Chapter 11
The kitchen door slammed. Elizabeth strode into the room. “Thank goodness you’re all here.”
Morgan repeated her question, determined to keep the rising panic from her voice. “What is going on?”
“Jason has been released from prison.”
She flinched, feeling as if someone had kicked her in the stomach. “How could this happen? He’s supposed to be behind bars for years.”
“From what I was told, Jason hired a new defense team to review his case. The attorney stumbled upon a loss of evidence,” Jax said. “Basically, the justice system dropped the ball.”
“Loss of evidence?”
“The evidence that put Jason behind bars has been misplaced. The bottom line is there is no evidence against your ex, so the judge had no other choice but to release him.”
Morgan reached out to steady herself. “Can they…is he free forever?”
Jax and Wyatt exchanged a worried look. “If they can’t figure out what happened to the evidence.”
“This is a nightmare,” she whispered, her mind reeling. “Where is Jason now?”
“He walked out of the prison early this morning,” Jax said. “I’m sorry, Morgan. I’ll admit I’m stunned this has happened.”
“Evidence doesn’t just disappear.”
“The courthouse you testified in, an old building in need of extensive repairs, where Jason was tried and convicted, shut down. The entire department packed up and moved to a new building. During the move, evidence was lost, or in their words ‘misplaced.’”
“I wonder how many other convicted felons are walking free.”
“If they have a savvy lawyer, more than Jason,” Wyatt said.
“As I recall, you have a permanent restraining order against him,” Mrs. Arnsby said.
“A restraining order means zero, zip, zilch to Jason. Knowing my ex, in his mind he has a grudge to settle.” Morgan placed her head in her hands. Her worst nightmare…or one of them…was a vengeful Jason. She had willingly gone to court to testify against him.
The look he’d given her when she was up on the stand—full of hate and fury—was one she would never forget. “I remember thinking if given half the chance, he would have jumped over the table and strangled me with his bare hands.”
“We need to stay on top of this to find out where he is and what his plans are,” Wyatt said.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Jax said. “He’s an unstable individual.”
“Unstable and has been stewing behind prison bars for months,” Morgan said in a small voice.
“We’ll get through this. If Jason is smart, he’ll leave you alone.”
“I suggest Morgan move to Easton Estate,” Elizabeth said. “Until we can figure out Jason’s intentions.”
“Which potentially puts a target on all of you. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you, Brett, Tristan, Mrs. Arnsby, Jax, Ben, or any of the staff.”
Even now, whenever Morgan thought about him, all she remembered was how angry he was. Her testifying as a character witness against him could very well have been the reason he was convicted.
Jason’s mother, who had cornered Morgan outside the courtroom after her testimony, accused her of lying and verbally assaulted her before trying to physically attack her. Had a security guard not stepped in, it was hard telling what Joan Greer would have done.
Morgan’s scalp tingled, and the phrase “walking across my grave,” an old saying, which meant a person had walked over your future grave popped into her head.
How could the court lose evidence? If it had happened in Jason’s case, how many other convicted criminals were walking free? A handful? Hundreds?
“He could be on his way to Easton Island at this very moment,” she finally said.
“Or already here,” Jax grimly replied.
“I have my gun at home, in the bedroom drawer. Chester is an excellent guard dog.”
“I’ve requested an immediate shift change to days until further notice,” Wyatt said. “It’s already been approved. As soon as I leave here, I’ll go home, pack some things and head over to your house.”
“Would it be safer if Morgan stayed with you?” Mrs. Arnsby suggested.
Wyatt rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Jason would have a harder time finding Morgan if she was staying with me.”
All eyes turned to Morgan as she mulled over her options. She could take her chances and hope Jason left her alone, but based on past experience, this wouldn’t be the case. “You’re right. Maybe I should be the one to pack up and stay with you.”
Jason Greer, convicted felon, thief, drug trafficker, stalker, kidnapper, all rolled up into one, was a free man.
“Elizabeth will fill the others in on what has transpired. Meanwhile, I’ll meet with the staff,” Jax said. “As soon as I leave here, I’ll make a few calls to try to figure out where he is.”
In a daze, Morgan trailed Wyatt out of the house. She climbed into her SUV and followed his patrol car down the driveway and onto the street, all the way to Looking Glass Cottage.
Thick storm clouds gathered and Morgan couldn’t help but think she would have to look over her shoulder, keeping an eye out for every possible hiding spot Jason might take advantage of, lying in wait, ready to pounce…looking for the perfect opportunity to take her out.
Pulling into the driveway, Wyatt parked behind her SUV and caught up with her on the sidewalk. Climbing the steps, she spotted Chester standing at the door, his furry little face peering out.
Morgan eased it open and nudged him to the side. “I’ll have to bring Chester.”
“Of course. I have plenty of yard space.” Wyatt patted his head. “You and Morgan are going on a mini-vacay to my place.”
“For how long? Forever?” Morgan kicked her shoes off and traipsed through the living room to her bedroom.
Wyatt watched as she unzipped her suitcase and began throwing clothes in—shirts, jeans, sweats, yoga pants, sweaters, T-shirts, pajamas, underwear. “Let’s play it by ear. Our best bet is to take it one day at a time.”
“Maybe I should hire a PI to keep an eye on him.”
“It’s a thought.”
Morgan tossed a handful of socks on top of her jeans. “I’m serious. It might be worth the peace of mind.”
“You can hire anyone at the right price.”
“As soon as I get to your place, I’ll start looking online. This should be enough to last a few days.” Morgan finished cramming her clothes inside and zipped the suitcase shut.
While Wyatt carried it to her SUV, she began gathering up Chester’s things—his favorite doggie bed, toys, food dishes, treats.
She finished the task and walked over to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. “Wonderful,” she groaned.
Wyatt caught up with her in the kitchen. “What’s the sour face for? Staying with me won’t be that bad.”
“I have a refrigerator full of food.”
“We’ll pack it up and take it to my place.” Wyatt ran to her back porch and returned with a large cooler.
While Morgan emptied the pantry, he filled the cooler with food and then checked to make sure her surveillance cameras were working.
“This is enough for now. I guess the last thing to do is to check and make sure all the windows and doors are locked.” Morgan trudged across the kitchen, a glum expression on her face.
Wyatt stepped in front of her, blocking her path. He placed his finger under her chin and tilted her head. “It will be all right.”
“I know, and I appreciate you letting me stay with you. I’m just upset, and maybe even a little freaked out.”
“I don’t blame you.” He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “I can think of way worse things than having you camp out at my house.”
“Much worse. Thank you, Wyatt.” She slipped into his arms and placed her head on his chest. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Same for me. What I do know is that if Jason Greer steps foot on Easton Island, he’ll regret it.”