Chapter 27
Liam
Sitting at the tablewith Aiden, playing poker, my phone starts ringing. Wonder what Scott is calling me for? Maybe Harper is able to pick someone out of the photos and all this will end today. It’s already gone on too long, and something needs to happen.
“Hey, what’s going on? You take Harper those pictures?” I say, throwing down my full house on the table for the win.
“He’s dead,” Scott stutters.
“Wait—who’s dead? What are you talking about?” I jump up from the table, and fear washes over me. “Is she okay?”
“He got into the house, but she’ll be fine. Headed to the hospital just to get checked out.”
“I’m on my way.”
I look at Aiden, phone still up to my ear, “I’ve got to go. Harper is headed to the hospital.”
Instead of waiting for a response, I run out the door to my truck, and skid out of the parking lot, speeding all the way to the hospital. How did he know where I lived? None of this is making any sense.
I call Tessa on my way over, just to update her.
“Liam...”
“Listen, he found her. She’s okay but at the hospital. I’ll update you once I get there,” I say fast, not having time to really explain before walking into the automatic doors of the hospital.
“Harper Davis?” I say, walking up to the front desk when I see Scott waving me over.
“Where is she?” I ask, looking around.
“She’s in there,” he says, pointing to the door. “She’ll be out in...”
“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” I run my hands over her body checking for any injuries or wounds. “Your neck!”
“It just barely cut through skin. It’ll heal quickly.”
My arms surge around her. A huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders knowing we can finally live in peace. No more hospitals, police presence, or trying to find the man who is responsible. He’s dead.
“I have questions, but right now I want to get you clothes and to a hotel,” I tell her, kissing her on the forehead. “What do ya say?”
“Nothing sounds better.”
We walk out of the room, hand in hand, ready to take on the world together. Things could be different now for us.
As we pull up to my house, there are about four police cars parked in front with their lights going, and yellow tape surrounding the house. My neighbors are outside, gawking at me, probably thinking I’m a serial killer or something.
“Stay here. I’ll go grab some stuff for us,” I say, stepping out of my truck and approaching an officer.
“Sir, this is an active crime scene.”
“This is my house.” I show him my driver’s license. “Can we just get inside to get some clothes? We are gonna stay at a hotel while you guys finish.”
“Yes, of course. Penny will escort you inside.”
She follows me as I open the front door, and immediately see a river of blood on the floor. That must have been where he died. Is it weird that I don’t have an inkling of remorse for his life being taken? Someone that would go through all this trouble to hurt Harper... he deserved just what he got. The only thing different I could’ve wished for is that it wasn’t quick and that he suffered in those last moments, and think about everything he has done in his life to end up lying on this dining room floor, bleeding out.
I step carefully around all the yellow marker cards and head straight to the bedroom. A suitcase sits on the bed while I throw some of our things inside.
Would she ever feel safe in my home again after today? Even though he’s dead, the memory of almost dying here could impact her wanting to stay. Maybe it’s time to put this one up for sale and upgrade it to my forever home. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, wanting a home where I could retire. Harper is the end for me, and I don’t want anyone else. She needs to feel safe wherever we are staying, and it won’t be here.
“Alright, I’m done,” I say, picking up the suitcase and heading back to the truck.
I put it in drive and head for the Eldridge Hotel where we will stay until everything at my house settles down. “We don’t have to talk about it now, but I would really like to know who it was.”
“His name was Keith... and it’s a long story.”