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"That's not what I mean," she replied,
"I want to be near you, I'm scared, Please. Can I stay with you in your room?"
"I don't think that's a good idea. You and I? That part of our lives is over now. I agreed to take you here until you were able to get your bearings, but Cynthia will be back later, and I think it would be best if you stayed here. Like I said, I'll be close by if you need me."
Without waiting for a further word, he retreated to his room. It was starting to get late, and he was tired. More than that, he wanted to put some distance between she and him.
Even though he was laying down on the bed, he couldn't easily fall asleep. His mind was all over the place. What he wanted to know most was, did Ed really make them rape her or not? But it seemed absurd. Why did he take such a big risk, just for revenge?
Perhaps they were former convicts who Ed had put away during some previous investigation. It might be their revenge against Ed.
‘What about Anna? Ed already took video of her,’
a voice whispered in his own head.
If it's true, and they were working for him, why would they so recklessly mention Ed's name to her, on camera, and risk his role in this crime being revealed?
His phone vibrated. It was a message from Cynthia.
< I watched the video. If it's real, it's horrible. What is she doing?>
<She's in the guest bedroom where I was>
Before she replied again, Alexander sent another message.
<Do you think Ed abetted them raping her?>
<It's dubious. But one thing is obvious. If I were Ed, I'd never let her know I was behind that.>
<But if it's real, Ed is in big trouble. We can even consider arresting him without a warrant.>
<The motive of the crime is too weak, I think. Risking everything only for revenge? I doubt it. Ed is not an idiot, at least.>
She sent another message,
<Is she still refusing to go to the hospital or make a report?>
<Yes, she has a lot of anxiety. She doesn't want to talk about anything relating to this case.>
<Even if she doesn't report the case officially, we should do the investigation process as long as we know about it. We have the videos, messages and their movements, so we can get a good start on tracking these guys down. That would be the beginning.>
Alexander sighed. He sent her a reply.
<When do you come back?>
<The neighbor is absent for a week. I have to stay until she comes back. She is willing to take care of her. It's very gracious.>