wenty-six? I mean, maybe I’ve overused the damn thing. It hasn’t worked since the wedding.
Coming back from the elongated photo shoot to find Ash gone without so much as a goodbye was enough to ruin any ideas I had about us. I’m glad she walked the hell out when she did, instead of letting me make a fool of myself.
“Evening, Tag,” Bity says as he walks in, looking like a professional.
“Hey, Bity,” I murmur very cordially. “Want to tell me why you requested this meeting?"
He frowns, and then he sits down in the chair across from my desk as he stares at his hands.
“So you know... this isn’t easy for me. I was hoping you’ve been in contact with Ash. She moved, changed her number, and now I can’t get a hold of her. It has me worried. Even her work number has changed, and she has never changed it before," he says in a quick rush, his eyes finally coming up to meet mine.
I take a deep breath, and then I pull up her business website on my computer.
“Have you tried emailing her?” I ask while spinning my monitor around to show him the screen.
“I did, and got nothing. It’s possible she didn’t bother reading my email, but I’m still worried.”
I’ve been worried, too. I won’t tell him that though. Melanie called to ask me to keep an eye on Ash since her stalker was back. Until now, Melanie has never asked me to do anything at all.
“You were there when this guy was harassing her before. Did he ever cross any lines in the physical sense?”
His eyes widen and then narrow in confusion.
“No, never physical. She told you about all that?”
“It came up,” I say casually, refraining from disclosing the circumstances.
“Mom and I were the only ones to know. She never even told her parents. I’m surprised she shared it with someone she barely knew.”
I thought it was because she wanted more, but instead, she bolted. I know that maneuver better than anyone. Still, I’m worried about her.
“Did she ever say what he said over the phone?”
“Nothing. He would just breathe heavy. The notes he sent were threatening though. Hell, they scared me. It’s why she spent nights at my place until she found a new apartment. I wouldn’t let her stay alone.”
“What did they say?”
“Some were graphic depictions of the type of rape and torture the sick bastard thought she deserved. Others were different drawings of the ways he wanted to kill her. It was the most sadistic, twisted shit I’ve ever seen.”
I get sick at my stomach. This is a hell of a lot worse than I thought. She downplayed it big time when she confided in me during our game of truth.
My anger toward her for fleeing is suddenly replaced with fear. If this is why she changed so much so quickly, then she needs protection. I’ll hire her some bodyguards if I have to.
“I just really need to talk to her,” he mumbles, making it almost a guilty whisper. “What I said was stupid and petty. I don’t want it to end our friendship. I know you don’t care, but I love her like a sister. Right now, she doesn’t really have anyone else. With her parents now out on the road, she’s alone. It’s always been us against the world, and now she’s having to deal with this alone.”
This is the first time I’ve ever seen Bity show concern for anyone but himself. I suppose Ash has that effect on everyone.
“I’m sure the two of you will make up if you’re seriously her friend. Until then, I need to get going. I’ve got a couple out-of-office meetings to attend."
“Thanks for at least meeting with me. I would have just called, but I didn’t think you’d really talk to me after… well, everything.”
I wouldn’t have.
“Just tell me something. Did you talk Ash into leaving the day of the wedding?”
He looks at me, keeping his eyes honest and his lips tight.
“No. I actually went to tell her I was sorry after we finished up with the photo session, and I found her room completely cleaned out. As much as you and I don’t get along, I was going to tell her it wasn’t my business and I crossed a huge line with what I said.”