XCIII
The next day, they're watching a movie in the living room—Poe on Eleven's lap—when there's a knock on the door.
"Are you expecting someone?" Henry asks her.
Eleven shakes her head, and the two exchange confused glances: who would bother them on a Sunday?
The knocks become more insistent. Henry stands up.
"I'll get it."
Opening the door, he finds Hopper, who is holding his hat between his hands.
"Officer. Can I help you?" From his tone of voice, Eleven knows that Henry is smiling in that polite, false way that he uses as a façade to others.
"Henry," the police chief grunts in greeting. "You may or may not be aware of this, but yesterday there was an… incident at the new Starcourt skating rink."
Eleven feels her blood run cold.
"Oh? I'm not aware. Would you like to come in?"
On Henry's orders, Eleven retreats to her room with Poe in her arms. It's just him and the officer, sitting face to face at the dining room table.
When Hopper finishes recounting the facts, he adds, with a deep sigh: "And the thing is that they reported Jane. I'm coming to pick her up to take her to the station."
Henry sees red, yet he manages to hold back: he knows that Hopper is not the enemy, but a mere messenger. In any case, it would be a good idea to take advantage of his obvious concern for Jane.
"In your experience, officer… How should I go about solving this issue?"
The man puts a hand to his head and lets out a snort. "In all honesty, boy, I think the only solution is monetary."
And it is, indeed, the only solution: Henry does not believe he can manipulate the minds of three different people and maintain an idea as selfless and understanding as letting go of what Eleven has done, especially with the perpetual reminder on the face of the girl. Even if they decide to withdraw the complaint now, tomorrow, three days, or a week from now they could experience an attack of rage at the injury and resume the process.
"How much are we talking about?" he asks then, to get an idea.
"You should talk to the parents of the other girl about that," Hopper grumbles. "A couple of snobs, if you ask me."
Henry nods. "I'll be sure to resolve it with them, then."
The sheriff grimaces. "Still, I don't think I can delay taking Jane…"
Henry gets up from his seat and walks to the coat rack in the hallway.
"That won't be necessary," he replies, putting on his trench coat. "I'll go right now. Could you stay with Jane? I think she's scared and I'd rather not leave her alone…"
As soon as he sees Hopper nod in agreement, he bolts out the door.