“Hey, baby. These guys are cops. They’re just here to make a statement. Do you feel up to it?”
After a moment, she exhaled and straightened in his lap before she nodded.
“I’m so proud of you right now,” he whispered in her ear.
That gave her the strength she needed to get through the interview. They asked basic questions like her name and date of birth before they got to her story. She went through what happened until Sean came to save her and let him take over the story.
They had just finished when a man and a woman walked in with medical bags.
“We’re here to check out Miss Blanchard.”
She shook her head and turned to Sean. “No. I don’t want this. I’m fine.”
“You’re going to let them check you out, or I’m taking you to the ER. What’s your choice?”
She didn’t like the anger in his tone and sat up a little straighter. “Here,” she said.
The paramedics checked her over, and besides a few bruises and scrapes, she was fine. Her blood pressure had come down, and she hadn’t hurt her head, so they weren’t worried about a concussion. They went away, leaving them alone in the office.
She glanced at Sean. “I want to stand up.”
He studied her for a moment before he nodded and let her rise, but he wrapped an arm around her waist as they walked out of the office. She stiffened when she saw a few cops walking past with the man in between them.
Sean had beaten the shit out of the guy. He had blood coming out of his nose and lip, and his eyes were swollen shut.
The way he looked made her almost feel bad for him, but then she remembered how he handled her. It was something she would never forget. She caught what the police officers were saying, and her eyes widened.
“I didn’t even know Phyllis had a brother,” she said and wrapped her arms around herself as she watched him being led away. “It was all because I got the job, and she didn’t, wasn’t it?”
One of the cops stepped forward. “Most likely. We’re already checking into her, but we know she has been a part of it all along. She’ll be arrested along with her brother.”
“I knew she hated me.”
“She’s a hateful person. Her brother has always lived with his parents and then with her in the same house they grew up in,” another officer said.
The first guy spoke up. “We think he’s autistic, but it’s never been confirmed. Phyllis hardly ever takes him out. He doesn’t do well with many people around, or if someone tries to talk to him or, God forbid, try to touch him, he freaks out. He rarely leaves the house.”
“I feel so bad for them,” she said.
Sean snorted. “Of course, you do.”
“No, really. Think about how dismal their lives are.” She shook her head. “Her being the librarian was something they hoped for. She really thought she’d get the job after the older one retired, and when she didn’t, they both were heartbroken and lashed out at me.”
She could tell they still weren’t sympathetic, but she had to remember they were men.
Sean squeezed her against his side. “How about we get you home and into the shower?”
Ava smiled. “I’d like that.”
“We’ll put a sign on the door, miss, stating the library is closed for the day.”
“That would be nice. Thank you, Officer.”
In the vehicle, she laid her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. She was glad it was over, and she hadn’t realized how anxious she’d been about the situation until it was resolved.
She’d have to think about hiring another person or two, but that could wait until the following day.