Page 100 of Ice Cold Hearts
Audrey’s eyes brighten, and she wipes the last of the tears from her eyes. “Can I?”
“Go ahead.”
She scampers off and disappears into the counselor’s office.
“All right,” says the principal as she settles into her chair. “I believe that Lilly already gave you an overview of the situation, correct?”
“She did, and I’m sure you heard Audrey tell me something very similar just now. Is there anything more I need to know? Anything else they missed?” I ask nervously.
“About what happened with Audrey? No. That’s the long and the short of it.” She gestures to the police officer in the chair next to me. “Officer Taylor and I wanted to let you know about what happened after that.”
“Okay.” I nod. “Please fill me in.”
“Officer Taylor, did you want to tell her or shall I?” she asks.
“I’m fine with you telling it,” he says. “I’ll jump in as needed.”
“So, Mrs. Clark noticed something amiss right away and was on her way to the fence before Audrey started calling for her. She was able to radio to the office about someone suspicious by the fence, and we were able to alert Officer Taylor. Now, the school was able to press charges for trespassing and get all the photos of the children that were taken permanently deleted. The reporter has been arrested on those charges. The school plans to put up a privacy screen around the fence in the next few days so that this isn’t able to happen again.”
I nod appreciatively. “Thank you.”
“What I would like to know,” Interjects Officer Taylor, “is whether you’d like to also press charges for harassment. I’ve already taken the liberty of taking Mrs. Clark’s statement, but I do need your permission to talk to Audrey to get her statement.”
“Yes, let’s do that,” I say. “They need to know that harassing a child has consequences.”
“Then I think we’re settled here.” The principal nods. “Unless you have any questions?”
“I appreciate how quickly this was dealt with,” I say. “The only thing I want is a copy of the police report.”
He nods. “I can do that.”
Officer Taylor records Audrey’s dictated statement in the counselor’s office. She basically repeats what she told me when I got there and answers a few other simple questions from Officer Taylor. When that’s done, the counselor gives her a sticker.
After I confirm that Hank is outside with a quick call, we head to the car. I’m not sure if there are actually cameras clicking or if I’m just paranoid, but I feel a thousand eyes on me.
Sure enough, as we pull off, a few cars start following us, but after a few turns, it seems like we’ve been able to shake them off.
My phone buzzes and I scramble to answer it.
“Mom, you have no idea how happy I am to hear from you,” I gush. “I was going to call you when I got home. Today has been just awful with what happened at the school. I’m sorry I didn’t let you know right away. I was just so worried.”
“That’s not why I was calling, but what happened with Audrey? And why isn’t your phone off? I was going to leave you a message. Shouldn’t you be at work?”
“I had to leave early. It’s too much to go over right now. You first,” I say.
“Well, I’m glad I caught you when I did, then.” Mom sighs. “Honey, you can’t come home. They found you somehow. Twenty or more reporters are camped out in your front yard.”
“Are you two okay?” I ask.
“As soon as we saw them pulling up, your father and I packed a bag and called your Aunt Gert to tell her we were coming for a surprise visit because it was only a matter of time before one of our lovely neighbors blabbed about us. We snuck out right under their noses,” she says smugly.
“Do you want me to meet you there?” I ask.
“No, Love, go stay with your men. You’ll be safer in that gated community than with us and Aunt Gert,” Mom says. “You have a key, right?”
“I do.” I sigh. “I just wish…”
“I know, honey. I love you.”