Page 228 of Cara & Gian: The Guzzi Duet

Jenny nodded. “I know. We consider your situation to be high-risk, which means at the moment, the shelter is currently on a level red watch.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means that because there is a risk of an altercation between you and your husband while we get things settled with the court, your divorce lawyer, and everything else, everyone here will be more alert for a problem. Until we have a reason to move you—say, he shows up here, or approaches you when you’re out with one of our escorts—then the shelter is where you will remain. So, while you are here, because of the risk level, the staff and volunteers, and even the other women currently housed here, will be on a high alert for safety.”

“So, wait and see if he tries to beat me to death again?” Melinda asked.

Cara winced. “We understand the situation and why you’re afraid of him showing up. But given this is his first actual arrest and the past years of abuse haven’t been documented officially, the courts were already unlikely to deny him bail. Trust that we will do absolutely everything to keep you, and everyone else, safe while we go through this process. And if at any single time, he gives us even a small reason to suspect he’s planning something, you will be moved with a police guard. Okay?”

Melinda agreed, but she didn’t look entirely convinced.

Cara understood that, too.

It was hard to trust others to keep you safe, when all you knew was keeping yourself alive.

“Are you good to go back to your room?” Cara asked.

“Or, supper is getting ready to be served in the kitchen, if you’re hungry,” Jenny added.

Melinda shrugged. “Food would be good.”

“Wonderful.” Jenny waited until Melinda had gone from the office and the door was closed once more, before she turned to Cara to speak. “I didn’t want to frighten her more, but the officer who alerted us to the granted bail thought we should know.”

Cara stood, rubbing a hand over her stomach to soothe the jabs of the baby boy hitting her rib. “Know what?”

“The officer figured he would keep an eye on Allen Farger for the day, as he had time, and he said there was something about the guy that bothered him.”

“So?”

“He lost him about an hour after he started tailing him,” Jenny said.

“Like in traffic or something?”

“No, like Allen seemed to know someone was following him and deliberately lost the officer.”

Well, shit.

“Why would he do that?” Cara asked.

Although, she was pretty sure she knew the answer.

“Because he didn’t want to be seen or bothered doing whatever in the hell he was going to do.” Jenny loosened her ponytail, and tipped her head side to side, stretching her neck. “That was why I put the shelter on level red watch, not because of the bail.”

“Don’t you think Melinda should know?”

Jenny frowned. “Tonight is the first night that young woman has even felt comfortable with eating dinner in the main dining room, around others. She is medicated just to be able to sleep. She is terrified enough, so no, I don’t want to pile more on to her, and watch her regress. We’ve got a long way to go with this one, Cara.”

“Yeah, I see your point.”

“What time were you planning on leaving today? You should rest, you’re nearly thirty-eight weeks pregnant, Cara.”

Cara dismissed the suggestion. “I’m fine and I think after I make a call, I’ll stick around.”

“You really should relax. Once your baby gets here, you’ll have no time to rest at all.”

“Don’t worry about me, Jenny.”

“I worry about all my girls, regardless of who they are, Cara.”