Page 98 of Sawyer
“The team from Williamstown were watching the back of the property.Not sure how they got through, but they did.”At least he looks remorseful.I rub my eyes, thankful it didn’t all go completely wrong, yet feeling angry that it almost did.
“So it was Stanley?Who was with him?Who has been stalking her and making an attempt on her life?”I grit out.Fisting my hands, my anger has now fully bloomed, knowing Annabelle is in safe hands and the boys are not here.
“Turns out, you were right,” he says, a little sheepish, and my eyebrows rise.
“Her ex?”I almost choke, not believing that my far-fetched thoughts were actually accurate.
“Yeah.We’re taking them in for questioning, and they’ll remain in lockup until their court date.You go be with your family, Sawyer.I’ll speak to you tomorrow.I’ll have more details then.”
I look over my shoulder and get eyes on the two men.Stanley looks at the ground, and Steve looks right at me, and I know for sure that’s her former husband.I meet his gaze, knowing that I will ensure he’s behind bars for a very, very long time.
45
Annabelle
“My headache is gone,” I tell Hudson and Sawyer, who have both been here all night, Sawyer never leaving my side.
“Good,” Hudson says as he scribbles something down on my chart.“I’ll organize some breakfast for you now.I think you should be fine to eat a little something.I’d like you to stay here again tonight, just to keep an eye on you, but Sawyer can take you home tomorrow.”
I nod.I’m not ready to go home just yet anyway.My body feels like I went through the washing machine.Bruises all over, my head heavy, my face with abrasions and cuts.I haven’t looked in the mirror, but I’m sure I look terrible.
“Thanks, Hudson.”
He grins.“Anytime.I’ll leave you guys to it.”Slapping Sawyer’s shoulder, he walks out the door, and I look at Sawyer.
“You look like a mess,” I tell him honestly.He obviously hasn’t slept.He also has a gash on his head, a white bandage now taking up the side of his head above his ear.
“You look beautiful.”
Shaking my head, I smile.“You should go home, take a shower, get some sleep.”
He shrugs, narrowing his eyes at me playfully.“Superman doesn’t sleep.”
I huff a small laugh before I grimace a little at the pulling in my head.
“So it was Steve,” I say tentatively.I’m sure he knows, but we haven't spoken about it yet.
“It was.”He nods, watching me.I see his jaw clench a little, and I take a deep breath.
“Never in a million years did I ever think that was a possibility.”I still don’t understand it.“Before you came, he told me that he took a life insurance policy against himself and faked it all.Not sure how.That car was a wreck.”Thinking about it all makes my head hurt.
“I had an inkling it could be him,” he says, and I frown.
“What?What do you mean?”
“I spoke to the sheriff a few days ago.I asked to see the police reports of his crash.There were no remains.So I questioned it.”
When I don’t respond, only look at him with a pinched brow, totally confused, he continues.
“When a car with a full tank of fuel crashes and bursts into flames, the heat can cause a lot of damage.Soft tissues burn away quickly, but bones are tough, so they don’t usually disintegrate completely unless the fire burns superhot for a really long time.Teeth are even tougher because of their enamel, which is why they’re usually still around and can be used to identify people.But larger bones, like parts of the skull or pelvis, also tend to survive.So, if there are no bones left at all, it’s unusual.It just made me think that it could be possible.The sheriff was going to investigate it some more, but in the meantime, he offered this solution of me leaving town so they could catch whomever it was.”
Wow.I knew Sawyer was smart, of course, but his knowledge on these things is extensive.Thank God.
“Well, it worked.”
“It worked because I came back.God, if I hadn't come back…” He looks to the ceiling, his expression pained.
“But you did.And we’re all fine.”I know the emotions that he must be feeling are leaving him riddled with guilt over nothing.
