“Son of a… She had a miscarriage, Troy. They are grieving like any loving parents. Let them just grieve.” Brett ran his hands through his hair.
“Normally, I wouldn’t think twice, but this is coming from pretty high up. Apparently, we got a call from a reliable source that claims Zoey did something to harm herself and end her pregnancy.” Troy shook his head. “This all sucks if you ask me,” he said as he turned around.
Zoey, who had been standing rod still, not speaking, fell into her husband’s arms the moment the front doors were shut. Dylan lifted her in his arms and marched to the sofa where he held her while she cried uncontrollably for almost five minutes straight. All of her friends gathered around her, holding onto her tight.
A couple came strolling into the lobby, but Jules rushed over and asked if they could come back later.
Then she too stood over Zoey and silently cursed the powers that were making her friend go through more pain. As if losing a baby wasn’t painful enough.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
It had been decided that, since Damion had been a witness to the event in question, he should be present as a witness. The following morning, at nine o’clock sharp, he, Zoey, Dylan, Dr. Val, and a very scary looking lawyer by the name of Steinbeck, who was dressed in a suit that looked like it was as expensive as theWind Chaser, walked into the lobby of the police station together.
They were shown into a small conference room where Lea laid out a few folders that the lawyer had already looked over and approved.
Two officers in plain clothes stepped into the room—a woman no older than he was and an older gentleman who resembled a lawyer more than an officer.
“Good morning,” the gentleman started. “I’m detective Hobbylark. This is detective Romero.” They sat down. “Romero will be conducting this investigation, as situations like this require a delicate hand. I’m here strictly to observe.” He nodded to the female officer, who was opening a laptop.
Zoey introduced herself, then her lawyer, who finished introducing everyone else in the room.
“I don’t really think this interview warranted a lawyer and a witness,” Detective Romero said sharply.
“I don’t really think this situation warranted police questioning,” the lawyer countered.
The detective nodded and then opened a file she had set on the table.
“Miss…”
“Mrs.,” Zoey corrected. “Mrs. Costas.”
Detective Romero typed something on her laptop. “Mrs. Costas. When did you know that you had become pregnant with your second child?”
Lea opened her mouth to speak, but one look from the detective and the lawyer had her sitting back.
“The first time I suspected was…” Zoey opened the folder Lea had set in front of her, and then rattled off the date and time.
“Do you always let your doctor keep your replies handy?” Romero asked.
“When she is my close friend and the woman who birthed my daughter, yes,” Zoey answered easily.
“You have currently had one live birth?” Romero asked, looking at the paper in front of her.
“Yes,” Zoey said, but Damion could tell she was grinding her back teeth.
“Did you knowingly drink or take any illegal substance after finding out about your second pregnancy?”
“No,” Zoey answered.
“Did you willingly do anything to harm your second baby?”
“It wasn’t a viable…” Zoey started, but Romero jerked her head up.
“Mrs. Costas, I don’t think you understand the gravity of your situation. The accusations brought against you are enough to have your daughter”—she paused and looked at her screen— “Paige put into foster care until this matter is resolved.”
Everyone in the room tensed and both Zoey and Dylan gasped and held onto one another.
“A yes or no answer please,” Romero said sharply.