Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter

62

Jaden pulled the car to a stop in front of the imposing police station, its cold, gray exterior casting long shadows in the fading afternoon light. He turned his head toward Emma, who was sitting silently in the passenger seat of the car, staring at the file in her hands. Her fingers traced the edges of the folder absently. Her mind clearly elsewhere.

She had been playing a cautious game, keeping her movements secret even from those closest to her. Without word to anyone, she had hired a private investigator to delve deeply into the attack on her son. She had made it a point to stay as aloof from the investigation as possible until she knew that Ethans condition had definitely stabilized. Now that her son's life was no longer hanging on by a thread, her focus turbed full circle to it.

"We are here." Jaden said softly, his voice cuiting through her thoughts

Emma looked up. Her gaze fell on the weathered sign board of the police station. The bold lettering seemed to mock her as if in dare to find the answers she looked for. Her expression hardened, a cold resolve washing over her features. "Let's go," she whispered, her voice firm but cold.

She got out of the car, clutching the file in her hand tightly, and walked away toward the main entrance of the station. Jaden went after her immediately. His protector instincts kicked into high gear. There was tension in the air; every step Emma took seemed to fall harder than the one before it

Inside, the air was sterile, filled with the low hum of murmured conversations and ringing phones. Officers moved with purpose, but Emma barely noticed. The only thing her mind focused on was finding the truth. Lots of details emerged from the investigation file she got, but none of them connected Annie with Adam Henshel, the animal arrested for the attack. It was a frustratingly incomplete puzzle, and Emma knew there was no guarantee Adam would cooperate or tell the truth.

She approached the front desk in her heels that clicked sharply against the tiled floor, a determined fire burning in her eyes Jaden stayed close, his quiet presence a steadying force.

to gauge her mood. "Are you

cut in. "Everyone breaks eventually. I just have to find the right angle. Jaden paused and nodded. He'd seen

Emma felt a new sense of determination. Her son had somehow re-ignited a fire in her that could no longer be put out. She had waited

held high. "I'm here to speak with Adam Henshel," she said, her tone leaving no room

but didn't question her authority. After checking her credentials and verifying her request,

sterile halls toward holding cells, Emma's mind raced. It was a chance finally to confront the man who'd nearly taken her son from her, to peel back

with every step. Emma watched from across the glass, her hands clenched into fists on the cold metal cible. This man looked so much worse than his picture in the file, hollow checks, greasy

chair opposite her, his movements heavy, and

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Chapter 62

fought to keep her voice from

she asked softly, her words barely filtering through her

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narrowing "More people than can count have come to see me in the last few days," he replied in a hoarse cold voice. Looking at both of you." his gaze briefly flicked to Jaden standing silently behind her. "You must be the