38. Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Arlo
Saturday comes too fast.
I’m a bundle of nerves, but I’m trying to stay focused on what needs to be done and not the potential problems that could arise. Nothing good will come from me stressing about the what-ifs.
“Great news,” Oakley says as he walks into my office and sits down in the chair across from me.
I arch an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
“Usually, people get excited with good news, you know. Anyway, my guy on the Marshals helped the Rosedale Police Department obtain a warrant.”
“Do I want to know what helped means?”
“Nope. You just get to be relieved there’s a warrant in place. We can execute it while Rina and Tyler are at dinner, or we can keep an eye on them and see what information Rina can get before going in.”
“And we have Rosedale’s support?”
“We do. I’m in contact with one of their lieutenants, and he’s just waiting for word on which approach we want to take. They’ve been really easy to work with. I think they’re just happy to get a scumbag off the streets, one they didn’t even know about.” He smirks.
“It’s probably the only reason they so readily agreed to work with us.”
“That, and when a U.S. Marshal tells you it’s a priority, people tend to listen.” Oakley grins.
“You would know.”
“How’s Rina doing?”
I sigh. “She’s acting fine and tells me she’s ready, but I know she’s nervous. We don’t really have a concrete plan on how to get information out of him, what she should say, and where she should steer his movement and the conversation. Everything is open-ended, and I think she realizes that now.”
“We don’t know much about him, other than that he’s unhinged, so I’m not sure we even can give her more than we’ve already talked about.”
“Exactly. I don’t like it, but I also see the merit in finishing this shit now.”
“Can I give you some bullshit advice from someone who is also dating a Hutton woman?”
“I have a feeling you’re going to tell me anyway.”
“I am glad we’re on the same page. Willow took things into her own hands with Tennison because she thought it would help me. She wasn’t thinking about herself or the aftermath. Rina is the same way. Yes, it’s her life that’s being affected, but she’s doing what she thinks is best for everyone. Waiting and being patient is not a specialty for them. Going along with it and not fighting it is a hell of a lot easier than standing in her way,” he says.
“I’m not trying to stand in her way. I’m trying to keep her safe.” If I sound defensive, it’s because I am.
“I know you are. That’s why I got Woodcroft to do some digging into Tyler.”
“Your old partner? ”
“Yep. I’m just waiting for him to call me back with the intel. I’m not sure we’ll get a ton more information, but any can help Rina tonight.”
“That makes me feel marginally better.” And it does. I’m no less worried, but more information usually means a better outcome.
“Did you apologize to Willow again for me? I didn’t expect to pull you away from Grind Time so often.” Changing the subject eases my nerves.
“I promised her a solid month of not having to open when this is finished, and that seemed to appease her.” His smirk lets me know that wasn’t the only thing promised, but I’m not trying to hear about their bedroom activities.
“I’m shocked you left the two of them in charge of your shop.” I chuckle.
“Yeah, that’s why I’m leaving.” He stands up, giving me a small salute.
“I’ll be over in a few to get Rina,” I call as he leaves. He throws up a hand in acknowledgment, then disappears out the front door.
Putting a call into the lieutenant in the Rosedale Police Department, I fill him in on Oakley’s development and let him know I’ll call him again once I get more information. We’re hoping whatever gets dug up will help strengthen the case against Tyler. Since we already have the warrant, now we need more evidence.
I count my breaths before heading over to Grind Time. Rina and I had a long talk the other night after my panic attack. I told her my worries and fears, and she did the same. We mutually agreed this is the best option for locking up Tyler, but we both know it’s not the safest approach and a lot can go wrong. Being able to understand each other and where our heads are at has helped my anxiety a lot.
The walk to Grind Time gives me just enough time to turn my focus on Rina instead of what’s going to happen in eight hours .
“Long time, no see,” Oakley chirps from behind the counter as I walk in. Rolling my eyes, I turn to Rina and join her at the table she’s sitting at.
“How are you doing?” I ask.
“Good.” She’s too cheery, trying too hard to ease my mind.
“How are you really?”
She sighs. “Nervous. Mildly terrified.”
“Understandably. You want to go for a walk?”
“Absolutely.” She stands abruptly, walking over to Willow and giving her a hug, then drags me out the front door. “Where to?”
“My truck.” I chuckle. This is stir-crazy Rina, and my idea to take a breather from everything makes even more sense now.
I drive to the one place to guarantee to calm us both down and distract us until it’s time for her little get-together with Tyler. I refuse to call it a date.
I can feel her tension release as we pull up to the trail that will lead to the falls. She slumps in her seat and grabs my hand.
“Thank you.”
“I think we both need this,” I tell her, leaning over and pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. We get out of the truck and onto the trail, and the fresh air and smell of pine trees are a natural drug, pulling us both out of our heads and calming the worry vibrating through our bodies.
We hike silently until we make it to our spot and grab a seat on the large, flat rock on the edge of the pool of water.
“I’m nervous. This is all one big mistake.” She breaks the silence first.
