Page 29 of Dark Memories
“We’re going to need to ask her a few questions.”
He frowned. “Can’t that wait until tomorrow? She’s been through enough tonight.”
“Unfortunately no. We need to know who’s in the house and where they are. But we will also have to do a longer interview tomorrow.”
“Okay, but if she gets upset, I’ll put a stop to it.”
“Fair enough.”
Eve appeared next to Delaney. “Why don’t you ask the questions since you’re the one who brought her out? She’ll be more comfortable with you.”
“Okay.”
Zach stepped aside to let Dr. Anderson step out of the ambulance. “Thank you for coming, Tom,” he said, shaking the doctor’s hand.
“Of course I’d come.” He scratched the dog’s chin. “I’m only glad that she wasn’t physically hurt in any way.”
“You and me both.” After Dr. Anderson left, Zach turned his attention back to his daughter. Delaney climbed into the ambulance and sat on the edge of the stretcher next to Kali.
“Hi, Kali. Remember me?”
She nodded. “You took me to my daddy.” Her gaze shifted to him. “Can I have Ollie back now?”
“In a few minutes. That’s Delaney, and she needs to ask you a few questions first.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you for being so brave, Kali. Can you tell me how many people are in the house?”
“I saw three. Miss Doe and the two bad men.” Tears pooled in her eyes as her gaze sought his. “What if they find me again, Daddy?”
Zach pushed his way into the ambulance and sat on the black stool. He handed the dog to Kali. She took him and held him against her chest. He picked up his daughter, setting her on his lap.
“Listen to me, Kali. You’re safe. No one is going to take you away from me again. I promise you that, Baby Girl.” He wrapped his arms around her, and she buried her face against his chest, her little body shuddering with her sobs. He looked at Eve Scanlon. “We’re done here.”
When Delaney reached over and rubbed Kali’s back, he said, “I’m taking her home.”
Delaney glanced at her boss. “She’s been through enough tonight.”
“Yeah, she has. Harry’s going to accompany you home, Zach. Can you come to the station in the morning?”
“Around ten okay?” It was a good thing they were letting him take Kali home because he’d do that anyway, whether they liked it or not.
“That’s fine.” She glanced at the house. “You need to go so we can finish up here.”
“Thank you. The Dark Falls Police Department are my heroes.” He carried Kali and her new dog to his car, opened the door to the back seat, and got her buckled in.
“Why don’t I drive so you can sit with her?” Delaney said.
“Thanks.” He handed her the keys, then slid onto the seat next to his daughter. He couldn’t stop looking at her, afraid if he took his eyes from her, she would disappear. What had she gone through the last two days?
“I missed you, Daddy,” she said, reaching for his hand.
“Daddy missed you, too, my sweet Baby Girl. Very much.” Her hand was so small and fragile in his, and if he could figure out a way, he’d never let go of it.
“I told you I’m too big to be your baby girl, but it’s okay if you call me that tonight.”
Christ, his heart was going to explode with love for this child. “So just for tonight, huh? In that case I guess I better get all the Baby Girls in that I can.” When she giggled, he brought her hand up to his mouth, giving her fingers a kiss. “I love you, Baby Girl.”
