“You should do children’s photography. You’re really talented, and it’s in such big demand from what I’ve heard.”
I doubt anyone in Maple Ridge wants me to take photos of their kids. Not when protesters are chanting for my removal to protect their children.
“You could start with Olivia and Nova,” Katelyn goes on, digging a rusty nail into my sore spot. “And of course Troy too. Nova and Troy are so adorable together. They’re like the perfect family.”
“Katelyn…” The name comes from Kellan on a warning growl as he stalks back to my side.
“I’m just saying that Jess is such a talented photographer. Nothing wrong with that. See y’all around.” She grins like a cat who’s devoured a family of canaries and is picking her teeth with their bones.
She walks off, and I can imagine she’s happily humming a tune. Her mission accomplished. My blood, drawn.
Emily touches my arm, pulling my attention away from Katelyn. “Don’t listen to her, Jess. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
Emily’s right. I should ignore Katelyn. She has caused Troy and me enough trouble. But she also didn’t point out anything I haven’t already thought myself.
I think back to what I overheard Troy’s mother say two months ago, before she decided I wasn’t good enough for her son.“I can’t understand how a mother could ever leave their daughter behind.”
She doesn’t know about Amelia, but I bet she wouldn’t want me in Troy’s life if she did know about my daughter.
Olivia on the other hand…
Joanne has known Olivia forever. She adores Olivia’s little girl. She loves Nova like a granddaughter, no doubt.
Troy wants to one day have children.
I can’t be the woman to give him that. I really wish I could. Olivia could give him all the kids he wants, and I bet Nova would love to have him as her daddy. She would be the luckiest girl alive if that happened.
* * *
After my lunch break,Kellan and Emily escort me and Bailey to the office. A standard white envelope is propped against the door, waiting for me. Same style of envelope as the other day. Same handwriting spelling out my name.
I pick it up and open it, my hands shaking. I’m vaguely aware of Kellan saying something, but it’s like the words are trying to make their way through water. They sound distorted to my ears.
I read the letter:
Savannah,
You murdered your husband and didn’t serve the time like you deserved. Cop killer! Unfaithful bitch!
Die, bitch, die!
Signed,
A concerned citizen
“Fuck.” Kellan snatches the letter from me, touching only the edges of the paper. “Unlock the door, Em.”
She takes the key from me, probably because my hands are too shaky to be of much use. She opens it, and we follow Kellan into the office.
He places the letter on my desk and takes a photo of it and the envelope with his phone. He taps at the screen and lifts the phone to his ear.
“Noah,” he says after a moment. “It’s Kellan. We have a problem. Are you on shift?”
There’s a pause while Noah speaks. Kellan then tells him about the letter and reads it to him. “Okay. I’ll stay here with Jess until you arrive.” He ends the call. “Noah’s on the way. We’re not to touch anything until he and Officer Hunt get here.”
“Don’t call Troy,” I tell Kellan.
Dark eyebrows draw together above bright-blue eyes. “Why not? He’s gonna want to know about this, Jess.”
