Page 465 of Once Upon a Fable

The woman arched her eyebrow. “Not getting at anything. Just stating the facts.”

“Yeah, well, don’t twist the facts to try to prove something that isn’t true.”

“What isn’t true, Mr. Sands?” the guy cop asked calmly.

I was probably walking into a trap, but I couldn’t help myself. “You’re insinuating that Gemma knew how to find me. That perhaps she has connections to the men and women who originally trapped me.” I pointed a finger in their face, my anger turning red hot. “Nothing is further from the truth. It was fate that brought Gemma to my door. Fate that she found me...before it was too late.”

“What do you mean by that?” The man cocked his head. “Too late?”

I flinched. How could I confess that I was reaching my limit and favoring suicide more and more? How could I look a policeman in the eyes and admit I was weak after everything I’d survived?

Gem suddenly stood, coming to my side behind the chair. Flicking her hair over her shoulder, she arched her chin. “I found Kas exactly as we said in the hospital. I went searching for a climb. I found his house instead. We got to know each other. An accident caused his concussion, ensuring I couldn’t leave to get help. I chose to stay. We fell in love. End of story.”

“And the fire? Was that an accident, too?” the woman asked softly.

“You know it was. We made a statement as such.”

“Arson forensics state they found multiple lines of accelerant. An alcohol or gasoline type product helped start the blaze.”

Fuck, how many of them were still in my valley? It made my skin crawl to think of police trampling everything. Crushing my grass, scaring the wildlife, possibly digging in places that they shouldn’t go digging.

“The guests who’d visit always enjoyed drinking,” I whispered coldly. “Over the years, the carpet would’ve held multiple spills.”

Gemma ran a hand through her hair, twitchy and tense. “If there’s nothing else, we really are late for our appointment.”

“Just one more thing.” The woman cop stood, her eyes scanning her notepad. “The doctors who treated you for smoke inhalation also mentioned that you, Mr. Sands, were diagnosed with a severe concussion and PTSD.”

“What the hell? What happened to doctor-patient confidentiality?” Gem snapped.

“When it’s a matter of public safety, we can gain access to certain facts, Ms. Ashford.”

“So you’re saying Kas is a threat to public safety?”

“We didn’t say that,” the male cop muttered, standing to join his partner. “We’re just aware rehabilitation after circumstances like the ones Mr. Sands has endured can take time and resources that need to be discussed—for the safety of all involved.”

“Are you taking the prescribed medication and have an appointment to see a local therapist?” The woman met my gaze.

“I am, and I will.” My hands balled.

Gem glanced my way before looking back at the police.

The officers made eye contact with her. “And you’re happy to have Mr. Sands in your home? You don’t need to feel responsible for his care now that you’re back home, Ms. Ashford. There are many places he can go—even with a lack of funds and no identification. You don’t have to house—”

“It’s my pleasure to give him somewhere to stay.”

“But if he’s suffering trauma from what occurred, it might be safest if he—”

“I trust him.” Gemma stiffened. “It’s an honor to have Kas stay with me for however long he wants. He’s welcome here indefinitely. Forever if that’s his choice as it is mine.” Her chin arched. “Now, I’m so sorry to be rude, but we really must be going.”

The cops looked at each other, then at Gem and me.

Tension vibrated between everyone.

The questions they’d already asked were repetitive and garnered no new facts. The insinuation that I might be a danger to the neighborhood weighed on me. This entire visit had scratched me raw, but I had no doubt they’d garnered more information from us than we thought we’d given. Eventually, they’d trip me up. I just had to hope I wasn’t as foggy headed next time.

Clearing my throat, I spoke calmly and politely, “I’m aware of my own flaws. I’m willing to take the necessary measures to ensure no one gets hurt. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Good to hear.” The woman nodded. “Well, then, I’m sure we will have opportunities to talk in the future.”