Page 74 of Blindsided

“Well, I guess that’s something.”

Veronica presses her hand to her mouth. “I just can’t believe this. I feel responsible. It’s because of me she stayed in the city. If I hadn’t pushed her to meet in person, she could’ve gone back home after closing on the apartment.”

“No, Veronica. It’s not your fault. She needed time to finish this part of her life. She would’ve stayed, regardless.” I truly believe that, too. She needed time to say goodbye to her life here in the city.

“You must be the man behind her decision to quit.” Veronica’s little smirk tells me she’s not mad.

“Oh, sorry.” I hold out my hand. “Yeah, I’m Matthew. Tilly’s been staying with me these past couple of months.” I feel like an ass now. I’m the one who is making Veronica lose a client.

“Well, I have to say, I’ve never seen Talia look so calm. Since I’ve known her, there has always been an undercurrent of tension in her. I think she felt like she had to be perfect in every situation she was put in. From a business standpoint, it was wonderful. I never had to worry about a scandal coming from her.” Veronica’s smile is soft as she looks at me. “But this morning was the first time I felt like Talia was finally comfortable in her own skin. She seemed happier than I’ve ever seen her, and I believe that’s because of you.”

“Guys, I’ve got something.” Isaac’s voice has Veronica and me turning toward him. Desmond is standing next to him, his eyes bouncing back and forth between me and Veronica. Did he hear what she said?

I stand to move closer to Isaac. Veronica comes with me, and Isaac flashes a look in her direction that I can’t interpret.

“Did you find him?” Desmond asks.

Isaac’s eyes are hard on Veronica. “You want to explain why your name is registered on the car Tilly was kidnapped in?”

CHAPTER33

Matthew

Veronica visibly blanches. “I… What? My name is on a car?”

“Tell us what you know right fucking now.” Desmond’s hard voice has me moving toward him. He looks seconds away from snapping this woman in half. I can’t let that happen for a multitude of reasons. Even if it means I get punched in the face.

“I don’t understand what’s going on!” Veronica cries. “Show me the car.” She looks at Isaac with a desperation that can’t be faked. I truly don’t believe she knows what’s going on.

Isaac turns his laptop toward her and shows her the footage of Tilly’s stalker walking up to the sedan. The moment the stalker turns to put Tilly in the backseat, his face comes into full view of the camera, and Veronica gasps.

“Oh, Jesus. What have I done?” Veronica’s wild eyes meet mine. “I didn’t know… That’s… We need to call the police right now. That’s my son, Tag.”

My heart begins to hammer in my chest, and I grab ahold of Desmond to keep him from launching himself at Veronica.

She could be a well-practiced actress, but my gut tells me she had no clue her son was stalking Tilly.

Isaac grabs his phone to call the police. His voice breaks the tension in the room as he tells them what he’s found out. He doesn’t mention how he knows specifically, just that we got a tip that we believe the stalker is Veronica’s son.

The officers ask Veronica to come to the station, and when she agrees, I offer to go with her. Desmond tries to argue with us, saying he needs to go instead of me since Tilly is his sister, but I know him well enough to know he will make things harder on both the officers and Veronica.

Isaac offers to stay with Des, and I’m grateful to him for that. His part in this situation is finished. There’s no reason for him to stay. It eases my worry to know Desmond has someone with him to ensure he doesn’t do anything stupid.

Veronica and I grab a taxi and drive to the police station. We’re escorted to an interview room almost immediately. I never imagined I’d be in one of these types of rooms. Tilly loved watching those true crime shows, so I’d seen them on TV, but who would believe they’d get to see the inside of one in person?

When the officers come into the room, my stomach balls up in nerves. Veronica already confirmed she wanted me to stay with her while she talked to the police. The only problem was, the detectives didn’t want me in the room while they talked to her. I can understand that. I might unintentionally influence her responses, but sitting in an uncomfortable chair by the empty officer’s desk is not easy.

I want them to go after Tilly. The longer we wait, the more likely she’ll be hurt, and I can’t stand the idea of her being in that psycho’s hands for any length of time. It’s killing me to have to sit here, not knowing if she’s okay or not.

After almost two hours of the detectives going in and out of Veronica’s interview room without an update, I begin to get antsy. I pace the length of the bullpen, or whatever this open area of desks is called, until they finally come out of the room with Veronica.

I rush over to her. “What’s happening?”

Veronica’s face looks ravaged. Her eyes are swollen and bloodshot, and her nose is red from crying. “They’re getting a warrant to arrest my son. I… Matthew, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

I pull her into my chest and hold her tight as she sobs. She’s not the person I want to be holding right now, and, to be honest, I’m angry at Veronica. But I also know she didn’t do this on purpose. She didn’t tell her son to stalk Tilly. She had no clue he was even living in the city.

She pulls away and uses a wadded-up tissue in her hand to clean off her face. “They had me ID him from the security footage outside of the coffee shop. It’s definitely him. I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

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