Page 35 of Her Final Hours
He raised an eyebrow, fully aware of her workaholic nature and punctuality. “You look rattled, sis. Everything okay?”
With a frustrated sigh, Maddie responded, “No. No, I’m not. He’s back, Noah.”
Noah tilted his head, seeking clarification. “Who?”
Her words rushed out, barely containing the urgency. “Tommy. Who do you think?”
Noah leaned back in surprise. “They released him already?”
She nodded. “On good behavior. Can you believe that?”
He contemplated the justice system’s flawed nature. Some served their entire sentence while others were granted early release for good behavior.
“I guess you expected this, right?” he said.
She leaned forward. “He blindsided me, Noah. Yesterday morning at High Peaks Park. Slashed my tires,” Maddie revealed.
Nursing his coffee, Noah asked, “Do you have any proof?”
She shook her head, disappointment evident. “But it happened. He used a cell phone blocker so that I couldn’t make a call.”
Concern etched his face as he asked, “Did he hurt or threaten you?”
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you think? He didn’t physically hurt me, but the encounter was a clear threat.”
He nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. He surveyed the nearby patrons, who briefly looked their way due to Maddie’s raisedvoice. They quickly shifted their attention elsewhere once they noticed he was observing them.
“He’s violated the no-contact order. He could be sent back to jail for this,” she said.
He nodded in agreement, but weariness tinged his response.
“You need physical evidence that he broke the order. What do you have?” he asked.
Sighing, she replied, “I thought I had a photo of me and him. He tried to take it using my phone, but it wasn’t there. He must have deleted it or never took it. However, there was a witness.”
A glimmer of hope appeared. “Good, so you got a name and contact?” he asked, eager to follow up on any lead that could strengthen her case.
Maddie dipped her chin and groaned in frustration. “No. I just wanted to get out of there. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I went straight to Jake’s workplace and told him about it.”
Noah furrowed his brow. “You left me a message late yesterday. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Because I knew you were busy,” she replied, her voice dripping with guilt. “I also didn’t want Ray to hear about it. You know how he flew off the handle last time. I was hoping we could keep this between you and me. The last thing I want is for Ray to go ballistic and end up in jail for assault.”
Noah leaned back, contemplating the situation and considering his next steps. “Did you report it?” he asked, his concern evident.
Maddie shook her head.
“Damn it, Maddie. They need a record of it,” he said firmly, emphasizing the situation’s urgency.
“I know. All right. I know.” Looking tired, she sipped her coffee, her hands trembling slightly. It had unnerved her. “I will today. I just needed a moment to collect myself,” she replied, her voice filled with determination.
Silence stretched between them briefly before Maddie broke it, trying to shift the focus away from her trouble and fear. “Anyway, what’s new in your world?” she asked.
He couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony of the question. He found it amusing that she would ask about his life with everything going on. “Well, you know I found out who’s behind the house. Luther Ashford. It seems Dad has had some dealings with him. According to my last interaction, he plans to sell the house and move into mine.”
Maddie leaned back, shaking her head in confusion. “Hold on. You live there,” she stated, trying to make sense of the situation.
He nodded. “I’m moving out at the end of the month. After discovering who the family is, I decided it was best.”
