Page 29 of The Flame of Carson
“He could very well pick up where he left off in New York and start sending the flowers again.If he does, notify us immediately.If you start getting physical mail either at your home or office, call us.Now, if he starts sending actual mail to you, we can talk to Ethan and Gage if you want.”Cain added.
“All right then, we’ll just wait.I’ve been trying to recall anyone I could have rejected, either personally or professionally.I’ve also been thinking over ex boyfriends and lovers, but no one is standing out.”Stacey said.
“Don’t stress too much.Guys like these are cowards by nature we’ve found.They hide behind their computers and when confronted they tend to be easily subdued.”Jimmy assured her.
“Well, if he does confront me, I’ll give him the ass kicking from hell.”Stacey stated.
“For the moment, the NYPD is handling the attack on Walt, but sharing information with the FBI since it is evident his attack is connected to your case.That means Detective Sherman will be forwarding us his findings since you’re not there and this guy has initiated contact again here.”Caine further explained.
“Alright then.Just keep me updated please.Like Krista, I won’t be kept out of the loop.”Stacey said firmly.
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Gage clutched his fist, trying not to lose it.“Ethan, are you sure?”
Ethan sighed, “Gage, brother, I know it’s not what you wanted to hear.Trust me, I know you want to investigate this but even you and Tony said there’s not much to go on.And so far, the only personal contact was him going after Walt last night.”
Gage took a slow breath, held it, and released it.“You’re right.”Gage sighed and pushed up from the chair and started pacing.“Is this how you felt with Krista?”
Ethan chuckled, “Oh no, it was much worse trust me.But her situation was much different than Stacey’s.Look, she said she would keep you in the loop, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Here’s what I want you to do.As things happen, if they continue that is, keep a running tally of what is happening.Emails, those flower deliveries you told me about, that sort of thing.I will check in with Jimmy and Cain and compare notes.”
Gage relaxed a little bit, “Thanks Ethan.I’ll tell Stacey to keep the tally and send it to you.I get the feeling she might not tell me every single email or whatever contact this guy makes.”
Ethan laughed, “Yeah, you’re probably right.Look, this sucks I know, but your woman...hell I saw her fight once and damned if I wouldn’t snatch her up to show the boys here a thing or two if I could.If this guy grows balls and confronts her...”Ethan paused a moment, “well, if he does, he better pray the cops are on site quick.”
“Ain’t that the fuckin’ truth.”Gage nodded in agreement.“Okay, I’ll go call Stace and let her know what you said.”
Gage nodded to Ethan, turned on his heel and walked out of the office.While he was a little disappointed, he also wasn’t surprised that Ethan said no.He figured that would be the call and while he didn’t like it, he would follow his team leader, like he had since the day he and Ethan met.Gage walked into his own office, closed the door, and walked to his desk.Picking up the phone he called Stacey.
“Stacey Carlin.”
“Hey babe.”
“Hey big boy.Judging by the dejected tone in your voice Ethan said to hold.”
He ran a hand through his hair in agitation as he leaned back in his chair.“Yeah.He did say for you to keep a running tally of all contact this asshole makes.I suggested that you just pass it to him instead of me reporting it.He’ll stay in touch with Harker and Fortner and then we’ll see.”
“I can do that.”Stacey agreed.“Gage, I know you don’t like this, but like I told Jimmy and Cain this morning, if he decides to confront me, he’s getting the mother of all ass kicking’s for his trouble.”
Gage couldn’t help but chuckle, “Yeah.Ethan said something similar.He said he’d snatch you up to train our guys here at Blackout if he thought he could.”
Stacey’s easy laugh relaxed Gage.“Well, you tell your Boss I just might consider doing a few freebie lessons if I’m asked nicely.”
Gage laughed, “Well, I better get to work.Call me tonight and we’ll see about setting up either dinner out this week or something this weekend.”
“Sounds like a plan.Talk to you later.”
“Talk to you later.”Gage replied, then hung up after she did.
Sighing, he tried to clear his mind of the situation with Stacey and refocus on his tasks for the day at Blackout.He only hoped that Stacey didn’t find herself in the same situation as Krista and Alora.While Lance and Ethan had been surprisingly calm during those crises, Gage just knew he wouldn’t be.
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