Page 71 of Sycamore Circle

Her stomach fluttered, though whether it was because she was uncomfortable with the whole situation or excited about Bo practically claiming her in front of the detective and Chloe, she didn’t know for sure.

She sat next to him.

Detective Heilman leaned forward. “Joy, before we examine this letter, why don’t you take me through what’s been going on. Start with the first time you received a hang up or text. Which came first?”

“The hang ups.”

“And when did they start taking place?”

“About two months ago.”

“Were they from the same number?”

“I think so, but most of the time the number just said ‘unknown.’”

“No one ever said anything?”

She shook her head.

“Are you sure?” When she tensed, Kevin’s expression softened. “I realize I sound like I’m grilling you, but I’m not.”

“I understand, and yes, I’m sure. Though, sometimes the person stayed on the line longer than others.”

“When did you get the first text?”

“About two weeks after the calls, but they weren’t very often. Not even once a week.” She glanced at Chloe, but her daughter didn’t look frightened.

“Did you save them on your phone?”

“No. I deleted them right away.”

“You haven’t saved any? Even when they became more frequent?”

“Not until last week. I got three last week.”

“And then you received the letter on Wednesday.”

She nodded. “And another one today.” After double-checking that Chloe seemed to be hanging in there, she added, “I’m scared. I really don’t know what to do anymore. That’s why I called Bo for advice.”

“She shouldn’t be afraid to be in her own house, Kevin,” Bo said.

“I agree.” The detective wrote down a few more notes then got out a pair of latex gloves and a plastic bag. “Joy, I think it would be best if we looked at this letter next. After, we’ll start making some lists.”

“All right.”

He put on gloves, pulled out a letter opener, and neatly sliced open the envelope. Feeling like everything was happening both too fast and too slowly, she inhaled sharply when he pulled out the sheet of paper.

“Easy,” Bo murmured. “You’re not alone.”

She reached for his hand. He squeezed and kept a firm grip on it while Kevin read it, then held it up for them to read.

i see you. i see chloe too

It took a second for the words to register, then she was free-falling into her worst nightmare. A noise she hadn’t known she was capable of making was pulled from her body. Trying to control the tears, she started shaking. “Put that away.”

“Mom?”

“I’m sorry.”

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