The only good thing about being so damn nervous is that growing up sequestered on an island would result in social awkwardness, and I’m bringing it full force. It’s only embarrassing because I didn’t actually grow up on a tiny island, but at least she doesn’t know that.
“Do you know why he took the batteries out?”
I shift uncomfortably, idly scratching my arm just to give my hands something to do.
“When can I see Enzo?” I ask instead. I’m not a trusting person, but the only one Trinity feels safe with is Enzo. She would also be hesitant to talk about her father. He’s all she knows.
“You can see him soon, honey. I just need you to answer some questions for me, okay?”
I glance behind my shoulder at the door, mumbling, “Okay,” while also wondering if they’d let me leave right now and go find him.
“Can you—”
“He’s not in trouble, is he?” I cut in.
“They’re just asking him some questions,” she assures gently.
It doesn’t slip my attention that she didn’t answer my question.
“Can you tell me why your father took the batteries out?” she repeats, keeping her tone soft and patient.
She must donate to charities and volunteer at the soup kitchen on weekends—the woman is a saint. I would’ve lost my patience already.
“D-Dad was worried about him finding me and my sister and didn’t want him to have access to the radios in case he did.”
“Do you know why he didn’t want Enzo to have access?”
I shrug, scratching my arm again. “He likes to have friends.”
The officer nods and writes something down in her notepad.
“How many friends has your father had?”
I chew my lip, not wanting to answer that. Trinity might not want to rat out her father, but frankly, I have no idea how many bodies were buried in the cellar.
“You know he can’t hurt you anymore, right?” Bancroft asks, tipping her chin down to catch my stare.
“Yeah…” I trail off, shifting in my seat. “He, uh, he didn’t let me see them all. I don’t… I don’t know. I don’t know.”
“Okay, okay,” she placates, sensing my panic. My heart is pounding, and sweat is forming along my hairline, and beads are slowly trailing down my back.
“So, your dad kept you both hidden the entire time Enzo was there, or just Kacey?”
“At first, it was both of us.”
When I don’t say anything else, she prompts, “And then?”
“Then… then one night, Dad let Kacey and I go into the ocean to get some fresh air and clean up a little. E-Enzo saw me through the window, so the next day, he started questioning who I was. Dad had to let me out the next day and told him he didn’t feel comfortable having his daughter around a strange man.”
“And Kacey? Did he see Kacey?”
I shake my head, scratching my arm harder. Officer Bancroft reaches across the table and grabs my hand, stopping me. Her hands aresosoft.
“You’re going to hurt yourself, sweetheart.”
I remove myself from her grasp, and she lets me go easily.
“Keep going. You’re safe now,” she reiterates.