I roll my eyes; tired of everyone treating me like glass, and thinking I’m incapable of being left alone for a few hours. Pap wanted me to go with him to Springfield, but I refused. I know this has been hard on him, but we can’t live our lives in constant fear. “Yes, because I am fine for a few hours on my own. Tania just left.” That doesn’t seem to appease him. “Why? What do you need Pap for?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Can you come with me to the station?”

“What for?” I ask, confused.

Something passes over his face, something I can’t decipher, but it makes me even more apprehensive. “We got him, Liv.”

I tense, wondering if he means what I think he means. “Wh-what?”

“We got him. The lab results came back on the chain and we have a match. I arrested him earlier today. We don’t have the others who were involved, but we’re certain we have the one who was in charge.”

My heart thunders in my ears as I stare back at him. His hands still warmly frame my face, but I can’t feel them. The only thing I feel is cold dread creeping up my spine. “Who is it?”

Indecision battles in his eyes. “Well, before I tell you that we’re hoping you might be able to pick him out of a lineup.”

Anxiety and fear slam into me at the thought. I shake my head. “But… How? I never…I never saw him, not really. I can’t remember anything. I can’t…”

He pulls me in close, trying to calm me. “Hey, Liv, baby, it’s okay. Calm down.” He leans down, bringing his dark blue eyes level with mine. “Listen, if you can’t do it then that’s okay. We have his DNA on the chain and yours. We just thought if you could pick him out of a lineup then it would help make the case against him that much stronger.”

“But I never got a good look at him. I don’t remember much about anything except…” I pause, remembering the words that will forever be ingrained in my memory. “Except for what he said to me.”

His expression softens as he moves a stray curl out of my face. “Do you think you could identify him if you heard his voice? If he said those same words back to you?”

I nod. “Yes, I think I would be able to.”

How could I ever forget?

“Look, I fucking hate asking you, and if you can’t do it, Liv, then it’s okay. We can go with what we have, but the more evidence we can gather the better. I want to lock this shit up tight.”

I stare up at Grayson, his eyes burning with concern. The entire thought of seeing my attacker in person terrifies me, but it scares me more to think of him getting off.

“I’ll do it,” I tell him softly.

“Are you sure? Do you want to think about it? Wait for Walt to come home?”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t need to think about it, and I don’t want to wait for Pap. It might be better if he doesn’t come for this. I’ll tell him when he gets home.” Hopefully, he isn’t upset about my decision. Since we’ve had our talk we’ve found a small measure of peace, I don’t want him coming face-to-face with the man who did this to me. Not yet. “Just let me grab my purse.”

At his nod I turn to run back in the house, but he grabs my wrist and stops me before I can leave. I look back up at him and my heart stops at the way he looks down at me, a wide range of emotions splayed across his face.

Reaching up, he cups the side of my face again. “You’re so strong,” he murmurs, almost thoughtfully. “Even though you don’t need me, I’ll be beside you the whole time. I’ll do my best to make this as painless as possible for you.”

My heart warms and my throat grows tight at his words. He’s wrong. I do need him. His presence alone gives me strength. Encircling his wrist, I lean into his soothing touch. “I know you will,” I whisper.

His hand falls from my face but his eyes remain connected. “Go. I’ll wait here.”

I run into the house and grab my purse then send Pap a quick text letting him know I’m going out with Grayson, just in case he gets home before me.

We enter the police station twenty minutes later, my clammy hand clasped firmly in Grayson’s. Lucy stands as we pass, offering a sympathetic smile. “Hi, Olivia.”

“Hi, Miss Lucy.” I return the greeting, giving her a nervous smile.

She turns to Grayson. “They’re ready for y’all.”

He nods. “Come on, baby, this way.”

A light flutter dips in my tummy at his endearment, and I hold on to it, loving the way it makes me feel. It eases the fear and anxiety coursing through me.

He leads me down a long hallway until we reach a secured door where he punches in a code before opening it for me. We walk down another long hallway, stopping at yet another closed door. Grayson turns to me, his gaze heavy with concern. “You ready?”

“Yes,” I say with as much confidence as I can, but on the inside I’m terrified.

“You got this, Liv.”

The certainty in his words gives me the assurance I need. Releasing a deep breath, I nod. “I know. I’m ready.”

He opens the door and we enter into a dimly lit room where there’s a two-way mirror. Sheriff Dixon awaits us along with Terrell; David Henderson, the district attorney; and a man in a suit who I don’t recognize.

Terrell greets me first, pulling me in for one of his bear hugs. “Hey, Liv.”

“Hey, T,” I mumble into his chest.

Sheriff Dixon shakes my hand next, with a gentle grip, then Mr. Henderson. Grayson introduces the other man as the defense lawyer, Mr. Franklin Gordon. The man’s greeting is not as friendly and to be honest, he’s a little intimidating.

“Thank you for agreeing to this, Miss Bradshaw,” Mr. Henderson says, bringing my attention to him. “We’re going to call five men in who will line up under those numbers,” he says, pointing to the single digits marking the wall. “We will then have them step forward one at a time and repeat the sentence you gave in your original statement. Just take your time and do the best you can. If you’re not certain then it’s okay.”

“Can they see me?” I ask past my dry throat.

Grayson answers right away. “No, Liv, they can’t see you.”

A whoosh of relieved air passes my lips.

Sheriff Dixon hits a button on a panel located on the wall. “Send them in.”

A guard walks in first, leading a group of five men, all of them standing under the number they’re instructed to. They’re all similar build and height but all different races. Three are black, one is white and the other Hispanic. I don’t recognize any of them but my eyes keep drifting back to number four for some reason.

“Number one, step forward and repeat the sentence you were given.”

“This is for Jamal, bitch. Consider it justice served.”

My eyes close, and I shudder as the words are spoken. Grayson moves up behind me, his hard chest against my back as he places his hands on my shoulders in reassurance. It gives me the boost I need. The man’s tone is similar but not an exact match of what I remember. It’s too raspy.

I shake my head. “No, not him,” I say confidently.

Sheriff nods then the next one is called up. Again, his voice isn’t quite right, and I shake my head again.

“How are you so certain?” Mr. Gordon asks, his tone cold and holding skepticism.

Grayson tenses behind me and speaks up before I can. “She’s not on trial here, she doesn’t have to answer to you.”

“He’s right,” Mr. Henderson says, cutting in. “You’re only here to observe, not ask questions.”

With a glare, Mr. Gordon quiets and turns back to the men in front of us.

“I’ll never forget his voice,” I mumble under my breath.

“What’s that?” he asks, turning back to me, pinning me with an icy stare.

I don’t let his cold demeanor intimidate me, and this time I make sure to speak loud and clear. “I said it’s because I will never forget his voice. I hear it in my nightmares every single night. That’s how I can be so certain.”

Silence surrounds the room before Terrell gives me a light punch in the arm, a proud smile taking over his face. “That a girl.”