Belinda leans forward just a little, and I watch her eyes move from left to right as she reads the message. I’m too far away to read it myself, but Dad must be reading along with her because he blurts out, “Over my fucking dead body.” He stands up so abruptly, his chair scoots back. “Why would you show her that garbage?” He moves to shove the paper toward Lewis, but Belinda stops him by placing her hand over the sheet.
Ever so slowly, she turns her face up and to the left to look at Dad. “This isn’t anything I haven’t seen before, Marty, and I’m sure she has good reason,” Belinda defends.
Dad lets out a loud huff and spins away from the desk, but I think he wants away from the letter more. I move into his place so I can read the message.
My dearest Lindy,
Let me start by apologizing for not being able to speak to you in person—yet. Rest assured, I cannot wait to be with you again. I have missed the taste of your flesh and the feel of your fragile skin under my hands.
I want you to know I’m not angry with you, dearest. Not because you scored my mark, making it so much harder for me to find you, nor because you killed Benjamin. He should have known better than to approach what is mine. He deserved death, just like anyone else who dares to try and keep us apart, so I thank you for that, my sweet.
Please be patient with me. I promise I’m coming for you, and I will not let anything stand in the way of getting you back where you belong—with me. This time, I will be so much more careful, and I’ll make sure no one will ever be able to take you from me again. I will mark you on the inside so it can never be erased. Don’t worry about the pain, dearest. I’m sure it will hurt far less than what you have put me through.
It’s only a matter of time before you will be back in my arms. I can smell the scent of lavender that clings to your skin now, though I do prefer mint. I’m counting the moments, just as I know you are.
Always and forever, you are mine,
William
Hexes,he sounds completely insane. One second, he implies someone kidnapped Belinda to take her away from him, and in the next, he acknowledges she left him. Don’t even get me started on the fragile flesh comments. He sounds like a fucking cannibal, not a lover.
Belinda leans back, and I see a single tear race down her cheek unchecked. It’s pissing me the fuck off. This man is a monster, talking about branding her on the inside so she can’t get rid of his mark. I can’t imagine what he must have put her through.
Lewis closes the folder, covering the letter, but the damage can’t be undone. We all have his words in our heads.
“The lavender,” Belinda murmurs softly. “He’s been close.”
“What do you mean?” Lewis inquires.
“The only way he would know I smell like lavender is if he’s been close enough to smell it.”
“Your calming spells,” I surmise.
Belinda nods. “He always gave me mint everything. Mint tea, mint soaps and lotions. He wanted a baby.” She slides her palms roughly down her thighs. “I didn’t start using lavender until well after I left.”
“Is that something he could have guessed?” Lewis offers.
“Anything is possible, but I doubt it. It’s not as if he didn’t allow me to use it or I avoided it. It seems too specific to be a guess.” Belinda looks up from her lap.
“How’d you let him get away?” Dad blurts loudly. He’s mad and not even trying to hide it.
“I’m guessing he left right after Mark LaPointe was released. Mr. Bursa is a very skilled illusionist, and he used that to make it seem as if he were still at home. He’s also very well-known and respected in Vegas, so we didn’t think he would run from an illegal tracking charm,” Lewis answers very calmly. I know she’s not happy he got away either, but this is personal for Dad.
“It wasn’t just an illegal tracking charm, he—” Dad stops abruptly and looks over at Belinda.
“I know that, Mr. Bishop, but that was all that was on the arrest warrant. We were waiting to charge him with the other offenses once we had him in custody.”
“Someone needs to stop him from breathing, not arrest him.”
“Pop!” I warn, then look over at Lewis. That is not something you say in front of an SSA for the MBI. Plausible deniability and all that shit. I’m hoping we’re all going to pretend he didn’t just say that.
“Is there anything else you can glean from the message, anything that might be useful, such as your observation about the lavender?” Lewis asks Belinda.
“Since you called us in here, I’m assuming you know that wasn’t lovey-dovey. It was all a threat,” Belinda states while wringing her hands together.
“That was very clear, Ms. Miller, and the fact that you think he’s already been close to you only strengthens my resolve to take action. I think we have a good chance of apprehending him with your help.”
“How?” Dad demands after coming to stand behind Belinda’s chair.
