After Liam left, Valorie walked over to the bed and sat down. She pulled her knees up against her chest placing her chin on top.
Valorie felt the tears start to flow. Her father gathered her close as she let the sobs take over. Sadness poured into her, Valorie wanted to go back to normal. Her work, come home, finish work, go to bed, wake up the next morning to go back to work. That’s it…nothing special, everything simple.
“Oh, hon. I always wondered why you dated clowns like that Andrew character you brought to Thanksgiving.”
His cheerful disposition was rubbing off onto her as she smiled at the memory.
“I believe Liam is a true and kind man. You might not know it but you came home that weekend a long time ago and were devastated that you had lost your best friend. Do you remember it took you weeks, maybe months to get over the loss of him?”
She nodded. Her father continued to hold her in his arms, this was a first for Valorie and she was going to enjoy it. “I remember. I was so sad. I even changed my mind as to what I wanted to be when I grew up.” She giggled, wiping the tears from her face.
“So why now are you having doubts about a man you obviously love?”
Valorie stood up and stared down at her father. “No way.” She walked over to the dresser and grabbed a tissue. Blew her nose and wiped her face.
“Valorie, think about it before you judge him. You were always the one who spoke up when someone was falsely accused. Don’t convict him until all the evidence is in.” Vince stood up and walked over to her pulling her back in his arms.
“Oh, Daddy, what have I done?”
He picked up her chin and looked down at her.
“Valorie, you have let your guard down, you’ve fallen in love all over again. I think back in college when you loved Liam for the man he was. Somewhere, you didn’t want to admit that to him or yourself. Now, don’t mess up again and get rid of him. Once this is all over, I believe my eldest daughter has found her soul mate.”
She looked up at him. Her father was such a wise man. Valorie had always trusted and believed in her father. He’d been strict but fair, he loved her enough to be firm and tell her how he saw it. Her father was right too, she had loved Liam during that year at college, she’d denied it because he didn’t have the right look, or he wasn’t on the football team. Valorie had been into the image more than the man. He was back in her life for a second chance, she wasn’t about to blow it this time. Or maybe she already had?
“Well, first off we have to catch the guy that is creeping on me.” She smiled and straightened herself up. Grabbing a bottle of water from the top of the dresser, she opened it and took a drink.
“Okay, now that’s my girl. You weren’t raised by a cop for nothing. Camilla stayed until late last night. She couldn’t find anything in your apartment to help us catch this guy. Maybe Liam’s people are the best for this job. Should we go down and see what they have in mind?” Vince waited for her to answer.
Valorie knew in her heart there was no way Liam was involved. She freaked out on him only because the stalker had scared her more than she wanted to admit. Then her falling in love with him, scared her too. Her mind wasn’t right and her emotions were out of control. Putting the fear and emotions aside, she decided to stand up for herself. “Okay. Let’s go down to my apartment and see what they all have in mind.” Valorie grabbed her father’s offered elbow and they headed down the hallway.
When they reached her apartment, the door opened and Liam walked out. “Oh hi, Detective Thorpe, Valorie.” He shook hands with her father.
“We just wanted to see how you are doing down here. Did you find anything else to help us?” Vince questioned him.
“Come on in. I was just coming down to get you two. Luke, Amber, this is Detective Thorpe, Valorie’s Dad.”
They stepped forward and shook her father’s hand.
“Call me Vince, please. This after all is personal.”
“Of course, Vince. It’s a pleasure, Valorie.” He shook both of their hands.
Then Amber stepped up and shook her father’s hand. When she turned to Valorie, she leaned in, pulled her into her arms and gave her a warm hug. “Hey, sweetie,” Amber whispered.
“Hello.” Valorie backed away slightly, this woman was beautiful. A tiny petite woman, with long black hair and dark brown eyes, she seemed to be of Indian decent. Her smile was friendly but didn’t reach her eyes. She knew this woman had seen much in her life.
“I hope this big oaf here took good care of you?” Amber pointed to Liam’s chest.
“Yes, yes he did.” Valorie’s defenses began to subside. She felt in her gut she’d been wrong to even think Liam was capable of such an act.
“Well, Luke and I are happy to meet you. We have been here actually since last night. We came over as soon as Razan called us. We went over the entire apartment, as well as cleaned up a lot of the mess.”
“Thank you.” Valorie looked around, it appeared to be back to normal. They’d done a good job of cleaning.
“Oh, you’re welcome. But it helped us do a better job of trying to catch this guy.” Amber reached for Luke’s hand, pulling him toward her.
“Now, I’m going to let my husband, Luke, go over everything with you. We believe we know who your stalker is.” Amber squealed with excitement.
Her heart sped up as Valorie actually felt some hope. “Really?”
Amber nodded then motioned for everyone to sit down in the living room.
Vince walked in first and sat down followed by the rest of them.
Valorie sat next to Liam on the couch. He reached over and took her hand in his. The warmth from him was comforting and normal. How could she have ever thought—she took that strength and used it. She listened intently while they went over everything along with the plan to use her as bait to catch this guy.
What they had showed her had floored her. She felt angry as well as confused. But what they had come up with to help catch this man was genius and Valorie was all for it.
Then her father jumped in, “Absolutely not! Valorie is not going to do that.”
“Exactly, hold on, Vince, there’s more,” Liam spoke up for the first time. “We are going to call in another female agent from another team. She looks so much like Valorie that this guy won’t know what hit him. Her name is Angela Lee and she’s one of the best in her field. She’s also very skilled in using a knife.” Liam let his words sink in. “Valorie, we’re going to keep you at the safe house that way you are not anywhere this person can get to you.”
Valorie didn’t like the idea but her father wasn’t going to let her be involved. She respected their judgment as well. Especially now that she had her head on straight.