Chapter 11 #2
Parker scratched his head, digesting this. “Do you have any reports that she might have left Anchorage and traveled to Shelby?”
“None whatsoever. But that’s not unusual. Unless she did social media posts or made a point out of telling a lot of people, there isn’t any reason anyone would know or think anything of it. She’s not breaking any laws by traveling.”
Parker told Eli what had happened with Genna’s tires, though he also made sure to mention the irate customer.
“Miles Frankin?” Eli asked, his voice thoughtful. “He has that huge summer house in town.”
“That’s him. I’m thinking about going over there and confronting him. If he slashed Genna’s tires, he needs to pay for her new ones.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Eli sounded concerned. “Someone that gets that irate about not catching fish might not appreciate you coming on to his property.”
He had a point.
“Maybe I should go pay him an official visit,” Eli suggested. “Just to hear what he has to say.”
Though Parker itched to confront Miles himself, sending someone who worked in law enforcement packed a much more powerful punch.
“Would you mind doing that?” Parker asked.
“Not at all. I’ll be sure to keep you posted as to what I find out.”
Having her tires ruined felt like that last straw. In the time since her marriage to Chad had ended, Genna had endured countless harassment. She’d finally been able to get some peace after fleeing Anchorage and coming home to Shelby.
And that’s actually what made all this worse. Enjoying a normal life for a few weeks before the tormenting had started up again.
The respite had given her a false sense of security. She’d finally believed she had been able to move on, to rebuild her life, with hopes she could make it a good one.
When Parker came back inside, she walked right over, wrapped her arms around him and held on tightly.
“It’s going to be all right,” he said, his deep voice rumbling through his chest as he hugged her back. “Eli is going to pay Miles Franklin a visit. If it appears for even an instant that Miles is the one who did this, I’ve told Eli that you’re pressing charges.”
“Thanks.” Stepping away, she thought for a moment. “It has to have been him. I’d rather that than have it be my stalker. I don’t like to think of the possibility that he might have found me.”
“I don’t like that, either.” Parker admitted. “But I really think it was Miles. It’s too much of a coincidence that it happened right after his blowup at you at RTA.”
“Either way, it looks like I’m on the hook for new tires. I don’t want to file a claim with my insurance company because, when Ann and Chad were harassing me, I had to file a couple. I don’t want to get canceled.”
“I see your point.”
She considered a moment. “There’s a possibility this is work-related. And maybe not Miles, though I can’t for the life of me think of anyone else that go super angry at me.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, glancing back at her over his shoulder.
“There have been quite a few hang-up phone calls lately,” she replied, trying not to sound as nervous as she felt.
Her attempt mustn’t have worked because Parker swung around to eye her. “When you say a few, how many do you mean?”
She shrugged, still attempting to be casual. “More than ten a day. At first, I thought it was someone dialing the wrong number. But now it seems deliberate. I’ve even started making a note of the time they come in. There’s definitely a schedule.”
“Like every hour?” He moved closer.
Grabbing her notebook, she slid it over toward him. “Take a look. As far as I can tell, they happen every forty-five minutes.”
Frowning, he studied her notations. “That’s really weird.”
“I know.” She shrugged. “It might be nothing. I don’t know. I’ve been meaning to check with some of the others to see if it’s also happening to them.”
“Good idea.”
She checked the time. “By the way, I have a hair appointment after work. I don’t know how I’ll get there, but if I figure it out, would you mind taking JB home with you so I can go directly there?”
“I don’t mind at all.” He smiled. “In fact, you can borrow my truck. Indulge in a little bit of pampering. You deserve it.”
“Oh, it’s just a haircut. No pampering. But I’m going to enjoy it nonetheless.”
When it came time for her to leave, she felt surprisingly torn about leaving her little dog. “I’ll see you when I get home,” she said, crouching down and kissing JB’s adorable little nose. “I promise.”
She looked up to find Parker watching her, smiling. “She’s a lucky girl.”
Touched, she thanked him before getting up. “You take good of her for me. I’ll see you later.”
“Sounds good.” Handing her his keys, he hesitated a moment. “Keep your eyes open, okay?”
“Always.” With a wave, she hurried outside to his truck.
