Page 4 of Charged With Forever

Anger at the danger she might be in, and upset that I just caused her pain, makes my tone harder than normal as I ask, "What are you doing here?" That pisses her off, leading to her throwing my duffle bag on my desk, scattering the various papers covering it.

"I thought you could use some necessities since you haven’t been home in days.” She snaps out, basically throwing the bag on my desk.

"Thanks," I tell her, attempting to get her out of here before she picks up on what I’m working on. I can’t risk her seeing the information we do know on this stalker. I take her arm and as we move through the bullpen and outside, I’m watching everything and everyone for signs of a threat.

"Is something wrong?"

"Of course not,” I answer, hoping she can’t tell that I’m lying. “I'm just busy, as are you, I'm sure." I open her car door, knowing full well it sounds as if I’m trying to get rid of her. And, in a way, I am.

"I'll be home tonight.” She tells me. I stare at her, wondering what she's trying to tell me. "Will you? If so, maybe we can have dinner together." She asks. This is so messed-up. We’ve been together for ten fucking years, share a home, yet she’s inviting me to share a meal with her. How did we get to this point? There’s so much distance between us now that I can’t help but fear we can’t breach it.

"I’d love to," I say as I shut her inside and tell her to drive safe. I’m halfway to my desk when I realize I didn't even kiss her goodbye. What the hell is wrong with me? I need to identify this stalker and end this. Only then can I focus on fixing my relationship with Sawyer.

With that thought, I once more read over my notes. There have been a dozen women who’ve reported him so far, but I know there can be more that haven’t. Each have stated they’ve received anywhere between three and six notes before they stopped. He hasn’t escalated past that…yet. However, something or someone can be the catalyst that’ll change that.

I search every detail, compare all those who’ve come forward, seeking any connection. And I'll do it again and again until I find it. Even if it takes me all night.

Chapter 5

Sawyer

We now have a whole department within my grandfather’s firm to help us. The fact the much-needed reprieve came from such an unexpected source is something I have yet to tell my parents. All these years later, the relationship – and I use that term loosely – between them and my grandparents is still rocky. As in, the former barely acknowledges the latter exists, which is understandable considering their actions regarding my dad.

I will say this, I’m thankful for his help right now, and that it’s because of it, I'm home at a decent hour for the first time in almost a year. Which gives me time to make a nice dinner for myself and Cole. While we eat, I’m going to tell him everything that’s been bothering me, then suggest we take a vacation to work on us. God knows we need it. I’ve never doubted him, but I saw him hide his phone from me. I dare you to find a woman that wouldn’t make suspicious. I know he’d never cheat, his love and loyalty for and to me unbreakable, so then why would he do that?

The table is set with candles, flowers, and our fancy dishes when six rolls around, and they stay there as the time passes without Cole showing. I text him, figuring he’s stuck in traffic or something, but he never answers. Another hour goes by before I call, which immediately goes to voicemail. At that point, I give up and put the food away, not even bothering to eat as I’ve lost my appetite. As I get in bed, tears are streaming from my eyes and I cry myself to sleep.

The next morning, I discover he never came home, nor did he contact me at all, and I get ready for the day. My mood is shitty, so I take a deep breath in an attempt to calm down. I can't march over to the station like some crazy girlfriend, despite how badly I want to demand answers. I stomp to my car, find a third note, and my anger instantly returns. I start to blame Cole, wondering if this would still be here if he’d come home. I should be freaked out that this person knows where I live, except I’m too pissed at my absent boyfriend.

"You’re beautiful sleeping alone." Okay, that does break through my anger some, causing me to worry. Once again I try and brush it off and drive to work. At the office, I barrel through work, my emotions helping me get more done in one day than I think I ever have before. As evening approaches, my phone rings. It’s Cole, finally getting around to calling me. I ignore him. It may be petty, but my hurt hasn’t faded from him basically standing me up. When I’ve done everything I can call him, and then give him a piece of my mind.

I finish my work, then make my way home. When I get there I’m surprised to see Cole waiting for me, and he’s not a happy camper.

"Where the hell were you?" He demands to know, clearly pissed.

"At work. Where else would I be? I think the important question here is, where have you been?" I inquire as I grab a bottle of water from the fridge. He doesn’t answer.

“I phoned you, why didn’t you pick up?”

"I could ask you the same thing when I contacted you. You forget about dinner." Cole looks confused, so I remind him we made plans to eat together. “You ghosted me. I texted, I called. Nothing.”

"This is different and you know it."

I just stare at him, unable to believe what I’m hearing. The stress, the worry, the fear…it all hits me at once. "Why are you acting like this? What happened to us? I can’t live like this any longer.” I explode.

"What are you saying, Sawyer?" His frustration becomes concern. So this is all going to go down now I guess, better so than to let it build up longer. I habitually reach for my necklace to fiddle with it only to freeze when I can’t find it.

"Oh my god! No," I mutter as I panic and start looking around before darting upstairs. I check our bedroom, rummage through my treasure box, search the shower, and anywhere else I could think of. "It's gone," I cry. Cole appears in the doorway.

“Lost what?” he asks.

“My necklace. I had it on this morning, and now it’s gone.” I gasp. My heart pounding in my chest.

"Forget about it,” he responds. “We were in the middle of an important conversation." He dismisses my feelings so easily, and I had it.

“It’s important too.” I stand and turn to him.

"The stupid thing cost me twenty dollars." And with that, I’m done. I slap him. I’m not sure which of us is more shocked by my reaction, but I can’t hold it in any longer.

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