Page 43 of Risk Assessment
Raleigh wanted to do the same thing but couldn’t think of an excuse fast enough.
“You would think that a resort of this caliber would ensure a better level of service.” He brushed at the stain on his pants.
“I’m sure it was an accident,” Raleigh said.
“Yes, but still.” He shook his head. “Did you know they actually put polyester pillows on my bed? I knew as soon as I laid my head on them. I had to call housekeeping immediately. And the towels were totally disheveled in the bathroom. It looked like someone had just thrown them on the rack.”
Fear clawed its way out of Raleigh’s belly and wound around her throat.
Clark just smiled at her. Was it her imagination, or was he trying to tell her something?
“And the flowers in my room were daisies. Daises! I expected at least some lilies, although roses are my favorite.” He looked at her. “You aren’t looking so well, dear. Are you okay?”
She broke out in a cold sweat. “I—I’m f-f-fine. I just, um, I think I’ll head back to my room.”
When she moved to get up Clark put his hand on her arm. “There’s no rush. Stay and enjoy your drink.” He ran his hand down her arm and then rested it on her thigh. “You know, I heard you live in Long Island City. What’s it like over there? Ihear it’s got quite the restaurant scene. Invite me over for dinner one night and show me all the hot spots.” His hand was moving steadily up her thigh now.
Raleigh tried to shrink away from his touch. The breath whooshed out of her lungs. He knew where she lived. He liked roses. Panic rose in her throat.
Calvin Clark, the want-to-be future mayor, was her stalker.
“Mr. Clark,” Dylan growled as he clamped a hand on Clark’s shoulder. “I think it’s time you finished your drink somewhere else.”
Clark’s head whipped around. Dylan was standing at the head of his chair. Clark’s face was a mask of shock, which quickly morphed to anger. His lip actually curled with it. She was sure he was going to snarl at Dylan, but whatever he saw in Dylan’s face must have made him change his mind because his face smoothed over into a polite mask, and he removed his hand from her thigh.
“Perhaps your friend is right. We can continue this at a later time, hon.” He gave her a wink as he stood up and adjusted his clothes. He tried to go around Dylan, but found his path blocked.
He and Dylan were nose to nose, and the aggression was boiling over.
Raleigh quickly reached up and grabbed Dylan’s hand, squeezing it.
“Let him go,” she whispered.Please,she mouthed.
Dylan looked down at her and then back at Clark. His glare was enough to freeze hell. Finally, he moved just enough to let Clark pass. The older man made his way toward the bar, and Dylan immediately sat down in his vacated spot.
“Why didn’t you let me tell him off?” The muscles in his jaw were working, trying to expend some of the energy that had clearly built up inside him. “That man needs to be put in hisplace. He had his hands all over you. No one should be allowed to get away with that, no matter who they are.”
“I know,” she said in an undertone, “but there’s a bigger issue. I think Clark is my stalker.”
Dylan, who had been watching Clark lean up against the bar, whipped his head around and stared at her. “Clark? Your stalker?”
“I-I think so.” Tremors started in her hands, and she knew if she tried to stand, her knees would give out.
“Why? What happened?”
She relayed to him the whole story of what Clark had said and how he’d said it. “It all makes sense. We’re always at the same events, he likes roses, and he’s kind of OCD. Josh always says that he demands everything be done exactly as he says. It has to be perfect or he goes ballistic. That’s my stalker. Everything is always left exactly the same way after the stalker visits my house. He makes it super neat and orderly. I always thought it was so I would know he was there, but what if it’s because he’s OCD and everything has to be right or he flips out?”
Dylan held her hands as she talked, squeezing them to stop them from shaking. He asked her a couple of questions about what Clark had said and how he’d said it. “It’s a possibility, I guess,” he admitted. “I mean, he’s certainly a man who will cross the line. And you’re right, he would have a pretty good idea of your schedule. He’d know that you’d be out covering certain events, so the coast would be clear for him to enter the house.”
“Yes, exactly. Dylan, I know it sounds crazy, but if you could’ve heard the way he said everything… It was like he was trying to send me a message. Like he wanted me to know it was him.”
Dylan frowned and ran his hand through his hair. “If that’s the case, then I need to check in with Gabe. Like I said, I’m prettysure your stalker isn’t a first timer. If Clark has stalked someone else, we’ll find out. It will only strengthen your case.”
Her belly rolled queasily. The thought that other women had suffered at the man’s hands made her want to vomit. She’d do everything in her power to stop him from hurting anyone, including herself.
Dylan got out his phone and then grabbed her hand. “The thing is, Raleigh, we have to be very careful if it is Clark. He’s a prominent member of not just Bedford Hills society but the Hamptons too. His family is very well known. He’s running for mayor. We can’t just make unfounded accusations. We need rock-solid proof that he’s our guy. That’s going to take time, so be patient, okay?”
Raleigh’s grip on Dylan’s hand tightened so much her knuckles hurt. Anger flashed through her. “I have to be patient while he stalks me. It is so unfair.”
