Page 100 of Finding Mercy

Mercy glares at me, “Liam.”

“I know, baby girl. Let’s get this over with and then we’ll bring her home where she belongs.”

I glance back to the officer who seems to be in charge, “Can she ride with us?”

He nods, “Of course.”

After we both get dressed, we all get in the car and drive to the police station.

Mercy sits in the back with Ivy holding on to her and not wanting to let go.

“Did I miss the wedding?” Ivy asks.

Mercy smiles the first real smile I’ve seen in nearly a week, “No, sweet girl.”

“I can’t wait to try on my dress.”

“Tomorrow, sweet girl. No school. We will go try on your dress, get our nails done, maybe go shopping. How does that sound?”

Ivy squeals, “Yayyy!”

They both groan in displeasure as we pull up to the police station.

We walk in together, Ivy and Mercy, hand in hand.

The officer in charge comes and gets us and sets Ivy up in a room. Mercy makes it clear she’s not planning on leaving.

He looks at her and says, “I know this has been a terrible ordeal. And if you insist on staying in with her, I won’t fight you. But we’re much more likely to get the information we need without you there. Honestly, it will likely be less emotional for her if you’re not. You can stand outside and watch through the glass.”

Much to my surprise, she nods and walks over to Ivy, “I’ll be right outside. After you're done, we will go home and put you in your favorite princess pajamas.”

She hugs her and comes back to me, takes my hand, and we go to watch through the glass.

A female walks in and sits on a couch with Ivy. This room is different from the interrogation room I was in. Softer.

A man comes up to us and presses a button on the glass, and we can hear inside the room. He walks away.

“Hi Ivy, I’m Sheila. I’m a detective here.”

“Hi. What’s a detec-,” Ivy responds.

“It’s a special kind of police officer.” She smiles at Ivy, “I need to ask you a few questions about what happened, is that okay? Can you tell me what happened at school?”

Ivy sits, twisting her fingers on her lap, “With my mom?”

Sheila nods.

“I was playing tag with my friends. My mom came up to the fence and called me over.”

She looks down, “She opened the fence and told me Mercy had a bad accident. I had to go with her so she could take me to her.”

I put my arm around Mercy when she begins to sob.

“The fence wasn’t locked?”

“No.”

“So, you left with her?”

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