“River?” Daniel said gently.
“Yes?” she said, peering up at him.
“I’m sorry about yesterday,” he said quietly.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” River said and started crying again.
Harry appeared a few moments later carrying his extra special hot chocolate made with melted chocolate, cocoa powder and just a touch of condensed milk, mixed in with some full fat milk.
“Thanks, Harry,” Daniel said as he took the offered cup and gave it to River. “Drink this.”
River accepted the cup and drank from it, and the chill that had settled on her when she read the text finally started to recede.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. She felt Daniel release her soshe could move back to the chair.
“It’s just shock. Harry gave you the best cure for it that there is. In the meantime, I think it might be safer if you were staying somewhere else,” Daniel said and River nodded her agreement.
Betty came back a few minutes later.
“I’ve called them, but I think we should call the police too,” Betty said with a frown.
“They won’t be able to do anything,” River sighed. “I’m not sure anyone can. It might just be better for everyone if I just leave.”
“No!” Daniel said quickly, and then, when she twisted round to look at him, he cleared his throat. “I mean, that won’t solve anything.”
“Why won’t the police be able to do anything dear? That is what they are there for!” Betty frowned.
“He sent the message on purpose. It’s not threatening. It’s a statement of fact,” River sighed. “He’s manipulative, and he knows how to get away with it.”
“Then what can anyone do?” Betty asked.
“Can you pack her things?” Daniel asked. “I think she’ll be a lot safer staying at Grant’s until we can sort it out. Alice can stay with River and make sure she isn’t alone.”
“What about you?” River asked.
“Don’t worry about me,” Daniel smiled. “Alice has my number, and I won’t be far away,” he promised her.
For the first time in a long time, River felt like she might be safe. She still didn’t understand what had happened the day before, and she was certain she probably never, at least not fully,but one thing was painfully clear. The doctor who was kneeling next to her was not at all like the man that was coming to find her.
Chapter Eight
Daniel
James, Grant, and Alice all came to Betty’s rather more quickly than Daniel had anticipated. James had scolded him somewhat for leaving his car so badly parked, but only had good things to say about River’s bike.
“I need you to take it to your shop, hide it for a few days. Make sure anyone who comes in asking about it can’t find it,” Daniel said.
“Sure, thing. Any particular reason?” James asked, narrowing his eyes, and Daniel just shrugged.
“Humor me, at least for now,” Daniel said. “I’ll explain why later.”
“Okie dokie,” James said cheerfully. He took the key and headed off to move the bike. River looked a little queasy as it roared to life and sped off down the road.
“Don’t worry, James is great with vehicles,” Alice assured her with a smile.
“Alice, can you take River to Grant’s place and hide out there for a while?” Daniel asked. “It shouldn’t be too long.”
“Of course.” Alice nodded with a smile, and didn’t even question the reason. Daniel knew Grant had explained at least some of the situation to her.
