“How long ago did you have them drawn up?”I asked, turning to face her.
“About a month after we got married.It was right after the first time he ever laid a hand on me.I decided then that I was done and wanted a divorce.He refused to consider it and shredded the papers.”
“Do you still have the contact information for the lawyer?”I asked.
Poppy nodded.
“Yeah, I saved it in case I could get Dale to change his mind.I tried a few times, but each time the punishment got worse, so I just stopped.”
“And the bruises on your face and neck?”Gage asked, raising his eyebrows as he stared at Poppy.
“They’re from last night,” Poppy replied, lowering her eyes and staring at the floor.“He wanted sex, and I said no.He got mad and attacked me.I fought back.The rest is history.”
Gage glanced at me and he didn’t have to speak for me to know what was going through his mind.I’d had the same thought from the moment I learned about what happened to Poppy.Dale was lucky that Poppy killed him before Gage and I could get our hands on him.
“Okay, so you were attacked last night, and then you drove to Silver Falls this morning to reunite with your boyfriend because you needed somewhere safe to go,” Julie said, letting her shoulders fall.“We need to make this story more believable as well as make sure that we cover every base.”
“Agreed,” I said.“I know that it’s Sunday, but do you have a job that you can call and let them know what’s going on?”
“Yeah.I work at a salon.I’m scheduled to go in tomorrow.”
“Let’s call your boss and make sure you let her know that you’re scared for your safety,” I replied softly, giving her a warm smile.
“Maybe cry if you can,” Julie added.“You want them to be able to say that you were upset when you called, so your story is more believable.”
“Okay,” Poppy agreed, nodding her head before rolling it on her shoulders.She pulled her phone out and swiped the screen until she found the contact she was looking for.Then she pressed send and put the call on speakerphone so we could hear it.
“Hey, Poppy.What’s up?”a female voice greeted.
“Hi, Lisa.I’m calling because...I...um...”Poppy paused, and for a second, I thought she was faking emotion until I saw the tears well in her eyes.“I can’t come in tomorrow.”
“Poppy, what’s wrong?Are you okay?”Lisa’s tone changed immediately, going from light and carefree to genuinely concerned.
“Dale and I had a fight last night,” Poppy said, sniffling as tears ran down her face.“I...he...Oh my God.I’m sorry.I just...I can’t come in for a while.”
“Are you safe?”Lisa asked, the background noise from a few seconds ago disappearing.
“Yeah.I am now.But I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back.I’m so sorry.I know I’m letting you down, but I didn’t have a choice but to leave and—”
“Don’t say anything else,” Lisa warned.“I understand what you’re saying.You’ll have a spot herewheneveryou decide to return.Take care of yourself, Poppy.”
“Thank you, Lisa.I appreciate it.”
“Of course.I can only guess what you’ve been through, so believe me when I say not to let your guard down.Ever.Stay safe, Poppy.”
The line went dead before Poppy could say anything more.She set it on the couch beside her and covered her face with her hands as she cried.Julie got up and sat beside Poppy, wrapping her in a hug as she cried.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what happened,” Poppy sobbed.“I was fine until I talked to her, and it hit me like a ton of bricks that my life as I knew it was over.The job that I loved so much is gone, all because I was stupid and married some asshole.”
“It’s okay,” Julie assured her.“You’ve been through a lot.But you’re safe now, and that’s all that matters.Everything else we can figure out along the way.Is there anyone else you need to call?The more people who know why you left, the better.Gossip will start quickly, especially in a small town.The more you control what they’re saying, the less likely they’ll consider you a suspect.”
“I do some volunteer work at the youth center.I was supposed to help them with an upcoming play this weekend,” Poppy answered, wiping her cheeks.
“Well, let’s call as many people as we can and share the news about what an asshole Dale was,” Julie said, squeezing Poppy in a quick hug before helping her make the phone calls.
I got off the couch and went to the kitchen, needing something to drink while also giving the girls privacy.A few seconds later, Gage joined me.
“I don’t like this one bit,” he said, his tone still curt.
