“Funds?” she cried out when she should be trying to remain in control. “How can that play into this when my life could be at stake?”
“Again, we have no proof of a break-in, ma’am, so there isn’t any proof of a crime being committed and DNA is expensive to run.”
She gritted her teeth and then let out a breath. “However Fowler did this, it has to be him. Check with the gas station attendant. He’ll tell you Fowler was at the station down the road.”
“Not a crime, unless of course, he has conditions tied to his release that tell him to refrain from making any contact with you. But then again, he didn’t make contact.”
She wanted to scream. “Sounds like you’re on his side. The side of a bank robber.”
“Not on his side, Ms. Cash. Not at all. Just telling you that I have to work within the constraints of the law.”
“Will you at least go to the gas station? Please?”
He sat forward as if planning to leave. “I’ll ask the uniform I sent over to your parent’s address to follow up there too.”
“And if they say he was there?”
“It doesn’t really change anything, but if there’s any sign of a forced entry at your parent’s home, we’ll be looking for Fowler, and this attendant might be the key to locating him.”
“And if no sign of forced entry?” Reid stepped in when he’d told her he didn’t plan to, as he didn’t want to make the officer think he was trying to do his job for him and put him on the defensive.
Wilson met Reid’s gaze with confidence. “Then I’m afraid all we can do is have our officers keep an eye out for his truck and stop him to see what he’s doing in our area.”
“Officer York was going to go by the motel to check on him,” Megan said.
“He did and didn’t see the white truck registered to a Norman Fowler. The clerk wouldn’t give out any information without a warrant, which—”
“You can’t get because no crime has been committed,” Megan said. “Trust me. I get it.”
“What about calling his probation officer?” Reid asked. “I’ve reviewed his judgment order. As long as he remains in the state he’s not violating it, but the PO might have restricted his travel for some reason.”
Wilson stood and peered at Megan. “After I know what’s going on at your parent’s place I can make that call. Tell the PO it’s possible Fowler’s down here harassing Ms. Cash. Maybe breaking the law. Not sure how seriously they’ll take me without any proof, though.”
Reid shoved his hands into his pockets. “A good PO will at least call him.”
“And with mobile phones, he could lie to his PO about his location, but they could require him to report in, and that could stop this for the time being anyway.” He handed Megan a business card. “Now excuse me. I’ll make that call to my uniform and get forensics out here.”
“Can we leave a house key with you so I can get Ms. Cash back to her sick daughter and you all can secure the property?” Reid asked.
“Of course.”
Megan wanted to sag in her seat, but Ella needed her. She stood and picked up a key from the table where the locksmith had left them after he changed the locks and handed it to the detective, who pocketed it.
“Am I free to pack a bag and take the bear I came to get?” Megan asked.
“Don’t see why not. I’ll be in touch.” The detective stepped from the room.
“I’ll get things packed so we can get going,” she said to Reid, then rushed from the room before she started crying.
But she held it in, got hers and Ella’s things, including Boo-Boo, into a bag, and Reid escorted her through the darkness to his SUV. She wished it didn’t get dark before five as she would feel much safer. Even Bandit seemed to abandon her as he curled up in the backseat this time.
As Reid drove, she didn’t know what to say to him. What to do. So she clutched her hands in her lap. Fidgeting. Fighting her fear. And trying to process today’s events and figure out what she could talk about without crying.
She snuck a glance at Reid. Such a tough profile, yet she knew he could also be gentle. But he’d pulled away at her house. Seemed to put up a wall and they’d spoken very little after Micha departed for her parents’ house.
Sure he stayed by her side when the police arrived in a whirl of activity, but he’d remained reserved. At least now she knew exactly what that mysterious look she’d caught between him and Micha meant. Fowler wanted the police to think she’d planted the cap for attention, because then they wouldn’t offer to help her. He wanted her to know that he was out there and coming for her, but the lack of police protection left her exposed and vulnerable. If she hadn’t run into Reid at the hospital, she’d be on her own to keep Ella and herself out of Fowler’s grasp.
She shivered and rubbed her arms to warm herself.
