Ruiz cleared his throat again. “The psychiatrist is concerned about how intensely Ms. Speakman is fixated on you. He’s worried that while no overt threats have been made, she may still try to harm you.”
My jaw fell open just slightly. “Hurt me?”
“Yes, sir.”
I stood and began pacing. “But she’s only ever threatened to hurt herself.”And succeeded, I thought.
“The doctor is concerned that the signs are there. Do you have security with you?”
I wanted to let out a laugh at the idea of towing a security team behind me in Sutter Lake. “I don’t. But it’s not necessary where I am. You saw how hard it was to even locate my phone number, and you’re law enforcement.”
“I think this is a situation where the extra precaution might be worth it.”
I slid open the door to the back deck, cool air washing over me. I leaned against the railing. “I’m telling you, no one is going to find me where I’m at.”
I thought of how respectful the townspeople had been. Sure, some had asked for photos or an autograph, but nothing had shown up online. I was sure a big part of that had to do with Taylor’s boyfriend, Walker, being the deputy chief of police. I knew he’d put out a quiet but strong word that I’d come here for some peace and quiet, and that if the press descended, I’d be forced to leave.
My little respite from the real world had remained intact, and I was incredibly grateful.
Detective Ruiz’s voice brought me back to the moment. “I can’t force you, but please save this number. It’s my cell. You can reach me anytime. I’ll keep you updated if anything changes.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate you calling and keeping an eye on things. I just hope she gets help.”
More shuffling of papers sounded over the line. “I do, too. I’ll be in touch.” And with that, the line went dead.
I stared out at the sun hanging low in the sky. My shoulders felt as though they carried a thousand pounds—the weight of responsibility. There was nothing I could do. I couldn’t seem to give my label the record it wanted, and I couldn’t give this young woman whatever it was she needed.
I was drowning in unmet expectations. I needed a change of scenery. Maybe I’d go into town and grab some food. Explore. Get my mind off the shitstorm that was my life at the moment. I strode back inside and grabbed my keys.
* * *
I parkedmy SUV at the edge of town, wanting the opportunity to walk, explore, and find a distraction for my brain that was currently obsessing over the things that I could do nothing about. The mountain air was crisp as the sun started to set, and the wind rustled the aspen leaves overhead. A few people milled about on the street, but not many. The town was closing up for the day. Maybe this hadn’t been the right place to find a distraction. I should’ve called Taylor, invited myself over to her and Walker’s house. They would’ve obliged without a second thought.
My steps faltered as I passed the closed Tea Kettle, my eyes catching on a bent head of dark hair. Tessa sat at one of the tables on the front porch, hunched over what looked like a pad of paper, furiously scribbling. My mind ran through scenarios. Was she a writer? A musician like me? One unencumbered by writer’s block?
Before I could think better of it, my feet carried me closer. Each step up the path brought the picture into clearer focus. Her pale fingers held a dark piece of something and were smudged black from gripping it. The stick of dark material skated across the page in bursts of speed alternated with moments of stillness. In those moments of pause, her brow would furrow before she attacked the page again.
I paused in my progression to study Tessa’s face. I grinned as I saw a smudge of black across her cheek, and found myself wanting to reach out to wipe it away. I frowned, remembering her reaction to my touch the last go-around.
I took another step forward, clearing my throat. Tessa jumped in her seat, gripping the drawing implement in her hand so tightly, it broke in two. “I’m sorry—” I started. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” I cursed under my breath. “I’m making a hell of a first impression, knocking into you and then startling you when you’re clearly in the zone.”
Tessa visibly swallowed. “It’s okay, I just didn’t hear you.” Her eyes traveled the expanse of the street, and her body, strung tight, seemed to relax a fraction when she spotted a couple walking down the sidewalk.
“I guess those ninja skills I’ve been working on have a downside.”
A small smile tipped the corners of her lips up, but it seemed forced. She said nothing.
I grappled to fill the silence. “I was just walking to find some dinner and saw you sitting here. I wanted to apologize for the other day. I don’t make a habit of crashing into beautiful women if I can avoid it.”
The wordsbeautiful womenmade the small smile and the ease of her muscles disappear. She stood, gathering up her tools. “It’s really fine. No big deal.” Her words were cool. While the language was casual, the tone was forced formality.
I couldn’t explain why, but I didn’t want her to leave. “So, what are you working on?”
Tessa’s eyes narrowed and searched my face as if looking for ulterior motives. “Nothing.” She opened a tin and placed the broken piece of what looked like charcoal inside.
I was running out of time. “Didn’t look like nothing.”
She shoved the tin and her notebook into a bag. “Just messing around.” She slung the bag over her shoulder. “I really need to be going. Have a good night.” She turned and headed inside, locking the door behind her.
