Literally Stalked

by Eryn Scott

  “Okay, okay. The two of you are right, as always.” She pulled in a deep breath. “Should we go check if you’ve got power?”

  I cringed and nodded, pulling Hammy into my lap for the short ride. Relief washed over me when we stopped in front of the bookstore, lights shining out into the darkening winter sky like a beacon of hope.

  “Looks like I have to give you up as a houseguest tonight.” Liv pushed her bottom lip out, jokingly—I think.

  “Yeah.” I felt silly that it made me sad too.

  I didn’t have much time to wallow, because I noticed that not only where the lights on, but there were people inside the store.

  “Whoa, it looks like Jess opened up.” My heart calmed as I spotted her behind the counter. “I’d better get in there and help.”

  “I can keep Hammy if you want,” Liv said as I moved to open the door. “Your stuff is still at my place, so I can bring it with me later when I drop her off.” She clasped her hands together in a plea.

  “Sure.” I transferred the dog onto my empty seat as I slid from the car. “See you two later.”

  I didn’t even wait for them to pull away before I bounded into the store, ecstatic to see the power back and so many customers inside. Jess waved me over.

  “I was about to call you,” she said, beaming. “I noticed the power on about an hour ago and opened up, but people started streaming in, and I was too swamped to even let you know.”

  Laughing, I shook my head. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” I sent a silent thank you to Jeffery. Twenty-four hours was on the low end of what he’d promised.

  “I’ve got it from here if you want to go home for dinner,” I told Jess, knowing she usually wanted to be home at this time.

  She shrugged. “Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.” She grabbed her bag and headed home with a wave.

  Thanking her again, I turned to help a couple check out. The next couple of hours were a whirlwind of customers. Liv dropped off Hammy and my bags as my last customer left. Once she was gone, and the sign was turned, I locked the door.

  The good feelings of the day dissipated as I closed up for the night in the eerie silence of the store. The large storefront windows made me feel vulnerable in a way I never had before.

  A shiver wound around me as I stared at the dark skies outside. I was still getting used to being alone, but the feeling I was being watched was undeniable. I wasn’t sure if it was Emerson or Andrea, but I wasn’t alone, and not in the good sense of that phrase.

  14

  Pulling out my phone, I texted Alex to give him the news about the power. A second later, my phone rang.

  “Hey.” I smiled.

  “That’s great news.” He sounded chipper, alert in a way he hadn’t for days.

  “You sound awake.”

  “It may have to do with the three coffees I’ve had since lunch.” He chuckled.

  I wished I felt the same. After my day, I longed to get into pj's and curl into bed.

  “Speaking of being awake,” Alex said. “I’m leaving the station. Want to watch a movie or something? I miss you. I’m sorry things have been off with us lately.”

  My heart ached in that wonderful way that makes me understand the expression love so much it hurts. How could I say no to that?

  “I’m sorry too. What movie did you have in mind?”

  He cleared his throat. “I was considering this film called Jane Eyre. You heard of it?”

  “Sounds vaguely familiar.” I chuckled.

  “I finished reading the book, and I’m dying to see how Michael Fassbender does playing the iconic Mr. Rochester.”

  Schedule willing, Alex often read a few of the books I was assigned each quarter. Between all the Brontës, he’d chosen Charlotte’s most famous work. “Okay,” I said, “but if we’re watching a movie, I need to tidy up. Let yourself in when you get here.”

  There was a distinct smile in his tone. “See you in a few.”

  Hammy and I jogged up the back steps, and I pulled out my keys, hoping the apartment would be warm enough after a whole day without power. When I pushed open the door, there was a hint of chill hanging in the air, but it wasn’t too bad.

  The lights were all off, though, and it was pitch black aside from the full moon shining in through the window. I stumbled to my right to hit the light switch.

  As light filled the room, my happy heart dropped to my stomach. Another envelope sat on the floor just inside the door. With shaky hands, I picked it up.

  Same cream card stock. Typewritten message. Same broken e.

