Page 7 of Beaten

“I know.” Unfortunately, families rarely knew when a loved one was being abused. I softened my tone, and my expression. “What else can you tell me?”

“This was the first time she pressed charges. After giving the police her statement, she packed a few things and drove straight to my place.” Chris told me he’d never liked Craig but hadn’t expected abuse. “Emily said he’s a violent drunk, and he’d been drinking more lately.”

“Damn.” Abusive was bad, but drunk and abusive was worse, it made him less predictable.

“God, I feel so stupid. I should have seen the signs, known something was up.” He ran his hands through his short brown hair.

“It’s not your fault. Abusers are good at fooling people, and the abused are usually too afraid to speak up.” I offered what little comfort I could, knowing full well it wouldn’t help. I was all too familiar with the weight of guilt after failing to protect a loved one.

“We encouraged her to file a restraining order, and thankfully she agreed. We’re hoping it’ll discourage him from contacting her.”

“It might, but it’s just a piece of paper and difficult to enforce.” I didn’t tell him people often got more violent, and vengeful, after being served with a restraining order. I wanted to learn more about Craig first.

Chris sighed. “I was afraid you’d say that. Can you look into him? Find out if he has a history of doing shit like this.”

“Yeah, of course. I’ll do it first thing in the morning. I just need his full name and address.” I knew myself well enough to know I wouldn’t wait until morning, but I didn’t want Chris to expect an answer tonight. Gathering background information was never as quick and easy as it was on TV.

“I’ll text you the info.” Some of the tension left Chris’s shoulders.

“Thanks.” I also wanted to talk to Emily because she might tell me things she hadn’t told Chris, and I needed as much information as I could get before coming up with a game plan. “Any chance you can bring Emily by the office tomorrow? I’d like to ask her a few questions.”

“I’ll ask her tonight. And Jamie, since this is more than a quick favor, I’ll pay you for your time.”

Not willing to wound his pride, I agreed to bill him. But he didn’t know our rates, so he’d never know he was getting the friends and family discount.

With that out of the way, we ordered nachos and talked about more pleasant things. I loved how happy he looked as he told me stories about Zoe, but it made me feel sad, too. It reminded me of the future I’d lost. If Isabelle hadn’t been killed, I’d probably be a dad by now and we’d be swapping parenting stories about our children.And I wouldn’t be feelinglike a hollow shell. I wondered if our baby would’ve had thick black hair like Isabelle, or thin brown hair like me.

I came back to the present when I heard Chris ask if I was okay.

“Yeah, just thinking. Sorry, I’m not being a good friend at the moment.”

“It’s okay, I know this time of year is hard for you.” He finished the last of his beer.

“Thanks.” I contemplated asking if he wanted another beer but I was eager to go home and start researching the asshole who’d hit Emily. Chris’s revelation was a shock and had taken the night in an unexpected direction, but it gave me something to focus on. And keeping busy always helped lessen the pain.

Chris stood up after we settled the bill. “I should get home. I’ll let you know what Emily says.”

“Any time after eleven works, just shoot me a text so I know when to expect you.” I threw a ten on the table before walking out with Chris.

He shook my hand and gave me a quick hug. “Thanks again Jamie.”

I patted him on the back before releasing him. “Anytime. Give the girls a kiss for me?”

“Of course. I’m sure Vicky will send one back, but you’ll have to use your imagination for that one.”

As soon as I got home, I looked up Craig David Hopper, 28, of Houston, Texas. To say I didn’t like what I found was an understatement.

Houston PD released him on bail the morning after Emily left and his court date was set for mid-July. That was a long time for someone to sit around stewing in anger.

Records showed this wasn’t Craig’s first arrest, nor was it the first time someone had filed a restraining order against him. It was, however, the first time the person he’d hit had pressed charges.He’ll be pissed.But would he be pissed off enough to come after her?

Not wanting to worry Chris any more than he already was, I hadn’t told him the restraining order might make things worse, but given Craig’s history, we had to prepare for it.I’ll tell them tomorrow.It wouldn’t be right to keep them in the dark, because in this case ignorance wasn't bliss.

As a cop, I’d answered far too many calls, and called too many coroners, after abusers violated their restraining orders. A cold chill spread across my body, making the hairs on my arms stand up.

Wanting to make sure I wasn’t reading too much into the reports, or over-reacting, because it was personal, I asked Jack to take a look.

“Yeah, I’ll be right there.” Jack got up and gave Meg a quick kiss on the top of her head before joining me at the kitchen table.

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