Chapter 3
“Frank… What is this?” She moved forward dropping her shoes at the end of the bed, before sitting next to him. Questions bubbling up her chest.
“I couldn't leave her Karen, I couldn't.” She knew he couldn't. Karen didn't know the whole story but she knew Frank- and if something had turned south he would never leave something so precious behind to wallow in it.
“What happened?”
“You can say no… But I need your help- I wanna bring her to the police, but I can't bring her in. Can you?”
Of course. She wanted to say yes, but she knew him- and she knew there would be another part to this request so she waited for him to continue.
“I got a tip about a man who was selling cocaine and ecstacy and meth to kids- middle school kids. I found him and I was going to go in and kill him, when I hear shouting and then screaming- I walked in and found Sophie on the floor- He hit her, Karen. This beautiful little girl, he hit her. So I pushed him in the other room and he was dead- I thought maybe could find her mom, but then I did find her. OD’d in the bathtub- dead.”
“So what do you want me to do?” He didn't have to ask he knew what she was saying; how do you want me to say I found her?
“I was thinking you could say you had a source tell you a name for a story about this drug dealer, so you stupidly decided to go by yourself- a la Karen Page-’ She could hear the humour in his voice and she chuckled right alongside him before he continued.
“Then You could say you went in and found her, found the dealer in his bedroom- the story will be he killed himself. Looks enough like that anyway, then you found the mom in the tub.”
“And then I brought her here?”
“No, I think we should go back to her place before you call the cops.”
“Okay.” Karen thought about it and wondered if the cops would accept her story and figured they would have to.
She was still wondering about it when she saw little blue eyes poke out from Frank’s shoulder, then she saw the bruising- and anger simmered in her chest at whoever had done this to her. If Frank killed her father- she was glad, he deserved it.
Her voice went sugar sweet, “Hey sweetie,” The blue eyes faced her more directly- her body only slightly turning away from that of her protector. “Sophie, right? Are you thirsty, Sophie?”
The little girl nodded, so Karen moved to go to the kitchen- extending a hand to the little girl. Frank moved to stand up and bring her to the kitchen when Karen stopped him.
“No, Frank. If I have to be the one to take her to the station, she has to learn to trust me. Without you there.” His jaw tightened- obviously not wanting to let her go, before nodding his head in agreement. Frank lifted her off his lap and placed the kid on her small legs, “You gotta go with Karen, Kid.”
She looked up at him and her lip started to tremble before turning towards Karen, “Don't worry Sophie, we’ll be right back- You and me are going to go and get some water and between you and me-” Karen pretended to look around as if keeping a secret and stage whispered, “I might have something sweet in my purse.” She put her hand out to Sophie again and this time the little girl gave a small smile and put her tiny hand in Karens.
It was hard for Frank to watch, she was a natural and he couldn't help but notice the similarities between the two ladies. Their blond hair and blue eyes- Frank could see this being Karen's kid. And it hurt seeing her lift Sophie onto the counter for a sip of water and then the joy on her face when Karen produced a small lollipop out of her purse for her.
His mind went blank for a few moments before he noticed Karen coming back with Sophie in her arms, “I know it's probably not good for her to have a lolli this late at night, but I figured after the day she’s had, she earned it.” Karen looked at the clock and saw that it was close to two in the morning, “God, it's late. Should we head over?”
Frank nodded before going to pick up her jacket and her purse. Karen handed Sophie over while she slipped her coat and shoes on, then she was reaching for the little girl again. Frank didn't want to hand her over- not yet.
“Frank, I just figured you'd want both hands free for the neighborhood were walking into.” Immediately a million scenarios raced through his head and he knew she was right, if some punk tried something he would have to defend the two girls, and not a second later Sophie was sitting in Karens arms while Frank ushered them out.
It was nearing three in the morning when the trio made it to the dreaded apartment, Sophie was fast asleep on Karen’s shoulder, while Frank walked around the apartment cleaning any evidence he may have left behind.
‘Make the call, Karen.”
Frank paced as she talked to dispatch and it wasn't long before he heard sirens in the distance. “Frank….. You should go.”
“I’m not leaving you up here in this shitty place until I hear them coming up the steps-”
“We’ll be fine, but I don't want you getting caught.”
It was a staring contest that lasted what felt like hours before he finally nodded his head.
“I’ll see you at your place.” Frank swept down and pushed the little girls hair aside before leaving a kiss on her head, then doing the same for Karen.
Closing the door behind him was hard, walking away hurt his heart, watching as the police walked up the steps made it a little easier, laying in Karen’s bed even easier. Then sleep finally pulled his eyes closed.