Page 13 of Saving Meadow

“Probably the same way you knew my name was Nick.”

“What do you mean, you told me your name.”

“No, Red, I introduced myself as SA Clark. And I did show you my credentials, but I always cover my name with my finger when I flip my shield. I don’t like the public knowing my full name.”

Her blush deepened, and she cracked a smile. “Okay. You totally caught me. I knew your name from Sam’s, but I didn’t want you to think I was a stalker or something. I’m not. It was the first day, and we were standing next to each other. Becky called out Nick, and you reached for the coffee, so I kinda knew from that.”

She was so damn cute when she forgot to be scared and wasn’t hiding her face.

“Same way I knew what kind of coffee you liked. So? What will it be?”

“How bad is the bureau coffee?”

I was so happy to see the smile hadn’t left her face and even happier that I put it there.

“Palatable, barely.”

“Coffee, please.”

“Coming right up. I’ll be back.”

I found Mandy and the rest of the guys in the conference room. Thankfully they’d drawn the blinds on the only window that looked out into the main area of the office. The last thing Meadow needed to see was pictures of thirteen dead women. I caught everyone up on Meadow’s willingness to try hypnosis. Everyone nodded their approval and Mandy followed me to meet Meadow.

I made a quick introduction, gave Meadow her coffee, and left them talking. I thought she’d feel more comfortable speaking with Mandy alone. Now I wasn’t so sure. Every few minutes I’d look up and catch Meadow giving me sidelong glances, but when I tried to hold her stare, she’d look away.

Damn Nick. Get a grip.

I had a bad case of wishful thinking.

8

Sally

“Take a few days and think about it. I’d like you to read the information I gave you on hypnosis.” Dr. Mandy Brown had a calming grandmotherly appeal, though I didn’t think she’d appreciate me thinking of her as grandmotherly; she looked younger than my mom.

“Thank you for not thinking I’m crazy,” I told her.

“Why would I think you’re crazy?”

“For starters, I drove here in a complete freak out because I saw the news and had convinced myself someone was watching me then…”

“Wait. You thought someone was watching you? What do you mean?” Her posture suddenly changed, and her smile disappeared.

“See? Crazy. I get the feeling a lot. When I talk to my friend who is also a survivor of a violent attack, she says it’s normal, that I’ll always feel that way and I should ignore it.”

Veronica Venus has been my rock over the last few years. I would’ve become the hermit I’d joked with her about becoming if it wasn’t for her talking me off the ledge. The first month I went back to work was the worst. Every time I stepped foot into the office, I could swear someone was staring at me. When I broke down and talked to Veronica Venus about it, she laughed and said, of course they are. It took some getting used to, everyone staring at me and watching me. After a while, I was able to push it back and ignore it. I still get the creeps sometimes, and all the hair on my arms will stand up reminding me that I’m a freak.

“Tell me about this time. Where were you? What were you doing?” Mandy asked.

“It really is my imagination. I was getting ready for work. I clicked on the TV to check the weather and news about the girl that was found last night was on. When the broadcast showed the alley, I dropped my coffee. All I could think about was I was found in an alley. That could’ve been me. No one was watching me; it’s all in my head. I know it, but it’s like there’s this disconnect between my brain and my body’s reaction. I can’t explain it.”

“I think you explained it just fine. Where were you in your house?”

I was sorry I’d brought up my silly notions about imaginary people watching me. It was nothing, something I’d learned to live with.

“I was in my living room – alone. Safe and sound; the only threat to my well-being is my overactive crazy thoughts.”

She seemed to contemplate what I’d said and thankfully dropped it.