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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqQXzYsBCQ
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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw524lVy9tv
“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-” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt8PKkrmF0
“Nothing’s going to happen.” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv8Io12EUA
Rose sighed trying to let his words sink in and then said, “How did Greg get the video anyway?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUOTiWjc3I
“I’m not sure. But we’ll get to the bottom of it.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGMQxEvPCm
“Do you think I can walk around the hallways? I need some time to think and process.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcpauQWtMS
“You know the hospital staff won’t let you walk. I’ll try and get you a wheelchair.” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd6wLRvQIn
Rose felt David’s hand squeeze hers as he left the room. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BivIkBTbu
****345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jW9lALcRr
“How can you be so stupid?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMNLZrzzFj
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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKkVP6Z9uB
“It should be obvious I don’t care about your job.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatlsfWM7BA
“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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY2uwk0aXD
“Wait! You’re breaking up with me?” Rose could smell the Scotch on his breath as he stood only inches away from her.345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8JoNNqEYf
“I didn’t say that I-” Rose whispered.345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6k9PvoYjB
“You better get yourself in that bedroom. You remembered what happened last time?” her fiancé smirked. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUri7BhFrt
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.345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5NnxwPx4K
****345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgEUpAqYzM
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?” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplvJ2ztPxW
“She was just screaming. I tried to wake her, but nothing worked. She finally woke up on her own a moment ago.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TCSfBnlxI
“I’m fine. Just a bad dream.” Rose said as she shook her head. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm5Hd2Q3RP
“Are you sure you don’t need anything, Ms. Atwell?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYGgUA64UX
“I’m okay Judy. Thanks for checking in on me.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlYfls5JXC
“You’re welcome.” The nurse then left the room and softly shut the door behind her. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpPtw6OapY
“Are you sure it was just a bad dream?” David said. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJB5ksNER3
Rose didn’t dare look at David. She could hear a chair scrape against the floor as he sat down near her bed. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n2DMI7hZO
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.” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiLNIdnfPz
“I promise you, Rose. I will do all that I can to make sure he never hurts you again.” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16Eg2shIrn
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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpgmDQa3Hj
****345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GpNRdbPH5
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.” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOCLKbYmyr
“It’s not for me is it?” Rose said sheepishly. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbRQEbPOBr
“No. It’s for David’s sister.” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1XcRn6XyS
“Why didn’t you just give it to her?” David said standing up and walking towards the Captain. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeeHzxHrkQ
“Greg wrote it and it has some interesting information.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiqTMHpfdo
Rose frowned and said, “So what does it say?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6lK4js0P6
“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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MM8N6NlZ3
“She’s the victim. I don’t understand.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMBW6vPhxI
“Neither do I. What’s going on?” Rose said confused.345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXxLec0iKO
“Did you know that Greg and Sarah have a history?” Captain said as she handed David the letter.345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE1DRCH3XD
“She doesn’t even know him. You don’t believe that monster do you?” David said in disbelief.345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1YPkjNvnw
“No. We just have to cover all our bases. I would hate for the case to fall apart.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH3vzY3gTT
“We’re not even at trial yet.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhiHDUNwL3
“Give your sister a heads up. Maybe see what she says.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRoAggbyWF
David’s head was swimming with the possibility of what the letter contained. He needed to uncover the truth. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYNIEiRJwi
****345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY8Baa7nzL
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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjoeQbVrL8
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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui1v9xP5G2
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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJB4OYdThv
David turned around as the man rushed towards him. “Can we talk?” the man said looking nervous.345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhhi0uqLi5
“Who are you?” David said taking a step back unsure of the man. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKg63eCN6G
“I’m Henry Croswell. One of your coworkers I believe his name was Jake told me I would find you here.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3JMzSByq1
“What do you need?” David questioned as he placed his hands into his coat pockets. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsiUUvE0yB
“I know something about Dr. Victor Waterstein.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ8gOu3gCW
“Let’s talk then. We can grab a coffee.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nxxcf7MVs
“Sure.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFEa3jGhPv
****345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFv2gzyAx7
After sitting down at a table near the end of the hospital cafeteria David asked Henry “So how long have you known Dr. Waterstein?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk13SWCKj6
“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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jFswmAKWZ
“Why are you still talking to him?” David questioning taking a long sip of his coffee. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTByw93ZhFW
