They both nodded.
“We’ll leave you to it. I suggest you check your phone.” Cop number two said. The other was now calling something in, telling them I was okay and now aware. “We will do a walk around the perimeter. Just make sure you keep your doors locked. This was the second attack on your place so it doesn’t look like it was random the first time.”
I wondered what the hell had been written.
My phone when it came out of night mode showed a multitude of missed calls from the O’Hara brothers and Vanessa. There was a message from Seph, mainly demanding why he wasn’t on my favourites list so his calls came through at stupid o’clock. It was mainly because I knew what those messages would entail at stupid o’clock.
I called Killian and heard the worst of it; a knackered door and the use of a spray can to write a few choice words about me and my ability to suck cock.
Then I phoned Jack.
My second – albeit brief – marriage and the way it ended made me independent. I learned that I didn’t need another person to pick me up when I was down; I could do it myself. But right now, I knew I had someone who would want to help me pick myself up and I wanted him.
I thought about Lauren; it was a school night; she’d be asleep by now after a three-hour dance class. If I called Jack, I’d likely be waking her up.But he’d want to know.
His phone rang just twice before he answered.
“Sim. Are you okay?”
I realised I actually wasn’t. I was sitting in my home hugging my legs to me with one arm and I felt so incredibly alone in this big old house of mine.
“Toad Hall was vandalised. They tried to set fire but security put it out quick. The police have just been.”
“Do you want me to take you there?”
“I’m going to phone Killian first.”
“I’m on my way round. Stay at mine.” He hung up before I could answer, leaving me with his words that felt like balm for my soul.
* * *
I slept fitfully.Killian had told me there was no point in me going round. He had security there and the police. They wanted to interview me in the morning. Jack had been quiet, solid. I’d slept in his arms and when I’d woken with dreams about sprayed words that tore a hole in heart, he’d been awake too, reassuring me, holding me tighter, kissing my head and muttering words that soothed.
“Here’s a mug of tea.”
My eyes opened to the site of a bare chested Jack.
“What time is it?” I was instantly in panic mode. I couldn’t go into the restaurants today and I hadn’t covered shifts.
“Just passed nine. Everything’s sorted. That’s what restaurant managers are for. I can go with you to the police station if you want. And to Toad Hall.” He sat on the edge of the bed.
“I can do it myself if you have other things.”
He shook his head. “I know you can do it yourself. But the point is, you don’t have to.”
I sat up, one of Jack’s t-shirts my nightwear. “Killian said there was no reason to delay opening.”
“I know. He sent a video. They also got the person who did it on camera. Although they’re unrecognisable.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“You have any idea who could be doing this?”
I wrapped my hands around the mug of tea. “I own successful restaurants. I have an ex-husband who’s a murderer – and that brings about its own form of weird fan club.”
“Seriously? I thought that was a myth.”
“Unfortunately no. Eliot was rich and good looking. I heard he had a ton of followers and women - plus a few men – writing to him. I’ve had a few odd letters over the years if they’ve found out about me, which they could’ve done from the legal transcripts and a bit of research.”
