Page 60 of Betrayed

“A little shaken up at the realization that I really do have a stalker. It was one thing for him to know I went to church and which service. That’s not too hard to figure out, but this is too much. I don’t want anything to do with him, so why won’t he go away? I mean, I know the answer; he’s delusional and a stalker, but …” She shivered despite the warmth of the September morning.

“I’m sure your adrenaline is screaming to run, but let us take you home.”

AJ nodded. CSU had arrived and was processing the evidence, so AJ and Zara left with the detectives.

Back at the apartment, all four of them went up so AJ could show the detectives the gift left that morning. On the landing in front of the door lay a bouquet of carnations. Her stomach flipped.

Adam stopped her and picked them up with a gloved hand. A card stuck out of the top.

Please consider my offer. You and me. Together. We’d be great.

AJ snatched the flowers from Adam’s hand. “Want the card for evidence?”

“Yes.” He snatched it out. “What are you doing?”

“Sending a message.” She chucked the flowers over the side of the railing, and they dispersed across the driveway. She shouted, “Get the hint and leave me alone.”

Running down the stairs, she skirted Amelia and Zara. AJ went to the flowers and stomped on them, grinding several into the ground.

She looked around, watching to see if anyone was there. Was he watching her even now? She kind of hoped so.

Spinning, she bounded back up the stairs and through the door Zara held open for her.

Once inside AJ had to work to calm herself. The adrenaline and frustration coursed through her like a semi with broken brakes headed down a mountain pass. With a shaky hand, she gave Amelia the bag of evidence. “I’d love to know what the card says, if possible.”

“Let’s find out.” Amelia snapped on a pair of gloves from her pocket. She removed the envelope from the bag and carefully extracted out the card. She held it so everyone else, especially AJ, could see it.

The front was a painting of a dalmatian, no words. Apparently he had a theme for this gift. On the inside was a typed note.

You and I would make a great couple. I’m not sure why you keep ignoring my messages. Text me back or better yet, call me. Let’s meet up and spend some time together. You are a hero. Be my hero and save my aching heart.

“Blech. He’s so creepy.” AJ shuddered.

Zara said, “Never heard of a not-creepy stalker.”

AJ laughed, a smidge of tension releasing from her body.

Amelia closed the card and slid it all back into the plastic bag.

“What do I do?” The next steps were lost on AJ. “How crazy is this guy? Is it Daryl? Is it someone else? He obviously knows where I live, but who doesn’t? Am I safe here?”

Amelia took AJ’s shoulders. “Hey, first breathe, second pray, third we’ll figure it out. One step at a time.” She took a chair from the table and with a motherly glare told AJ to sit.

All four of them sat.

AJ set her phone—which she’d been gripping—on the table.

It buzzed.

AJ jumped. She felt like a fool. It’s not like this guy had threatened her, but still …

She looked at the text message. “It’s him.”

Amelia squeezed AJ’s forearm. “What does it say?”

She read it aloud:

Why would you smash such beautiful flowers? I thought you would love them. And what’s with the cops? Don’t you want to go rafting? We would have so much fun. Please choose to give me a chance.