Rose slammed the laptop shut and sobbed. She listened to David as he said comforting words, but she didn’t care. All the memories of her past rushed back into her mind like a flood. “I thought I was over it?” Rose questioned out loud. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRhLfK5XJX
She felt David’s hand on top of hers. “Hey Rose look at me.” Rose slowly opened her eyes as David continued “He won’t ever come back.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru17f98Di3
“But…he’s due for parole in a few years. I don’t know if I can deal with that. I mean what if he comes into the precinct and-” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP1xWAI6OI
“Nothing’s going to happen.” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxXEPr9Yx4
Rose sighed trying to let his words sink in and then said, “How did Greg get the video anyway?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjYqVcjMIb
“I’m not sure. But we’ll get to the bottom of it.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3YGT26Ptu
“Do you think I can walk around the hallways? I need some time to think and process.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS5S9DHgt2
“You know the hospital staff won’t let you walk. I’ll try and get you a wheelchair.” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviNUjkgblG
Rose felt David’s hand squeeze hers as he left the room. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ6KXWaM7M
****342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiuZ1d5kRo
“How can you be so stupid?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hhwkDgfjq
Rose was backed up against the wall near a hallway that led to their bedroom and she said “look I don’t know what in the world you’re talking about, but I have to go before I’m late for work.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKXLWNAYJL
“It should be obvious I don’t care about your job.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRLxfcQo38
“Well, you apparently don’t contribute anything. I don’t know what happened to you, but you’ve changed. You reek of alcohol and cigarettes. You’re not the man I love or the man I’m going to marry.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSLSXGEFa8
“Wait! You’re breaking up with me?” Rose could smell the Scotch on his breath as he stood only inches away from her.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpGdgonSxX
“I didn’t say that I-” Rose whispered.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD25W6R2yvy
“You better get yourself in that bedroom. You remembered what happened last time?” her fiancé smirked. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaBqhB4ApO
Rose inhaled before placing her hands on his chest and pushing him. Rose glanced back as he stumbled backward and she sprinted past him. She snatched her car keys off the kitchen table. Rose ran toward the front door as she felt a sharp pain on the back of her head. “Stop!” Rose screamed before darkness consumed her.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizu0gtIAQF
****342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsPQ10nLP6
Rose’s eyes shot open as she noticed David leaning against the side of her hospital bed. A nurse rushed into the room and said, “What’s wrong?” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpPyORQRp9
“She was just screaming. I tried to wake her, but nothing worked. She finally woke up on her own a moment ago.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSLwp8Hgnp
“I’m fine. Just a bad dream.” Rose said as she shook her head. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5OENA11m6
“Are you sure you don’t need anything, Ms. Atwell?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PVB0bb7zm
“I’m okay Judy. Thanks for checking in on me.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhwExnv2Mf
“You’re welcome.” The nurse then left the room and softly shut the door behind her. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtmiP8Tbpp
“Are you sure it was just a bad dream?” David said. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut9g7dcSEn
Rose didn’t dare look at David. She could hear a chair scrape against the floor as he sat down near her bed. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZLK9v2Rnr
In a quiet voice, Rose replied “Maybe. I don’t know. I mean it was all so real. His hands all over me. I told him no. I told him to stop, but he didn’t care.” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSn8fqSGAw
“I promise you, Rose. I will do all that I can to make sure he never hurts you again.” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DkxZm3mnq
Rose turned to David as tears fell down her cheeks. She was scared and frantic. Afraid of love and to put her heart out there once again. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQuImipdKk
****342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGewsVkn9C
A knock on the door startled David as Captain Arie Weston walked in. “Sorry to disturb you both, but this letter was just dropped off at the station by the warden.” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8epTl2rUFs
“It’s not for me is it?” Rose said sheepishly. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmyk8hP7YB
“No. It’s for David’s sister.” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIuUf9f8ud
“Why didn’t you just give it to her?” David said standing up and walking towards the Captain. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ms83KBmEu
“Greg wrote it and it has some interesting information.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxzreakZbJ
Rose frowned and said, “So what does it say?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0KhGCPXwT
“I’ll have David read it. I just wanted to let you know that Sarah may have to be brought back to the station for more questioning.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfh6qHB9uQ
“She’s the victim. I don’t understand.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EGxNdNK5G
“Neither do I. What’s going on?” Rose said confused.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrpVzaYFto
“Did you know that Greg and Sarah have a history?” Captain said as she handed David the letter.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd6nhqVmwZ
