Chapter 5
5
E than felt a crazy urge to follow Cate.
To anyone who wasn’t watching her carefully, she might have appeared uninterested and detached.
But he’d seen how she’d pulled in on herself after realizing that they’d all heard her ask Brody if he was spanked. He’d also noticed how she kept looking at Rhodes for reassurance before talking or doing something.
And how she’d practically rushed out of the room with Brody’s T-shirt. Clutching it tightly in her hand as though worried someone might snatch it away. Stone tried to stay focused on what everyone was discussing, but he still kept an ear out for Cate.
Just in case she needed him.
Lord. He was an idiot. Why would she need him?
“So, Rip, you’re good with Seth and Ethan staying here?” Ink asked. “Brody and I will probably leave tomorrow night.”
“Perfect,” Rhodes said. “I appreciate you fitting me in. Kevin wanted a local company to handle this, but I trust you, Ink. And I can’t have just anyone living in my house. And Cate feels better knowing it’s your team here.”
Ink nodded. “We got you, man. You know that.”
“I probably wouldn’t have taken those letters seriously if someone hadn’t tried to break in.”
“I told him those letters were red flags,” Kevin said.
“Yeah, but unfortunately, I didn’t believe it,” Rhodes said with clear regret. “Cate was here alone when the stalker attempted to breach my security. I was away for the weekend with my girlfriend, Samantha. Cate tries to pretend that it didn’t shake her, but I can tell it did.”
“That would be scary for anyone,” Ethan said.
“Do you know how the stalker found out where you live?” Seth asked.
“I think I can answer that.” Brody stood up and carried his laptop over to the table. “I’ve been doing some research into you. There’s a blog devoted to you.”
“There’re several of those,” Kevin scoffed.
“But none quite like this one.” Brody turned his laptop screen around to display the blog. There were several photos of Rhodes, taken from a distance and obviously without his knowledge.
“This site is devoted to discussing sightings, speculation, and just regular gossip about you. But one of the posts includes a photo of your gate outside. It doesn’t list your address, but if someone puts in some time, they could find it.”
“Fuck,” Rhodes said. “I know that site. I’ve tried to get it taken down, but the guy I hired to investigate basically said the person who owns it has hidden themselves well. And the web host won’t take it down.”
Brody frowned, nodding. “I’ll keep diving into it.”
“Can we try to get the photo removed?” Ink asked.
“Yeah, I’m onto that. The good thing is that you have to sign up for the blog to see the images, which limits how many people have seen it.”
Rhodes sighed, running his hand down his face. “Do you think the person who runs this blog could have something to do with these letters?”
“It’s possible,” Ink replied. “How many people know where you live?”
“Probably too many to name right now,” Rhodes said. “But I’ll get onto a list.”
Ink nodded. “We’d also like a list of people who are here regularly.”
“Mainly Kevin, Samantha, and Oliver, who is Cate’s assistant,” Rhodes replied. “He mainly works in the office, but he’ll often meet with her here once or twice a week, depending on what is happening at work. He’s away on vacation this week.”
Ethan nodded.
“I just want this fucker stopped so our lives can go back to relative normalcy. It’s an adjustment for Cate to have people in her space. So, if you could just give her space whenever possible, I would appreciate it. She probably leaves the house once a week at the most. Her assistant usually brings whatever she needs here.”
“You got it,” Seth said.
“Of course,” Ethan replied. “But I’m assuming you’ll also want security for her.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Kevin said dismissively. “No one is interested in Cate.”
Rhodes shot Kevin a quelling look. “Yes, I want security for Cate. She’s the priority.”
“Rip, she can’t be the priority, this person is after you,” Kevin protested.
“And my sister lives with me. She’s here more than I am. If they try to get into the house again, they might hurt her. I can take care of myself. She’s the vulnerable one.”
Kevin pressed his lips together, but it was obvious he wasn’t happy.
“When Cate leaves the house, I want someone with her. Although, as I said before, that doesn’t happen often. If I’m out at night, I also want one of you here with her too.”
“We can do that,” Ethan replied with a nod.
“But just don’t get in her way.”
That . . . he wasn’t so sure about.
He had a feeling it was going to be hard for him to stay away from Ms. Cate Ripley.