Page 65 of Full Strength

“He said he wanted to take my son from me and that I wasn’t fit to be a mother. I told him to leave but he took out the knife and kept screaming at me to tell him where my son was.”

I tightened my hold of her. “Is that when you called me?”

She looked at me confused. “I didn’t call you.”

“Your phone did. That’s how Erik and I knew to come here.”

She seemed to just now make that connection. “My phone’s in my pocket. I don’t know how it could have called you.”

The officer’s eyes met mine. I didn’t need for him to tell me what I already knew. It was a miracle. I never would have thought to come here if I didn’t get her call. Who knows what would have happened if Erik and I didn’t get here when we did?

“What is this guy’s name?”

“Ryan Plank.”

“And he’s your ex?”

She nodded. “He’s the biological father of my baby.”

I cringed even though I already knew it. I just didn't like to think about that fact.

“Has he been contacting you?”

She nodded. “He left me over a year ago and I hadn’t heard from him at all until about a week ago.”

“What do you think changed?”

She glanced at me. “He saw me with someone else.”

The officer nodded and began writing down notes. “We’re going to take him down to the station to get him processed. We’ll need to question all of you.”

I nodded and stood, helping Addi up with me. She seemed much steadier now.

“I just want to take a couple of photos of your neck before we go.”

Addi straightened and lifted her head so Officer Abrams could take the photos then she turned and wrapped her arms around me. “I can’t believe this happened.”

I held her close and sighed. It felt like I hadn’t breathed since I saw her pinned against the building.

“I’m so sorry. We’re going to make sure he never comes near you or Eli ever again.”

Erik walked over. “Are you okay, Addi?”

She nodded. “I think so. Thank you for coming.”

He shook his head. “I’m glad we got here when we did.”

The back door of the salon swung open and Ronny came walking out, looking confused. “What’s going on?” He saw us and hurried over. “What happened?”

“Her ex showed up.” I said and the meaning of what I said seemed to hit him immediately.

“No! Addi, are you okay? No, of course you’re not! I thought you were in the back eating lunch then one of the girls said she thought she heard sirens a few minutes ago and I went back to check on you and you weren’t there and now!” He shook his head. “How did I miss all of this?”

Addi reached over and held his hand. “It’s okay, Ronny. You couldn’t have known anything was wrong.”

He shook his head. “I can’t believe it. I’m so sorry.”

“Guys, we’ve got to head down to give our statements.” I was grateful for Erik’s interruption. I couldn’t blame Ronny. The music in the salon was generally blaring and if he thought Addi was in the back room there’s no reason he would have noticed her absence, but I didn’t think Addi needed to be consoling him at this moment either.