“She doesn’t even know him. You don’t believe that monster do you?” David said in disbelief.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IsrCIPr9s
“No. We just have to cover all our bases. I would hate for the case to fall apart.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrbWvJF2cA
“We’re not even at trial yet.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviEWtXs2UB
“Give your sister a heads up. Maybe see what she says.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNWzdzCKnl
David’s head was swimming with the possibility of what the letter contained. He needed to uncover the truth. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFgdxlFaSO
****342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzXpsp41GL
David read the letter once more as Rose quietly slept. Captain Arie Weston had left a few hours ago. The moonlight was peaking through a crack in the window curtain. Staring out into the night sky David wondered why Sarah wouldn’t tell him everything. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwqWK5cNrQ
He sent a quick text and typed “We just got some new information on your case. Please give me a call as soon as you can. Thanks.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnT3yKaTk6
David set his phone to vibrate then quietly slipped out of the hospital room. He walked passed the nurses station and through the many hallways. Right before he entered the main lobby a man called out to him “Detective Buckman.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ763aGm0vc
David turned around as the man rushed towards him. “Can we talk?” the man said looking nervous.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6ZXXqoYpP
“Who are you?” David said taking a step back unsure of the man. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLXscvAWHP
“I’m Henry Croswell. One of your coworkers I believe his name was Jake told me I would find you here.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKM5kFsr1h
“What do you need?” David questioned as he placed his hands into his coat pockets. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhnK1kAT6I
“I know something about Dr. Victor Waterstein.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6scaQ5Fi2
“Let’s talk then. We can grab a coffee.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzMbgjU33J
“Sure.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9lxUH8Aje
****342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKvVGvQyj4
After sitting down at a table near the end of the hospital cafeteria David asked Henry “So how long have you known Dr. Waterstein?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJpStCDTOb
“Well for about nine years. I don’t know what Jake has told you. I was once in a cult of sorts. It’s called AO2050 and a lot of crazy things happened. Dr. Waterstein was a member of the group. I’ve been friends with him off and on since then.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm8J5EH2WN
“Why are you still talking to him?” David questioning taking a long sip of his coffee. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGbHPy9PUP
“I was just about to get their Detective. Anyway, Dr. Waterstein told me to give this envelope to a woman named Sarah Matthews. He told me he was her therapist. I know I’m stupid for listening to him. I did it because he threatened me.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0Lka5Uf8B
David cleared his throat and censored his words as he replied, “So you just listened to him?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e91twZIUY
“He was going to hurt my family. I can’t let someone take them away from me.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxIqPn1OLF
“Why didn’t you call the police?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PJLK92wdM
“I have a record. I was unsure if they would even believe me.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3jMl7u1jt
“Do you know what was in the envelope?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNogHyuzl5s
“No, he didn’t tell me. He just instructed me to deliver the envelope to where Sarah was at and to make sure at least someone was home.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQE1Z7wBNv
David pondered for a moment then said, “Has he threatened you before?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdwCstJtJi
“Umm…” David could see Henry was nervous as he fiddle with his coffee cup. “I can’t say anything.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1WNWv9pJM
“But you’ve already told me Dr. Waterstein has threatened you for the second time.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5wuYO3qkO
“I’m done talking with you.” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYDOOWsGdJ
Henry stood up and threw away his cup. David followed behind Henry and said, “If you need or want to talk more please don’t hesitate to give me a call.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4tffByMSe
“I won’t. Goodbye detective.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRu5qK07Ma
David sighed, drank the rest of his coffee and then headed back to Rose’s room. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIaK2ijuRC
****342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB92cO2Abc
Rose awoke to only a dim light. A lamp on the bedside table illuminated the tiny space. She glanced around the room not seeing David anywhere. The letter addressed to Sarah from Greg was unfolded on the table. She brought the letter closer to her eyes so she could read it better. Rose took a quick sip of water before reading the letter aloud. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNKm9BEqYs
“Dear my love Sarah, 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nwwabCq54
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFr570uVRE
I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I didn’t mean to terrify you at the diner. I’m so surprised you didn’t recognize me. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwnNhkQ4cN
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv8E3Ysktf
Throughout the years you’ve gotten more and more beautiful. Remember how we first met? I sat behind you in our literature class. I think I only said a few words to you that semester. The day Chris first began talking to you I was so angry and so hurt. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9GNGLV5Iy
