“Hurry up, Paige.I’ve got a ten o’clock meeting at the office.We need to get going.”He taps his foot impatiently, leaning against the doorjamb to the walk-in closet.
“I told you that you didn’t have to come,” I snap, searching the shelves for my purse.
I’ve no idea where JP put the few purses I have and it’s only adding to the stress of my upcoming visit to the police station, not to mention the possibility of Zach mentioning my molesting him in his sleep.
“We’ve had this discussion already—let’s not do it again.”
Zach marches to my side, pulls down a bunch of purses from the top shelf, out of my sight or reach, and hands them to me.
“There it is.”I grab the suede hobo bag.“Thank you.”
I shove my wallet, sunglasses and other belongings into the purse as Zach follows me down the stairs.My hands are shaking and it’s in that moment I admit to myself just how nervous I am to officially recount what happened the other night with Joel Hummel.
Adding to my nerves is the fact that he’s no longer in jail.He was released the very next day thanks to his lawyer and although he’s been charged with criminal harassment and could serve up to ten years, getting a conviction is a long and tough road.Convictions aren’t easy to come by and there will likely be a trial.I’ve been reassured he won’t be at the police station, but it’s more than that.I hope to never see him again.
“Where are you going?”he asks when I go left to his right as the elevator doors open into the parking garage.
“To my car.”I don’t bother to stop, only feet from my vehicle.“I’ll meet you at the station.”
“Does that thing even drive?”He glances over my shoulder at my two thousand and seven Toyota Corolla that he had brought over to his place.“There’s no way that thing passed its emissions test.”
“It drives just fine.”I place my hands on my hips.“And it did pass the test, thank you very much.I thought you said we were going to be late.Or do you just want to stand here and trash talk my car some more?”
“Get in my car.I’ll drop you at work after the police station.”
“Zach, I need my car today.Besides, dropping me off at work will only make you late for your meeting.And what about tonight?If I go with you now, how am I going to get home later?”
“I’ll pick you up.”
“No, it’s easier this way.See you there.”
Thirty minutes later and we’re done.I’m less tense and grateful for Zach at my side as we leave the police station.Although Zach is now the one stressed out or something and it’s been mounting ever since Tom showed up.
“Thanks for coming,” I say to Tom as we head toward the parking lot.
“No problem, any time.”He leans down to hug me and Zach stares, his jaw locked and eyes stony.What is his problem?
“Nice to meet you, man.”
Zach shakes his hand and asks, “Tom, you want to help out with this?”
“Of course.That creeper needs to be put away.Tell me how?”Tom rakes his fingers through his already unruly blond hair.
“I’ve got security detail on Hummel but just in case he gets the jump on us again, can you and your friends go by Paige’s place at least once a day and make sure things are okay?That there’s nothing unusual or you don’t see him there.”
“Sure, that’s easy.”
“I don’t understand.”I cock my head to the side, studying Zach.“I’m staying with you, why do you need to keep an eye on that place?I’ve given him notice and I have no intentions of ever going back to that place.”
“I know, but technically you’re still renting it and he can’t go by there without getting your consent.If we can catch him breaking the agreement, even if there’s no real threat to you, it’s something else we can use in our case against him.”
“Sweet.”Tom beams and I frown.I doubt Joel’s going near that place, but I understand and appreciate Zach covering all the angles.
They exchange contact information and Tom leaves, then it’s just Zach and me.
“Thank you also for coming.I hope having Tom here didn’t tick you off.”
We’re nearing our cars, parked side by side, and while it’s my call whether Tom was here or not, I want Zach to know I’m grateful for all he’s doing.Absentmindedly, he lifts his head and nods, eyes glued to his phone.
