Chapter 977
Sweet Subterfuge
He did not force any more questions on Allen. He asked the cop. âOfficer, can you get someone over to cut the chain off my cousin?â
The officer nodded. âOf course.â
He took out a walkieâtalkie and asked the headquarters for backup.
âI shall take him away,â he said.
âGood.â Lewis nodded. âTll stay here and wait for the other officers to arrive.â
âWhat right do you have to take me away? This is my home! You canât take me away!â Allen struggled violently, but he was subdued by the officer after a while.
âIf you donât want to be shot, youâll have to cooperate.â The officer was also about to explode with anger.
âWait!â Larissa yelled.
The people downstairs looked up.
âFreddy!â Larissa couldnât go down, so she had to talk to thin air. âThat boy! Officer, please take him to the station with you! I suspect that heâs been abused by his father all along. On top of that please check him for signs of abuse!â
When the officer heard this, his face grew colder.
âKid.â He waved at Freddy. âCome here.â
Allen said harshly, âGo to your room!â
Freddy looked at the officer, and then at Allen. He felt torn.
âBe quiet!â The officer glared at Allen, but when he looked at Freddy, he grew kind. âDonât be afraid. I protect you.â
He extended his arm toward Freddy. After a momentâs hesitation. Freddy took it.
The officer smiled. âGood. Youâre very brave, kid.â
Freddy widened his eyes and looked at him in shock, âTell me. Has your father been abusing you? The officer spoke in a gentle tone so as not to scare him.
Freddy bit his lip. Under Allenâs cold gaze, he dared not speak.
âCan you look after this kid for me? I need to escort this man to the car,â the officer said to Lewis.
Lewis nodded. âAlrightâ
The officer took Allen away.
Lewis had seen Freddy before with Larissa. He bent down and said. âHey, Freddy. Remember me?
Larissa and I found you in that alley next to your kindergarten.â
Freddyâs pupils trembled slightly. He looked at him quietly and said, âYes.â
Lewis patted him on the head.
Freddy knew that he wouldnât hurt him, so he did not hide.
âDoes your father hit you a lot?â Lewis saw how scrawny he was. His gaze was dull and unfocused compared to that of other children. It was obvious that he lacked love. Lewis heart ached for him.
Freddy took a few seconds to nod.
âBut itâs only because I do the wrong things.â Even at this stage. Freddy was instinctively protecting his father.
Lewis had no idea what to say. He sighed and suppressed the anger in his chest, waiting calmly for the officer to come back.
A few minutes later, the officer came back with backup.
×× The officer stayed downstairs and spoke to Freedy. âCan I see the wounds on your body?â
Freddy nodded and rolled up his sleeves.
There were unidentillable bruises on his skinny arms. Some of them were even bleeding.
It was so harrowing that Lewis couldnât bring himsell to see them. He turned away, âAre there more?â The officerâs voice was light. He was fighting his emotions.
Freddy pulled down his pajamas.
His chest and back were covered in bruises. There were even scorch marks from the bults of cigarettes. The officer shuddered and took a deep breath.