I love you better than that man ever could. From borrowing a pencil to joining you on a group project. He weaved his way into your life. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQkbVwclDy
Then the next year I saw you wal-”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQHZ6k12mJ
Rose was interrupted by David coming into her hospital room. He smiled at her and said, “I brought you some coffee.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLLfkzN224
“Thanks,” Rose replied as her voice, was raspy and dry. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79aUMH9d2k
“How are you feeling?” David sat as he sat the coffee cup on the bedside table.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt2KKKJtbx
“I’ve been better. I do feel rested which is nice.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuB6hI71I2
“Yes, it is. I also see you’ve read the letter.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUW1bCr0Uv
“I’m not finished yet. Do you mind if I read the rest out loud?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUlzBO9Wc5
“No, I don’t.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DqhweNxOF
“Alright.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7b8qMLANY
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBDmb0Lig7
“Then the next year I saw you walking hand and hand with him. You were meant to be mine. We’re so similar. I’m a painter. I love to describe and show the beauty of the world through my paintings. In fact, I’ve been working on paintings of you. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1JoS1An0i
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4vcSzx3Zh
I see your face when I fall asleep at night. I’m alone in this prison cell and there’s no one here to talk to so my thoughts are consumed on you. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedpuaG4ntt
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxBb4c7aMv
Sarah, my beautiful sweetheart. You’re an author, a writer. You describe the world through smilies, metaphors, complex characters and relatable themes. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn9KR5LOzF
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pxeeB9TR5
Back to when I saw you in college. I heard from a friend of a friend that you were engaged to Chris. I then ran into you at the dining hall one evening. You said hello to me even though my eyes couldn’t stop watching you. As you stood in line for dinner I could see your tiny diamond engagement ring shine as it sat delicately on your finger. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMRFDwERfg
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidumR48KyH
From that time on I’ve followed you in the shadows. I’ve seen your career rise. Social media is an interesting place. I could decipher your every move. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OZUD3Afla
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBNzjVfYfI
Sarah, I’m so happy I’ve found you in person once again. I can’t wait for you to be mine. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ8dwxWASc
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp8DvSNyGx
From the one who loves you more than anyone,342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8Hfsf2W15
Greg Finch.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw7TxVFb9a
Rose threw the letter back onto the bedside table. She frowned and said, “What’s up with him?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMrKLHETqt
“I don’t know Rose. He definitely needs help.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKcUEwbcuE
“Did you call the Captain?” Rose said glancing at the letter.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0OqrTNKCg
“She didn’t pick up. I know the case is getting to her. Plus she’s dealing with a divorce, so it’s understandable.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy8D6Icoh0
“How’s her custody battle?”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxcm23IgUj
“I don’t think it’s going well. I stopped into her office the other day to ask her a quick question about another case. She was in tears. So I questioned her wanting to know if she was okay and she just nodded her head yes. I told her I would stop by later.” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCug6kp97F
“What should we do about Greg?” Rose questioned as her mind raced with finding justice for Sarah. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LEUZwcbJL
“Our hands are tied. At least he’s in prison while we’re still getting more information on Odilia’s murder. Our jobs are just to find more evidence so we can create a stronger case when connecting him to Sarah’s assault.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AeG1BjOrp
“It’s a shame the DNA evidence was compromised.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTF4JF9A4C
“I know, but things will work out. And Rose? If you ever need to talk about earlier-”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ343KN64hCA
“What do you mean?” Rose said sitting up in bed. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvldyxITSN
“The video. I understand if you don’t want to, but I know it will help.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN3nsk35Gb
“I will when I’m ready.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h1Xa1ritP
“Okay then. I think I’m going to head out.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5N6fDo6vC
“I thought you were staying?” Rose frowned.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ou85zxGvT
“It just hurts me to see you like this. I still can’t believe you went in and took the place of a hostage.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18poXaew7m
Rose felt her eyes well up with tears and then she said, “I couldn’t let a civilian be possibly injured when I could do something about it.”342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZpardfdyL
“That’s why I’ve grown to love you. Always putting others before yourself.” 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90PnBMoQEs
Rose smiled and said, “All I can say is that I love you too.”
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