“Can’t. I’m sorry, Lila. I just need a few days. I’ll explain everything soon.”
“Nora, you’re starting to sound really paranoid. Maybe you should talk to Dr. Kim—”
“I have to go.” Nora ended the call before Lila could finish.
She sat on the bed, staring at her phone, feeling the isolation deepen. She couldn’t tell her best friend where she was. Couldn’t go to work. Couldn’t live her normal life.
The stalker had taken everything from her. Her sense of safety. Her routine. Her connections.
And she was completely alone, except for onedetective who—
Her phone buzzed. A text from Carson:Bringing Eugene in for questioning at 2 PM. Will update you after.
Relief flooded through her. Not alone. She wasn’t alone.
Carson was working on this. Fighting for her. Believing her.
She typed back:Thank you. Please be safe.
His response came quickly:Always am. You too.
Nora set down her phone and tried to breathe through the anxiety. Two hours until Carson questioned Eugene. Two hours until they maybe got answers.
She could survive two hours.
***
The knock on her door came at 3:15 PM.
Nora froze on the bed, heart hammering. Carson had said he’d call first. Always call first.
Another knock. Louder.
“Nora? It’s me. Open up.”
Carson’s voice. But he hadn’t called.
She approached the door slowly, peering through the peephole. Carson stood there, looking tense and frustrated. Definitely him.
But he was supposed to call first.
“Did you call me?” she asked through the door.
A pause. “My phone died. I came straight from the station. Nora, we need to talk. Open the door.”
Something felt wrong. Off. Carson was careful. Methodical. He wouldn’t show up without calling, wouldn’t let his phone die during an active investigation.
“Show me your badge,” Nora said.
Another pause. Then he held up his badge to the peephole. Gold shield, Blackridge PD, Detective Carson Black.
It looked real. Everything looked real.
But the feeling of wrongness intensified.
“I’m going to call the station,” Nora said. “Verify it’s you.”
“Jesus, Nora, it’s me. Just open the—” He stopped. Took a breath. When he spoke again, his voice was gentler. “You’re right. That’s smart. Call the station. Verify. I’ll wait.”
