Chapter 28 – Philip
We use the weekend as a time to recharge. Poor Haley’s been through the wringer, and I can understand her desire for some quiet downtime. We decide not to go anywhere. We stay in, watch movies, and Saturday evening Mateo runs out for pizza.
When Sunday evening comes around, Haley gets comfortable on my bed and cracks open her political science textbook. I’m reading a Stephen King novel.
I glance over at Haley’s book—Political Science in the Modern Era. Frankly, that sounds really boring. “So, a double major in history and political science?”
She nods. “I thought that would be a good basis for law school.”
“Makes sense.” I still think it’s boring.
We hear a knock on the bedroom door.
“Come in,” I say.
Charlie opens the door just enough to pop her head in. “Mateo and I are turning in for the night. The house is secured. Call if you need anything.”
“Roger that,” I reply, saluting her.
Charlie shakes her head. “You two are adorable, like two peas in a pod.”
When Charlie leaves, I lay my book aside to talk to Haley. “How about you play hooky tomorrow?”
“What? Why?” She reacts like I just suggested she run naked through the streets.
“Because tomorrow evening is the sting operation. It might be a good idea for you to avoid campus until after this is over.”
She starts chewing on her lower lip, a clear sign she’s not happy with the idea. “I don’t want to skip classes tomorrow. I’ll get behind.”
“But it’s just one day.”
“I never miss class. This will all be over tomorrow evening, right? I only have to make it through one more day.”
“Assuming the stalker shows. He might not. He might get cold feet.”
She sighs. “I just want this over with.”
“I know, babe.”
She sets her textbook on the nightstand beside her, switches off her light, and lies down. “I’m tired.”
I think she’s more anxious than tired. I switch off my light as well and settle in beside her. “Don’t worry.” I roll to face her and brush back her hair. “We’ll get this guy.”
“What if something goes wrong?”
“If there’s a problem, we’ll deal with it.
That restaurant will be filled with our people, plus Bauer and local police.
You have nothing to worry about. Charlie and Mateo will be hovering around your table.
Your dad and Jake will be there, as well as some additional McIntyre Security assets.
You’ll be wearing a wire and an ear piece so we’ll be able to record everything you and the stalker say.
Your job is to get him to acknowledge he’s the stalker.
Once we have that admission on audio, the officers can swoop in and arrest him. ”
She’s so still, so quiet. I hate that she’s worried about tomorrow.
“And I’ll be close by in the kitchen,” I say as I cup her face and turn it to mine.
She nods. “I just want my normal life back.”
I lean in to kiss her, and then I pull her close. She feels so small and fragile in my arms. It infuriates me that this asshole is preying on her. “It’ll be over soon, I promise.”
* * *
Breakfast turns into a strategy meeting. The four of us are seated at the kitchen table eating pancakes and sausage.
My phone, along with Charlie’s and Mateo’s, beeps to alert us that someone’s at the back gate.
Mateo checks the camera view. “Jake and Mack are here,” he says as he pushes a button to open the gate remotely and watch them drive through. He gets up from the table to meet them at the back door. “Good morning, gentleman.”
Haley goes to hug her dad, who insisted on coming to the meeting this morning. I don’t blame him. He’s worried about his daughter.
Mack wraps Haley in his arms. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m good,” she says. “A bit nervous, but otherwise I’m okay.”
“Are you ready for this evening?”
She shrugs. “Do I have a choice?”
Mack doesn’t laugh or even smile. It’s obvious he hates that Haley is going through something like this. Instead, he tightens his hold on her. “I’ll be there tonight, sweetheart, seated as close to you as possible, certainly not more than an arm’s length away. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Help yourselves to coffee, guys,” Charlie says as she points to the coffeemaker on the counter behind us.
Jake pours himself a cup and takes a sip. Leaning against the island, he says, “Shane has made all of the arrangements with the restaurant’s owners and the local police. We’re on for six o’clock this evening. We want everyone there and in place by five-thirty. Any more word from the stalker?”
