Page 20 of Rescued By the Marine

“Pretty roses. Who are they from?”

“I don’t know,” I tell her. “Can you find somewhere else to put them? I don’t want them in here when I get back.”

“Why?”

“They just remind me of the others from the stalker. Not a fan of red roses anymore.”

“Okay, seems like a weird reason to get rid of a gift.”

“I don’t even know who they’re from. They could be from the stalker for all I know. I want them gone, Zoe.”

“Yes, boss,” Zoe says as she picks up the flowers. “I’ll do it right now. You need to get to hair and make-up.”

“Thank you.”

Zoe leaves, Liz watching her go with a critical eye. I start gathering my script to look over while I’m in hair and make-up and a bottle of water from my fridge.

“I’m going to go, is there anything you need?” I ask Liz.

“No, I’m good. Can I ask you how long you’ve known Zoe?”

“We’ve been friends for like ten years. Why?” That gut feeling is back and more persistent than before.

“It’s just a feeling. She seems concerned and has done all the right things, but there’s something in the way she looks at you when you aren’t paying attention to her. I’m probably wrong, but is it okay if I look into a few things?”

Should I admit that I wondered about Zoe myself? I start to say something when there’s another knock at my door and I’m told by a PA that I need to hurry to hair and make-up.

“Look into her and let me know if there’s anything. We’ve been friends forever and she’s Kane’s sister, so be discreet.”

Liz nods and I trust her to do what she says, but my stomach hurts thinking that something could be off with Zoe. Of course, I’ve started a relationship with her brother, so maybe that’s what it is and we’re both reading more into it.

I sit through hair and make-up for an hour and head to set. There are several scenes we’re trying to get today and I’mexhausted by the time we are done. I’m sitting in a chair to the side of the filming area waiting to hear if I can leave for the day when I hear someone yelling.

I turn toward the sound and see Liz with Zoe. Shit, did she find something? I run over to find out what’s happening.

Zoe’s shaking a paper in Liz’s face. “I found this in your bag.”

“What is it?” Liz calmly asks.

“It’s one of the stalker letters, why do you have it?” Zoe looks over at me.

“Why does it matter if she has it? She’s helping with the investigation into who’s stalking me.”

“I’m investigating and don’t need help. You were supposed to stay out of town until I found him.”

“And were you going to find him? Were you even looking for a stalker or do you already know who was writing the letters?” Liz asks.

“What do you mean? Are you accusing me of something?”

“Oh my God,” I say under my breath. “Zoe, were you doing this?”

I look at Liz and can see it on her face. I sit on the ground, my legs no longer able to hold my weight. “Do you have proof, Liz?”

Liz nods and shows me several pieces of paper, but the tears falling from my eyes make it impossible to read them.

“I’ve called Kane to come here, Violet. He’ll be here soon,” Liz whispers as she helps me stand. “I also called the police.”

“The police?” I whisper.

---