"There was been a report filed claiming that Mr.Vega attacked and threatened a Mr. David Walter and his son Stuart Walter. And that afterwards he kidnapped you Ms. Spade from your legally contracted foster family." Officer Bradley stated without preamble. Alice gaped at the cop, astonished that the Walter's had had the audacity to claim that they'd been the victims!
                              
"Excuse me? I think if you check hospital records you'll find that on Saturday Ms. Spade here filed a police report against her foster family. This is their attempt to discredit her report." Mr. Vega spoke up, cool as a cucumber. Ace looked at him, surprised at how easily he was taking this. Something in his body language made Alice think that maybe he's spoke to police on a regular enough basis to have lost all fear of them. Not having that desensitization herself, Alice felt sweaty and sick to her stomach.
                              
The officer flipped open her notebook to check something then looked back up at Mr. Vega. "Actually I did receive that hospital report. The trauma nurse was quite adamant that we take the situation seriously. According to the attending officer, the Social Services Agent assigned to Ms. Spade's case felt that her testimoney was unreliable." Alice felt a weird rushing sound in her ears, and only vaguely realized it was the blood racing through her, sent flying by how fast her heart was beating. They didn't believe her. She couldn't believe this was happening, the hope she'd felt yesterday curling up and dying in her chest. The Walter's had won again.
                              
"I think I'm gonig to be sick." Alice said softly, but both adults looked at her, almost surprised to realize she was still there. Officer Bradley seemed to be a little sympathetic and carefully helped Alice sit down. Ace wanted to collapse forward and rest with her head between her knees, but the cracked rib refused to allow her that much range of motion.
                              
"Officer Bradley, can I speak to you outside?" Mr. Vega asked, voice tight. The officer looked down at Alice for a moment, then nodded and followed him outside. Alice couldn't hear what they were saying, this was the quiet room for a reason. But she could see them outside the window, having a quiet conversation. The officer was impossible to read, her face a perfect blank cop mask of polite indifference. Malcolm was a little easier to read, he looked upset but not worried. She could only catch a couple of words on their lips, they both were angeled wrong for her to read their lips clearly. It was frustrating, to only catch the random odd word. You try figuring out what they were saying with only the words: realize, passive, temporary and choice. Alice knew they were speaking about her, and even could figure out the parts Mal wanted to say without her around, no one was comfortable discussing rape with the victim in the room; but it was still a little vague exactly what arguement he was using to try and persuade the officer.
                              
She stopped trying to follow their discussion and instead waited for the nausea to pass. She took in deep breaths, willing her erratic heartbeat to chill out and slowly she felt the urge to toss her cookies pass. They reentered the quiet room and Alice peered up at them. The officer was looking down at her notebook and then studying Alice's battered face.
                              
"I'd like to review your injuries." Officer Bradley informed her.
                              
"Here?" Alice asked, a little confused.
                              
"I don't wish to add to your situation by taking you downtown, but we can retire to the locker room so you can maintain privacy." Officer Bradley explained. Alice nodded, not really body shy after a year as a stripper. The cop turned to Mr. Vega. "If I have any further questions I will contact you again. Thank you for your help." she dismissed. Malcolm looked a little torn, leaving Alice alone with the officer, but he didn't aruge.
                              
Ace stood up and led the cop down and around the halllways until they reached the girls changing room. There were no girls in there and classes were already well underway, so Alice had a chunk of time to disrobe and let the officer write down descriptions of Alice's wounds. The E.R nurse had taken pictures, but this cop seemed thorough so Alice didn't hold it against her.