Everyone looks at Haley. “Nothing new,” she says.
* * *
“I wonder what the penalty is for stalking in Illinois?” Haley murmurs aloud as she gets on her phone to do a quick search.
We’re on our way to campus.
“It’s a class four felony,” she says. “One to three years, or a twenty-five thousand dollar fine.” She frowns.
“That hardly seems like an adequate punishment for making someone’s life miserable and threatening them.
The jail time goes up if it’s a second offense.
” She looks over at me. “He could be out in a year, and that’s if he even gets jail time.
The judge could fine him instead. And all this depends on if he’s convicted. ”
“Hopefully if we get a confession on audio, a conviction will be guaranteed. Maybe he’ll get the maximum sentence. We’ll make sure you get a good attorney. Shane’s got an attorney on retainer.”
“You mean Troy Spencer?”
“You know Troy?”
She nods. “My parents are good friends with him.”
* * *
We arrive on campus at a quarter ’til nine, park in the student lot, and walk to Haley’s first class. This is her chemistry lecture class, so I’m on alert.
My money is on the stalker being in one of her chemistry classes.
I hand Haley her backpack as she’s about to enter the lecture hall. “I’ll be here in the back. Don’t forget your safeword.”
She smiles. “Dandelion. How could I forget?”
“If you see anything unusual, text me.”
When her lecture class ends, she walks to the back of the room accompanied by her friends Andrea and Christian. Andrea seems to be peppering Haley with questions.
“It’s only temporary,” I hear Haley say to Andrea. They must be discussing the fact Haley has moved out of her dorm.
“But why?” Andrea asks. “What happened?”
“I’ve got to run now,” Haley says as she joins me at the back of the room. “I’ll see you guys in lab, okay?”
“Okay,” Andrea says. Reluctantly, she turns away, and Christian follows her.
I relieve Haley of her backpack and open the door. “What was that all about?”
“She wanted to know why I moved out of the dorm.”
Just as we step outside the building, Mark Hoffman runs up behind us.
“Haley, wait!”
She ignores him and keeps walking toward her next class.
“Haley!” He jogs after her. “Will you wait a minute?”
When he catches up to her, I step between them, creating a buffer zone.
“I’ve got to get to class,” she says, not bothering to look at him as she charges ahead.
Mark stops in his tracks and yells, “What’s he doing here? He’s not a student. He’s trespassing, Haley! I’m going to report him to campus police.”
“You do that,” Haley calls back as she continues to the liberal arts building. “One to three years,” Haley mutters to herself. “I hope he gets the maximum sentence.”
I have a gut feeling Mark isn’t our culprit. He’s way too visible to be a stalker. “It might not be Mark,” I remind her. “He might just be an ass.”
“He should go to jail on principle alone.”
* * *
Her next class is history, with her friends. Hopefully she’ll be able to relax a bit in here. Jasmine will be beside her, as good a protector as any. Plus, Jason will be in the room, too.
I feel a bit at a disadvantage as I’m not carrying my gun. I couldn’t even bring one with me and leave it in the truck, because technically that would be on campus, and that would violate the law.
Jason and I sit in the back and converse via text messages while the professor plays some clips from a documentary.
Jason – How’s she holding up?
Me – As well as can be expected. She’s anxious. I hope we get the guy tonight.
Jason – If you need more manpower, I’d be happy to volunteer.
Me – I think we have all the people we need. Plus, local police will be there.
Jason – Good luck. I hope it goes to plan and you catch this asshole.
* * *
After history class, the five of us go to the cafeteria for lunch. I’m not surprised when Haley just picks at her food. She has no appetite. She keeps checking the time as if she’s counting the hours until six o’clock.
When it’s time for her last class of the day—that chemistry lab—we head over to the sciences building.
Haley’s anxiety must be catching, because as we approach her classroom, I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Is the stalker watching us right now? I glance around but don’t see anyone looking our way.
Part of me wishes he’d make some kind of move here and now because then I’d be justified in dealing with him myself. I would love to get my hands on this guy.