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Her laughter rings out around us. “No. I moved because his behavior got me evicted from my apartment.”
“Okay, I don’t care if he’s working now or not, I’m following you to Winter Lake.” I’m not about to let this woman go off on her own when she could be in danger. And it sounds like she is. Who knows what will set her ex off next?
“Honestly. I’ll be fine.”
Glancing around, I see the top of my truck a few rows over. “That’s my ride over there. Get in your car and wait until I drive over.”
“The red truck? Next to the blue Rav 4?”
“Yes.” I focus back on her to see her smiling. And for the first time it seems genuine.
“The Rav is mine.”
I look at the car behind her. “This isn’t…”
She shakes her head. “I was walking to my car when he grabbed me.”
“Did he hurt you? If he left bruises, we should take pictures so you have a record.” I’m switching my phone to camera mode as I speak.
“I’ll do it when I get home.”
My fingers freeze. Right. Of course. She doesn’t want to bare her arms to a stranger in a cold, dark parking lot. “Make sure you do. Is there someone at home who can help you?”
“Nan can. If she’s there.” Shaking her head again she adds with another genuine smile that has my inside clenching, “I swear, the woman’s social life is better than mine.”
“I find that hard to believe. You’re young, I’m sure you’re out with friends all the time.”
“Nope. I’m a homebody. It’s why I broke up with…” She shivers. “He hates being home; if he’s not at work, he’s at a bar hanging out with his friends.”
Speaking of home. “Come on. It’s getting late. We’ll walk over and get you on your way. I think you should talk to Chief Yunker when we get to Winter Lake. I can go with you.”
“I’m sure—”
“Please. If only so there’s a note in the system about what happened.”
“The police here said they can’t do anything.”
“No. But the more reports you make, the more they’ll be able to see he’s harassing you and it’s escalating.”
“I don’t think he’s—”
“Has he grabbed you before?”
“No.”
“But he has followed you, and you said he did something to get you evicted from your apartment.”
“Yes. But that was just yelling and banging on the door at all hours of the night.”
“Then tonight was an escalation.” We reach her car and I try one more time to convince her. “It shouldn’t take long once we get to the station.”
“Okay.”
Her agreement has surprise and relief rushing through me. “Good. Hop in, lock the doors and wait for me to be ready before pulling out.”
She gives me a half smile and I can’t tell if she’s happy or not that I’m going to follow her. It doesn’t matter. Her safety is important and while she might not think she’s in danger, I’m sure she is.
No man corners and grabs an ex in a dark parking lot without nefarious thoughts on his mind.
