Page 38 of Heartbreaker

Chapter 14

Ashley

Running to the door to make sure it’s locked I look outside again to make sure there is no one in front of the shop. I can’t believe it’s starting again. I thought this had all finished, but no, here I am shaking, my whole body is a quaking mess. I don’t even know how I called Jackson, how the phone stayed in my hands, then I called the police like he told me to.

I hear a knock on the door and I jump, hitting my back on the wall, looking towards the door as the knock comes again.

“Who...who is it?” I shout.

“This is Officer Kelly,” I hear the women shout through the door. I walk over and look through the peephole, then unlocking it, I open the door up a little, so she can slide through. “It’s okay, no one is out there, my partner is just taking a look around.” She looks at me gently and motions towards my kitchen. “You are shaking, let me make you some tea,” she says. I am grateful that she is taking control but for some inexplicable reason, I just want to feel Jackson’s arms around me.

“Ashley.” I turn around to see him at the door, and without a second thought I rush over to him and wrap my arms around his waist, burying my head in his neck. His scent calms me and for the first time since I heard the smash my heart steadies. “I’ve got you Tinkerbell.” He pulls me in tighter. “Hey, you’re shaking, I’m here and I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he says rubbing my back.

“Ashley, have some tea,” I hear Officer Kelly say from behind me. I turn around to sit on the couch and Jackson follows me. “May I ask who you are?” The WPC looks at Jackson.

“I’m her boyfriend,” Jackson tells her, as he sits beside me on the couch. I sit down and cuddle up next to Jackson as he slips his arm around me and pulls me close to him.

“Ashley, you mentioned on the phone that he’s back.” I look up at the officer as she starts talking. “We have it on file at the station that you have had previous problems.”

“Ashley.” I look over at the door as Taylor runs into the apartment. “I’m going to find the motherfucker and kill them,” she says as she runs over to me and gives me a tight hug. She turns to the officer. “I don’t really mean kill, I mean call you so you can kill him,” she tells her in a panicked tone.

“As I was saying, you called a few times a few months ago about someone sending you things, is that the person you were talking about on the phone?” Officer Kelly asks me.

I look over at Jackson then back at the officer. “Yes, I got some flowers delivered to the shop today. I thought they were from Jackson, but he said he didn’t send any, so I knew that it had all started again,” I say picking up my tea, my hands haven’t stopped shaking, and Jackson notices as he rubs my back for me and gently takes the cup setting it back down after a sip.

“The person or persons have never done anything like this before, it’s always been flowers, chocolates, teddies, things like that.” Taylor tells her more about the stalker I have. Taylor is my best friend and knows about every single incident and was there for a few. Officer Kelly looks over at the door where her partner is standing, he nods his head at her. “If you can excuse me a moment,” she tells us and walks over to him.

“The first thing we are doing is getting cameras put up in the shop, just in case, then we are going to put one outside your door,” Taylor starts but I cut her off.

“No, the shop is a nice sweet place, a camera will just make it look hinky,” I tell her. “Yes I’m scared, but I’m not going to let this weirdo ruin every part of my life. Tonight was a shock and now I just know that I have to be more aware of things.”

“Taylor this was on the brick which was thrown through the window.” Officer Kelly hands me a clear evidence bad, inside is a piece of lined paper, like an A4 booklet piece.

I’ll always be here for you x

A shiver runs through me, the words are innocent but the connotations behind them are not. I instantly turn my body towards Jackson seeking comfort. He takes my hand and squeezes and I offer him a wobbly smile.

“We have boarded up the window for now, but you will have to get that replaced, and the only thing we can say is anything else that you get, make a note of it, take a photo, and call me if you notice anything.,” She hands me her card. “We will get back to the station and have a look at any CCTV around this area, and see if we can find anything, and soon as we do I’ll be over to show you.” She looks over at her partner walking into the room.

“Is that it, there is nothing else you can do? I mean he could have hurt her.” Jackson looks at the officers, and so does Taylor.

“This person hasn’t threatened Ashley or made any physical contact so there isn’t much we can do right now. All we can do is figure out who it is and then get a restraining order.” She turns to me., “Call me any time,” she says, with a nod, then they leave. Taylor walks them both out.

“Thank you for coming so fast.” I turn to face Jackson, he was the first person I thought about calling when I heard the noise.

“I was worried about you.” Jackson cups my face and gives me a small kiss, just a soft one, “Do you need anything?” he asks me.

“No, thank you,” I reply looking at Taylor walking over to me. “Hey go home get some sleep,” I tell her.

“I’ll be here early, see if we can get a window in tomorrow,” she leans down to give me a kiss on the cheek, “and at least think about the cameras.” I give her a smile and a nod because I know she won’t stop asking about them. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she says and gives us a wave and leaves.

“You can go too, if you want,” I say looking at Jackson.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he tells me pulling me in as we sit on the couch. “I know someone that does shop windows, I’ll call them in the morning,” he tells me kissing the top of my head.

“Thank you,” I say wrapping my arm around his waist, I can feel his heart beating at a strong steady pace, it belies the worry on his handsome face.

“Come on, Tinkerbell. Bedtime.” Jackson stands up pulling me with him.