CHAPTER NINETEEN

I looked over at my best friend, as much as I loved her, I really wished she wasn’t here right now. I’d wanted to take a quick trip to TC to not only grab a few art supplies, but to talk to the police again. My statement on the night of the fire had to be amended.

When Kenzie had found out I was leaving for the day, she’d invited herself along for the ride. Normally I wouldn’t mind, but I had no clue what was waiting for me back home. John had been eerily quiet these last few days, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be lurking around the house. My friend was already so concerned with the whole situation, I didn’t want to make it worse.

“Have you called him yet?”

Glancing sideways, I asked, “Who?”

“Eli, you dummy.”

Now there was another reason why I’d wanted to be alone, I still had no answer to the things he’d said on Monday night or why he’d pulled away so quickly. All I knew was Eli’s kiss had lingered on my lips for a long time after he’d left.

With my eyes on the road, I finally answered Kenzie. “No, I haven’t.”

“You’re still going over for dinner tomorrow, right?” She sounded almost desperate, I had to wonder why.

“Yeah,” I cautiously drawled. At that moment the city came into view, giving me the perfect excuse to change the subject. “Do you miss not living here?”

Her reply was immediate, “Not even one bit.” She sighed thoughtfully, “Funny how it took me moving miles away for my parents and me to finally get along.” Kenzie’s parents hadn’t always been there for her. For as long as I’d known her, they’d had unrealistic expectations. It had certainly put a strain on their relationship.

“I’ve been meaning to ask how things were going with them?”

She sighed, but it wasn’t a frustrated sound, rather one of contend. “It’s going…They actually came to visit once and we speak on the phone once a week. Baby steps, you know?”

“I’m happy for you, Kenz.” My heart started racing as I turned into my street. Lifting my foot off the accelerator, I purposefully slowed the car in an effort to delay our arrival. As my house drew closer and closer, my palms started to sweat too.

This was ridiculous. There was no reason to be afraid, although John had made it clear that he was always watching, he’d never entered my home—not that I knew of. My head swiveled left then right then left again as I eased my car into its usual parking spot. Nothing looked out of the ordinary.

“Ah, I’ve missed this place.” Kenzie cheerily said, blissfully unaware of my state of panic. “These walls hold some great memories.” Shifting in her seat, she faced me. “I always knew whenever I had a crappy day, I could come here and you’d ply me with wine or hot chocolate. It really sucks that I can’t do that anymore.”

I gave her a weak smile before I stepped onto the pavement. Almost immediately, a car came racing down the street. The faint sound of sirens filtered through the air. Tilting my head skyward, I saw nothing but buildings and streetlamps.

Hmm…I hadn’t been in Willow Creek all that long and already I found that I preferred the calmness it offered over the noisy city. Or maybe the allure of the small town had nothing to do with ambiance and everything to do with a certain six-foot-something sheriff and his blue-eyed daughter.

After a subtle scan of the yard, I made my way to the porch where I unlocked and opened my front door. I took one step and promptly froze. What the hell? Behind me, I heard Kenzie gasp followed by, “Oh my goodness!”

My place was completely ransacked. Couches and the coffee table tipped over, the TV screen smashed to smithereens, paper and magazines littered the floor. “I’m calling the cops.” Even though she was right behind me, Kenzie’s voice sounded distant.

The only thing I kept thinking as I moved through my living room was that this had to end. I couldn’t take it anymore; my limit was reached. My entire body was trembling by the time I reached my easel which was the only thing that looked like it hadn’t been touched.

Shaky fingers stroked the half-drawn image clipped to the wood. The creek where I’d kissed Eli the first time had made almost as big an impression on me as he had. I’d come home after the wedding reception, unable and unwilling to forget, I’d sat down intent on sketching the man. I’d ended up drawing the creek, well, half of it at least.

“They’re on their way.” Kenzie rushed to my side, her head turning left then right as she scanned the room. “Zoe, you have to tell them about this guy. What if you’d been home when this had happened?” Her widened eyes glistened.

“I know,” I quietly conceded.

My gaze traveled to the staircase, and I shuddered to think what was waiting for me upstairs. She must’ve known my thoughts because my friend placed a hand on my arm, “They said not to do anything until they got here.”

Her words were barely cold when two uniformed officers came barging in, weapons drawn. One of them headed straight for the stairs while the other holstered his weapon and approached us. He introduced himself as Officer Wesley Briggs and then proceeded to ask me, what felt like a million questions.

Was the door locked when I got home?

Did I see anything suspicious?

Did I know if anything was taken?

And then, “Is there anyone who’d want to harm you, ma’am?”

My throat closed up, breathing becoming almost impossible. As my heart slammed against my ribs, I forced a swallow. Kenzie slipped her hand in mine and squeezed, it was that little push I needed. “Yes, there is—” I went on to tell Officer Briggs everything that had happened.

He looked sympathetic as he slowly nodded his head. “I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through, ma’am. Will you consider coming down to the station to file a complaint against this person?”

I knew that I needed to do this, but after the way the police had treated the assault case, I was skeptical, to say the least. Nevertheless, Kenzie and I followed the patrol car to the station where I had to tell my sordid tale to yet another officer.

I wasn’t shocked when they informed me, the case would be difficult to prove since I didn’t have the messages on my phone. They advised me to get a restraining order, change the locks, change my number, and to keep records any time he contacted me.

By the time Kenzie and I emerged from the police station, I didn’t feel any safer. I felt the exact opposite; it wouldn’t be long until John knew what I’d done — if he didn’t know already. The police couldn’t protect me last time. Why did I even think they could now?

No, the only way I’d ever feel safe again was if John disappeared…for good.