Page 10 of Beaten

Jamie named the offices we could already see, creating a semi-circle around the reception area, then took us down the hall, where there was a small, but full, kitchen and two bathrooms.

“It’s a lot bigger than our old place. And while I didn’t hate sharing an office with my dad, I love having my own. Jack likes his too, though sometimes I think he misses AJ.”Jamie laughed, then added, “They shared an office in the old building, but now that Jack is a fully vested partner, and we have the space, he has his own office. AJ spends more time in there than the office he shares with Doug, our only other full-time private investigator.”

He pointed out two other offices, available for future new hires, and one that the part-time security personnel shared. Jamie explained that the FBI rewarded SSI with a hefty sum of money for taking down Sullivan, a Boston mob boss on their most wanted list, which helped them fund the new building. He told us they'd be adding a training building in the future, complete with indoor and outdoor shooting ranges.

I looked around in awe at the open space while we walked up the open stairway. There were two small meeting rooms, a large conference room, and an open classroom for training on the second floor. “It looks great.” And I meant it, their office was truly impressive.

“Thanks, Meg and Ma helped us design the space, so it’s functional and welcoming.”

“It shows.” Chris laughed. “There’s just a hint of feminine without being obvious.”

“Yeah, I doubt any of us would have thought to have plants or a comfy couch in the reception area.” Jamie added as we walked back downstairs.

“Let’s head to my office.” He held out his arm to point the way. Jack smiled softly and nodded his support when I made eye contact with him on the way to Jamie’s office.

Once in his office, Jamie sat in one of the guest chairs near us rather than behind his desk, making it feel less likean interview and more like old friends catching up. And at first that’s what it was. He asked me about my job, my hobbies, and what I did for fun. Then he told me a little about starting SSI with his dad and brother, and how great it was working with his family. I assumed he did it to help me feel less nervous, and it worked.

Right up until he asked, “Do you think you’re ready to talk about Craig and what happened?” My heart beat a little faster as I averted my eyes and twisted my thumb ring.

“It’s okay if you’re not ready yet, we can just chat some more.” His tone stayed calm, conversational.He’s really good at this.

I paused for a second before nodding. “I think I’m ready.” And much to my surprise, I meant it. I didn’t know if it was because of his calm voice, how relaxed he seemed, or him taking time to talk to me before he started asking his questions.It’s probably a combination of all three.It didn’t matter, I felt a little less nervous answering his questions about the embarrassing circumstances that landed me back in Weatherford, and in his office.

“Will it be okay if I take a few notes while you talk?” When I nodded, he got up and walked to his desk. “Would you like for one of our guys to check your phone for a location tracker while you’re here?” He asked as he grabbed his laptop.

I stared at him with wide-eyes and my mouth hanging open.He thinks Craig put a tracker on my phone. I shook my head and started to say no, and tell him Craig wouldn’t have done that, but Chris cut me off.

“Em, I think it’d be a good idea. It’s the kind of thing guys like Craig do.”

I didn’t want to believe it but figured it couldn’t hurt to check. I grabbed my phone from my purse and handed it to Jamie.

“This won’t take long.” He took my phone and walked to the door. I heard him call Meg over before he stepped out and pulled the door mostly closed. I could only assume he was asking Meg to have one of the other guys check it.Oh man, I hope it’s not Jack, this is embarrassing enough as it is without Jack getting a glimpse at how sad and pathetic my life has become.

“Doug will have your phone back in no time, he won’t even have to unlock it.” I sighed in relief; it was like he was reading my mind.

I waited for him to sit back down before asking, “So what do you need to know? I mean, Chris already told you what happened.” Damn, that sounded a lot ruder than I’d intended. I was frustrated and nervous, but none of that was Jamie’s fault. And while I thought it seemed unnecessary to tell him what Chris had already told him, it wasn’t an excuse to be rude, so I apologized.

“Accepted. Chris gave me the short version of what happened the night you left but I need to know the full story of what transpired that night, and any other time he hit or threatened you. It may seem like overkill, but no incident is too small. The details will help me evaluate what kind of threat he is-could be.” Jamie quickly corrected himself, but I didn’t miss it.Hethinks Craig is a threat. Tears welled up in my eyes.

“Where should I start?” I hated that my voice was still shaking. I wanted a drink but realized I'd left my water in the lobby.

“Let’s start with what happened the night you left.”

With a shaky voice I said, “Craig came home from work drunk and got mad at me because I didn’t have dinner waiting for him.” I paused, then added, “I’d gotten caught up in a work project. I usually work from home and sometimes I lose track of time.” I knew that made me sound irresponsible, at least that’s what Craig always said, so I was surprised when Jamie chuckled.

“I do that a lot when I work from home. Sometimes I forget to eat.”

“Craig hated that I could work from home. He called me lazy because I didn't have a typical nine-to-five office job.” I hadn’t meant to say that out loud and immediately regretted it when I saw the look on Jamie and Chris’s faces. Craig was a used car salesman. He didn't work nine-to-five either but he did have to go into the office every day.

“Did he say shit like that a lot?” It was Chris who asked, but Jamie was clearly waiting for my answer.

“He always said he was just joking and would tell me I was over-reacting if I got upset.” I felt the tears welling up in my eyes as I thought back to all the times Craig had made me cry, then called me stupid for crying.I really should have seen the red flags sooner, maybe I’m as dumb as he says I am.

Chris reached over and took my hand. “Emily, none of this is your fault.”

“I feel sostupid.”

“You’re not stupid Emily. Guys like Craig are master manipulators who know how to prey on women’s insecurities. We see it far more often than I care to admit.” Jamie got up and grabbed a box of tissues and a bottle of water off his desk. He put the tissues on the glass table beside me, then opened the bottle of water before setting it next to them. I couldn’t help but notice how casually he provided support, acting like he wasn’t doing anything special.

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