Page 51 of Mistletoe and Malice
“Thanks, man. We know it’s the same guy every day, then.”
Riley sank back into the chair and stared at the first screen, her elbow on the table, hand covering her mouth.
“I’m sending you another video from this morning. Take a look and get back to me with anything you see that could be the real face or form of this guy. He’s disguising himself, but let’s see what’s common in each of them. And send me some stills of the face, as close as you can get.”
“Shoot it to me, and I’ll get right on it.”
Colton disconnected, then sent the link through his encrypted phone.
As Riley studied the image, now motionless on the screen, he took the chair next to her. She turned and their gazes locked.
“It’s the creep,” they said at the same time.
“But you left your mark on him. This is a big get, Ri. At least we know the person sending these notes is connected to your attack. And it’s highly likely the notes are connected to the social media smear. All one guy.”
“I’m so thankful y’all were checking social media. I know some people saw it and made comments, but hopefully nothing that will harm Shane’s case.”
Just like Riley. More worried about how any mark against her could affect someone else.
Her face tightened. “The call from Cait’s sister was a surprise, though. That she would believe I ever had a thing going with Shane. I think her grief blinded her to the fact the girl in the photo was too tall to be me. Cait was a good four inches taller than me, and over six foot with heels. Shane is six-three. But I couldn’t bring myself to tell her it was Cait’s body in that image. It was better to let her vent. I can’t even begin to understand the pain that family is in. And I’m contributing to it.”
He reached for her hand and curled his fingers around hers. “Find the truth, and you’ll be helping them. They just can’t see that now.”
“Still makes me angry that someone could use her image like that. How heartless do you have to be to put something like that out there?”
“I think it’s clear we’re not dealing with a stable person here. I’ll ask John to put a man on the lobby in case another card comes this week. Or next, if we need to, since you’re out of the office Thursday and Friday. Plainclothes. The guard at the desk can give him a signal, and then we’ve got him. This could be over by next week.”
She regarded him for a long moment. “Next week.”
He nodded. Then he’d leave her. Back to her life. And he’d go back to his.
In the house that would feel more empty than ever.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“That should wrap it up for tonight.” Colton addressed his colleagues seated across the desk in the upstairs office Riley’s father had invited them to use.
Trevor chuckled. “With as much as she’s been working the past two days, this week’s been a breeze compared to last.”
That much was true. Other than going into the office yesterday and finding the fourth message, the rest of her time had been spent upstairs. Same thing today, except for her usual Tuesday Bible study and workout with the girls at the estate that morning.
“I guess we can be grateful we’re not having to do any more last-minute prep.”
A light knock sounded before the door opened and Riley poked her head inside. “Hey, you guys have a few minutes?”
Colton stood and waved her in. “Sure thing. We’re done here.”
She walked over to the desk. “I need to give you a revision to my schedule this week. Then, as far as I’m concerned, you can take off for the night. I’m not going anywhere.”
Spoke too soon and jinxed it. Colton held back his sigh as he took his seat again in the buttery soft leather office chair. Hopefully, this change wouldn’t constitute another late night of prep for a spur-of-the-moment outing.
“What’s this revision?”
Her smile turned shy, uncertain, which piqued his interest even more. “I need to add an event on Friday.”
“Please tell me we’re not going Black Friday shopping.”
She giggled, and he couldn’t help grinning back. “No, I would never torture you guys like that. This is something I’ve spent the last few days setting up. I wanted to do it before Christmas, but the last piece didn’t fall into place until about a half-hour ago.”
