Chapter 9 | Caleb
Caleb
Calm washed over me when Rae opened the door.
She was wearing leggings that made her beautiful curves stand out and a giant sweatshirt over them, and her hair was a mess but in the cutest way.
My pulse raced and I wished I could take her inside and make her forget about the situation.
Quickly I shove that thought away, feeling guilty, as I noticed the fear in her eyes.
Rae had opened the door very carefully and peeked out at first to make sure it was really me out here. It had only been a few seconds since she'd opened the door, but she hadn't said anything. However, I could see tears welling in her eyes.
“Rae, whoever it was, they're gone.” I motioned over towards the other two squad cars, parked in front of the house. “We've canvased your backyard and the entire neighborhood at this point, and there's no sign of anyone. Sadly, they probably heard the sirens and got out of here.”
“You—believe me?” Rae's voice was soaked in tears but none had fallen yet.
I reached up and switched off my body camera, trying to keep my voice as tender as possible when I spoke.
"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?” Genuine confusion must have crossed my face because the next words she spoke rushed out as if she was trying to vouch for herself—trying to find the words to make me believe her.
“Because I could have been dreaming and there's no one here to prove otherwise. I was probably dreaming, it’s what makes sense. I’m so sorry to have called and had you all come out. I swore I heard—”
With as gentle a voice as I could use, I attempted to calm the chaos in her mind. “Whoa, hey, Rae. No, I believe you. We believe you. Plus, come look at this.” I pointed to the flower bed near her window.
As she walked with me, she started to smooth her hair. I noticed she was trying to be sneaky about it and not bring attention to herself.
“Hey, you look really cute. Don't worry about your hair.” I gently placed my hand on the back of her arm while trying to quietly reassure her. She blushed and looked away.
Okay, Caleb, change the subject. Now.
“We took photos of these spots where the gravel was very disturbed, and we're writing an informational report to send out to the squads.
We're also going to make sure someone adds your street to the list of extra drive-bys.” I pointed at a spot in the rocks where a couple of boot sized divots were.
A portion of the rocks were compressed so deep and rocks had been scattered that you could see the soil underneath it.
“Rae, this is the second time someone has been on your property that we're aware of.”
“Second time?”
“The white rose I found. I had a concern the other day after I found it on your porch.”
Rae looked startled. Not like how she had looked in the grocery store before she left her groceries but still startled. “Do you think it's the same person?”
“There's no real way to know since there is no evidence we could find that they left behind.” I paused, not knowing if those words were scary to her or reassuring.
“However, I want to pick up security cameras for you as soon as possible.
If you're okay with it, I'll pick some up after my shift and bring them by to install them. Or something that would make me feel better about your safety is...I have a spare room you could stay in until your parents come back.”
“What? No, I can't. I...” She looked...actually, I didn’t know how to read the look on her face.
“Okay. Okay. I won't fight you on that, for now, but if something like this happens again, I will bring it up again. I want you safe. What do you think about the cameras, though?”
Rae wrapped her arms around herself and nodded.
We walked back to her front door where my partner stood. “Is this your girl, Walker?” Santana asked excitedly. I had probably spoken about Rae a few times a month prior to her return to town. Since she had come back, though, Rae was one of the only things my crew had heard about.
“Yep. This is Rae.” I tried to hide the small smile on my face as I glanced at Rae, who wore a puzzled look.
“Hi, I'm Deputy Santana. Elena. I work on Caleb's squad and live right up the road.” She pointed ahead, past Rae and me.
“While I think you should probably stay with Walker here for a bit, if you decide against it, my work number is on the front, and my personal number is on the back.
Day or night, you call. Anyone that's important to Walker is important to us.” She passed Rae her business card, and I shot her a quick grin as thanks.
Rae hesitated but then reached to take the card.
She said a small “thank you” and her voice shook but smiled slightly.
Santana smiled and nodded before walking back down the driveway.
In high school, Rae had been one of those people who liked animals more than humans, and I had seen how she would act around other people, when I was not by her side.
However, when I was with her, she would typically be a social butterfly.
Something about being around each other had given us the confidence or boost we needed.
This Rae was not like the one I knew all those years ago.
It concerned me that she was so shut down.
“She's really nice.” Rae's voice sounded so small. Gosh, if my crew was not here, I would offer Rae a hug, but if I did that, I would be teased for all eternity. Did I care? No. Rae did not seem in the mood for a hug, though.
“Yeah. She's pretty great. We’ve been through a lot together while on duty.” Rae was listening intently.
Interested in what I could mean by that, or jealous?
I was so curious. “She chased a suspect for me a while back when I was seconds later than her to a call I was supposed to be going to. I had just finished with a really tough motor vehicle accident and needed a few minutes. She was just running radar down the street, so she attached herself to the call until I could get there to back her or take over. The suspect ended up running and Santana’s foot got stuck in a hole in the grass, causing her to fall and dislocate her shoulder.
” I chuckled at my next thought. “To repay her for that, I took a knife to the arm for her about a year later.” I lifted the bottom of my shirt sleeve and showed her the scar I had.
“I hear the ladies like scars,” I teased as I winked at her.
So many emotions ran across her face all at once. She seemed to not know if she should be shocked at my story, still scared at what had happened, or if she should be shy and embarrassed because I very obviously flirted with her.
“Don't worry, we're good. Typically, it's just us telling people they can't trespass, running traffic—just normal stuff.” A call started to come out on the radio, and I knew I would probably have to back whoever took the call, but I needed to try and convince Rae about staying with me one more time first.
“However, this possible stalker stuff worries me. I want you safe. Will you please consider staying with me? I have a spare room.”
“I'll...think about it.” She bit the inside of her bottom lip. The nervous energy in her eyes was back. She could tell I had to leave.
Satisfied with that answer, I reached out to touch her arm briefly, attempting to give some comfort. She tensed but just as quickly relaxed.
I told her I would be back after work with cameras and waited for her to walk inside and lock the door. Once she was inside, I went back to my car.
In my car, I let out a long sigh and rubbed a hand over my face. Whoever was scaring my girl did not know what they were getting themselves into.