“In his room I think, but I know he was in Mum’s room for a couple of hours last night. He’s worried about her,” he replies as he looks out the window.
My anger simmers dangerously close to the surface.
“Do you believe this story?” I ask Wilson.
He nods. “Unfortunately I do. Cameron and Adrian hacked the hospital records in Melbourne last night and she was telling the truth.”
I clench my jaw in anger.
“Does Dad know this?” I ask.
He nods and sips his coffee.
“One time when he was in England the bastard broke four of her ribs,” he murmurs as he watches them.
My eyes close. How could this happen under all of our noses?
“Dad said he remembers it. When he got back she still had a foot-shaped bruise on her from being kicked, but she told him that she had been mugged.”
The lead of hate starts to drip through my bloodstream. He’s going to fucking pay for this.
I rub my hand over my face. “I called her a whore,” I whisper.
“You only said what we all were thinking,” he replies.
I blow out a breath and walk into the pool area and they both turn to look at me. I bite my lip as I try to articulate what I want to say. “I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you, Mum,” I whisper nervously as I approach them. She gives me a sad smile and I shake my head. “I just… I was hurt and I lashed out. I didn’t mean any of it,” I say quietly. They both nod. “Please stay as long as you like. You are always welcome here.”
“Thank you,” she whispers and Dad nods his head, unable to speak. This is too much, guilt fills me and I shake my head, I can’t deal with this. I need to get out of here.
“I’ve got to go to work. Ring me if I’m needed.” I walk inside and grab my keys and head for the door where Ben is waiting for me. He gives me a stifled smile.
“Where were you last night?” I ask.
He doesn’t look at me. “I had a date,” he replies as he walks in front of me.
My eyes follow him out the door. Fuck! I knew it.
“With who?” I ask as I walk around to the car. He’s never missed a Lakers game since he started with me.
He shakes his head and opens the car. “Does it matter?” he replies.
A car pulls up and Abbie leans over and kisses the driver. Ben and I exchange looks and I roll my eyes. Ben narrows his eyes at the driver as it pulls away and shakes his head angrily.
“Hi.” Abbie beams as she walks toward us.
“Was that the fucking cop?” Ben snaps.
She stiffens under his glare. “Yeah, so.”
“Are you stupid?” he sneers.
“I won’t say anything!” she replies. “I don’t know anyone here. I’m going crazy, Ben.”
He nods as his anger erupts. “Listen here, you are in LA only because you put you and Bridget into a stupid position and now you’re fucking the cop who is investigating it.” He shakes his head in anger. “Now I’ve seen it all.”
I roll my eyes. I don’t need this shit this morning.
“Joshua!” Abbie exclaims. “I can see who I want. Tell him I can do what I want.”