Page 40 of Two Favors Repaid

Lanie’s body had been found on the docks just over a year ago. James and Jill, Lanie’s parents, had trusted the system. Emma imagined what they must have felt like when they found out their daughter’s killer was finally imprisoned. And what they must be feeling now … to learn that he was back on the streets again.

Rob handed her a sandwich. “You need to eat something, Emma.”

She picked at it halfheartedly. Rob and Susan tucked into their sandwiches in an efficient, mechanical way. Emma, on the other hand, felt like she was trying to swallow cardboard. She wished she was able to compartmentalize like they were doing.

Rob’s phone rang. He picked it up and put it on speaker then set it back on the table. He didn’t bother with any pleasantries.

“Lorraine. You’re on a speakerphone. Susan and Emma are here. Did you find out how he did it, how he escaped?”

“We’re still tying the pieces together, but one of the nightguards is missing. Or at least didn’t come back home and isn’t picking up his phone. We’re on our way to his house now.”

“You think he was involved?”

“We don’t need to think anything, Chief Deputy Hope. We’re going to figure out what actually happened,” Special Agent Ramsay said coldly.

“He’s coming to Sharp’s Cove for me, isn’t he?” Emma interjected. Her worst nightmares were coming true.

Lorraine’s voice was calm on the other side of the line. She was a professionally trained psychologist as well as an FBI agent. “It’s not likely—but it’s possible. Several things he’s said in the past make me think he sees your survival as the first thing that went wrong for him.”

Emma shuddered. Rob stood up and sat beside her. Close enough for their arms to touch.

“He also knows it would hurt Natalie to see you hurt. That’s two birds with one stone. So we can’t discount the possibility that he’s coming for you.”

“We spoke with Natalie,” Rob said.

“She called me. I asked her to stay exactly where she is.”

“Good,” Rob said.

“We don’t know that he’s coming here, Emma. It would be stupid for him to do so, and Ford isn’t stupid. But we’re not going to take the risk. We’re going to protect you. We’ll have a team in place tomorrow morning. If he comes for you, we’ll be ready.”

“In the meantime, don’t let her out of your sight, Hope,” the male agent instructed.

“Don’t worry about that.”

They disconnected the call.

“We have to stop him, Rob,” Emma said. She thought of James and Jill and all the other parents who’d lost their daughters to that psychopath. “This isn’t just about me. Ford is a predator.”

“I agree,” Susan said. “He’s feeling invincible now. That means he’s even more dangerous.”

Rob nodded. “I’ve made an appointment to meet the mayor now.” He rubbed his jaw.

“I’ll stay here with Emma,” Susan said. “We’ll keep the door locked, and I’ve got my weapon. Nobody’s getting in here.”

“Okay. Thank you, Susan.” To Emma, he said, “I’ll be back in an hour.”

#

Rob

It was more like two hours later that Rob finally made his way back to the station.

Convincing the mayor that they needed to issue a warning to all Sharp’s Cove citizens had been unexpectedly difficult. The mayor’s main concern seemed to be around capitalizing on what he perceived to be a potential economic windfall.

Even the possibility that other young women might be attacked hadn’t fazed the mayor until Rob pointed out that people might express any disappointment at their actions when election time rolled by again.

Eventually they’d reached an agreement, but Rob still had marks where his blunt nails had dug into his flesh during the conversation. He couldn’t wait for Natalie to get back, so he wouldn’t have to speak to that pompous ass again.