Page 33 of Only You and Me

Flo walks over and slides a strawberry shake in front of Trina, and Trina thanks her as Flo squeezes her shoulder and smiles. It’s clear Trina is special to this woman. When Trina takes her first sip of the shake, I smile at the reminder of her sweet tooth.

“And?” Trina asks, returning her gaze to me.

I take a deep breath. “That’s pretty concerning. This person went to some effort to use different florists and to hide his or her identity. That the last card took a… a sexual tone makes me worried.” Her face falls. “I know you don’t want to file a police report, but I think we at least need to talk to your chief and block any further deliveries to you.”

She’s quiet for several long moments, looking down at the table and holding onto her shake with both hands. “Maybe it’s no big deal,” she whispers. But when she looks up at me, she must see something in my eyes because she takes a deep breath. “Fine. Let me see when he’s available to talk to me.”

Two hours later, Trina and I have been to see her chief and explained the situation. He also encouraged her to file a formal report and to let him tell her fellow firefighters what’s going on, but she was insistent on not doing that. This woman must have everyone wrapped around her finger, because I watched as the chief’s eyes softened, and he acquiesced to her wishes.

Fortunately, she agreed to a moratorium on deliveries and the chief sent an all-staff bulletin out, via email, that no personal deliveries were to be received at the station for any employee. Only official Fire Department deliveries were to be accepted and only from reputable carriers, including the United States Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS. All others were to be declined.

Trina hated it but agreed… and that’s how I know this has shaken her.

CHAPTER10

BEN

Meadow Creek Coffee Shop is almost as cozy and familiar to me as Pat’s Diner. I’ve been coming here every two to three weeks for the last seven years, meeting with the same group of guys. There’s five of us, all in law enforcement, and all of us committed to helping each other be accountable for living as our most authentic selves and dealing with our struggles head on.

Law enforcement is tough work, often only showing us the worst humanity offers. Lots of police officers struggle with depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties because of the shit we see on a near daily basis.

And this group has helped me work through some significant stuff over the years. Hell, I even eventually told them about Trina—the one who got away. The one who I still can’t really let go of. But today, I’m in my head, worrying about everything going on with Trina.

“Ben, you with us?”

I’m pulled from my daydreaming back into the conversation as the guys all chuckle.

“Sorry, yeah. I got distracted. A little lost in my thoughts lately. I’ve got a case that’s worrying me.”

“Tell us about it. Sometimes we come up with some brilliant shit when we all put our minds together,” Jonah encourages.

“Yeah, I’m like the Sherlock Holmes of Meadow Creek,” Thom teases.

I sigh. “I’ve got a case where someone keeps sending flowers to a female… city employee. Once a week. The cards leaned toward the romantic at first but, by the fourth one, they took a more aggressive, physical tone. And I’ve got no leads. Her boss has blocked any further deliveries, but still.”

“Any threats?”

“Nothing overt. Only the innuendo in the last card.”

“Is the individual only sending flowers, or is there something else?”

“Just flowers,” I answer. “But every week for a month.”

“What aren’t you telling us?” Jonah asks, his eyes narrowed.

“Yeah, I feel like we’re missing something,” Jim says, rubbing at his beard. “Do you know the victim or some?—”

“She’s not a victim,” I snap. I run my hands through my hair, a nervous habit of mine. I look up to see Thom with a raised brow, clearly seeing through me. “Shit, I’m sorry. I’m… I’m a bit on edge. The woman is her.”

“Her?” Jim asks. His eyes suddenly widen and his jaw gapes. “Oh, her. That’s why you’re so focused on it.”

“Yeah, it’s Trina.” I answer. “And I have to make sure whoever this is can’t get near enough to hurt her.”

“Ben, man, you’re aware there isn’t much you can do unless the perp makes a move.”

I can only shake my head. I know it in my brain, but that doesn’t mean I have to accept it… or like it.

“Let’s talk about something else for now, okay?” I’m grateful when the guys all agree, and someone changes the subject.

---