Page 53 of Finding Forever

Alex pointed to an email below the one we’d seen. “It was just as well Eric told his agent to send any messages to me.”

I moved closer. I’d spent enough time with Alex to know when life was about to go from bad to worse.

As soon as Riley opened the email, a picture of him appeared on the screen.

He looked at me. “Why did you send your literary agent a photo of me?”

“I didn’t.” I glanced at Alex.

“Chapman sent it yesterday.”

I barely managed to hold back a curse. Chapman was getting closer. If we didn’t find him, what he did next would only lead to disaster.

I leaned over Riley’s shoulder and took a closer look at the photo. “That’s at the Cherry Festival.”

Riley’s face was white. “The photo was taken when we first arrived. I’m still wearing my jacket.”

“He must have followed us to the festival, then driven back to Sunrise Bay.” I looked at our spreadsheet. “It was a good opportunity to break into the cottage. With both of us at the festival, he must have thought he’d have more time to cause havoc.”

“He forgot about the security system,” Riley said. “If he was watching the cottage, he would have known I had one installed.”

Alex shook his head. “Not necessarily. Sunrise Bay is a small town. He would have to keep a reasonable distance away in case some of the locals saw him.”

“He made a mistake.” Riley’s softly spoken words made me frown.

Riley moved away from the table and looked through the living room window. “What if he finds us?”

I took a deep breath and tried to think logically. But logic had nothing to do with my pounding heart or wanting to wrap Riley in my arms and tell him everything would be all right.

Instead of doing any of that, I stood beside him, trying to at least offer him the reassurance of who I was. “I wish I could tell you everything will be okay, but I can’t. The only thing I can promise is that I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe.”

Alex closed his laptop. “If it’s any consolation, I have my trusty Glock.”

Riley’s eyes widened. “You own a gun?”

“I live in a house in the middle of the forest. If someone breaks in, a bow and arrow wouldn’t have the same effect.”

Riley turned and lifted the edge of my jacket.

I knew what he was looking for, and I knew how he felt about guns.

“You brought it with you,” Riley said flatly.

“I was a detective. I’ll only use it in extreme circumstances.”

Riley sighed.

“It’s not too late to stay with your mom.” I waited while Riley thought about what I’d said.

“It wouldn’t do any good. The stalker knows who I am.” Riley’s eyes widened. “I need to call Mom. If he saw us at the festival, he might have seen her leave. He could easily find her.”

Alex turned away from the table. “I’ll get the satellite phone.”

Riley hurried after him.

I watched them leave the room with a heavy heart. I didn’t know when this would end, but I hoped it would be soon. One way or another, Leith Chapman needed to be found.

thirty-nine

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