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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAr49uCA935a
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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAyQ7uotzFUV
“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-” 295Please respect copyright.PENANAKPAi7G1DAx
“Nothing’s going to happen.” 295Please respect copyright.PENANARsAZOHfgrE
Rose sighed trying to let his words sink in and then said, “How did Greg get the video anyway?”295Please respect copyright.PENANA1gG0UGpfId
“I’m not sure. But we’ll get to the bottom of it.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAS9gAx8Gb1q
“Do you think I can walk around the hallways? I need some time to think and process.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAA3lefQn0Zk
“You know the hospital staff won’t let you walk. I’ll try and get you a wheelchair.” 295Please respect copyright.PENANAymDBMGnCri
Rose felt David’s hand squeeze hers as he left the room. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAFzqNfQGub4
****295Please respect copyright.PENANAFhKbucznnk
“How can you be so stupid?”295Please respect copyright.PENANAVgroSyM5mW
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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ke5y4cTUR
“It should be obvious I don’t care about your job.”295Please respect copyright.PENANANWzI0NnUsZ
“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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAmfnKUqlJ5f
“Wait! You’re breaking up with me?” Rose could smell the Scotch on his breath as he stood only inches away from her.295Please respect copyright.PENANAImxuDJS8t9
“I didn’t say that I-” Rose whispered.295Please respect copyright.PENANAD7SZDI4Khp
“You better get yourself in that bedroom. You remembered what happened last time?” her fiancé smirked. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAjXj5K1I6mB
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.295Please respect copyright.PENANAfLQtLPJeAB
****295Please respect copyright.PENANAkJMOj1KQzB
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?” 295Please respect copyright.PENANAQBLLLkEXyb
“She was just screaming. I tried to wake her, but nothing worked. She finally woke up on her own a moment ago.”295Please respect copyright.PENANALzNmJVZHuY
“I’m fine. Just a bad dream.” Rose said as she shook her head. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAEnNPzdiR0l
“Are you sure you don’t need anything, Ms. Atwell?”295Please respect copyright.PENANAVwhtj9KyDJ
“I’m okay Judy. Thanks for checking in on me.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAsAtk4gsloC
“You’re welcome.” The nurse then left the room and softly shut the door behind her. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAhLeSIwEt1L
“Are you sure it was just a bad dream?” David said. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAPRLOjzN9bz
Rose didn’t dare look at David. She could hear a chair scrape against the floor as he sat down near her bed. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAKOyFockFvb
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.” 295Please respect copyright.PENANAY7gfHKn2Vk
“I promise you, Rose. I will do all that I can to make sure he never hurts you again.” 295Please respect copyright.PENANA3jnlLuJaVn
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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANA1NoZdh8Atp
****295Please respect copyright.PENANA2dZ8VUZzGB
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.” 295Please respect copyright.PENANAIEt0ecI7Kh
“It’s not for me is it?” Rose said sheepishly. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAJyukqaqJFv
“No. It’s for David’s sister.” 295Please respect copyright.PENANApHqY0KUzWx
“Why didn’t you just give it to her?” David said standing up and walking towards the Captain. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAdL78jBVHQv
“Greg wrote it and it has some interesting information.”295Please respect copyright.PENANA4tIHegNDII
Rose frowned and said, “So what does it say?”295Please respect copyright.PENANAkkaP9UgOzo
“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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAz92GxXwh28
“She’s the victim. I don’t understand.”295Please respect copyright.PENANA3QDw4yvowx
“Neither do I. What’s going on?” Rose said confused.295Please respect copyright.PENANAWZ4Xl8qVQe
“Did you know that Greg and Sarah have a history?” Captain said as she handed David the letter.295Please respect copyright.PENANAGPraDnyVud
“She doesn’t even know him. You don’t believe that monster do you?” David said in disbelief.295Please respect copyright.PENANAaZZV1O99eA
“No. We just have to cover all our bases. I would hate for the case to fall apart.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAIknl89GprJ
“We’re not even at trial yet.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAoF1jNvUNNH
“Give your sister a heads up. Maybe see what she says.”295Please respect copyright.PENANASPlPmhW5ZM
David’s head was swimming with the possibility of what the letter contained. He needed to uncover the truth. 295Please respect copyright.PENANA4VpoNM1EGZ
****295Please respect copyright.PENANA7xm0ocC363
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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAtQheWUxDWf
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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAI9m4u6EOqs
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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANActaUmAi6QP
David turned around as the man rushed towards him. “Can we talk?” the man said looking nervous.295Please respect copyright.PENANAqqagp3tILE
“Who are you?” David said taking a step back unsure of the man. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAGaPtk34MIa
“I’m Henry Croswell. One of your coworkers I believe his name was Jake told me I would find you here.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAR9jNBHJMbF
“What do you need?” David questioned as he placed his hands into his coat pockets. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAcJgXZNBhHM
“I know something about Dr. Victor Waterstein.”295Please respect copyright.PENANA7RT842Je2C
“Let’s talk then. We can grab a coffee.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAqjH3GHFZrW
“Sure.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAQlxnVyrdd4
****295Please respect copyright.PENANAhVoCt5x47q
After sitting down at a table near the end of the hospital cafeteria David asked Henry “So how long have you known Dr. Waterstein?”295Please respect copyright.PENANAIbYuZiqs9H
“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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAuOepBMmA4y
