Page 48 of More Than a Fling

“Is this about Bradley?”

“Yes.”

“Have a seat. Would you like some coffee?” he asked.

“Sure.”

Captain Gregory poured them each a cup and sat down behind his desk with a deep frown on his face. “Talk to me.”

“I just got back from a month away and after the conversation I had with Annie today, I’m very concerned for her safety. I feel like he has crossed a line. He keeps showing up…at a gas station, at her condo, at her salon, always the same sad song, “I love you; I want you back, I’m a changed man”… the problem is that he won’t take no for an answer.”

“Darcy, there is hardly a law against heartbreak.”

“I know all of this sounds lame when I say it out loud, but Annie had the distinct impression that he had been inside her condo, nothing she could prove, but things were moved around, back door unlocked, stuff like that,” Darcy said.

“Again, not much we can do about somebody’s suspicions, unless she wants to file a restraining order, but that’s complicated too. The threat is implied but there has been no physical violence so it’s her word against his at this point.”

“I know that, and she doesn’t want to jeopardize his job. She is not even sure that some of it isn’t just coincidence, but she feels he is getting more obsessive and that her reentering the dating world might have tripped his trigger.”

“What would you like me to do?”

“Is there any way you could say something to him off the record? Just to let him know that you are aware of the situation and have your eyes on him. It might be enough to wake him up and make him back off my sister. She is getting increasingly uncomfortable with these random encounters.”

“There is always the danger that it could backfire.”

“I’ve thought of that, but I think he’s basically a coward, so I would place odds that he’d scurry for cover, like the rat that he is,” Darcy said.

“Look, I’ll see what I can do as a favor to you, you know he is not my favorite officer to begin with.”

“I knew I could count on you Bob, and I hate having to ask.”

“Consider it done. There is no guarantee on how he’ll respond but, I must agree with you, he is likely to back off if an authority steps in. Afterall, he is a classic bully.”

“Thank you so much, I won’t forget this.”

“Patty and I would love to have you over for dinner sometime soon. You can bring that fiancée of yours as well. We’d like to meet him,”

“Sounds lovely. You’ll love Sam.” Darcy said, her soft expression telling the captain all he needed to know.

“I’m happy for you Darcy.”

“Thanks Captain. Have Patty give me a call and we’ll get something in the book.”

Rising from his seat, he walked around to give Darcy a brief hug, “Sounds good, we’ll see you soon then.”

“Yep, and thanks again, I feel like a thousand pounds is off my shoulders.”

“Glad I could help. We’ll have to see how it all plays out. Hopefully this will be the end of it.”

Darcy held up her hand with her fingers crossed. “Bye Bob.”

“See ya soon,” he replied, thoughtful as he watched her leave his office. She’d been through enough crazy shit in her life, he would do anything he could to protect her from any further pain or loss.

* * *

“You did what?” Annie said, eyes wide with panic.

“He will handle it with care, he is my friend.” Darcy said reassuringly.

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