I didn’t want to talk about it, shook my head and pointed down the lane. I wasn’t ready to talk to Meghan. About thirty yards away was a dry patch on the pavement where a car had been parked during the rain earlier tonight.
“When he put you in the trunk, did you scratch him?”
I nodded. I’d caught the side of his face at least once. I hoped this wouldn’t take much longer. Any movement of my ankle sent shooting pains through my foot up my leg. It throbbed and felt hot. My jaw remained clenched to deal with the extreme discomfort.
“Is there anything else you need from her tonight?” said Christopher.
He’d picked up on my pain, plus I was probably getting heavy.
“If you have more questions, you have her email. Text her, or call my place. I’m taking her to the hospital. Her ankle needs to be treated.”
“Make sure they collect DNA from under her nails,” said Andrew. “Hopefully, they can get a good sample. I’d love to get the bastard this time.”
He clenched his jaw. It looked like he took it personally that Eric had duped him.
We left as the officers called in on their radio, telling the station to put out an alert for a black Audi and to order the traffic cam footage for the area. Eric would be long gone, and I doubted he’d dare to go home after tonight. He may have planned to take me somewhere else and had gone there. This time, he’d left too much evidence to pin it on anyone else. It wouldn’t just be my word against his. While relieved they were searching, I didn’t expect immediate results. They still needed to locate him.
It wasn’t until we were in the house after the trip to the hospital and x-rays, with the lights down, the house secure and locked, Ember on one side and Christopher on the other, that I let myself cry again. Christopher held me and stroked my hair. I fell asleep in his arms, grateful for every second we were together. I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
Chapter 20
The next couple of weeks as Christmas approached were slow in the lab, even if other parts of the Museum were busy. I stayed off my sprained ankle and worked on my computer or from a stool. The police hadn’t found Eric at his home, and the address for his office turned out to be false. The police were looking into leads about where he worked but had been unsuccessful. The number Andrew had called before was disconnected. Knowing Eric was out there put a damper on the Christmas season.
Eric Dahl hadn’t existed prior to three years ago. He’d used a false name. That information was something I hadn’t known and hadn’t expected. Instead of knowing everything about Eric, he turned out to be a mystery. I’d never known what his job was—he’d told me it was classified. Now even his name was a lie.
On December fifteenth, The Last Jedi opened at movie theaters. Christopher and I went two days later with the tickets I’d purchased in advance. I liked the movie better the second time around. I chuckled when I received a text from Andrew.
“You were right about the movie. I can’t believe Rey was nobody important.”
“Wait until Rise of Skywalker. We revisit her lineage. Do you believe me now?”
“I don’t think you’re lying,”he said.“Not sure I believe in time travel, but I admit you know things that don’t have a logical or reasonable explanation.”
That was the best I was going to get, and it was better than a trip to the psych ward.
“Meghan?”I hadn’t responded to her texts. After the incident at the Christmas party, she tried to apologize for not believing I had a stalker. She’d been quiet since.
“She didn’t watch. I went with your dad. You should call him. He misses you.”
I promised nothing. The anger was still too fresh.
Christopher and I had time off between Christmas and New Year’s. The forecast for Christmas day was clear, so we decided to go to the cabin after presents and breakfast.
Remembering Andrew’s words, I sent Meghan a Merry Christmas text. Christopher did the same for Brandon. Neither replied. I called my dad on FaceTime. I wasn’t sure what to expect after a month of silence, but Christopher talked for a minute and broke the ice. He shared our plan about the cabin and then handed the phone to me so Dad could talk.
“Merry Christmas.” Dad looked pleased that I’d called.
I put my hand on my heart and nodded.
“It’s pretty quiet here this year,” he said, “But Meghan and Andrew will be here after lunch and are staying for dinner. I hear you’re headed to Christopher’s cabin for a few days. You guys kept the location secret, but I trust you’ll be safe. If I don’t know where it is, I doubt this creep Eric does, either. Next Sunday is New Year’s Eve, and I’d like you two to consider coming here. It’ll be low-key, just dinner with your old man. Maybe stay for a movie.”
When I hesitated, he said, “Andrew and your sister have a fancy party to go to, but I’d like to see you. Just dinner. You don’t have to decide now. Just text me your answer later. Even that day is fine. I’m glad you called. I miss you.”
My eyes filled with tears, but I smiled. I missed him, too. I’d talk to Christopher to confirm, but I was pretty sure he’d think dinner was a good idea. We’d leave before it was too late and have time for our plans as well.
Before I ended the call, Dad said, “I know you’re angry with us, especially your sister. And you have every right, but she’s the only sister you’ve got. I hope you forgive her one of these days. She thought she was doing the right thing, looking out for you.”
My anger swelled. My chin lifted, and I clenched my jaw.
