Eliza gasps.
“AndRose’s parents?”
“I’m saying it’s worth a fuckin’ discussion. Rose’s bossswearsRose and Liam were only ever friends. Liam was buddies with Seth, so it was a brotherly guard of honor thing, according to Kaitlin. Also, when I mentioned Rose leaving at the start of this year, she said that wasn’t correct. She said Rose took off in November! Justdaysafter Liam. She said Rose came in on her last shift and said her goodbyes. She was tense and upset about Liam leaving, looking over her shoulder all day long, and in the end, she cut out two hours early—with Kaitlin’s approval—because Darcy had a habit of swinging by unannounced. She didn’tgo missing. She left. Where is she now?”
“Shit.” I look down and try to unlock my dark screen, but my wheels skid on the tar, the rain making the road a million times more slippery. “Fuck!”
“Here.” Eliza snatches my phone and unlocks the screen, her breath racing and her long blonde locks sticking to the side of her face. “She’s still moving. Headed toward Barlespy.”
“Eliza’s there?” Billy switches his sirens on, the sound ricocheting not only through the line but in real time, too. Because this town just isn’t that fucking big. “Why’s Eliza there?”
“Right place at the right time.” Eliza minimizes the tracker screen and jumps to my emails. “What else did you find out, Billy? Are wereallysure about this? Or are we gonna scare the shit out of Rose when we come in hot?”
“I’m pretty fuckin’ sure! The cops aren’t particularly chatty when I call, but I got the case notes from the second therapist. Doctor Pratlin. Thefirstpage includes a handwritten note that said Rose was adamant Darcy wasnotto know she was attending there. That Doctor Mara—her first therapist—was a friend of Darcy’s mother, and too many times in the past, patient confidentiality had been violated, and her personal information was used against her by either Darcy or his mother. Doctor Pratlin was aware from the outset that Rose was a victim of domestic violence, and so he acted accordingly, and assured her constantly that their sessions would always remain private. They both acknowledged such information would not be shared except with Rose’s express permission or with a court order. The final entry is dated November twenty-sixth last year. The day before Roseleft. She said Darcy had asked her to marry himagain. He was pressuring her for ayes.”
“What?” Eliza explodes. “She’snotengaged?”
“Not according to these notes! He’d been asking her for years, had been caught messing with her birth control on more than a couple of occasions—but brushed it off as silly or accidental—and grew significantly more insistent in October. Coincidentally, or not, Darcy’s parents had just celebrated their forty-year anniversary in October, too. Darcy wanted kids and wedding bells, but Rose consistently stated she was not ready for all that. She told Pratlin she needed to escape her relationship, but was fearful of how he’d react, so instead of planning a breakup and risking his temper, she planned her escape and documented the whole thing via Pratlin. Liam was supposed to supply Rose with fake IDs and bank accounts, which would help her get far from Darcy and allow her to start her new life, but the day before he was meant to deliver them, he went missing. Rose suspected Darcy was behind it, and though Darcy spun a story about Liam’s jealousy and how he probably ditched town to punish her, she knew that was a lie. She didn’t have proof Darcy hurt Liam—she didn’t actually know where Liam was—but she knew things had escalated and it was time for her to go.”
“Pratlin was never contacted by Darcy,” Eliza reads from the report on my phone, her hand shaking and her cheeks glowing pale white. “Means that connection remained private, as Rose had hoped. And though Pratlin worried about Rose, they’d already said their goodbyes, and he’d wished her the best. He made a note that she might turn up dead one day… or she’d stay living under the radar with her new identities. Either way, he wasn’t likely to get closure on the matter, but he kept her session notes secure and hoped for the best. Receiving a court order today confirmed Pratlin’s worst fears, but because he was prepared, it was a fast and simple process to send everything over.” Trembling, Eliza brings wide, horrified eyes across to mine. “Oh my God, Ollie. Even with a TBI, her instincts screamed at her to stay hidden. Sheknewshe was in danger.”
“Where is she, Eliza?” Billy screeches onto the road behind us, his sedan sliding across the wet tar in my rearview mirror.
Any other time, if a cop has their lights and sirens on behind me, I’d pull off to the side and let them go. But not today. Not this fucking time.
I swipe the moisture from my face and push the truck as fast as it can go, fanging it out of town and across the railroad tracks. “Eliza?”
“They’re still moving. But they’re not driving as fast as us.”
ROUND FIFTY-SEVEN
ROSE
Blunt force trauma.
Domestic violence.
Diagnosis: cPTSD.
Rosaline Valera has been the subject of consistent, extreme coercion, manipulation, mental abuse, sexual abuse, and physical violence within the home. This abuse began approximately one year after the onset of her relationship with Darcy Bisek. Abuse consistent and escalating throughout the years following.
Trembling from the tips of my toes to the hair on my scalp, I carefully read the screen of my phone and pray Darcy remains too oblivious to take it from me.
Rosaline has expressed suicidal ideation and declared intense feelings of being trapped in her relationship. Fears ending the relationship with Bisek; predicts an extreme negative emotional reaction.
Rose has not attempted to end her life. But during moments of profound distress, discloses a desire for reunification with her deceased family. Admits she might have attempted suicide if not for the support and relationship she has with William Porter.
William Porter attended session today with Rose. Proposed exit plan put in place to ensure Rose’s safe extraction.
Rose attends session alone; primarily discusses distressing event from earlier this week. Martha Bisek visited Rose’s workplace and declared her acute disappointment regarding Rose’s proposal rejections. Rose identifying Martha’s behavior as manipulative,underhanded, and attempted coercion on behalf of her son. DP’s thoughts: Significant progress made. Six months ago, Rose would not have known to label Martha’s behavior so succinctly or accurately.
Rose attends session wearing a long-sleeve turtleneck. Weather is cool, but not freezing. Emotionally dysregulated—predominantly angry—Rose acknowledges outfit and demands DP and RV not center discussion around it. However, toward the end of session, Rose’s emotional state declines. Reveals significant bruising on her neck and arms. Rose begs DP not to make a report to the police. DP agrees, accepting that doing so would place Rose at significant, immediate risk, and could interfere with pending escape plan.
December 1 – Rose calls DP’s office from public payphone and leaves a message with reception. Rose has left the city safely. States she will contact again in the future. Asks DP to share updates on Liam Porter’s whereabouts if such information can be gathered. DP does not know LP’s whereabouts.
January 1 – Call received, female caller. No name given. Requested information re: LP. No update to give.
February 1 – No call received.