  Honest people don’t hide their deeds. Does Alex know where you were today?

  The walls seemed to close in on me. Had Andrea followed me up to Woodcrest? Or had it been Emerson all along, and now he was threatening me after I’d gotten too close? With our stop by the coffee shop, Emerson would’ve had time to come here before I got home.

  Hammy barked and disappeared down the stairs. The front door closed, and Alex called out a greeting.

  My heart hammered in my chest, making me woozy. I wanted to show it to him, but if I did, he would ask where I’d been today…

  Hammy’s nails clicked on the wooden stairs. Alex would be right behind her. Unsure what else to do, I lunged for the door and shoved it closed as Hammy slipped inside. Alex’s boots announced his ascent. I flipped the lock and stared down at the note in my hand.

  I had to hide it.

  Diving forward, I smashed it in between my mattress and box spring, refluffing my duvet. Alex’s footsteps stopped outside the door, and there was a pause before he knocked.

  “Everything okay in there?”

  “Yeah,” I called. “Just—uh—cleaning up.” I scanned the apartment. There were clothes strewn on my bed and a few dishes in the sink.

  “Almost done,” I said as I gathered the clothes, figuring that would make it appear as if I’d cleaned a little. I shoved them into my armoire at the other end of the room.

  Running, even that little bit, had me panting more than I liked. I dragged myself over to the door and flipped the lock. Alex looked delicious standing on the other side in his uniform, and I barely resisted pulling him inside by his collar.

  He stepped forward and pulled me into a kiss that made me forget all about our difficulties lately. It also made me appreciate Wuthering Heights a little more because in that moment, whatever our souls were made of, his and mine were the same.

  Alas, my moment of bliss was short lived. After looking into my eyes for a dreamy second, Alex walked the perimeter of the room. He opened the bathroom door, peeked inside, glanced behind my remaining unpacked boxes, and even lifted my grandmother’s quilt from where I’d hung it on the wall. My heart froze.

  Did he know about the new note? I eyed the bed.

  “Whatcha looking for?” I asked, fear prickling the edges of my question.

  Alex turned back toward me. “Oh, just making sure the door wasn’t locked because you’re hiding an insane husband up here in the attic.” His playful grin made all my worries disappear.

  “Ha ha.” I rolled my eyes.

  After taking off his shoes, he settled onto the couch and patted the cushion next to him. Before I could even move, Hammy raced over and jumped up. She settled into a ball, cuddled up to him.

  We burst out laughing.

  “She’s like Heathcliff-level obsessed with you.” I eyed my dog and sat on the other side of him.

  “I tend to have that affect on women.” He winked at me.

  Shaking my head, I said, “You really are in a good mood tonight. Are you sure it’s only the coffee?”

  Alex rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “Actually, we’re got some news tonight about one of our suspects, and I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t come as a huge relief.” He took my hand in his and squeezed tight.

  Relieved because he won’t have to worry as much about me, I realized. Which meant it had to be about Andrea.

  “Omigosh, you f
ound evidence that can put her away?” I asked, blurting out the question before I could remind myself I wasn’t supposed to be involved.

  “Her?” Alex narrowed his gaze at me.

  I cleared my throat. “Um…” After a second of trying to think of a way out, I decided I was too tired to lie. “Andrea, of course.” I flopped my hands into my lap. “I know I’m supposed to be staying safe, but she’s in my class, Alex. And she said all those creepy things the other day about how you work so late and so does your dad. It got me worried.”

  “I’m sorry.” He cupped a hand around my chin, making me look him in the eyes. “You don’t have to worry anymore. We found evidence she’s innocent. We’re waiting for our witness to corroborate the alibi.”

  “Innocent?” My face was a corrugated mess of confusion. “But you said she was stalking Cole, and she’s definitely stalking you. She’s got to be the one who left the threatening note.” I was careful to use the singular version of the noun, leaving out the most recent addition to my typewritten collection.

