Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Matt
After a quick stop at my apartment to gather the gifts, I drove to the nearest police station. I took a deep breath, opened the door, and walked up to the counter, where an officer was just hanging up the phone.
“How can I help you?” the woman asked with a warm smile.
“Hi, yes, my name is Matthew York, and I was hoping to file a report about someone sending me inappropriate gifts and stalking.”
The officer didn’t act surprised; I imagined she’d seen all sorts of things.
“Okay, if you have a seat, I’ll have someone come out and get you in a few minutes.”
“Thanks.”
The station wasn’t too busy. There were a couple of people on the benches waiting, so I was optimistic I’d be taken back shortly.
“Mr. York?” I lifted my head at the sound of my name and saw a uniformed police officer by the door.
“Hi, yes.” I stood, pushed back the strap of my messenger bag on my shoulder and walked over.
“I’m Officer Mendez. If you’ll follow me, we can talk at my desk.”
I’d never been inside a police station before, and it was cooler than I’d thought it would be…likely because I didn’t lead an exciting life. When Officer Mendez gestured to the chair by his desk, I sat.
“So tell me…what brings you here today, Mr. York?”
“Well, this may be strange, and I understand there’s likely very little you’ll be able to do, but I’d feel better if there’s at least a report written up about it.”
“I hear a lot of strange things. Tell me.” He chuckled, and it put me at ease a little.
I opened my bag and took out the presents. “For about a month—I actually can’t be sure the exact amount of time because I wasn’t living at my apartment—I’ve been receiving these gifts.” I went on to explain that I was living with a client at the time and that my landlord had intercepted them and what each item signified to me. I didn’t have the flowers anymore, and I didn’t think to photograph them, but I did inform him about them, what they looked like, and what Nicole had told me about their significance. Then I told him about the letter on my car, and how for the last week it had felt as if someone had been watching me.
“I can absolutely understand how all of this could be jarring. The nightwear, pictures, and certainly the note.”
“I installed a Ring camera after this happened and haven’t received anything since.”
He nodded as he typed into his computer. “Likely they saw it at some point, trying to deliver something, and it scared them off.” He motioned to the note. “So, they resorted to following you and leaving that.”
“I suppose. I just feel really uncomfortable.”
He finished typing and turned to me. “It would upset anyone to know they’ve been followed, photographed, and while nothing here is threatening, it feels like a violation.”
“Yes!” I smiled. “That’s exactly how I’m feeling.” I was so glad I’d come to the police. I shouldn’t have doubted they wouldn’t do anything.
“Unfortunately, we have no suspect, nothing more than gifts, and nothing further in a week. It’s so little to go on.”
With that, my bubble burst. “Is there nothing to be done?”
“We’re understaffed and overworked. I can see if I can get patrols to drive around your building a few times a day. Is there anyone who you could think would do something like this?”
A cop driving by maybe three times a day, that was it? “Uh, no. I thought my ex, but he didn’t give me gifts even when we were together, and when I confronted him he thought I was nuts.”
“Doesn’t mean it wasn’t him. The best way to convince someone it isn’t them is to deny and act like it’s business as usual.”
Well, this trip had gone from elation to depression fast. “That’s a sobering thought.”
“Look, I will write up this report and talk to the patrols, but the best thing I can tell you is to be vigilant and stay smart. Don’t approach anyone you think it could be, and if anything escalates, come see me.”
“Thank you, Officer Mendez.”
“Sit tight, I’m going to take pictures of all you’ve brought here today.” He gathered everything and took it into a room.
I sat and waited. The station was very nice. I wasn’t sure if all of them were like this, but it wasn’t so bad if you weren’t being dragged in in cuffs, I guessed.
“Okay, Mr. York, we’re all done here.” He handed me the items. “Here’s my card. Please, call if anything further happens, and I will see about assigning patrol officers to drive by your building.”
I wasn’t getting any more than that, so I thanked him and went back to my car and drove home.
“Elevator’s working,” Nicole announced as I reached my floor.
“Oh, good to know. I didn’t even try.”
“You seem exhausted; did you eat? James is working late, so I have leftover lasagna.”
I smiled as I slipped my key in my lock. “Thanks, Nicole, but I’m fine. I appreciate it.”
She shrugged. “No problem. It’s hard when you’re all alone. Home cooked meals are few and far between.”
Nodding, I opened the door and stepped through. “I’m okay, Nicole, really. Have a nice night.”
I closed the door and slumped against it. I wanted a shower, my leftover Chinese, and to wrap myself in a blanket and watch some television.
So that was what I did.
Saturday I cleaned. I didn’t leave my apartment, and it was glorious. Inside my home I felt safe, never once worrying that someone was watching me.
Unfortunately, Sunday I needed to go food shopping for the week. I grabbed my keys and made my way to my car. I could have walked since the store was only five blocks away, but it was a gray day and I needed more than I could carry on my own.
As I reached my vehicle, I froze. On the windshield was a note under my wiper. I hoped it was some coupon for a car wash or whatnot, but my gut told me it wasn’t.
I sighed and gently pulled it out from under the wiper. Why are you showing others the gifts I’ve given you? It’s private, don’t do it again.
A chill ran up my spine, and it was as if my throat were swelling. I didn’t know what to do. Whoever was doing this knew I’d gone to the police and shown them everything. Could I call Officer Mendez, or would it anger them?
I took a picture of the note and got into the car quickly, my eyes scanning the area. It took a few minutes to catch my breath and when I was calmer, I started the engine and drove.
On my way, I called the officer and told him what happened.
“As you stated, you felt as if you were being watched, and this does prove it for sure. Can you send me the picture of the note? It’s best not to have you drive to the station.”
“Sure.” I pulled into a parking spot and texted it to him.
“Thank you. Is there somewhere you can stay or maybe have a friend stay with you for a few days while I see if I can make anything of this?”
Nick popped into my head, but no. I worked there; I wasn’t mixing it up.
“Yeah, I can figure that out.”
“Okay, if you choose to stay elsewhere, please send me the address so I can redirect the patrol.”
“Thank you, Officer.”
“Stay safe, Mr. York. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
When I disconnected the call, I didn’t feel better. I should have—they were the police. Why was everything inside me telling me to drive over to the Saints’ house and ask for help? What could a bunch of baker boys even do for me anyway?