“Everything is so black and white with you, Jake. You forget that people have different opinions and different views of the world. You fly off the handle when someone questions your loyalty, especially when it comes to the Army. I know you’d never go against your oath. I’m sure Jess knows that too. But she probably would have appreciated it if you had listened. She might have even come around to your opinion.”
I sit for a long moment, realizing he’s right. “What do you think I should do?” I ask.
He laughs. “You’re asking me for advice about a girl? That’s a first.” He’s quiet for a minute. “First thing, save her life. You’re pretty good at that. After that, try not to be so hardheaded.”
“I’m a couple thousand miles away and deploying in less than thirty-six hours. There’s nothing I can do to fix either situation beyond what I’ve already done. I sent the police and a guy who's closer to check on her.”
“You’re going to let someone else rescue her? You must trust this guy a lot if you let him take your place.”
I consider what he’s saying. “I don’t actually, not when it comes to her, but–”
My call-waiting beeps. It’s an unknown number. “I’ve got to go. This could be her,” I say.
“Let me know how it all turns out,” Nate says.
“Thanks I–” but he’s already gone.
I hurry to answer the phone. Immediately, I know it's a cop on the other end. “Sergeant Ricks? I have good news for you.”
“You found her?” I ask eagerly.
“No, the house was dark and unoccupied. But I was able to get some information about the inmate you asked about.”
“Brad? Did you find him?” I ask.
“In a manner of speaking. He’s still in jail. Before he was released, additional charges were brought against him, charges that had been dropped due to a lack of evidence and are now pending.”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“It means your friend is safe, at least from him. There’s no word on when he might be released, but you and Ms. Roberts will be informed when he is.”
I think I manage a thank you, but I’m not sure. The surge of relief is short-lived. If Brad isn’t out of jail, he couldn’t have taken the pictures. He isn’t the one who is stalking Jess. Could this whole thing be someone’s idea of a sick joke?
Jasmine comes into my room, her hair piled on her head. She’s wearing the shorts and tank top she sleeps in, but it doesn’t look like she’s been sleeping.
She sits on my bed. “I got Jess’ mom to answer a text. She said Jess is at their house. She’s staying there tonight. I already let Michael know. He’s still in Pullman, so it will be awhile, but he said he’d get there as soon as he can.” She gives me a hug. “It will be okay, Jacob. Jess is tough, and I know you don’t want to hear this, but Michael is almost as obsessed with her as you were. He’ll keep her safe.”
“Right,” I say, but something is nagging at the back of my mind. Something I’m missing. Someone is stalking Jess. If it’s not Brad, it could be anyone—a patient from the hospital, some guy from one of her classes, someone else who is obses— I stand up. “What did you say?”
Jasmine is at the door of my bedroom. She turns. “I said, try not to worry. Jess is–”
“Not that. What did you say about Michael?”
“I said he’ll keep her safe.”
“No. You said, ‘He’s obsessed with her.’”
Obsessed. Possessive. Controlling.All things I’ve heard people say when they described Michael’s relationship with Jess. I've seen it too, how Jess wasn’t herself when he was around, how he seemed to always be telling her what to do. How he wanted to take her away—not just from me, but from everyone she loves.
“What are you saying?” Jasmine asks.
But Michael was supposed to be in Korea until June. If the pictures are four months old, it couldn’t be him. Unless he wasn’t there, or he came home early, or… I grab my phone again, this time dialing Bryan’s number. It’s early in Germany, but he picks up on the first ring.
“What can you tell me about Lieutenant Stephens?” I ask, almost before he’s said hello.
“Stephens?” His voice is husky with sleep. “Why do you need to know?”
“I’ll explain later, but it’s important. You were in the same unit before Fort Lewis, right?”