“You’re a badass, and I think this is the best way to finish this once and for all. ”
“Quite the change of opinion there.” Her head tilts to look at me with a smile on her face.
“I may not like this plan at all, but it has nothing to do with you not having a good idea or being capable of handling yourself. It’s that he’s unpredictable and none of us know what’s coming. But I have complete faith that you will get this done like the boss you are and nail this asshole to the ground.”
“That might be the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Not true, and you know it. I happen to remember, not too long ago, when I was very romantic and told you exactly how I feel about you. That was the nicest thing I’ve said to you.” I smirk.
“And so damn humble,” she snarks.
Laughing, I grab her around the waist and bring her to my lap.
“I mean it, Emmerdeur. You are capable, and I know you’ll do just fine. Oakley and I, along with the Rosedale Police, will be there as back-up, so you won’t be alone. Just … be safe and don’t make any drastic decisions, okay? I don’t think my heart can handle that.”
“You know, I’ve been so hesitant with us. We’re obviously great together, but the hurt and trust are hard to get over for me. This Arlo, though? The one that’s grown and put in work to be the man you want to be? Makes it extremely hard to remember the Arlo from all those years ago and all the hurt he caused. It also makes it hard to be mad about still being married.”
My breath catches in my throat. We haven’t mentioned being married still since she found out, and now was not the time I thought we’d discuss it.
“The last six months have changed a lot for me. Everything with Tennison made me re-evaluate my priorities. And somehow, everything with Tyler has made me realize the man of my dreams has been in front of me all along. You’ve been patient, attentive, and yet stayed your perfectly grumpy self while I figured things out. I don’t want to go into tonight with any regrets or wishes.”
“Rina…”
“Let me, please.” She adjusts so we’re facing each other, and I see the depth of her emotions in her eyes. “I love you. Not the idea of you or what we had when we were young. I love the you that you are now, the you that loves me despite all my flaws. I love how you care about this nosy-ass town and act like you hate it, but you do it every single day with zero complaints. I love that you are taking steps to heal. I love that you loved me so much you tattooed my heart on your skin. I love you, and I want you to burn those fucking divorce papers,” she says through watery laugher.
“As soon as this shit is over, they’re gone,” I whisper.
“Good.” She kisses me. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” We press our foreheads together and breathe each other in.
I took her out here to completely step away from what was happening in town. Instead, a confession I never thought I’d hear from her lips again has me feeling confident about our future. Patting my pocket as we get up, I feel the box I’ve been carrying with me for a couple of days now with nothing but hope in my heart.
Sitting in the car with two other officers, not knowing what is going on in the damn restaurant, may give me a heart attack.
The good news is that Oakley’s old partner found some interesting information about Tyler. He hasn’t held a job in over three years and is currently living in a house he inherited from his mother. We’re not sure where he’s getting money from, but his social media boasts a high-paying illustration job and the lifestyle to match. He’s full of contradictions, and it gives me even more surety that this is the right move.
Collectively, we’ve decided to let Rina lead things and see where it goes before executing the search warrant on his house. This gives us the best chance of getting a confession to ensure charges stick and have the highest penalty. There’s a couple of plain-clothed officers inside, close enough to hear what’s going on at their table, and they’ve been relaying information to us periodically. It’s set up the best we can, and all things considered, we have a lot of bases covered. However, there is still a lot that’s unknown, and that’s what I don’t love. Not with Rina in the middle of it.
“Brad just texted. Sounds like Rina is hinting at taking things back to his place,” Lieutenant Kempe says as he looks down at this phone.
My fists clench hard, and I try to remember the objective. She doesn’t want to go to his house. It’s just a way to get us more information. If I keep that on repeat in my head, maybe I won’t go bust down the fucking door.
“Why don’t we just go search his place while they’re at dinner?” the officer in the backseat asks. I didn’t even pay enough attention to catch his name.
“Because she can get under his skin and figure out his endgame. She can get us more information needed in order to lock him away for the rest of his life. And there are other women involved, so getting as much information can help link more things to him as well.” An exaggeration, sure, but the reasoning still works.
“We’re aiming for evidence,” Lieutenant Kempe adds.
“Riiight,” the douchebag in the back says. I don’t care if he agrees; his boss is telling him to do it. He doesn’t need to ask questions.
“Heads up. Looks like they’re walking out.”
My head jolts up as I watch Tyler leading, more like dragging, Rina around to the parking lot. It takes everything in me not to climb out of the car and go after her.
“Brad says they’re going back to his place.” He puts the car in drive, slowly pulling out to follow them. We have officers in his neighborhood already, but they won’t move in until we tell them to. Oakley is with them, and I’m attempting to keep him updated in between keeping myself in check.
We follow him at a close enough distance to keep eyes on them, but the entire drive to his house I have a bad feeling deep in my bones. It’s no longer worry; it’s a gut feeling that shit is about to hit the fan. The same feeling I had before repelling from the helicopter that broke my hip and back.