As she drove away, even though she had to constantly check her rearview mirror to make sure she wasn’t being followed, she turned up the radio and began singing along.
Her mood light, she decided that after her haircut, she’d do a little retail therapy in one of the boutiques that lined the street next to her salon.
A new outfit would do wonders for her self-confidence.
She found a parking spot right near the salon entrance. Smiling at her good luck, she got out, locked the truck, and headed for the door.
Inside, the cool air smelled slightly of lavender. Classic rock played softly in the background. The receptionist, a young woman with purple hair and a nose ring, smiled as Genna approached. Her nametag read Willow. “May I help you?”
“I have a four-thirty appointment with Shannon,” Genna said and gave her name.
Willow’s smile faltered. “I’m sorry, but I show that appointment was canceled.”
It took a moment for the words to register. “Canceled? By who?”
“I don’t know. Whoever took the call likely assumed it was you.”
“When was it canceled?” Genna pressed. “I made this appointment several weeks ago.”
“That, I couldn’t tell you.” Chewing the end of a pen, Willow met Genna’s gaze. “Since you seem surprised, I’m guessing you didn’t cancel. Is it possible a family member might have?”
“No. I don’t suppose there’s any chance that I can still have that spot?”
Slowly, Willow shook her head. “I’m so sorry. Shannon already took another client. What we can do is make a new appointment.”
“Today?” Genna asked hopefully, even though she knew that possibility was highly unlikely.
“No, I’m sorry. Shannon has an opening in two weeks. Same time. Would that work for you?”
“Since I don’t seem to have a choice, yes. I’ll take it. And please make a note not to cancel it under any circumstances.”
“Will do.” Willow’s smile had returned, full-force. “I’m so sorry about the misunderstanding.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Still perturbed, Genna turned to go. Out in front of the salon, she realized shopping no longer held its earlier appeal. Instead, all she wanted to do was go home, cuddle her dog, and fill Parker in on what had happened.
Whoever had been stalking her clearly had moved on to other ways to make her life miserable. At least she could take the truck back to RTA and pick up Parker and the dogs.
Though she wanted to head straight to RTA, her recent concern over being followed had her driving past her parents’ place instead. She slowed, but didn’t stop since her heart started pounding the closer she got.
This was her parents’ home. The place where she’d grown up. This house had always felt like a safe haven. She’d retreated here immediately after her nasty divorce and again when she’d decided to relocate to Shelby.
And now she couldn’t even bring herself to sleep in the place. This made her heart hurt.
Continuing past, she took a roundabout route to work. While driving, she constantly checked her rearview mirror to make sure she wasn’t being followed. As far as she could tell, she wasn’t.
What should have been a fifteen-minute drive turned into thirty. Finally turning into the parking area, she pulled up, hoping he was still there. Even though, technically, she could consider herself safe, she still sat in her car for a moment longer, the doors locked and the engine running.
She didn’t like who she’d become. Paranoid, stressed, too worried about the possibility of something else happening to enjoy the moment.
Parker must have noticed her arrive because the front door opened and he hurried out. Only then did she finally turn off her motor and get out of the truck.
“Everything okay?” he asked, the concern in his eyes warming her heart. “Why are you back so soon?”
Instead of replying, she swiftly crossed the distance that separated them into his arms. Holding her, he made soothing noises while she told him what had happened. “This is exactly the kind of thing that was happening to me back in Anchorage.”
Steering her toward the building, he waited until they were inside with the door locked behind them before speaking. “I think it’s time you have to consider that your ex and his wife might have something to do with this.”
“Wife?” she blinked. Then, without waiting for his response, she grimaced. “That makes sense. Ann and Chad are exactly the same. Of course they got married as soon as our divorce was final.”
He studied her. “Does that bother you?”
“No.” She didn’t even have to think about it.
“I just hate having to consider the idea that they might be the ones tormenting me here. They’re the main reason I moved.
I’m far enough away from Anchorage that they’d really have to make an effort.
And neither of them are the type to want to exert themselves. That’s why I don’t think this is them.”
Considering her words, he nodded. “Maybe they have friends or family here in Shelby who are doing things for them.”
The idea didn’t make sense. “Who would want to get involved with something like that?”