Page 74 of Sycamore Circle

“Yes. I tutor and volunteer for ProLiteracy.”

“Those folks you have far more interaction with, yes?”

Feeling like she was betraying them, she nodded.

“Do you have their names and contact information?” he asked, continuing to write.

“I don’t think any of them are stalking me.” Even though she could practically feel Bo’s incredulous stare, she added, “They’re good people. Plus, they’re learning to read, right?” Jumping on that, she added, “Whoever is texting me and writing notes can read and write.”

Detective Heilman put down the pen he was holding. “Joy, I’m not discounting anything you’re saying. However, I think we’d agree that these notes aren’t novels. No one needs to be able to read or write that well to compose the notes. Plus, it’s been my experience that the majority of people who do things like this are known to the victim.”

“You have to consider everyone,” Bo said in a tone. “Not just men, either. Women are just as capable of doing this stuff as men are.”

“Yeah, Mom,” Chloe added. “People lie all the time.”

“I realize that.”

Kevin stared at her for a long moment, then seemed to come to a decision. “You know what? This is a lot to take in, especially since you’ve just gotten two letters in the last three days. How about you give me a list of five names? That will give us some place to start.”

“And then, if you don’t come up with anything?”

“Then, we’ll dig a little bit harder.”

“I still feel like I’m betraying good people whose only fault is that they never learned to read.”

“I understand. But no one who is taking the time to call you, text you, and mail letters is going to stop on their own.”

Joy held out her hand, took the pen, and wrote down five names. She felt like she was betraying all the people who had put their trust in her and she hated every minute of it.

While Bo looked on, she wondered if he was right—that she wasn’t being realistic. That she was letting a soft heart interfere with logic. But if she did that, then surely she’d have to include him in her list of suspects too?

After all, he’d been in prison. She couldn’t help but believe that was significant.

Her life was getting more and more complicated. So much so, she hardly knew where to turn to anymore.

A chill ran through her. Obviously, that was her stalker’s intention. He was systematically making her world feel jarring and off-kilter.

No doubt he was currently feeling really pleased with himself.

CHAPTER 25

Joy had looked so shaken after Kevin left, Bo hadn’t wanted to leave. He yearned to be something more to her than the guy she was just beginning to date. He wanted to be someone she could count on and depend on. He would’ve liked to coddle her that evening. Tell her to go take a long bubble bath in that cast iron tub while he made her and Chloe supper.

But that was too much, too soon.

So, after telling the detective goodbye, he’d chatted with Chloe for a few seconds. When her mom was in the kitchen he’d even mentioned Finn and said that he’d heard that the boy now had a phone. She’d smiled back, looking pleased that they had a little secret.

Ten minutes later, he’d hugged Joy goodbye, kissed her gently on the cheek, and then headed back to his house. He knew he needed to check in with the guys and probably even hang out at the house for a while, but he couldn’t do it.

He was feeling a bit rattled too. He’d known a lot of men who’d committed crimes. He’d stood by Lincoln’s side when Jennifer had been attacked. But everything felt different now. He cared about Joy, and he was annoyed as all get out that someone had decided to make her life hell.

That was why, after he’d gotten home and pulled out a beer, he’d sat down and called his mother. He might not be able to say everything he wanted to Joy, but there was someone who he could be completely honest with.

Besides, it had been over a week since he’d checked in with her. Feeling ashamed about that, Bo took another sip of beer, grabbed his cell phone, clicked on her name, and pressed Send.

She answered immediately. “Hello?”

“Hey, Momma.”

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