He’s right, of course. “I filed a restraining order against an employee on Monday. She’d been fired, but the firm felt I needed protection. Her name is Betsey Comarsh.” I provide spelling of her name and agree to send full contact information after we get off the phone. My clanging heart begins to slow. Sharing this information with people who can help keep our daughter, our whole family safe, feels right.
“Where was it filed?”
“New York. Lafayette Street. Preliminary order was filed by Hardwin Donovan.”
“And who is Hardwin D-O-N-O-V-A-N?” He barks the question more than asks it. His anger is not misplaced.
“Chief legal counsel at Garman Straub, where I work.”
“We’ll track down the order of protection. Why am I just hearing this now?”
“I thought this was all about Erika. This secret boyfriend and the trouble at school. I didn’t think any of this had to do with me.” I massage my left temple. “You said you had reason to believe I knew something. Why would you say that?”
“After a lucky break, we were able to trace the tracker. Meredith, we pinged a server in your office building in Manhattan.”
I freeze. Erika’s phone. Someone from my building is stalking Erika. From my company? No. These guys can be tough, greedy, and even mean, but they wouldn’t threaten a child. There has to be a mistake. What did he say about a lucky break? Maybe it was just meant to look like it came from Garman Straub.
“Now whoever is tracking your daughter knows we have it. Maybe this Betsey Comarsh. Do you want to come in?”
“No. We’re at our son’s robotics tournament. We’re fine.” But we’re not fine. The best thing to do might be to go to the station.
“Let us send someone to escort you back here. We can review the reasons for the protective order.”
If I go in now, whoever set me up has won. Even if I can prove I had nothing to do with it, which is a hugeif, they’ll have time to clean this up. The board meeting is on Monday. I can’t let this be resolved without me.
“Soon, but not yet. I’ll be in touch. I need—”
“Actually, Mrs. Hansel, I’m going to have to insist. You said you are at a robotics tournament?”
“We’ll come in soon.” I rush the words and hang up the phone before he can tell me whatinsistmeans. I shiver as I turn off the ringer.
“Mom?” Erika stands behind me.
I slowly turn.
“Are you okay?”
I force a smile and shove my phone into my purse. “Did you see some girls you know?”
“Yeah. I came over to ask if we could walk over to the quad, but obviously something’s wrong. Tell me.”
“They found a tracking app on your phone,” I blurt.
“A tracking app?” She yells it and then clamps her hands over her mouth. “The police found it?”
“Yes.” I bite the inside of my cheek. I’ve just told a sixteen-year-old child that she’s being stalked.
Tears rush into her eyes, making them appear as sapphires. They do look so much like Lucas’s. From what I know, he inherited them from his mother, but Clint has never mentioned any resemblance. Has he hidden the hurt of looking into our daughter’s eyes?
She wipes under her eyes, but only a few tears have fallen. “Do you know how long they’ve been tracking me?”
“No. I didn’t ask.” Should have. Such a smart girl. “But they traced the tracking device on your iPhone back to my office building.”
“You’re kidding. Someone at your work.” She shakes her head. “Well, my phone has been with yours since Wednesday. And I was in the office twice recently. Once last week. Do you think whoever was tracking me is also tracking you?”
“Hey.” Clint suddenly appears, and he’s panting.
“You okay?” Erika squints at him. “Both of you are scaring me.”
