Page 126 of The First Cut

“I’m truly sorry for what happened to you, but I’m happy you got out. So many people don’t.”

“Most people don’t have a man like Hannibal on their side.”

The doctor’s lips twitch. “Indeed. Well, I have more rounds to make. I’ll send the nurse in. You just focus on resting. I’ll?—”

He’s interrupted by a knock on the door. Picking up his tablet, he takes it with him to open the door, showing a couple of police officers.

The doctor turns to look at Lola. “You up for talking to the police yet? I don’t want them tiring you out.”

“I’m okay. I want to get this over with. But I’m not sure I’ll be much help.”

I squeeze her hand in solidarity as the doctor nods.

“Alright, I’ll leave you in peace. Officers, do not upset my patient. She needs rest.”

“We’re just here to take her statement, that’s all.”

The doctor nods and steps aside so the cops can walk in. When he leaves, he tugs the door closed behind him, leaving the room blanketed in silence as they take me and my cut in, and their faces harden.

I sigh and lean back.

“Officers.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Lola

My patience is frayed. I just want this whole thing over and done with.

“Miss Williams? I’m Officer Mills. This is Officer Evans. We want to talk to you about your attack.”

I blow out a shaky breath. “I’m not sure how much help I’ll be.”

“Why don’t you start at the beginning and tell us when you first knew something was wrong?

“When there was a hand around my ankle, yanking me from my bed.”

“And you were alone in bed?”

“Yes. Hannibal was at the clubhouse with the kids.”

Officer Mills blinks before looking at Hannibal. “You took the kids to the clubhouse?”

“The old ladies were watching them. But as our son was still so young, I wanted to be close, and Lola needed a full night’s sleep. Jokes on fucking me, huh?” Hannibal sighs.

“What happened next?” Officer Evans takes over, looking back at me.

“It all happened so fast, and yet it seemed to go on forever.” I rub my temples, my head throbbing to the beat of an invisible drum.

“I was yanked to the floor and punched in the head and chest, which stunned me. Then they dragged me across the floor by my hair to Hannibal’s daughter’s room. I’d never been so glad in my life that she wasn’t there.” I press my hand to my throat, feeling the ghost of Driller’s fingers still there.

“Did you see what your assailant looked like?”

“No. They wore a black ski mask. Actually, everything they wore was black.” I frown as if trying to remember.

“I could tell it was a man, though. They were taller than me, stronger than me, and broader than me. I was too out of it to notice much else.”

“Why the daughter’s room?” Officer Mills asks.