AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stared at her, my resolve hardening. "Together."
She gave a short nod. "Together."
We spent the next few hours gathering whatever information we could from the scenes of the break-ins. Every moment that passed was another moment our stalker could act on the information they had stolen.
The dim light from the desk lamp cast long shadows over the pages as we pored over them, searching for anything that connected Lexi's current stalker notes to the ones from years ago.
The first thing that struck me was the handwriting. It was meticulous, almost unnervingly so, with each letter painstakingly crafted. The way the 't's were crossed, with a slightly heavier stroke at the top, and the 'i's dotted with a small, precise circle – it was identical to the notes we'd filed away years ago. Whoever this stalker was, they were either the same person or someone hell-bent on imitating them to the smallest detail.
Then, there were the phrases used. Chillingly familiar, almost verbatim from what we'd seen before. Phrases like "always watching" and "you can't escape me" were repeated, a haunting echo from the past. The newer notes had evolved slightly, with an added intensity, a desperation that was less pronounced in the older ones. It was as if the stalker's obsession had deepened over the years.
I noticed, too, the paper quality. It was high-grade, not your run-of-the-mill printer paper. This was someone who took pride, almost a sick pleasure, in their craft. The older notes had the same, slightly textured feel to them.
As we sorted through the stacks of paperwork, Kayla suddenly looked up from a document she was reading. She cleared her throat and shot me a concerned glance.
"I think I should head to the ranch and update Lexi about this mess," she began, her tone gentle. "If there's anything in those files you'd rather not know about, I'll handle it. You won't have to be in the middle."
Relief surged through me. "Thanks, Kay. I appreciate it." I let out a shaky breath, realizing just how much this whole situation was gnawing at me.
She gave me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "It's what partners do. I'll let you know once I've spoken to her. Just promise you'll get some rest, okay?"
"I'll try," I replied, the exhaustion from the day's events finally catching up to me.
She gave me a small nod, her eyes filled with concern. "Take care, Jake. We've got a hell of a case to figure out."
I watched as Kayla grabbed her jacket and keys, heading out of the station. The thought of some sick bastard digging through Lexi's life made my blood boil. I needed a moment to breathe, to reset.
With a deep exhale, I decided to head home. The thought of some semblance of normalcy was comforting. And then, of course, there was Mandy. The thought of her waiting, likely with another delicious meal, tugged at the edges of my mind, offering a small respite from the day's chaos.
As I drove, the familiar landscape of our town passed by in a blur. Each turn, each stop sign, was a testament to the life I had built here, but now everything felt tainted, overshadowed by this looming threat.
Pulling into my driveway, the soft glow from the windows of my house offered some warmth. I could smell the delicious aroma of dinner wafting from inside even before I reached the front door.
Pushing open the door, the scent intensified, pulling me in. My stomach grumbled in response, reminding me I hadn't eaten all day. The cozy ambiance of my living room met me — the soft glow of the lamps, the gentle hum of the refrigerator, and Mandy, busy in the kitchen.
"Hey, Mandy," I greeted, my voice weary but grateful.
She turned, flashing me a welcoming smile. "Jake. Perfect timing, dinner's ready."
The scent of roasted chicken and garlic mashed potatoes wafted through the room, making my stomach growl in response.
I hadn’t expected to have a houseguest go to so much trouble, but as long as she was willing, I was glad for the homecooked meal each night. As we sat down to eat, I filled her in on the stalker situation and just how deep it seemed to run.
Mandy's face went from shocked to genuinely concerned. "Damn, Jake. Lexi must be losing her mind over this."
"Yeah, it's messed up. I'm hoping Kayla can get through to her, help her understand the gravity of the situation without panicking her," I said, stabbing a piece of chicken.
The doorbell's shrill ring cut our conversation short. Pushing back from the table, I stood and went to answer the door. "Kayla?" I raised an eyebrow, surprised to see her. "Thought you'd be with Lexi longer."
She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, looking a tad uncomfortable. "I needed to fill you in on how things went. Figured face-to-face was better."
I nodded, stepping aside to let her in. As she entered, her eyes landed on Mandy, who was dabbing her mouth with a napkin. "Oh, I'm sorry," Kayla said, looking slightly taken aback. "I didn't realize you had company. Maybe I should come back later."
I chuckled, dismissing the awkwardness. "No, you're not interrupting anything. Mandy's an old college friend of Lexi's. She's in town, and since Lexi's place is a construction zone right now, she's bunking in my guest room."
Mandy stood up, extending a friendly hand. "Nice to meet you, Kayla."
Kayla shook her hand, offering a polite smile. "Likewise. And sorry to intrude on your evening."
