“My friend Howard and I went out. Then we got back home. Daddy was at a conference. I went upstairs to put down the stuff I bought, then loaded the machine with laundry. By the time I returned to the living room, Howard was already…” I swallowed hard and licked my dry lips. “He’d already slit Howard’s throat. I tried to run, but…” I shook my head. “I thought he was going to kill me.”
“But then your partner showed up.”
I shrugged, plucking at the sheets. “I don’t know what happened after. I hit my head and then I blocked out everything.”
“You don’t remember anything after he pulled your pants down?”
“No.”
They asked me a few more questions that I didn’t find relevant at all. Questions about my relationship with Shaw. Eventually, they thanked me and said they would keep in touch. As soon as they left, Daddy came back in. The trembling started then.
“I know, baby. I know.”
He wrapped me up in his arms. “I’m not sure they believed me.”
“I’m sure it will be fine, but I’ll get a lawyer just in case.”