Page 50 of The Brickwall and the Bombshell

Letting out a sigh, I push back from my computer. “I got another email today and I’m going to stay here until Mack gets back in town.”

“This fucking shit has got to stop,” George snaps.

“Uh, I haven’t pulled an all-nighter in a wh—”

“Not you,” George growls. “This fucking stalker bullshit. It’s enough. What does this guy want with you? I swear, if this has anything to do with Hawthorne, I’m going to run that entire company through the mud.”

“The thought has crossed my mind, but as cruel as my parents are, this isn’t their style.”

His face is beet-red, a sign of just how angry he is at this situation. Whether on my behalf or due to the fact it’s inconveniencing him and our work environment, George isn’t happy.

“Trust me, if I knew what he wanted… whoeverheis, I would make it all go away. But unfortunately, I’m just as confused and frustrated as anyone.”

And still fucking scared. Even when I try to convince myself I’m not, it’s a lie.

“I know you think I’m an asshole, but I’m not that big of an asshole, Greer.” He tosses his jacket over the wall of my cubicle and falls into the chair across from my desk. “I’m worried about you. I’ve reported on shit like this over the years, but it’s never touched someone I know personally. The possibilities of this case are unsettling, at best. This guy seems relentless and I don’t like where things are headed. If it doesn’t let up, I think I should pull you from reporting. Maybe being on camera is just fueling this guy’s fire. He might be some perv that’s developed an obsession or some shit like that. I don’t want your position in the public’s eye to compound the situation.”

I stand, my heart pounding. “You can’t do that. Please, don’t do that,” I beg. “If you pull me from reporting, take me off the correspondent assignment with the Revelers, it’ll make it look like he won. If scaring me into seclusion is what he’s after, I refuse to let that happen. I’m not going to cower to this creep.”

Can a person be terrified of the unknown, but brave enough to face it at the same time?

“If something happens to you on the clock, that’s on me,” George says, bringing his head up and meeting my gaze with worried eyes. “I’d never forgive myself.”

“Nothing is going to happen to me,” I tell him, knowing I can’t promise him that, but also unable to face the alternative. Surviving this and making it through to the other side is the only option.

With that, George stands and grabs his jacket. “Stay here as long and as much as you need. Security is aware of everything going on and they’re instructed to escort you to your car. Detective Briggs has also assured me they’ll be doing frequent patrols around the building and in the vicinity looking for any suspicious behavior.”

“Thank you, George.”

“You better stay safe, kid. If you don’t, I’ll kill you myself.”

That earns him a half grin and I watch as he ambles out of the bullpen area. He might be an asshole boss on most days, but deep down, George is a good guy.

As the next few hours go by, the newsroom ebbs and flows as the people around me shift from the evening crew to the overnight crew.

When Briggs shows up with my new temporary phone, he gives me a brief update that doesn’t amount to much, but he does guarantee this phone is secure and no one will be able to hack it or use it to follow me.

After he’s gone, I text Mack and Sophie, letting them know about the phone switch and telling them to not send any other text messages to my other phone until it’s been cleared.

Mack immediately texts back.

Mack

Please tell me you’re still at the station.

Me

I am.

Mack

Thank you. I’ll be there as soon as I can.

Checking the time, I realize their flight has already taken off and they should be back in New Orleans in a few hours.

Me

Good game tonight.

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