Page 1 of Redwood Blaze
PROLOGUE
Millie
I open the letter from the Washington State Corrections Department and slowly open my eyes.
Dear Ms. Archer,
As per the Washington State Victim Information Act of 1988, we are writing to inform you that Gideon Batenhorst has been paroled. He is to check in with his parole officer every day and is wearing an ankle monitor as per the terms of his release. He has been instructed that the protection order is still in effect.
We suggest you have a plan in place, in the event Mr. Batenhorst attempts to find or contact you. If you believe you see him, do not engage Mr. Batenhorst, please contact law enforcement.
Unless something changes, this is the last contact you will receive from our office.
We wish you the best.
Terra Stivrins
Victim Advocate Supervisor
And then I see a handwritten note at the bottom…
P.S. Please turn over.
I flip the piece of paper over.
Hi Millie,
I’m not supposed to do this, but I think you need to know that Gideon’s library computer search history indicated he’s searching for your whereabouts. If I were you, I’d take extra precautions to stay safe. Maybe stay with someone for a couple months, if you can, and please, let everyone around you know what has happened to you and what, I pray, never happens to you again.
My phone number is (777)-399-0101, please call me, if you need anything.
Hugs,
Terra
I lean back in my office desk chair.
Terra, I pray that shit never happens toanyone.
The man’s a monster, but now that I live hundreds of miles away and gone to great lengths to keep my past in the past…
I take a deep breath.
I’ll be fine.
I’ll be fine.
I’ll be fine.
The mantra is always there in the back of my head.
There’s a knock at my office door and I jump, knocking over my water bottle.
Frozen, I watch the water pouring out.
There’s another knock.
Say something…
