“Are you sure? Have you seen her handwriting a lot?” Most people texted or emailed. They didn’t send each other notes.
Cody huffed out an exasperated breath. “She used to leave notes in the case folders I’d bring home to work on at night. This isn’t from her.”
“But she was here just a little while ago. And…” She glanced down the street one way, and then the next. “What if it was him?”
Cody took her by the shoulders. “He’s not here, Brooke. He’s locked up.”
“How do you know? Maybe his father let him out.”
Cody shook his head. “No. Not possible. He wouldn’t do that, knowing you’d go to the police.”
“Maybe that’s exactly what I should do. Tell the police everything.”
“And lose your privacy? Let everyone come after you for details? The cops. The press. Strangers who have nothing better to do than feel better by victim blaming and shaming.”
“Who the hell would take his side in this?”
“Shitty people do. I won’t let that happen to you.” Cody pulled out his phone.
“Who are you calling?”
“Doug, I’m out with Brooke. I just found a note on my car. It says,we’re not over. Can you confirm, right now, that Adam fucking Harris is still locked up?” Cody listened for a couple seconds, then hung up. “He’s calling the governor.” Cody waved his hand toward the open car door. “Please, get in.” His voice still held all the pissed-off vibes of a thousand angry hornets rousted from their nest.
She slipped into the car and buckled her seat belt.
Cody closed her door and got in behind the wheel. His phone rang the second they pulled away from the curb and headed home. Cody put the call on speaker again. “Well?”
Brooke saidBe nicewith her eyes.
“Governor Harris assures me he is still in the hospital, locked in a private room. He received an update two hours ago. Adam was still agitated and insisting on seeing Brooke.”
“What?” Brooke eyed Cody.
“Shit. Sorry.” Doug sucked in a breath. “I didn’t know you could hear the call.”
“My bad,” Cody said. “But Brooke and I aren’t keeping secrets from each other. And that fucker can beg to see her all he wants. It’s not happening. Ever.”
“Brooke, I’m sorry if I upset you.”
“You didn’t.” She tried to slow down her breathing and the fear that somehow she’d be forced to see that murderer again. “I was just surprised.”
“How are you?” Doug’s soft voice conveyed his concern and caring. He’d been so kind to her.
“I’m…getting better a little at a time.”
“It’s so good to hear your voice. You were so quiet in the hospital. You scared me, sweetheart. I know you and Mindy Suehave exchanged a few texts. She’d love to hear from you when you’re up for it.”
“I’ll call her soon. Cody and I are headed back to the ranch. I’m tired. I think I need a nap.”
Cody put his hand on her thigh. “I took her to see the building today and her new businesses. Kristi showed up, then we saw the note.”
“Could it have been from her?”
“Maybe. Probably,” Cody conceded. “How would he even know where to find her?”
Brooke sighed. “Adam was the one who actually encouraged me to buy the bookstore after I told him how Harland used to help those in the community when they fell on hard times.” She had a hard time reconciling the guy who’d encouraged her and hung out with her with the man who’d obsessed over her, attacked several women on campus, raped one of them, then killed her daughter in a fit of rage because Brooke had been with someone else.
How had she not seen that ugly side of him all the times they were together?
