“Are you okay to stay with me, honey?” I asked her. “Jekyll’s going to get you something to eat.”
“’K.” She yawned, stretching out beside me.
He nodded, leaning down to kiss me gently, then he left to hunt and gather. He came back in not long after with a tall, handsome man following.
“Baby, this is Luca,” Jekyll said. “He’s investigating the situation with the girls.” I raised an eyebrow as Jekyll leaned down and whispered, “He’s friendly with the club.”
“Nice to meet you,” Luca said.
“You too,” I replied, jostling Mina gently. “Baby, Jekyll brought food.”
She’d been in and out of sleep, but managed to sit up and scoot to the edge of the bed where Jekyll lifted her down and set her in a chair before rolling the tray in front of her. “I got you chicken nuggets and fries, sound good?”
She nodded as she rubbed her eyes.
“This is my friend, Luca,” Jekyll continued. “He’s a police officer and he’s going to ask you some questions, okay? Indigo and I will be right here.”
Luca pulled up another seat and took a notebook out of his pocket. “Hi, Mina. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Mina watched him warily but didn’t speak.
“Do you know who took you away from your mom and dad?”
“I don’t have a mom or dad,” she said, plainly. “Just a gamma.”
“What happened to your gamma?” Luca asked.
Mina stared at her lap.
“Mina Mouse,” Jekyll said from his place on the edge of the bed. “You can trust Luca. I promise.”
“Uncle Alan killed Gamma. He went to jail.”
I blinked back tears, reaching for Jekyll who took my hand and linked his fingers with mine.
“And did you go and stay with anyone else?”
She shook her head.
“Did you go to the house where the other girls were found?”
She nodded.
“Do you remember how long ago that was?” Luca continued.
“July.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. She’d been in that hell hole for at least a month.
“Good girl,” Luca crooned. “That’s very helpful. Do you know your last name?”
“Howis.”
“Howis?” Luca asked.
She shook her head.
“Hollis?” Indigo provided and Mina nodded.
