Page 77 of Deprived No More

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s all so overwhelming. But I’m proud of us. For what we’ve overcome.”

Clutching her tighter, I have to agree.

Twenty minutes later, a local Sherriff comes to our door, with Colton arriving about an hour later. They both jot down all of the same information I provided earlier in the morning.

“Has there been any attempt to cause physical harm?” Colton asks. “Can you recall any odd occurrences with Jonas in the past, leading up to receiving the texts?”

“Yes,” Kat answers.

“What?” I interrupt.How am I just hearing about this?

Kat places a hand on my forearm as she attempts to explain. “Remember when I was sick and Jonas was standing by my bed? I was so flustered by it, I wanted to move our key.” Kat turns to face the officers as she continues. “We had a spare key under a fake rock. Dumb, I know. I’d been sick and Nick asked the neighbors to check on me. When I didn’t answer the door, they let themselves in. I tried to retrieve the key so we could come up with a better plan if someone needed to gain access to the house, but it wasn’t there.”

“Kat. I’d completely forgotten about that. It’s been missing this whole time?” I ask stunned.

“No, I noticed it’d been returned the next day. I assumed they just forgot to put it back under there when they left, so I didn’t give it much thought. It’s in the junk drawer in the kitchen now. I doubt it was gone more than a few hours, but I have no way to know for sure.”

“Okay, we’ll get someone out to change the locks,” Nick says without batting an eye. Her hand is now trembling on my arm. “Baby, do you want me to make you a cup of tea or something?”

“No. I’ll do it. I need the distraction, at least for a few minutes. I think all of this is catching up with me.” I give her a reassuring squeeze before she gets up and heads out of the room. Returning a short while later, she’s wearing her favorite hoodie. I watch her meander about the kitchen before putting the tea pot on the stove, and then coming back into the den to snuggle into the corner of the couch.

I know she’s trying to remain calm. I get it. My anxiety is high as we await word of Jonas’s potential arrest. I’m sure a lot goes on behind the scenes we don’t know about. Securing warrants and verifying with higher-ups they have all they need to make an arrest.

As the afternoon descends, it worries me that the kids could come home to this chaos. I don’t want them having any knowledge of this.

I see Colton turn his back to us and speak into his radio. This is nothing new, as he’s done something similar multiple times while he’s been here.

“They’ve got Jonas in custody,” Colton says. “They were able to take him in from his office, so the family is none the wiser. Until he breaks the news, anyway.”

“Colton, do you think there’s enough to charge him?” Kat asks.

“Yes, Kat. But you need to fill out a restraining order and know that he’s not likely to serve any time for this.”

“What?” I blurt.

“Stalking is very difficult to convict. Especially if he has a good attorney. I’ve unfortunately seen it go on for years without the victims ever receiving the outcome they deserve. The stalkers practically have to cause harm before the courts intervene.”

Kat gasps from across the room, and my rage instantly returns.

“Kat, I’m sorry. I’m just trying to be blunt with you. I don’t want to give you any false hope that he’s going away for a long time.”

“Well, what are we supposed to do? Sit here and wait for this asshole to try and make his move?” I bark.

“Nick,” Kat pleads quietly. I know she’s feeling vulnerable. I need to get my shit together.

“Fill out the restraining order and let us do our job. We’ll have people on him for a while. I’ll keep you updated.”

“Thanks, Colton. I know you’re doing all you can. I appreciate your help,” Kat says as she stands from her perch.

The officers leave, and I turn to find Kat’s no longer behind me. Feeling nervous, she’s gone to our room to fall apart, I sprint in that direction only to find her putting on her tennis shoes.

“Where are you going?”

“I have to get the kids.

“I’ll come with you.”

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