Page 41 of Night Shift

"You saw how she held his arm. He has bruises on his arm from when she dragged him in here." Beth swallowed hard. "But what really concerns me is that he's already prepared for things to get worse. He told us he's expecting her to start hitting him."

Officer Martinez's eyebrows drew together. "He said this explicitly?"

"Yes. He has a whole plan worked out." Beth's voice wavered slightly. "He's got a go-bag hidden away with clothes and important documents. He said he's waiting for the first time she actually hits him so he can go straight to the hospital and have the injuries documented."

Layla stepped forward. "No child should have to plan their own escape like this."

"No, they shouldn't." The officer made several notes. "Did he mention any previous incidents of violence?"

"He said she 'just grabs sometimes' when she's angry." Beth felt angry all over again at the memory. "But he's clearly expecting it to escalate."

"And you've never seen them here before today?"

"No, never." Beth shook her head. "She just burst in without warning, and started going on about shifters. Even though the shifter is Katerina, Dr. Shelton's wife. Dr. Shelton himself isn't a shifter."

The second officer joined them, flipping through his own notebook. "The mother's name is Brenda Whitfield. Address is over in Riverside. You want me to call CPS?"

"Yeah." Officer Martinez nodded. "Better document everything now before something happens to that kid."

Beth drew in a deep breath, her heart still aching for Todd's situation. "That boy is incredibly smart and resourceful. He's already thought everything through and has multiple backup plans in place."

"Still, a child shouldn't have to-" Officer Martinez began.

"No, he shouldn't," Beth agreed. "But the important thing is that he's not planning to be a victim. He made it very clear he won't let things escalate beyond that first incident. He's got a support network ready - his friend's mother at the hospital, and now us."

Layla nodded emphatically. "He knows exactly what he needs to do. Documentation, witnesses, medical records." Her voice carried the weight of someone who understood survival. "He will not stay there once she crosses that line."

"He's got our numbers saved in his phone under 'Math Tutor' so his mother won't suspect anything." Beth's fingers twisted together. "He's thought of everything, even down to hiding his important documents where she can't find them."

"Smart kid," Officer Martinez observed. "Most don't plan ahead like this."

"He'll be okay," Beth said. "He's aware, and clear-headed and practical about the whole situation. The minute she goes too far, he'll get himself to safety."

The police officers left, their squad car's headlights sweeping across the parking lot as they pulled away. Tyr and Tobi strode back into the clinic, their faces grim.

Tobi nodded. "That woman's unstable - the way she was ranting about shifters..." He shook his head. "Pure hate."

"And she doesn't even know what we really are," Tyr added, his gaze flickering to his brother. "Imagine her reaction to vampires."

"What did the kid say?" Tyr's voice was soft but intense as he approached the counter.

"Todd said he thinks shifters are cool, when his mother was outside. He's nothing like her." Beth's voice shook as she recounted Todd's carefully planned escape strategy. "He's got everything figured out - documents, witness, medical documentation. He's just waiting for her to cross that final line."

"Waiting to be hit?" Tobi's usual playful demeanor had vanished. "That's messed up."

"But smart," Layla interjected. "He knows exactly what he needs to prove abuse."

Beth nodded. "We gave him our numbers. He even saved them under a different name so his mother wouldn't suspect anything if she looks in his phone."

Tyr's jaw tightened. "Want us to swing by their house now and then?"

"Would you?" Beth asked hopefully. "Their address will be on the police report."

"We'll keep an eye on him," Tyr promised, his expression fierce. "Tobi and I can take shifts watching the house, make sure things don't escalate."

"It's past time to lock up," Layla glanced at the clock on the wall. She gathered her purse from beneath the counter, her movements still carrying tension from the earlier confrontation. "I need to get home to Yousuf."

Tobi appeared at her elbow. "I'll escort you to your car and follow you home. Just in case that woman decided to lurk around waiting."