Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer

Part 36

36

"We need a statement from you, Miss Lockyer." The police officer sounded almost hesitant. After last night, I was, too. "I understand this will be upsetting for you, but we need your assistance to catch the people who did this to you."

Caitlin bit her lip and nodded, her eyes downcast. Her hand reached for mine and I held it carefully, mindful of her fingers.

The police officer cleared his throat. "Mr Miller, I'll have to ask you to leave or at least step outside."

Unwillingly, I rose. I tried to let go of her hand, but I couldn't. Somehow, she'd twined her fingers through mine and couldn't, or wouldn't, let go. She emitted a strangled sound as I tried to detach her gauze-shrouded fingers, so I stopped. I looked hard at Caitlin, but her eyes remained fixed on her lap. Her face grew paler the longer I looked.

"No." The firmness in her voice surprised me and the police officer, too.

"I'm sorry?" He looked confused. "You won't give a statement yet?"

Caitlin looked up, her brow furrowed. "I'll make a statement now, but I want Nathan to stay."

The police officer cleared his throat. "Mr Miller is a suspect in this matter and we'd prefer that your statement is made privately, so you feel safe and don't hold back information. Your statement will remain confidential."

Caitlin's eyes locked on his and her voice hardened. "Detective, I will never feel safe until I know every one of those bastards can't touch me again. And I will never feel safe alone with a police officer, after one of them shot at me. Nathan...Nathan shouldn't be a suspect in this. He never...He didn't...He's about the only person who hasn't hurt me." Her voice was firm through most of this, but wavered toward the end. Her eyes filled with tears, which spilled down her cheeks. She reached for a tissue with one bandaged hand, then the other, unsuccessfully.

I reached over and pulled a tissue out of the box, holding it out for her. Caitlin turned her sad eyes to me, her useless hands held out in front of her. "Please," she whispered. I hesitated a second before I carefully wiped her tears away.

She turned back at the police officer. "I can't use my hands and I can barely stand, let alone walk. I feel so helpless, one of these pillows would probably be an effective weapon against me." She gave him a sad little smile. "I know I need to make a statement so you can catch the people who did this to me, no matter how upset talking about it will make me feel. I'll do it, however many tears it takes, but please don't make me do this alone." Her voice faded to a whisper. She looked pleadingly at the police officer, then at me.

I spoke first. "If you want me to stay, I'll be here for you."

The police officer looked hesitant, as if he wanted to agree but knew he couldn't.

She laced her fingers through mine before turning her tear-filled eyes back to the police officer, her voice barely louder than a whisper. "I don't know how long it will take before I'm strong enough to tell this story without someone to support me. I don't even know if I can. I want you to catch them and I want to help you do it. I want to know they can't touch me and that I'll be safe as soon as possible. Please – I feel like I have so little courage left. Let me tell this story before it's gone. I don't know when I'll be brave enough to attempt it again." She held his gaze for a moment, before bowing her head in defeat. She looked so small and vulnerable all of a sudden.

I found myself moving almost automatically to comfort and protect her. The words were out of my mouth before I could think. "I promised I won't let them hurt you again. They won't touch you – you will be safe."

The police officer cleared his throat. "I think that if you'd like to make your statement with him present, under the circumstances, you can do so. Provided, of course, that Mr Miller doesn't interrupt or interfere in any way."

I felt her whole body relax in my arms. "Thank you." Her voice was fervent with relief.

"Can you tell me what you remember?" the police officer asked carefully.

Caitlin sat up, resting against me, both of her hands in mine. I felt her stiffen as she closed her eyes.

"I remember they had a red Mercedes. They hit me, pushed me into the car, made me breathe something that knocked me out in the back seat. It was dark when I woke up. It was always dark and...they hurt me. I remember pain and cold in the dark. And then Nathan – telling me it was over, that they weren't going to hurt me again. The next thing I remember is waking up here." Her eyes opened, looking as lost as when she'd woken here and called for me.

The officer looked stunned. "That's all you remember? Don't you remember being shot?"

"No," she whispered, then cleared her throat and resumed in a more normal voice. "I have...dreams...nightmares...and sometimes I see things that make me remember. Bits come back, but they're only ever bits. I should write them down, but I can't yet." She held up her bandaged hands.

"I'll do it," I found myself saying. "I can bring in my laptop, you can tell me what you remember and I'll type it in for you."

I earned a suspicious look from the police officer, but Caitlin looked relieved.

"Thank you," she said as she crumpled. She fell mostly against me, so it was a small matter to twist my fingers from hers and shift her so that she rested on her pillows. Her eyelids fluttered a little, but she didn't open her eyes.

The officer stood up. "Well, if that's all you have to say today, I'll be going. Until next time, Miss Lockyer."

"Mmm hmmm," Caitlin murmured quietly, her eyes still closed.

He nodded to me and I returned the curt gesture.

He left, but I watched Caitlin. She hadn't shown any warning signs of feeling faint. I wondered if I should call a nurse.

The door clicked shut behind the man and I saw her go from rigid to relaxed.

"Do you want me to call a nurse?" I tested.

Caitlin breathed a sigh so deep it made her sink further into the pillows. "No, it's okay. I just need to rest."

"You absolutely do," I replied. "Rest and heal. Tomorrow I'll bring in the laptop and you can tell me everything you remember."

She sucked in a breath but she didn't reply.