Tymber Dalton - Pinch Me

She froze as she stared at him, the chill settling deep in her core. “He’s a serial rapist?” When he seemed to be searching for the answer, she added, “He’s a serial killer.”

She didn’t need to phrase it as a question because she read the answer in his expression.

Eventually, he nodded. “I don’t have confirmation yet. It’s just a suspicion.”

“But you wouldn’t be mentioning it to me unless it was a pretty strong suspicion.”

He nodded.

“How am I supposed to keep myself safe? Whoever did this to me might be someone I know.”

He sat up. “I wanted to talk to you about getting a concealed carry permit.”

“You want me to carry a gun?”

“And look into getting an alarm.”

She let out a snort. “I don’t even know if I like guns, much less if I’ve ever shot one before.”

“Several shops in the area hold classes. And I can see if I can get a rush put on your concealed carry license paperwork.”

“You think he’ll try again.”

He sounded like he was trying to pick his words carefully. “I’m saying that I think you should take every precaution you can. Including being proactive with your personal safety.”

“Do you think he’ll come after my friends? Or Rob?”

Thomas didn’t answer at first. She was getting ready to ask the question again when he sat back in his chair. “I interviewed several of your friends last night. Ones that Rob said are the closest to you and him. I would suspect the men can handle themselves.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“I have no idea what might happen simply because we don’t know who did this or what connection they have to you, or what knowledge they have about you or your friends. I strongly suggest taking whatever steps you can to protect your privacy, though.”

“I didn’t before this?”

“I didn’t say that. Rob indicated you were pretty savvy in that regard and didn’t share a lot of personal information online.”

Shayla returned. Laura didn’t miss how she glanced at the detective before looking away and taking another chair on the far side of the room.

Laura looked at her. “He says I should start carrying a gun.”

She thought Shayla was going to choke on her coffee. “What?”

“Is that something I used to do?”

Shayla looked quickly back and forth between Laura and the detective. She had to ask it. “What are you not telling me, Shayla?”

Thomas spoke up. “Mrs. Daniels was there last night when I talked with everyone. I met with them at her house.”

Shayla looked relieved not to have to be the one to admit it.

Laura sat up in bed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

Laura choked back her anger, not sure if it was even justified or not. “Well? What else should I know?”

“It’s not a bad idea,” Shayla quietly said. “I think Rob does have a gun. I don’t remember you talking about shooting, but you aren’t anti-gun as far as I know. And,” she quickly added, “Clarisse said Sully taught her how to shoot. I’m sure he’d be willing to take you shooting and teach you. He’s a retired cop.”

A wave of exhaustion flowed through Laura. It felt like there were a million things she should know, beyond who attacked her, and the thought of relearning them overwhelmed her. She slumped back against her bed. “Whatever,” she quietly said. “If Rob says it’s okay, I’ll do it.”

Thomas stood and stepped closer, giving her hand a paternal squeeze. “I know this isn’t easy—”

“That is the fucking understatement of the year.”

He tried again. “Look, I know you don’t know me. But the people I talked to last night, it’s obvious how they feel about you. To a person they love you very much. Anyone would be lucky to have a fraction of that many people concerned about them. They’re worried about you, and they want to do anything they can to help. They’re just waiting for Rob to tell them it’s okay to step forward.”

She looked up at him. “So give me your professional opinion as a cop.” She glanced at Shayla before focusing on him again. “What’d they think about Rob?”

He offered her a kindly smile. “They all agreed he’d die for you. And I suspect they’d all step forward to alibi him if your attacker turns up murdered.”

Shayla let out a snort. “Screw that,” she muttered. “We’d help him bury the fucker’s body.”

Laura started out laughing, but it immediately turned into more tears. She hated that, hated not being in control of her emotions on top of everything else.

Thomas chose that moment to take his leave as Shayla stepped forward to put her arms around Laura and console her.

“I hate this,” she tearfully sobbed against her friend’s shoulder. “I hate all of this. I want my life back.”

“It’ll happen,” she said. “We’ll get you there. He’s right, there are two things you don’t need to question. Rob loves you, and we all love you.”

