Breaking Free

Trigger Warning: This story contains scenes of domestic violence, and physical and emotional abuse. The main character was in an abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend, who hurt her both physically and mentally. The story also depicts the main character's struggle to escape from the abuse and find love and healing with another person. If you are sensitive to these topics, please read with caution. If you are experiencing domestic violence or need help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website. You are not alone, and you deserve to be safe and happy.

Chapter 26

DETECTIVE CARTER

I checked my watch and sighed. It was almost midnight. The rain was pounding on the window of my office, and I felt a headache coming on. I decided to call it a night and pack up my files. As I reached for my coat, my cellphone rang. I glanced at the display and saw "Front Desk". That was odd. Why would they call me at this hour?

I answered the phone with a weary voice. "Detective Carter speaking."

"Detective, there is a Miss Annie Brooks here to see you," the desk sergeant said in a hushed tone. "She says it's urgent."

"Concerning?" I asked, feeling a surge of adrenaline.

There was a muffled conversation as the desk sergeant talked to Miss Brooks. I heard a faint voice say something about Chris Blackwood. My ears perked up. Blackwood? The guy who beat up Isabella Swan. And one of the many aliases of Christopher Mordecai Frost.

"She has information about Chris Blackwood," the desk sergeant repeated.

I grabbed my coat and gun and ran out of the office. "I'll be right out," I said. "And don't let her out of your sight."

~~~ Breaking Free ~~~

What Miss Brooks told me I couldn't believe. Didn't want to believe. And yet, I believed her. She witnessed the assault on Isabella.

I sat back and stared at Miss Brooks. I felt a mix of anger, pity, and curiosity. How did she find me? Why did she come to me now? What else did she know?

"Miss Brooks, why are you coming to me now?" I asked, crossing my hands over my stomach.

Miss Brooks wiped at her eyes. "Because before now, I was afraid. Afraid of Chris. Of what he was capable of doing." She was trembling. "He showed me his true colors the night he attacked Miss Swan." She dabbed at her eyes again. "When I saw he was on trial for the attack, I knew I had to come forward."

I pursued my lips. She had answered my question and then some. She had told me why she hadn't come forward before now.

She lowered her voice and said, "There is something else you need to know. Something that could ensure he is convicted."

She had my attention and I leaned forward. Her perfume was faint and sweet. "And what is that?" I asked.

She glanced nervously at the door, as if expecting someone to barge into the conference room. She slid me an SD card, and said, "He was filming our sexual encounter. He asked me to retrieve the camera. I gave it back to him minus this card. It has the attack, what he said, what he threatened to do to both Isabella and me."

This was it. This was the evidence I needed to put him behind bars. I needed IT to review and authentic it before handing it over to the DA.

"Thank you, Miss Brooks. I can't promise you won't have to testify, but you have been a great help."