Page 18 of Protect Me
Vinita:I need an update on your life! ASAP!
I snorted.
Katelyn:It’s sad that you rely on me for excitement.
Vinita:Nah, you’re epic. Any good news? Juicy gossip? Hot guys?
My teeth sank into my bottom lip. Somehow, the wordsI have an eternal crush on your brother that was resurrected a week agojust didn’t roll off my fingertips so easily. No, I’d never revealed my secret. Not to Vinita or anyone.
Time to put her on a different track altogether.
Katelyn:I found some articles on birthing I think you’ll like.
Vinita:Oooh? Do tell?
Relieved to throw her off the scent, I dropped a few links that I’d saved. Notes on her thoughts followed minutes later as she scanned them. I returned to her messages in between customers, my thoughts still wound around Vikram.
The phone trembled in my hand, announcing a new call, ten minutes later. I glanced at the unknown number with a frown.
Department of Corrections?
My blood turned to ice. Quickly as I could manage with an already shaking hand, I answered it and pressed the phone to my ear.
“Hello?”
The warm voice of a woman answered. “Hey there. Is this Katelyn Saucony?”
“Yes, this is Katelyn.”
“Katelyn, my name is Shanice with the Department of Corrections Victim Services department. Do you have a second?”
My stomach turned into a rock. I pressed a hand to it and leaned against the counter with a breathless, “Sure.”
“I’m calling to let you know that Timothy Hanover is being released in two weeks. Not this Friday, but the next Friday at noon from the Department of Corrections. The address he’ll be staying at is . . . his parent’s old house, I believe. 4583 Duckling road. You were signed up for a release alert, correct?”
The name echoed in my ears.
Timothy Hanover.
Timothy Hanover.
“Okay,” I whispered.
So many other things surfaced that I wanted to ask instead.Why is he getting out? What happened to his sentence? How will I stay safe? What if he makes good on his threat to kill me if I ever told anyone what happened?
My tongue bound itself together and didn’t utter a single word. Shanice’s voice quieted. “Are you there, Miss Saucony?”
“Yes, I’m . . . I’m just surprised.”
“If you’d like to speak with his attorney about the details, I can connect you via phone or—“
“No!” I blurted out, then instantly felt bad. “I’m sorry, no. I don’t want to speak with his lawyer. I’ll . . . I’ll speak with mine, thank you. I appreciate the call.”
“You’re welcome. Please let me know if you have any other—”
I ended the call. My hands shook so hard that the phone wobbled until I set it down, afraid I’d drop it. I doubled over, pressed my forehead to the counter, and let out a long breath. I had to call Vini.
No, I couldn’t call Vini.
