“Have you gone to the police about this?” Nathaniel asked the obvious question.
Snorting at the ludicrousness of that question, she responded more sarcastically than intended. “Of course, I did. Lot of good that did me. They investigated, but not very hard, and in the end they thought I was making it up. Even though this sick freak had been in my home, ripped my bras and panties to shreds, and left pig’s blood all over my room and walls.” She told them leaving out the part where as she was passing out he came all over her face and chest. She was still humiliated about that, and it never failed to have bile rising in her throat and shame running through her body. Shaking the thought from her head, she concentrated on the here and now. “The police think it’s my fault. That I somehow brought this on myself. I don’t know what old school crap they’re teaching in the academy these days, but I assure you, I want nothing to do with whoever this creep is. I stopped reporting the incidents about eight months ago because almost immediately afterwards, he would find me again.”
“Probably because you gave your real name, and they would have entered that into their systems. What happened this time? What brought you in here today?” Tyler asked her.
Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the pictures he’d sent her with the flowers this morning. “These were on my steps this morning, along with a vase of blood red roses,” she said handing them over.
“Where’s the flowers?”
Blushing at her spout of anger earlier she mumbled out, “I might have trashed them and then burned the bag.” Looking up at their silence, they all had looks of shock on their faces. Huh, guess they didn’t expect ‘lil ol’ me to be scrappy, she thought sardonically.
“Well, ok, then, we’ll try and see if we can’t get prints from these photos. They’re all recent I assume?” At her nod Nathaniel continued on. “We’ll have a team meeting tomorrow to see who will be assigned to your case and try to get the police files from your previous reports. Can you make a list of police stations that you reported to?” When she nodded, they got up and shook her hand before leaving her alone with Keeley to start working on the list.
“It’ll be ok you know, my men are the best at what they do.” Keeley told her proudly. Simultaneously shocking her after they got that list made up.
“Men?” Emily squeaked out.
Smiling brightly, Keeley said to her, simply, “Yes, Nathaniel and Tyler are mine.”
Not knowing what to say to that, Emily nodded her head and smiled like she wasn’t still reeling from that admission. However, she returned the shocked feeling to Keeley after they finished working on her list of police stations. Yes, there were that many.
She thanked her for taking the time with her and walked out of the building feeling like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, like she was finally going to get help and have this entire ordeal over with soon.
Waiting for the bus a block away, the hairs on the back her neck stood up on end and goose bumps ran along her flesh. Knowing what it was didn’t make her feel any better.
She was being watched.
By him.
Arriving at Maxwell Secures earlier than anticipated after a high-stress job, Dane Johnston felt a sense of accomplishment that everything went well. No injuries or deaths were always a bonus in his book. Followed by his best friend of nearly ten years, they did everything together since meeting in basic training for the Marines. Cooper Sheppard was as solid as they come. Dane knew he could depend on him for anything and to always have his back.
Walking into the building and being greeted by a smiling Keeley was one of the best things about his job nowadays. She brightened things up and was always happy to see them. She was like a little sister to them both, “Hey, little girl, what’s shaking?” he asked her with a smile.
“Hi, guys, there’s a new job. Nathaniel and Tyler are waiting for you in their office,” she said looking up briefly from the file she was putting together; he assumed for this new job, and gave him a smile.
“Seriously? We just got back from one?” Coop grouched.
Finally giving them her full attention, she gave them her best rendition of puppy dog eyes and pouted at them. “Shit, alright girl, we’re on it.” Coop relented making Dane chuckle and Keeley smile brilliantly. They made their way to their bosses’ office, with Coop grumbling the whole time about demanding bosses and manipulating girls. Giving a quick rap on the door, they walked in to see Nate and Ty looking very grim about something.
Concerned, Dane asked, “Everything alright? Lil bit said we’ve got a new case?”
“Have a seat,” Nate said solemnly while putting a folder down. Sitting, they waited. “A young woman came in yesterday about a stalker. From all indications, it’s been going on longer than she thinks, which is two years, but we think it’s been closer to four,” Nate said shocking him and handing them each a folder. Not looking just yet, Dane and Coop waited for him to continue. “She’s been on the run for nearly two years since he broke into her house, ripped her underwear to shreds and left pig’s blood everywhere,” Nate said disgustedly. Dane could tell he’d left something out.
“What are you not telling us, Nate?” Coop asked, echoing Dane’s thoughts.
Chuckling at their perception, he told them probably the most horrifying thing of all. “When she walked into her room, she hyperventilated from the shock of it all and passed out, but before she did, she saw him.” Pausing with a dark look on his face, Nate said, “He fucking jacked off to it and came all over her face and chest. That was her last memory of what happened before she woke up in the hospital. Her mom had come over late that evening because Emily was supposed to have gone over to her house for dinner but got held up in a meeting for work. The police think she brought this shit on herself. She’s never been in any kind of trouble before, though. Never had any boyfriends, hardly any friends. The girl is an introvert.” Still shocked at what the sick bastard did to her, it took Dane’s mind a moment to catch up on all the details Nate was giving them. Finally blurting out, “This job’s ours.” Looking to Coop to make sure he was on board, they locked eyes and Dane could see the rage simmering in Coop’s that matched his own.
Looking back to Nate and Ty to see them smiling at his response, Dane shook his head before getting up and walking out, stopping in the doorway when Ty spoke. “We’ve been called away for a job, so you guys are in charge, too.” Nodding their heads, Dane and Coop walked out and to their own office to read everything.
Cooper Sheppard couldn’t believe the things he’d read in Emily Baxter’s stalking case. From the police reports, it sounded like this guy was off his hinges psycho and the police, they believed it was all in her head. Pulling up to Emily’s house with Dane in the passenger’s seat, he shut the truck off and took a look around before getting out. She didn’t live in the worst neighborhood in Austin, but also not the best either. “What do you think? Think he’s watching her now?” he asked Dane, feeling rage course through him at just the thought of it.
Stopping half way up the sidewalk leading to her front door they both took another look around, making note of cars parked in driveways, people walking up and down the streets, dogs barking in yards. Satisfied with their perusal they continued the walk to Emily’s front door. Knocking on it loudly, they waited a minute before hearing noise coming from inside. “She’s not trying to hide herself it seems.” Coop mused. Hearing a clatter and a muted “motherfucker” come from inside had them both chuckling.
Waiting another minute without her answering, Dane knocked this time, harder, rattling the door and the porch light. “Hold your damn horses, geez.” was yelled from somewhere inside. A moment later, “Who are you and what do you want?” was said from the other side of the door.
“Open the door, Emily,” Dane replied exasperated. “It’s Dane Johnston and Cooper Sheppard from Maxwell Secures.”
“Not a chance, buster. For all I know you’re here to steal my designs,” she said followed by a muttered, “Or murder me.”