  Nothing else made sense. Except, my thoughts prodded, pulling up the events of today, Emerson could’ve easily left you the note, especially after his outburst today.

  “We have a witness who says they saw her on campus at the time of the murder. We’re waiting for her sister to come in and answer a few questions to make sure it’s viable.” He shrugged.

  “Sister?” He and the officers had more scruples than to trust a sister. “I would do anything for Maggie and vice versa. How can you believe what her sister says?”

  Alex dipped his chin in consent. “We’re not. She also has physical proof of where her sister was that night. Which is why we’re bringing her in for more questioning. We’re waiting for her to drive in from the city tomorrow.”

  “Wait. The city? Then how does she have proof Andrea was on campus?”

  “Andrea sent her a video message, like she always does on Fridays.” Seeing I wasn’t satisfied with the vague answers he was giving, he scooted to face me. “Look, I don’t think we have to worry about her lying for Andrea. These two are nothing like you and Maggie, or any other sisters I’ve ever seen. Andrea’s sister seems to hate her.”

  I grimaced. “And you’re sure it’s not all an act to get her out of trouble?”

  “Let’s just say that Jenna was Andrea’s alibi from the beginning, but it took her a few days to call us back. Mostly because she liked the sound of Andrea going to jail too much, that she contemplated not returning our call—her words. She ended up caving after a few days once she realized Andrea in jail would also mean a killer would go free.”

  “But if Andrea’s chatting with her sister once a week, she’s obviously not mad at her.”

  “From what I've gathered, it sounds as if Andrea did something pretty unforgivable to Jenna. She sends her video messages because she hopes it’s harder to avoid her when she can see her face, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Jenna said Andrea’s been sending one every Friday since this incident to apologize, but she hasn’t responded yet.”

  “Whatever Andrea did must’ve been awful, then.” Sighing out my worries, I didn’t expect the amount of weight that lifted off my shoulders at the idea. “Innocent,” I said with a smile.

  As much as I disliked Andrea, I didn’t want her to be a murderer.

  “And with her off the list, I’ll feel a lot better whenever you’re in class together.” Alex grabbed the remote with his free hand—a subtle signal he was done talking about the case.

  “Wait, but if Andrea’s off your list, who are you looking into?” I asked, not about to let him off the hook that easily.

  He shrugged. “Like you said. Emerson is the only one who makes sense at this point. We still don’t have enough to convict him, but we’re getting there. I promise.” He wrapped an arm around me. “I’ve got this, Peps.”

  Okay with that, I snuggled closer to him. We lost ourselves in the movie. I threaded my fingers with Alex’s as Jane told Rochester, “Wherever you are is my home—my only home.” Alex kissed my forehead.

  And while I loved watching Jane finally return to Thornfield Hall, the burnt remains of her former home reminded me that things could change for the worse at any moment. We needed to talk about a few things. The first being the note I was hiding under my mattress. The second being his reaction to my moving in together comment the other morning.

  I paused the movie and turned toward him.

  He cocked an eyebrow. “What’s up?”

  “Earlier, when I locked you out, it wasn’t because I was tidying up.”

  Alex smirked. “Wait, so you are hiding a husband in the attic?”

  Unable to laugh at the joke, I shook my head. “Not a husband. Another note.”

  His forehead creased in question. “Why didn’t you show me? Is it bad?”

  I pulled in a deep breath. “Not anymore threatening than the last two.” Padding over to the bed, I located it between my mattress and box spring, then brought it back. “Here.”

  Alex pored over the note. His mouth pressed into a hard line. “Where were you today?”

  Forcing my gaze up so I could meet his eyes, I said, “Up at Woodcrest with Liv, questioning Emerson.”

  His expression fell. “Peps, you said you were going to stay out of this.”

  I scooted closer. “I only promised that I would stay safe, which I have, but that was before you started getting threats. Someone had killed Cole, and they threatened to do the same to you. I can’t stand by and watch.”

