Kate pulled her coat around her as she looked back before crossing the road. The man in the car was still looking at her.
I’m just being paranoid.
He had been friendly enough and only asked for directions. Kate really hadn’t known the location he had asked her about, but there was no way she was going to lean in towards his car either. She’d watched various programmes on serial killers and that was definitely one of the tricks they used. With everything that had been happening, she wasn’t going to make it easy for anyone to grab her.
She’d reached the bus stop and looked around again. Kate thought she saw his car pass, but that wouldn’t make sense as the shop she’d directed him to was around the opposite side. Perhaps he’d changed his mind. She shrugged to herself. The bus arrived and after paying her fare and finding a seat, she put her earphones back in and relaxed as Muse took hold. She ignored the rest of the passengers.
Kate felt her mobile vibrate in her pocket. She smiled when she saw the message from Maggie.
I hope you have your mobile on you. Just wanted to double check that you’re sorting out the security we spoke about. Text me when you can. X Maggie
Kate texted back letting Maggie know that she was heading into work early and would update her on the security situation. She reminded her that they had already discussed this and there was no need to keep checking. To soften the conversation, she ended by thanking her for caring. She knew Maggie was only looking out for her, but she didn’t want to feel so vulnerable.
When she arrived in Markston she walked the long way around so she could go through the centre of the town. It was quiet at this time in the morning, so she popped into the café and picked up an Americano. She wouldn’t let her guard down though and continued to look around as she walked through the public parking lot towards the police station. Kate couldn’t help but feel someone was watching her, even though there wasn’t a soul in sight.
Once she punched in her password, she waited as the gate opened and then entered via the back door, taking the lift up to her office floor. She jumped when she heard someone call out, ‘Kate!’
Looking into the open-plan office, she smiled when she saw Lucy Sherwood. Lucy was an agency Probation Officer now after leaving her full-time post at Markston Probation. She was in the process of finalizing and opening a refuge for men and women who were in, or escaping from, abusive relationships.
‘Hi Lucy! How wonderful to see you. Had I known you’d be here, I would have brought you one.’ She raised her coffee. She walked towards Lucy, having to shimmy past Luke – the maintenance man from headquarters who was finally changing the flickering ceiling bulbs.
‘Well, I hadn’t planned on coming, but the accreditation from the Ministry of Justice has come through earlier than expected, so I’m here to talk over some things with Mark and the team regarding referrals. Are you OK? You’re looking a little pale.’
‘I’m grand.’ Kate wasn’t up for explaining recent events. ‘Great news about the refuge! If there’s anything I can help you with, just ask, OK?’
‘Thanks so much, Kate. I’m sure I’ll be picking your brains, as I’m working on an assessment to include in the referral and would love your input.’
‘No problem. We can catch up when you’re done here or book some time. I’d actually love to come by and see how you have set things up. I’m particularly keen to see how you have the male and female residential arrangements onsite.’ Kate looked at her watch. ‘I’m really sorry to cut things short but I need to do something. Make sure to catch me before you go, OK?’
‘I will. Nice to see you again, Kate.’
Kate smiled as she walked into her office, put her coffee down and slumped into her chair. It was exhausting putting on an act, but she couldn’t let anyone know just how shaken up she actually felt.
She turned on her computer and, while it booted up, she took out her notebook where she had recorded all the information about her stalker. Logging on to her computer, she opened the Google browser and searched for security firms within the area. She had already decided to have her locks changed even though there was no evidence to suggest that whoever this individual was had been in her home. She would much rather be sure that this wouldn’t be an option. She would also have the locks on the windows changed and alarms installed. A new alarm for the flat and a camera above the door would also ease her mind. She recalled Maggie’s offer to have a panic alarm installed, but decided that with all the additional security she was looking at, this wouldn’t be necessary.
After reading some of the reviews of the various companies, Kate settled on one and made the arrangements for them to come round on the weekend and do the work. She hadn’t meant to lie to Maggie when she told her she already had details for a company, but the situation had overwhelmed her and she just blurted it out. At least it was all sorted now.
What a relief.
She felt better about things. This was going to cost her a fair chunk of her savings, but in the long run her safety was more important.
There was a light knock on her door. ‘Morning, Kate. Are you coming to the meeting this morning?’ PC Mark Fielding raised his eyebrow.
‘Morning. Um, yeah. Is this about Lucy’s refuge?’ Mark nodded. ‘Right, gimme five and I’ll be in.’ She pointed to the ceiling. ‘Any chance you can ask Luke to pop in here and fix that bulb before he leaves? It takes ages to get maintenance here.’ She held her hands together in a kind of begging prayer.
‘Ha! Yes. I’ll have a word and then let DI Calleja know you’ll be through momentarily. I think there’s some more news to be shared with the team, but DS Hooper is not saying a word.’
‘Intriguing!’ Kate waited until Mark walked away before she dug out her mobile and called Maggie.
‘Hi, Kate. Everything OK?’
‘Yes. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve a security company coming around this weekend, hopefully, to install a few things and talk about other measures. It’s all sorted and you can relax.’
‘Well that does ease my mind a bit. But I’m still not happy that you have to wait. The offer of staying with me is still open.’
‘I appreciate that and I’ll have a think and see how I feel. Is there any news on the woman?’
‘There’s a briefing later today. Hopefully, Dr Blake has finished the post-mortem and once we have official confirmation of her identity, we can move things forward. I’ll keep you posted.’
‘Sounds good. I’ve got to go now – Lucy’s here to talk to us about her refuge.’
‘Is that up and running now? Amazing! Say hello and we’ll catch up later today or I’ll give you a bell this evening.’
‘You don’t have to keep checking up on me, you know?’ Kate sighed.
‘I know. But it’s more for my sake than yours, OK? Talk soon.’
Kate smiled as she ended the call. She’d never admit it, but she was secretly glad to have Maggie watching her back. The more she thought about the stalker, the more anxious she became. She didn’t want this to impact her work in the DAHU and she didn’t want to have to discuss the possibility of being forced to take time off. Work was her escape. If she didn’t have that, she’d be in worse shape.
I won’t go to that place again – once the darkness consumes me, it’s harder and harder to crawl out of that hole.
Kate’s previous bouts with anxiety and depression hung around her neck like a noose and she had fought hard to bury that part of her life. Kate stood and shook her head, plastered a smile on her face, pulled her shoulders back, and headed to the meeting room.