Page 56 of Under His Protection
“Yes.”
“We’ve crossed paths a few times over the years. He’s a good man. Haley, I’m going to be the lead investigator on your case. I hear you’ve been having a rough time of it lately.” He checks his watch. “It’s getting kind of late, and I’m sure you’re exhausted. Is there somewhere safe you can go for the night? I’d like to meet with you tomorrow to go over your experience in more detail. Officer Fenton gave me enough information to get started.”
“As soon as she’s cleared to leave,” I say, “I’m taking her to her mother’s house.”
Bauer nods. “That sounds like a good idea.” Then to Haley, he says, “Can we meet in my office at the campus police station around ten tomorrow morning?”
“I have class at ten,” Haley says. “I’m available between the hours of eleven and one. I have a lab class at one, but I’m free any time after two.”
I bite back a smile. It’s just like Haley to be more worried about making it to her classes than about the fact someone’s stalking her.
Bauer suppresses a smile. “I applaud your dedication to your studies. Would noon work for you? We could fit the interview in between your classes.”
The detective looks tome, and I nod. “We’ll be there.”
After Haley is cleared to leave, I help her collect the bare overnight essentials—her backpack, tablet, textbooks, and a few personal items. She grabs her shower bag.
“We’ll get the rest of your stuff later,” I say. “Once we figure out where you’re going to be staying until this is resolved. You certainly can’t stay on campus.”
Haley hugs Melissa and thanks her for helping tonight.
“I’ll see you again soon,” Haley says. “I’m not exactly sure when, but hopefully it won’t be too long.”
Haley pretty much shuts down as we leave the dorm building and get into my truck. I help her up into the passenger’s seat and stow her belongings behind her.
“Are you cold?” I ask. Even though it’s humid and warm this evening, she’s shaking.
She nods but doesn’t say anything.
“I’ll turn the heat on as soon as the engine warms up. That should help.”
While I’m putting the truck in gear, I notice she’s staring out her window, scanning the sidewalk as if she’s looking for a boogeyman. I know hypervigilance when I see it.
I take her hand and squeeze it gently. “It’s okay. You’re safe. No one can hurt you.”
“Why would someone do this? I hardly know anyone here. I haven’t been here long enough to make enemies.”
“I don’t know, honey. I’m sorry. There’s no way of guessing why someone would do these things. It’s difficult to get into a stalker’s mind. By definition, he’s not in his right mind to begin with. Did you ever see him? In person?”
“No.”
“Has anyone ever harassed you on campus?”
“Not really. I mean, Mark Hoffman keeps asking me out, but that’s not the same thing as stalking someone. As far as I know, he’s just a jerk.”
“You probably know this, but from now on, if you receive anything from the stalker, any notes, objects, or communication, you need to save that for the detective, right?”
“I know. Before, everything freaked me out so I threw it all away. I guess I was hoping it would quietly go away if I tried to ignore it. I hoped he’d get bored or something. Instead, it got progressively worse.”
“Hey, it’s almost ten. Why don’t you call your mom and give her a heads up that we’re on our way? She’s going to be worried enough as it is. We don’t need to show up unannounced this late at night.”
* * *
Chrissy Williams takes one look at her daughter and bursts into tears. The strong, determined defense attorney instantly morphs into a worried mother.
“Thanks for bringing her home, Philip,” she says as she leads her daughter into the family room and sits down with her on the sofa, putting an arm across her daughter’s shoulders and drawing her close. “This is exactly where she belongs.”
Dave walks over to a wet bar in the corner of the room and pours himself a shot of whiskey. “You want one?” he asks me.