  “You can’t trust me enough to let me do my job, is more like it.” He stood, running a hand through his hair.

  “That’s not it.”

  I got up and followed him as he paced near the kitchen. Hammy pranced around his feet, grossly misreading his movement as the possibility of us going on a walk together.

  “I know these people. I thought I could help. But I knew you wouldn’t approve, so that’s why I kept it a secret.” My pleading tone did nothing to soften his tight features.

  “None of that justifies you keeping this from me. It’s not that I don’t think you could help; it’s that I don’t want you involved. I don’t want you to get hurt.” He stopped pacing to face me.

  “Just like I don’t want you to get hurt.” I pushed back my shoulders. “I’m sorry you’re upset, but I’m not going to stay out of it. I can help.”

  Alex exhaled a dry laugh. “Great apology.” He shook his head. “Do what you want, I guess. You do anyway.”

  And with that, he turned and left. The apartment door slammed shut, and moments later, the store door did the same.

  I collapsed onto the couch, my chest tight. Frustrated tears sprang to the corners of my eyes. The way Alex was reacting to me lately was so far from normal. Sure, he’d gotten upset with me for getting involved in cases before, but getting so angry before storming out wasn’t his style. And we hadn’t even gotten to talk about my comment the other morning. Grabbing my phone, I considered calling him.

  But I didn’t know what to say. I should apologize, but it felt wrong when I wasn't sorry. I felt just as protective of him as he did about me. And I wasn’t the one being threatened.

  Putting down my phone, I thought about the case to keep my mind off what had happened with Alex.

  If Andrea wasn’t the one leaving the threatening notes, Emerson was my only suspect left. He’d made it quite clear today he wasn’t going to talk. I needed to find out another way to get my information.

  The movie was still paused. It was only a matter of minutes before Jane and Edward reunite. My aching heart couldn’t handle seeing that after my fight with Alex. I moved to stop it, but in my blurry vision, hit the play button.

  At that moment Jane found Mrs. Fairfax in the burnt ruins of the mansion. The woman told her everything she needed to know about the fire, Bertha Mason’s fall to her death, and Mr. Rochester’s heroics. And even though it would’ve usually bugged me how far this scene strayed from the original sto
ry—the person who actually divulged this information to Jane was the owner of the local pub—at that moment, I didn’t care.

  Because my answer was right on the screen. I stopped the movie.

  In each of the Brontë sisters’ books, the servants are the ones with the real stories. Nelly was Mr. Lockwood’s source of gossip about the Earnshaws and Lintons in Wuthering Heights. And the movie version of Mrs. Fairfax had been ready to give Jane the information she needed to reunite with her true love, Rochester.

  Whether Alex liked it or not, if I wanted to find out the real reason someone had murdered Cole, I didn’t need to talk to the people who owned Woodcrest Manor, but the ones who worked there.

  15

  The next day, I didn’t have any classes until the afternoon, and Jess was set to open the store. With my realization last night, I jumped at the chance to go poking around Woodcrest again.

  The only problem was that Liv had to work, so she wasn't available to give me a ride.

  I’d survived for a year post undergrad without a car so far; almost everything was so close living downtown. But I was realizing that almost was becoming more and more of an issue.

  The ache in my chest only spread, until my whole body felt like it was affected by my fight with Alex last night. But even if I was angry with him, I still couldn’t bear the prospect of anything happening to him.

  So I’d gone to Maggie, entreating her to borrow her wheels for the morning.

  “For what?” Maggie put a hand on her hip, pausing from washing up breakfast dishes.

  My sister and I may have been total opposites in a lot of ways—like how she kept her house immaculate and two kids fed and happy while I couldn’t even remember to pay my power bill—but, as Alex mentioned, we also had a bond like no other. I knew she’d see right through any story, so I told the truth.

  Letting Hammy off her leash so she could play with Hudson, my two-year-old nephew, I spilled the whole predicament to Maggie.

  Her eyes widened as I finished. “Whoa, Peps. Threats? This is scary.”