Tyler's voice returned. "I'm seeing some interesting credit card activity too. A charge for a Denver-to-LA flight two days before your trip, under the name T. Ashford. Could be an alias. Although it shows his mother lives there."
"He was in LA," Willow said quietly. "He knew details about my current projects when he approached us at the hotel, information that wasn't in any press releases."
"We'll keep digging into Trevor and all the other possibilities," Sadie said as the call began to wind down. "Financial records, travel patterns, equipment purchases. Everything we can find."
"Copy that," Casper replied. "Keep me updated on any developments."
As the call ended, Casper stared out at the endless Nebraska plains from Willow's window, his mind working through the investigation methodically. Trevor Ashworth was certainly their strongest lead. He had the means, the opportunity, and the obsessive motivation all perfectly aligned.
Random fans were unpredictable and difficult to anticipate or track. The systematic nature of the stalking, the intimate knowledge of Willow's habits and vulnerabilities, and the escalating personal messages all pointed to someone who truly knew her.
Someone she had trusted. Someone who felt betrayed by her success and independence. Someone who saw Casper as an obstacle to reclaiming what they believed was rightfully theirs.
The hunt was far from over, and Casper had the unsettling feeling that their real enemy was still hiding in plain sight.
Casper watched Willow pace across her living room, her nervous energy filling the space with tension. He could see her mind working through possibilities, cataloging everyone who might have access to her schedule or location information.
"I need to call Aaliyah," she said suddenly, pulling out her phone. "If someone's been tracking my movements, they might have gotten information from her somehow." She dialed her assistant's number, and when Aaliyah answered, Willow put the call on speaker at Casper's request.
"Aaliyah, I need to ask you some questions about my schedule and travel arrangements," Willow said without preamble. "Has anyone contacted you recently asking about where I am or my upcoming travel plans?"
"No, absolutely not," Aaliyah replied immediately, her voice carrying obvious concern. "I would never share your personal information with anyone. Is everything okay?"
Casper leaned forward. "Aaliyah, this is Casper. I'm handling Willow's security. Have you posted anything on social media about her activities or whereabouts?"
"Never. That's completely against protocol. I don't post anything about Willow's personal or professional activities on any platform. Has something happened?"
Aaliyah's professionalism was evident, and her worried tone seemed genuine. But Casper was slow to trust anyone.
"What about the Kansas City trip for the screenwriters' award?" he continued. "Have you shared any details about that event?"
"I haven't posted anything about it, but the information isn't a secret. The Screenwriters Association has been publicizing the award ceremony for weeks. It's on their website, in their newsletter, and promoted through their social media channels. Also, the signing has been publicized by her literary agent.”
He exchanged a look with Willow, seeing his own concern reflected in her eyes. After they ended the call, Willow sank onto her sofa with a frustrated sigh. "The event has been publicized everywhere. It's not exactly classified information,Casper. Anyone who wanted to know my schedule could have easily found it."
He pulled out his phone. "We're going to make some changes to the security arrangements, but Aaliyah doesn't need to know about them. Can't risk word getting out through any channels."
He called Sadie back to explain his concerns about the public nature of the Kansas City event. "I want to change hotels," he said. "Instead of staying where the screenwriters’ conference organizers have arranged, book us at the hotel next to the one where she will have her writing event. Same proximity, but different location."
"Smart thinking," Sadie agreed. "I'll handle the arrangements quietly. The organizers and Aaliyah can continue believing you're staying at the original hotel."
As he ended the call, Casper noticed the defeated expression on Willow's face. The woman who had been so strong throughout their investigation now looked vulnerable and exhausted.
"I hate this," she said quietly. "I hate questioning everyone around me, wondering who might be feeding information to some stalker. I hate that I can't trust my own assistant completely, even though she's never given me reason to doubt her."
The pain in her voice cut through him like a blade. This was exactly what stalkers did. They didn't just threaten their victims physically; they poisoned every relationship, every interaction, every moment of peace.
Without hesitation, Casper moved to the sofa and pulled her into his arms, feeling her lean into his strength with the kind of trust that humbled him.
"We're going to get whoever's doing this," he said against her hair, his voice carrying the same deadly promise he'd once made to protect his sister. "And when we do, you'll have your life back.Your privacy, your peace, your ability to trust the people around you."
She pressed closer against his chest. “Will I?”
He waited to see what she needed to say.
“My address is now out there, and even though I have this amazing security system… it feels like my refuge has been violated.”
Her cheek was pressed next to his heartbeat. He knew it was crazy… no one fell for someone this quickly. But before he could make the choice to stay silent, the words left his mouth, unbidden and possibly unwanted. “There are other places you could live and still have the space you crave.”
