Chapter 16 #2
I’ve no idea where JP put the few purses I have and it’s only adding to the stress of my upcoming visit to the police station, not to mention the possibility of Zach mentioning my molesting him in his sleep.
“We’ve had this discussion already—let’s not do it again.”
Zach marches to my side, pulls down a bunch of purses from the top shelf, out of my sight or reach, and hands them to me.
“There it is.” I grab the suede hobo bag. “Thank you.”
I shove my wallet, sunglasses and other belongings into the purse as Zach follows me down the stairs. My hands are shaking and it’s in that moment I admit to myself just how nervous I am to officially recount what happened the other night with Joel Hummel.
Adding to my nerves is the fact that he’s no longer in jail.
He was released the very next day thanks to his lawyer and although he’s been charged with criminal harassment and could serve up to ten years, getting a conviction is a long and tough road.
Convictions aren’t easy to come by and there will likely be a trial.
I’ve been reassured he won’t be at the police station, but it’s more than that. I hope to never see him again.
“Where are you going?” he asks when I go left to his right as the elevator doors open into the parking garage.
“To my car.” I don’t bother to stop, only feet from my vehicle. “I’ll meet you at the station.”
“Does that thing even drive?” He glances over my shoulder at my two thousand and seven Toyota Corolla that he had brought over to his place. “There’s no way that thing passed its emissions test.”
“It drives just fine.” I place my hands on my hips. “And it did pass the test, thank you very much. I thought you said we were going to be late. Or do you just want to stand here and trash talk my car some more?”
“Get in my car. I’ll drop you at work after the police station.”
“Zach, I need my car today. Besides, dropping me off at work will only make you late for your meeting. And what about tonight? If I go with you now, how am I going to get home later?”
“I’ll pick you up.”
“No, it’s easier this way. See you there.”
Thirty minutes later and we’re done. I’m less tense and grateful for Zach at my side as we leave the police station. Although Zach is now the one stressed out or something and it’s been mounting ever since Tom showed up.
“Thanks for coming,” I say to Tom as we head toward the parking lot.
“No problem, any time.” He leans down to hug me and Zach stares, his jaw locked and eyes stony. What is his problem?
“Nice to meet you, man.”
Zach shakes his hand and asks, “Tom, you want to help out with this?”
“Of course. That creeper needs to be put away. Tell me how?” Tom rakes his fingers through his already unruly blond hair.
“I’ve got security detail on Hummel but just in case he gets the jump on us again, can you and your friends go by Paige’s place at least once a day and make sure things are okay? That there’s nothing unusual or you don’t see him there.”
“Sure, that’s easy.”
“I don’t understand.” I cock my head to the side, studying Zach. “I’m staying with you, why do you need to keep an eye on that place? I’ve given him notice and I have no intentions of ever going back to that place.”
“I know, but technically you’re still renting it and he can’t go by there without getting your consent. If we can catch him breaking the agreement, even if there’s no real threat to you, it’s something else we can use in our case against him.”
“Sweet.” Tom beams and I frown. I doubt Joel’s going near that place, but I understand and appreciate Zach covering all the angles.
They exchange contact information and Tom leaves, then it’s just Zach and me.
“Thank you also for coming. I hope having Tom here didn’t tick you off.”
We’re nearing our cars, parked side by side, and while it’s my call whether Tom was here or not, I want Zach to know I’m grateful for all he’s doing. Absentmindedly, he lifts his head and nods, eyes glued to his phone.
“Okay, well, I’ll see you later.” I’m at the driver’s side of my car and he’s busy texting. This time, he doesn’t even bother to look up in my direction. “Zach,” I say harshly, and his head snaps up, puckering his brow.
“What did Tamara mean when she said Joel’s done this kind of thing before?”
His features harden and his lips press white, studying me in a way that suggests he’s weighing his response.
“I already told you. He harassed another tenant.” His words are measured and tone flat, and while I may not know him well, I sense he’s trying too hard to be detached. To downplay my question.
“No, it wasn’t like that. She said it right after you rudely cut the officer off from going into the details of the lab results.”
Thinking more about our entire time in the police station, I realize he was acting weird. At the time, I thought he was feeding off my tense vibes but now, I’m not so sure.
“What is it that you don’t want me to know?” Narrowing my gaze, I examine his expression for the slightest twitch or tick.
“Why do you say that?” He slips his phone into his jacket pocket and steps closer to my car.
“Stop deflecting and tell me what’s going on.” I round the hood and stop only a foot or two from him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Folding his arms across his chest, Zach releases an exasperated breath and I bite back my irritation.
“Fine. I’m moving out. Today. I won’t stay with someone who lies to me.”
“You’re being silly.”
“Am I?” I chuckle wryly. “I don’t think so. And just because you seem to need a refresher with the law, I’m going to let you in on a little-known fact. Tamara may be billing you, but I’m her client. If you won’t tell me what’s going on, I’ll make sure she does.”
“Why won’t you drop this?” he growls and his fists curl.
“I have a right to know. What Joel did happened to me. Please tell me.”
“Dammit.” He scrubs a hand roughly down his face. “Joel did something similar to what happened to you to another tenant.”
“Go on.”
“I cut the officer off because…” His steely blue eyes chill my heart. “He masturbated with your underwear.”
His growl rumbles low in my chest and I clench my jaw so as not to release a disgusted sob. I stagger backward, my body hits the car, and the metal takes my weight as I let what he just said sink in. Gripping my elbows, he stares intently into my eyes.
“We were watching him. I took every precaution to make sure he didn’t get a chance to do that to you.”
“But he did,” I whisper, the words cutting my throat like sharp gravel.
“Surveillance screwed up and they didn’t notice he’d left his house to go to yours.”
I feel like I’m being violated all over again and I want to scream. And with Zach here, I want to blame him for what Joel did. Logically, this isn’t his fault. No matter what Zach did or didn’t do, he isn’t responsible for Joel’s disgusting acts.
“Okay.” I push from his grasp toward my car door.
“Are you?” He doesn’t leave my side, taking my hand and turning me to face him.
“I’m fine. Before I go, is there anything else you’re not telling me?”
“No, that’s it. We’re doing everything in our power to get him behind bars for a long time.” He’s confident and I force a smile, even if only because of his willingness to help.
“Thanks.” I pull my hand from his and slip into the car. “I’ll see you later.”
My mind reels, still processing everything as I leave Zach standing in the lot. There is no one to blame except Joel Hummel. Whether or not I’d met Zach or not, or had his help, likely I’d still be in this very spot.
On the bright side, I’m out of there and Zach did help. Things could have been worse and that’s what I have to remember. They aren’t, thanks to Zach.