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“Yes. Well-planned.” Chief Sims pursed his mouth. “The perpetrator attacked Olivia in the parking lot and dragged her toward the nature preserve. Based on some faint tire treads, it’s our belief the culprit parked on the far side of it. Several of the shops on Main Street have cameras. Under normal circumstances, we’d have a view of his vehicle, maybe even a license plate.”
“Except he parked on the other side of the preserve, thereby avoiding the cameras.” Cole didn’t like where this was going. “Olivia mentioned a stalker.”
Chief Sims opened a side drawer and removed a file folder. “For the last several weeks, Olivia has received letters from an unknown individual. The first one appeared in her mailbox. Another was slipped under the door of her office. I advised her to get a security system, which she did, for both her home and office. After that, the notes began showing up in different places.”
“What places?” Eli asked. He’d taken out a small notepad from his jacket pocket and was scribbling notes.
“In the pew at church. Under the windshield wiper of her car. Nailed to a tree in her backyard.”
No wonder Olivia had been terrified. She had reason to be. Cole had worked enough stalking cases to know the perpetrator either escalated or moved on to someone else. In this case, he’d escalated. “The letters increased in frequency?”
“Yes.” The chief removed a few sheets of paper. “The letters vary, but follow the same basic pattern of thought. Read one and you’ve read them all.”
He handed one to Eli and offered another to Cole.
My dearest Olivia,
Every time I see you, my heart aches with a love so intense it consumes me. You plan these beautiful weddings, but the only true beauty is you. Your smile… your laugh… I see them in my dreams. I watch you, and it pains me you don’t see me the way I see you. I long for the day you’ll recognize our bond and see that we’re meant to be. Until then, I’m waiting patiently.
Don’t be scared of me, sweetheart. I’m your secret admirer, your guardian. I’m always there, in the shadows, watching over you. My love for you is pure and unyielding. It never ends. And soon… very soon… we’ll be together forever.
Your Devoted Admirer
Creepy. Cole’s fingers tightened on the letter. “Do you have any suspects?”
“No. Whoever this guy is, he’s able to slip in and out of situations without being noticed.” The chief scowled. “It’s like chasing a ghost.”
Cole wasn’t buying it. “I’m pretty sure you’re dealing with a local, chief. Leaving notes in crowded places is bold. He knows no one will remember him. A stranger would stick out too much. Plus he designed his attack to the security cameras on Main Street. He knew they were there.”
“Agreed.” Eli studied his copy of the letter again. “Trouble is, I’ve spent time with Olivia over the last few weeks while planning my wedding and haven’t noticed anyone following her. But it’s clear this guy is obsessed. What about an ex-boyfriend? Or even someone she had a casual date with?”
The chief shook his head. “There’s no one. Olivia lost her fiancé three years ago in a freak accident.” His gaze drifted to the glass on his left. Olivia was pacing the length of the bull pen, her arms wrapped around her midsection. “Aaron was a firefighter. A good man. He was highly allergic to bees and disturbed a hive in his backyard shed. Neighbor found him dead inside the house a few hours later. He’d been stung over 30 times.”
Good grief. Judging from the stunned look on Eli’s face, he hadn’t known about Olivia’s fiancé either. Cole was taken aback by the devastating loss Olivia had suffered. And now she was being stalked by a man bent on terrorizing her. “Do you have any suspects at all?”
“Not one. I’ve taken this case seriously from the get-go. Questioned witnesses, increased patrols in Olivia’s neighborhood, and paid a visit to any parolee living in my town that has a record for harassing a female. It’s gotten us nowhere. The sheriff’s department normally helps on cases like these, but they’re stretched thin chasing drug dealers and murderers.”
“I’d like to offer my assistance, Chief.” Eli frowned. “Honestly, I would’ve volunteered sooner, but I didn’t know Olivia was facing this kind of trouble. She didn’t say anything about it.”
“I specifically asked her not to mention it to anyone.”
Cole was shocked by the lawman’s approach. “Why?”
“Because if word got out that a stalker was hunting a member of our community, there would be nonstop coverage. Olivia would be hounded for information from the townsfolk. Rumor and innuendo would run amuck. It would hinder my investigation, not make it easier.”
A burst of anger shot through Cole. He opened his mouth to retort the police chief’s logic, but Chief Sims held up a hand to ward him off. “Hold on there, son. I can see the judgment in your eyes, but until tonight, there’s been no indication the man stalking her is violent.” The chief rubbed his forehead as if a headache was brewing. “Serenity has its problems. We’ve got drugs. Bar fights and riffraff, same as any other small town. But this kind of thing… an attack and attempted kidnapping… it’s never happened during the ten years I’ve been running this department.”
He dropped his hand, his expression worried. “I’m well acquainted with Olivia’s family. Her granddaddy was raised here. Her grandmother was a school teacher before retiring. They’re good people, and Olivia is their pride and joy. She’s all they have left. Mind you, I investigate every case thoroughly, but there are some that hit differently.”
Cole’s anger faded as the chief’s concern for Olivia became evident. His decisions hadn’t come from a place of malice. And who was Cole to judge? Before tonight, he’d never stepped foot inside Serenity. Maybe the chief was right, and questioning the locals specifically about a stalker would cause more harm to the investigation than good.
It could also be that the chief was blind to the possibility that a local was involved. Small town law enforcement often had a hard time believing anyone in their community could be twisted enough to engage in murder. Or in this case, stalking.
Cole rocked back on his heels. “I don’t often speak for the entirety of Company A, but I second what Eli said. The rangers would be happy to assist in this investigation.”
Chief Sims gave him a grateful look. “I’d appreciate any help y’all can provide.”
“Excellent.” Eli gestured for the file. The Texas Rangers provided assistance to local law enforcement, but except for a few select instances, they had to be invited onto the case. Chief Sims's request made it official. “I’ll go over everything you have so far. We’ll also have the crime lab put a rush on any evidence collected from tonight’s attack. Hopefully, we’ll develop a new lead.” He glanced at Cole. “Would you mind taking Olivia home?”