“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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPrwBluxw6
David cleared his throat and censored his words as he replied, “So you just listened to him?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao5I7Rjwdf
“He was going to hurt my family. I can’t let someone take them away from me.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJyQ3ThnFd
“Why didn’t you call the police?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv9eyqMot8
“I have a record. I was unsure if they would even believe me.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXgvtbH6A8
“Do you know what was in the envelope?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9Hid2r2MI
“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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufE2Lj1niT
David pondered for a moment then said, “Has he threatened you before?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBVm4HycUW
“Umm…” David could see Henry was nervous as he fiddle with his coffee cup. “I can’t say anything.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyYk6N3sXn
“But you’ve already told me Dr. Waterstein has threatened you for the second time.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6JEft20Yn
“I’m done talking with you.” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM4CXvmi5f
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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4O9RGkPgT
“I won’t. Goodbye detective.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WHrvLBe5j
David sighed, drank the rest of his coffee and then headed back to Rose’s room. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSbmX81f3c
****345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKYsSRQSdq
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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JLDUFtwz2
“Dear my love Sarah, 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUwUmRl1Ur
345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynKKPeWxT0
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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxELNqKXaV
345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhXgEv3qkT
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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ01CuZ0J0X
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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi8g6u5Iqk
Then the next year I saw you wal-”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN1Jt54It2
Rose was interrupted by David coming into her hospital room. He smiled at her and said, “I brought you some coffee.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqfD4anHoR
“Thanks,” Rose replied as her voice, was raspy and dry. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzyKbSQZ6w
“How are you feeling?” David sat as he sat the coffee cup on the bedside table.345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR1AmpBsYS
“I’ve been better. I do feel rested which is nice.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHeThMC3m4
“Yes, it is. I also see you’ve read the letter.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomR43kofcQ
“I’m not finished yet. Do you mind if I read the rest out loud?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iL91JyDo7
“No, I don’t.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW99sIENhit
“Alright.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUS99w3DEG
345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMNRNsnXHy
“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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p8nIxyZKW
345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg6Oj2tTKt
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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTM4mLYzD4
345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5BgAVyAdl
Sarah, my beautiful sweetheart. You’re an author, a writer. You describe the world through smilies, metaphors, complex characters and relatable themes. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOO3vhfe6N
345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio28L1tnqR
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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmv5cA1lru
345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhwZu0AWkd
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. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uuhem5iQL
345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojzX9GNv0L
Sarah, I’m so happy I’ve found you in person once again. I can’t wait for you to be mine. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO23DNIHpY
345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRruDJGfCeT
From the one who loves you more than anyone,345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfyJiMxmHN
Greg Finch.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGFNuce4X2
Rose threw the letter back onto the bedside table. She frowned and said, “What’s up with him?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWUKboRPOI
“I don’t know Rose. He definitely needs help.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCu0kbNoaY
“Did you call the Captain?” Rose said glancing at the letter.345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaPWz8z5tU
“She didn’t pick up. I know the case is getting to her. Plus she’s dealing with a divorce, so it’s understandable.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9bPikxvmf
“How’s her custody battle?”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzYhzVXdms
“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.” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMUlIsQPA5
“What should we do about Greg?” Rose questioned as her mind raced with finding justice for Sarah. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwrCjmKQTA
“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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7jepp0agt
“It’s a shame the DNA evidence was compromised.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksnAE7bSaw
“I know, but things will work out. And Rose? If you ever need to talk about earlier-”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00ARPp2hjt
“What do you mean?” Rose said sitting up in bed. 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEIDPhd5xx
“The video. I understand if you don’t want to, but I know it will help.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWBXiVOKpw
“I will when I’m ready.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrQg1ccBVd
“Okay then. I think I’m going to head out.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYYQ5mVRKu
“I thought you were staying?” Rose frowned.345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PrgBWJJuU
“It just hurts me to see you like this. I still can’t believe you went in and took the place of a hostage.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ld6O5QLe0
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.”345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtWITRtUvb
“That’s why I’ve grown to love you. Always putting others before yourself.” 345Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPHh0D7vnE
Rose smiled and said, “All I can say is that I love you too.”
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