Page 7 of Charged With Forever

Unfortunately, the sound of a lock being engaged stops my attempt. I quickly sit in my original place just as he comes in to view, carrying a water bottle and some food. Forcing myself to think clearly, my mind works to piece together where I’ve seen him prior to this. He sets the stuff down in front of me and smiles.

It's creepy as hell, not that I let that show. "I'm happy you're awake. You should eat."

I ignore him, needing to focus on who he is. "How do I know you?" He seems saddened by my question.

“I work at the coffee shop. You always order a black coffee, pump of hazelnut. I’d remember it always.” Again with a grin. “I work weekends here though.” he gestures to the green house. "We’re about half a mile from the garden centre store. I maintain the plants here. It's peaceful."

The anger from my kitchen is thankfully gone and he’s using a soft tone with me now. It leads me to believe he won’t, and doesn’t want to, hurt me, though I’m not willing to test that theory.

"I'm sorry. I should have recognized you. What's your name?"

He smiles brightly, accepting my apology. "Daniel. And you’re Sawyer. I have to say, you’re far more interesting than all the other women. My notes scared them, but not you. You played hard to get and I loved that, but marrying that stupid cop is taking it too far."

Thinking quickly, I attempt to appease him. "He asked me after a fight and I didn't know what else to do." I lie.

He nods in understanding, believing me. "That's okay. We’ll be leaving soon, so it doesn’t matter." That gets my attention and I ask where we’re going. "Far away from here. Don't worry, I'll take great care of you." Daniel gives me a smile before leaving, and once again, I’m alone.

I need to get the hell out of here. He may not have escalated before, but he definitely has now.

Chapter 8

Cole

"Well, that’s new," my dad mutters when he learns of the stalker’s interest in myself and Sawyer. The evidence can easily be labeled circumstantial, but it’s not and I need a task force to uncover, locate, and take this guy in before he becomes dangerous. And something tells me that’s coming. Thankfully, my dad agrees. “You have it.” With a grin, he adds, “Nothing will harm my daughter-in-law.”

“That was fast,” I chuckle, referring to him already knowing we’re engaged.

"Son, we’ve been waiting a long time for this. There’s no way any of us could keep it quiet once we knew.” He walks forward and hugs me. “I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, dad. I can’t wait to make her my wife." I want to say more, but my cell rings, interrupting our father-son moment. The screen it's one of the uniforms I assigned to Sawyer. "What's up?" I answer.

"Sawyer hasn't shown at work." Odd, yes, though not worrisome…yet.

“I’ll head home and check on her." When dad asks what’s going on, probably hearing the concern in my voice despite my attempt to hide it. I explain what I was told and let him know my plan. I didn't notice a note on her ride when I left, but I know I won't rest easy until I see, or speak to, her. Dad tells me to contact him if I need anything, then I leave.

When I show up at home I see s patrol car out front, as is Sawyer’s vehicle, so they’re assuming she’s still inside and they’d rather not disturb her. It’s a plausible theory. However, I’m not taking any chances. Getting out of the car I nod to the officers that do the same and they follow me to the front door. It’s open a crack, and I feel my heart drop.

“I locked this,” I say to myself as I push open the door, no key needed. I holler for Sawyer and get no response. Moving to the kitchen where I last saw her, I freeze when I taser confetti catches my eye. As does her purse and phone on the counter.

I try to squash the panic swirling inside, but that only lasts a second. I call it in, and as the CSI units I contacted swarm my home one thing becomes clear. The stalker took her, I know it, but who the hell is he? The next few hours are agonizing while prints are pulled, evidence is collected, and my security system is reconnected and analyzed. The dads join me at the station, willing to do whatever it takes to find her, while my mom is with Halo, trying to comfort her. Needless to say, we’re all worried sick.

When finally some results come in, I spring to my feet and rip the document from a techs hand when he strides in. Not that I get to read it. Caleb takes it from me just as quickly and scans it.

"What the fuck does this mean?” He snaps. “I don't understand it." Retrieving it, I explain that they found traces of fertilizer, a brand typically used for greenhouses and basic home gardening.

"Doesn't really narrow it down," my dad states. I flip through the numerous files, paying close attention to the current findings and those of the other women.

"The one thing they all truly have in common is coffee. But they all generally order from three different places."

"Which did they visit the most?" Dad asks. I admit that they’re pretty even, but seeing as it’s the only lead we have, I’m running with it. I order a team each to visit two of them, while my dad, myself, and some uniforms take the third.

Speaking with the owner about the general profile our team wrote up about the Stalker, along with the new trace evidence information got us a name. Daniel Edwards. He’s twenty-three and has two part-time jobs, the second including fertilizer. Edwards has no criminal record and is a loner. His driver’s license shows your average guy, nothing that raises any flags, but we all know looks can be deceiving. As the teams report nothing on their end, I know we have our man.

"We’re splitting up.” I command the first to his house, the second to the garden centre as Dad climbs in my squad car and we rush to the latter ourselves. On the way, I spot a greenhouse off in the distance and veer that direction after dropping him at our intended destination. He orders me to radio in if I find anything and I nod, assuring him I will.

The pit in my stomach hurts the closer I get, my gut telling me this is it. But if it’s wrong and I don’t find her soon, I will burn this whole damn town until I do.

Chapter 9

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