but he nearly jumped clear across the room. He started shoving things in his book bag and darted out of the room. I tried to stop him but he's just so damn fast."
I stifled a laugh and my foster mothers turned to look at me. "Sorry, I just don't think I've ever heard you swear, Lena." They both smiled at me but they quickly turned back to the window and sighed sadly when they heard the garage door slam. "He gets like this sometimes. He'll be in a funk for a few days but it will gradually get better. He isn't trying to be mean to disrespectful to anyone. This is just his way of coping with his pain."
The lights flickered a few times but eventually stayed on and the furnace started roaring to life.
"We have power!" Jesus came bounding down the stairs and ran around the house turning on every light on his way.
Mariana and Brandon followed shortly behind with huge smiles on their faces. Mariana quickly plugged her charger into an outlet and did a little happy dance when her phone began to turn on.
"Well, I guess this calls for a little celebratory dinner! Mom and I will get started on it. Why don't you kids go get cleaned up. We'll call for you when it's ready." Lena ushered us out of the kitchen with a big smile on her face.
The four of us ran up the stairs, relishing in the warmth coming from the vents. It was strange that something as small as the power coming back on could put everyone in such a good mood. But for the first time in several days everyone's smiles and laughter were genuine. My heart sang with all of the happiness that filled the air. But it panged with sadness knowing that my little brother was sitting in a cold garage alone and hurting.