“What the fuck? Why the hell not? What sort of person doesn’t go to the police?”
All the arguments that Carter gave me float away. Abbi is right, her instincts are exactly the same as mine. I should go to the police, of course I should. How on earth did I get talked out of it?
“Well, Carter said that it might have been something to do with organized crime and he was worried for us.”
“That is crazy, Raelyn, of course you have to go to the police.”
“We called an ambulance. It isn’t like we just left the guy to die!”
“Raelyn, I am talking control of this situation right now, because you aren’t thinking straight, and it’s pretty clear from what you just told me that Carter isn’t either. I think the situation sent you into a shock.”
She might well be right about that one, my brain isn’t on straight enough for me to make any sort of decision on that front, so all I can really do is nod at her. “Yeah. Okay. What do you think I should do, Abbi?”
“We’re going to the police station. Right now. You need to report this. It’s so dangerous.”
“But Carter said…”
“I will talk to Carter afterwards. Right now, my priority is you. I need to make sure you’re safe. If this is organized crime, then you are in danger every moment that you don’t speak to the police. They will know who it is and be able to lock them up. There’s absolutely no reason not to do this.”
“They could come after me, in some sort of revenge thing. If it’s a mob type deal, then I could be in serious danger.” I shrug hopelessly. “I just don’t know what to do for the best, Abbi.”
“Raelyn, I know what’s best for you right now and it’s this.”
She probably is the only person speaking rationally, so in the end I let her drag me from my seat and towards the front door. Her car is outside, so she bundles me in, and we start driving towards the station. I search inside myself, trying to work out how I feel, but nothing immediately comes to light. I don’t know if I’m relived about this decision or not. I’m not sure if I’m scared or worried that it’s going to piss Carter off. I don’t even know if this feels right, but it’s happening now and there isn’t anything that I can do about it.
“Just tell them what you told me, Raelyn, and I will be there with you. This will be okay,” Abbi does her best to reassure me. “Just trust me. This is the right thing to do. Otherwise, you’ll always be scared.”
As we pull up outside the police station, my butt molds into the seat. I realize with utter clarity that I don’t want to get out of the car. I am terrified. So scared that this is only going to get worse.
“Right, are you ready? It’s time to sort this out once and for all.”
“I… I don’t know, Abbi. It feels weird.” I glance my eyes around the parking lot, seeing all kinds of shady characters. This is supposed to be a police station, not the sort of place where criminals are hanging about. But it really seems like I shouldn’t get out. “I think that he’s here.”
“Who’s here?” Abbi’s eyes narrow in suspicion, as if she thinks that I’m just searching for an excuse.
“The guy… the murderer. I think that he might be here to stop me.”
“Raelyn, why would he be here? He just committed a heinous crime.”
“He or one of his guys. To stop me from reporting the crime. Look at those two over there.”
Abbi peers passed me, the frustration rolling off of her in waves. I know she’s going to be pissed off with me for not wanting to go through with this, but I just cannot help it.
“They are just people, Raelyn. You don’t know that they are anything to do with this.”
I nod, trying to accept what she’s telling me. “Okay, yeah. So, I just need to do this.”
“You do. And you will feel so much better when you do. Trust me. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”
“Yeah, I know. Just give me a couple of minutes. That’s all I ask.”
“Right, sure. Whatever you need. I don’t want to push you.”
I try to calm myself down. I think only rational thoughts while I stare at the building. This could be the end of this now. I could put a stop to it and it’ll all be over… at least for the time being…
“Oh my God.” I bolt up straighter as a mean pair of eyes cross my vision. “That’s him.”
“That’s who?” Abbi is getting very annoyed with me now, and I really can’t blame her.