“YOU DON’T HAVE to tell me that. I already know.” Jake paced on the tour bus as he spoke to Gina on his cell.
“I’m just telling you that she’s going to be pissed. If I were her, I’d break up with you.”
“Thanks, Gina. That’s great to hear. You’re very encouraging. All I’m asking is that when you speak to her, don’t say a word about what’s going on.”
Gina let out a huge sigh. “I’m not going to lie to her. Why do you think I’m avoiding calling her back? If she asks me then I’m going to tell her.”
Jake moaned in utter frustration. “I want to be the one to tell her. If you can’t control yourself, then don’t call her back. I’m just trying to keep her safe.”
“Calm down. I know you care about her. If it makes you feel better, I won’t talk to her. But you’d better tell her soon. If that pervert who touched me ever got out, I would hope you wouldn’t keep it from me. It would kill me.”
Jake skimmed his hand through his hair as he leaned on the wall. “He will NEVER get out. He’s serving twenty-five years for molesting you and two other girls. He’ll be seventy before he’s eligible for parole. If Peter lived in Chicago, I would tell her. Right now, I’m having him followed constantly. I’m hoping he’ll screw up and I’ll be able to put him away before I tell her. I just don’t want her to be afraid.”
“I know your heart’s in the right place, Jakie. Just be smart about this. She’s perceptive and she knows you. There’s no doubt in my mind that she can already tell there’s more going on.” Gina paused, and Jake heard a voice in the background. “I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you, big bro.”
“Love you, too. Bye.”
Jake stretched before walking into the bathroom and starting the shower. He hadn’t slept well last night, and all the crap he was getting from the women in his life about not telling Madi was starting to take its toll on him. Deep down, he knew everyone was right. As he showered, he thought back to all the threatening letters he had received during the weeks leading up to the attack. He should have been able to tell how serious they were. When he felt the twinge of discomfort, he should have followed his gut. He swore to himself that he would trust his instincts from now on.
He walked from the bus into the arena in Arizona. Caleb led him into the conference room where Dave sat with furrowed brows, wringing his hands.
“You obviously have something to tell me,” Jake said as he sat down and folded his arms.
Dave scowled. “The letters? The threatening fan mail? Most of it was typed on a computer. There’s no way to analyze where it came from. The handwriting analysis on the two that were written came up with only slight similarities to the sample we have from Peter Markum. Not enough to pursue this with him.”
Jake shook his head with disgust and noticed Caleb shifting uncomfortably in his chair. “What is it, Caleb? What’s got you so uneasy?”
Caleb’s eyes darted up to Jake’s. “I hate this, Jake. I hate that this guy was able to get in here. I’m glad you’ve got Rob handling our security. When will we meet with him?”
“When we’re in L.A. He’s going to meet us in the office before Trey’s party.”
“Good. Until then, although I know it’s difficult, you need to focus on giving the best concert possible.”
“Don’t I always?” Jake questioned, brows furrowed.
Caleb nodded, but Jake sensed a worry in him he’d not seen before. This whole situation was starting to take its toll on everyone.
***