“Why are you still talking to him?” David questioning taking a long sip of his coffee. 295Please respect copyright.PENANA98NmXhlDVo
“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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANA7mcTVklNco
David cleared his throat and censored his words as he replied, “So you just listened to him?”295Please respect copyright.PENANAOUKaIzl2Lk
“He was going to hurt my family. I can’t let someone take them away from me.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAgPChRoz7Mg
“Why didn’t you call the police?”295Please respect copyright.PENANAxLraOFMpUW
“I have a record. I was unsure if they would even believe me.”295Please respect copyright.PENANANEnkIZ4VCx
“Do you know what was in the envelope?”295Please respect copyright.PENANAQoC4hrnhh1
“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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAhTuGpZtJvH
David pondered for a moment then said, “Has he threatened you before?”295Please respect copyright.PENANAlR41fHoLfg
“Umm…” David could see Henry was nervous as he fiddle with his coffee cup. “I can’t say anything.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAKrFHifLMvU
“But you’ve already told me Dr. Waterstein has threatened you for the second time.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAfK6zZgpsvj
“I’m done talking with you.” 295Please respect copyright.PENANAxmNHQe16tE
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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAwTX57yHc6O
“I won’t. Goodbye detective.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAIm3UuWljqD
David sighed, drank the rest of his coffee and then headed back to Rose’s room. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAqfX5p16PT2
****295Please respect copyright.PENANA5rjrjbcBO2
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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAcsFAfBq98y
“Dear my love Sarah, 295Please respect copyright.PENANAgY6Tdm4uNn
295Please respect copyright.PENANAGyxyBKQmMc
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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAnLZemGjDbZ
295Please respect copyright.PENANAakCP1ODEmj
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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAJiIIievpOd
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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAsBbOF716lH
Then the next year I saw you wal-”295Please respect copyright.PENANAYCaf5Euuz6
Rose was interrupted by David coming into her hospital room. He smiled at her and said, “I brought you some coffee.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAikzCq9jVUr
“Thanks,” Rose replied as her voice, was raspy and dry. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAyxFmY48c9f
“How are you feeling?” David sat as he sat the coffee cup on the bedside table.295Please respect copyright.PENANAxOikEgPwi6
“I’ve been better. I do feel rested which is nice.”295Please respect copyright.PENANA7aBizflMZq
“Yes, it is. I also see you’ve read the letter.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAx24JgPUSXS
“I’m not finished yet. Do you mind if I read the rest out loud?”295Please respect copyright.PENANAqrNbXbNngy
“No, I don’t.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAFqHtqERigc
“Alright.”295Please respect copyright.PENANA5mVLt18w23
295Please respect copyright.PENANAbpStgxVaHe
“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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAi8ZGL8js0u
295Please respect copyright.PENANA58yW58YPvp
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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAO19V896UbZ
295Please respect copyright.PENANAqXQSb4HS7N
Sarah, my beautiful sweetheart. You’re an author, a writer. You describe the world through smilies, metaphors, complex characters and relatable themes. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAUvWqwJGB8X
295Please respect copyright.PENANAWWAp5ewt6O
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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANA8LqxM5Ww57
295Please respect copyright.PENANAFDXfAPLBSy
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. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAcVZn5QwPlR
295Please respect copyright.PENANAmB8PQkZbOW
Sarah, I’m so happy I’ve found you in person once again. I can’t wait for you to be mine. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAhMvHFVVvNF
295Please respect copyright.PENANAPcBxBW8prZ
From the one who loves you more than anyone,295Please respect copyright.PENANAG0zpf8Cpz3
Greg Finch.”295Please respect copyright.PENANA8D1Lf8l7rZ
Rose threw the letter back onto the bedside table. She frowned and said, “What’s up with him?”295Please respect copyright.PENANAXSvyigOHEF
“I don’t know Rose. He definitely needs help.”295Please respect copyright.PENANA6ervbmymkq
“Did you call the Captain?” Rose said glancing at the letter.295Please respect copyright.PENANAdBDizGYTmD
“She didn’t pick up. I know the case is getting to her. Plus she’s dealing with a divorce, so it’s understandable.”295Please respect copyright.PENANADvaFKEcSUf
“How’s her custody battle?”295Please respect copyright.PENANA3miFrKYULt
“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.” 295Please respect copyright.PENANAvZvBdDsyTR
“What should we do about Greg?” Rose questioned as her mind raced with finding justice for Sarah. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAqf2bjCYG5M
“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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAZIPsOZmRkE
“It’s a shame the DNA evidence was compromised.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAdfHf3zKIl4
“I know, but things will work out. And Rose? If you ever need to talk about earlier-”295Please respect copyright.PENANArrAlrncAAU
“What do you mean?” Rose said sitting up in bed. 295Please respect copyright.PENANAzHSSSeH7nA
“The video. I understand if you don’t want to, but I know it will help.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAlnCOcl1Y2l
“I will when I’m ready.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAiNjmaJzX0t
“Okay then. I think I’m going to head out.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAgqGKigbc3l
“I thought you were staying?” Rose frowned.295Please respect copyright.PENANAWekDiXauXb
“It just hurts me to see you like this. I still can’t believe you went in and took the place of a hostage.”295Please respect copyright.PENANA6YRrz8O6BA
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.”295Please respect copyright.PENANAQGtu9Skt5A
“That’s why I’ve grown to love you. Always putting others before yourself.” 295Please respect copyright.PENANAgh1Ao8QvvC
Rose smiled and said, “All I can say is that I love you too.”
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