“I keep hoping someone’s going to just pinch me and wake me up from this nightmare.”

Shayla kissed her forehead. “Believe me, if we could fix this for you, we would. In a heartbeat.”

* * *

After leaving the hospital, Thomas headed back to Englewood to talk to the neighbor, Tom Edwards. Fortunately the man was home, even though his wife was out.

“I’d like to run through your statement with you again.”

He didn’t miss the caution in the man’s face. “All right.”

“Why didn’t you head next door immediately when you heard the first noises?”

“Because…” His shoulders slumped a little. “I didn’t think much of it.”

He needed to play his hand. “Mr. Edwards, I’m aware of extenuating circumstances regarding Laura Spaulding and Rob Carlton’s relationship. That is not a factor in my investigation. Would you like to restate, unofficially and off the record, what happened?”

Relief filled the man’s face. “Let me tell you something, before I say anything else. We’ve had them over for dinner, and been to their place for dinner, several times. They’re a sweet couple. I know Rob would not hurt her if his life depended on it.”

“We have completely eliminated him as a suspect, Mr. Edwards.”

The man nodded. “I heard the door slam, but it was the screaming that got my attention. She never screams. They don’t raise their voices, either one of them. Ever. And it sounded like they were pounding on the walls.”

“But you’ve heard other things?”

“Rob would never hurt—”

“I don’t care if you’ve heard Rob spank her, all right?”

The man drew back a little, but nodded again. “Okay. Just so we’re clear.”

“We’re clear. I’ve already discussed that with Rob. I need to know exactly what you heard and saw.”

“Like I told you that night, his hair was lighter than Rob’s, and I think he was a few inches shorter than Rob. He wasn’t built like him, either. Thinner.”

“Did you hear anything he said to her before the screaming and other noises started?”

“Not clearly. It was the yelling that caught my attention first. Like I told you, they never raise their voices. Well, laughter. I’ve heard that. Playful squeals from her. Never screaming. Never crying like that.”

He shook his head. “I’m not saying they don’t ever disagree with each other. They love to debate things. I’ve seen them go head-to-head at dinner sometimes. But even then, when Rob looks at her, you can see the love in his eyes. Pride. Like he thinks he’s the luckiest son of a bitch in the world to have her.”

Thomas tried to ignore that and the pain of loss it dredged up in his own soul. “And you’ve never seen anyone hanging around who didn’t belong here?”

“No. They have friends over, but I’ve seen them all plenty of times. They’re very friendly.” He rubbed at his chin again. “I’m just glad we got home when we did. We’d been out of town for two weeks and got back home that morning. If we hadn’t been here…” He shook his head. “Our cars were here while we were gone. A friend took us up, and we took an airport limo home.”

Even though he’d left his card before, Thomas handed the man another one. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Edwards.”

“I hope you catch him.”

He glanced over at Laura Spaulding’s door. “So do I.”

It was a little after six when Carol arrived, and Shayla and Laura had already eaten dinner. Shayla had run out and picked up a pizza for them, which they shared with the deputy on duty. Laura watched as Shayla seemed to act wary, maybe even careful around the other woman.

It felt like there was a whole layer of context she was missing out on and didn’t even know how to ask about it. Or if she should ask in front of Carol.

Shayla introduced herself. “Shayla Daniels. We’ve met at Laura’s shop before.”

Recognition crossed the older woman’s face. “Ah, that’s right. Rob said you and your husband actually introduced him to Laura.” She gave Shayla a warm hug and Shayla appeared to marginally relax. “It’s good to see you again.”

Shayla walked over to Laura’s bed and gave her a hug. “Omelet tomorrow morning?”

“Are you sure I’m not imposing?”

Shayla smiled. “It’s not an imposition, believe me. Besides, I have to be at work Monday. So take advantage while you can.”

The thought that she wouldn’t have Shayla there with her on Monday saddened her. “Thank you. Then I will.”

When Shayla left, Laura honestly didn’t know what to do with Carol.

Apparently, Carol felt the same. She nervously straightened cards and flowers on the windowsill and squared up the stack of photo albums. “Did you want to go through the albums again?”