Page 33 of Guilty as Sin
“See you in a week, then. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Paige hung up, then looked at the text again.
Leave.
Pressuring Lily, because Lily looked like she could be pressured. Well, Paige could fix that, and Lily could come back. Meanwhile, she’d help Jace discourage his stalker.
You had to be who you were. She might not have a real job to do, but she could do this.
You could say that Lily confused him. She’d wanted him to kiss her. She’d wanted more than that. You couldn’t miss those signals. So why had she pulled back?
Because she had issues, that was why. The last thing he needed was a woman with issues. He had enough issues for two. He’d get Lily’s help in sending a not-interested message to his mystery admirer, and after that? Since he’d clearly arrived back in the land of the living, he’d find himself a cool, competent brunette who wasn’t in the market for a Meaningful Relationship. He’d forget the skittish blonde goatherds whose whole life said, “Traditional!” and look for his bloodytype.
He set it aside, went for a run to clear his head and work out some of the tension in his supercharged body, then hopped into the ute with Tobias and headed down the mountain toward the police station. He felt like a wanker doing it, but Lily had been right. If he had to deal with his stalker, it might not end up looking good.
How did she know so much about stalkers? And what woman would sit in her kitchen, listen to a man saying, “I was a killer,” and decide on another cup of coffee instead of sprinting for the door?
No woman he knew.
Because she’d had a boyfriend who was a cop? Because she was attracted to dangerous men?
Yes. Or no. Attracted, but not enough.
His visit to the police station didn’t exactly ease his mind. The cop, whose name tag proclaimed him to be Sergeant Worthington, didn’t look nearly as impressed with the evidence as Lily had. “You say you write books, sir,” he said, eyeing the blindfold, thong, and printouts of the pictures with what Jace could swear was a not-entirely-professional eye. “Successful books?”
Jace leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. He didn’t care for this bloke’s tone. He’d figured the cops would laugh at a man being stalked, and he’d been right. “Yeah.”
“Uh-huh. This kind of thing ever happen before?” The sergeant rifled through the pictures again. “Women soliciting you?”
“Yes. Of course. Emails, invitations to meet them. Which I ignore,” he added, in case the cop was under the impression he was a dipstick.
“Sure about that?” Worthington asked, looking up from the printouts with what was apparently meant to be a keen stare. “Even if they send pictures like this?”
“You’re joking. Yeah, I get nudes. Sometimes including names and phone numbers. Why a woman would do that, I have no idea. Some women write to serial killers, too. And if I wanted to have dodgy sex with some girl who’s probably mad as a meat axe, I’d give them a ring. But as I don’t, I don’t. And this time? These things were sent to my home. Not just sent. Delivered.”
He could tell the cop wanted to say,Sounds like a problem worth having.At least he restrained himself that much. “Joined any online dating sites recently?” he asked instead. “Been swiping right, picking up women in bars? I wouldn’t call this a dedicated reader wanting to do her book report on you. I’d call it a love affair gone wrong, or a hookup who’s decided you’re her prince. There are some crazies out there.”
“Thanks,” Jace said. “That’s helpful. And no. I was married until I bought my house here six months ago. It’s not my ex, and I haven’t been involved with anyone since.”
The cop looked at him with a jaundiced eye.Yeah, right,he didn’t have to say. “Sure about the ex? When it comes to crazy women, the ex is the craziest every time.”
“She’s not in the area, and she’s got somebody new anyway.”And she wouldn’t care enough.“It’s not her.”
“Then it sure looks like somebody you didn’t call back. I’d suggest you think harder. A woman stalking a stranger? I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I’ve never heard of it.”
“I’ve heard of it,” Jace said, standing up. “Because I did some research. I recommend it. You can believe me or not. Doesn’t matter to me. I don’t know what you could do anyway. But in case she comes after me again or takes this further, I want it on the record.”In case I have to hurt her,hedidn’tsay. Lily had got that. Why couldn’t this drongo?
“Sir,” the cop said with a patience that rubbed at Jace’s already-abused nerves, “we’re here to help. Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources to protect you at all times against this person. Please report any further attempts to contact you, and if you do discover her identity, call and tell us. I’d strongly suggest applying for an Order of Protection if that happens. You can get the form online, and there’s no cost to you in a case of stalking.”
“Yeah,” Jace said. “That works a treat, I’m sure. If she comes after me, I’ll wave my bit of paper at her. If you want all that lot, the undies and letters, you can keep it. If you don’t, chuck it. I took photos, and I’m not having it in my house.”
He walked out feeling less than cheerful. And when he got Lily’s text, less cheerful than that.
I’m heading out to the lake with Brett Hunter after I close,she’d written.Pick me up at 6 instead?
Who the hell was Brett Hunter? And what had been going on with her “I’m so scared” performance this morning? Had it all been an act?
