Page 52 of Defending A Promise
I’m all cried out – at least I think I am, but then another burst of tears comes and I start all over again. The guilt is almost debilitating. Why can’t I remember so I can protect my son?
“Riley?” the detective comes over to Declan and I as we sit on the couch.
I stand up, “Yes?”
She hands me a phone. “This is a clone of your cell phone. The stalker made the mistake of texting you the other day, right?”
I nod, “Yes. Of a picture of me with a giant X through my face and the statement ‘He’s mine and I want him’. Why?”
“Because I want you to reach out to him. Start a conversation. Let’s see if we can get him talking.”
We sit at the dining room table where there’s all kinds of computers and equipment and a guy wearing headphones. He looks up at the detective and nods. “We’re ready when you are.”
“Great.” She says to him and then turns to me. “I want you to send a text to this number.” She pulls up the texting app on the phone. “And reach out to him. He thinks Nicholas is his son, so do it as if you are talking parent to parent, okay?”
“Why don’t we just call the number?” I ask because that seems to be the fastest and more efficient way to get my son back.
She starts shaking her head, “That may spook him. Texting is the best way to start,” she answers me.
“Trust her, Riley.” Declan stands behind me with his hands on my shoulders. I have no idea how I would have handled any of this if I didn’t have him here with me, but I don’t have time to think about that now.
“Okay.”
I pull up a new text message.
Riley: How’s our son?
“That’s good.” Detective Kowalski says.
We all watch as the three little dots appear and then go away, but then reappear again.
Unknown: why haven’t you told him about me?
“Okay. Be encouraging. Remember – parent to parent. He thinks Nicholas is his.” She encourages me.
Riley: I wanted to do it together – let’s meet and we’ll tell him together.
“Good, Riley.” Detective Kowalski looks over at the guy with the headphones as he diligently types away at the keyboard and then shakes his head.
It’s been a few minutes, and he hasn’t responded, and the three dots haven’t shown up. “Oh, god. I scared him away.”
“No. Don’t panic, Riley. Give it time. Remember, he’s done something that’s brought a lot of attention to him now. He’s trying to process everything.”
I decide to take matters into my own hands and text him back another message.
Riley: Is our son okay? Is he still feverish?
Unknown: Where’s his favorite toy?
“Keep it going, Riley. You’re doing great.” Declan encourages me.
Riley: Which one?
Unknown: The one I gave him!
“WHAT!?! When did this fucker give him anything?” Declan yells.
“I don’t know! I’ve never seen a toy that I don’t recognize. What is he talking about?” I ask the detective.
