Page 69 of His Loving Wife

“I assumed it was about the letters we received,” Kate said. She looked over at Andrew for support, but his gaze was focused on the carpet.

“Yes, your husband has given me copies of those.” He glanced at Andrew, then back at Kate. “We still can’t confirm how Paul is getting those letters delivered, but that’s not what I’m here about.”

“Is there something else?” Andrew asked. He was fully attentive now, leaned over with his elbows balancing on his legs.

“We’ve had a setback when it comes to the trial,” Barnes said. “The judge has granted Paul bail. The trial date hasn’t changed, but he’ll no longer be in jail while awaiting his court date.”

“What?” Kate felt her body jolting forward, her volume raising. “He’s getting out of jail?”

“He’s getting out of jail, but not out of these charges. There will still be a trial, but given the nature of—”

“The nature of his crimes is precisely why Detective Marsh said this wouldn’t be a possibility. She promised he would remain behind bars until his conviction.”

“He’s being charged with a violent crime, yes. But this is also his first violent offense. His lawyers were able to pull it off, and there’s nothing I, or anyone else in the department, could have done to stop it.”

Kate sat back. How desperately she wished Detective Marsh were here. Perhaps what Barnes said was true, that even she wouldn’t have been able to stop a judge from making this decision, but she believed Marsh would have done everything in her ability to keep it from happening. And if she still couldn’t, Kate would have accepted the news better from her, as opposed to this stranger.

“The letters he’s been sending violate the order of protection we have against him. Surely if the judge knew about that he wouldn’t have allowed him out on bail.” Andrew’s voice was calm. Kate, in the midst of her emotional reaction, hadn’t thought of this. She could only envision the looming danger.

“You’re right, and we did let the attorneys know you were receiving letters. The problem is, we still can’t prove whether or not the person who sent the letters is Paul.”

“I can’t believe this.” She was standing now, looking out the window, her arms crossed over her body. Very similar to her stance on that day back in September when Detective Marsh had first dropped Paul’s name.

“I’m sorry I have to share this news. I know how difficult this must be for you.” He paused. “The good news is Paul Gunter hasn’t been released yet. The bail amount is high, considering the magnitude of his charges. I’d say it’ll be another week or two before he’s out. Maybe three.”

Kate looked down. Barnes might have assumed this news would make them feel better, but all it did was start a timer in Kate’s head, each second counting down to the point when they would no longer feel safe.

“Will you let us know when he’s out?” Andrew asked.

“Of course. I’ll stay in contact.” He stood. “And please, let me know if you receive any more letters. They could make a difference in whether or not he’s actually released.”

“I’m no longer worried about the letters,” Kate said under breath, her back to both men.

“I’m sorry this isn’t what you want to hear. You’ll contact me if you need anything?”

This question was to both of them, but only Andrew answered. Kate was still staring out the window as Barnes left. She watched him walk to his car, slide behind the driver’s seat and drive away.

Andrew came up behind her. He put a hand on her shoulder.

“Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not. This is the worst thing that could happen.”

Perhaps that wasn’t true. Paul could do worse things to them. He’d already tried, but knowing he would be released from prison meant he’d have the opportunity to hurt them again. Kate didn’t think she could live under that threat.

“I can’t cope with him being out. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. What will we tell the kids?”

“Maybe we don’t have to tell them anything.”

“Are you crazy? They have to be on the look out for him. For anything suspicious. He’s already tried seeing Willow in person.”

“I’m not suggesting we lie to them.” He looked down, rubbing the skin underneath his jaw. “Maybe we could just distract them. Get them out of town for a bit.”

“We can’t run away from this forever.”

“Not forever. But it’s summer. Maybe some time away together would do some good. For all of us.”

“Like a vacation?”

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