Except…the officer who leaned down to speak to him said something about a camera, stalking…under arrest.
fifty-seven
BÉBHINN
Mr. Todd criedand begged authorities to please let him speak to Bébhinn. If he could only talk to her, she wouldn’t press charges. He believed that she would not only forgive him but would want to spend the rest of her life with him. Todd believed that Dagr had set him up.
Thomas, Coll, and her friends had only gotten to the O’Faolain residence minutes ago, Bébhinn’s stomach a tight ball of anxiety. She sat on the couch downstairs with her friends, mom, and aunts sitting next to her, surrounding her in support. Mirren called earlier to tell her how sorry she was. Once she knew the man was caught, Mirren left town to meet one of her artist clients and would call Bébhinn later for an update.
Dagr, Bran, Patrick, Daniel, Jonathan, and Ciar stood with their arms crossed as they all listened to Coll and Thomas give their report.
“I’m sorry to tell you, Bébhinn,” Coll began, “but Dale Todd admitted that he fell in love with you—his words—when you tookone of his classes two years ago. He’s spent all the months since planning some fake life with you.
“He went into debt renting a flat well over his budget. He planned for you two to live there together. The officers went through the flat and found that almost every wall was covered with pictures of you and several of you and Todd.”
“Wait,” Bébhinn interrupted, “he and I might have been in a few hiking group photos, but I never took a picture with just him.”
“He pasted himself next to you. The man was so mentally compromised, his delusions must have become all he lived for.”
Thomas took over. “Once they got him to the station, he started telling the officers all the ways he’d stalked you. Todd didn’t use the word stalk, obviously,” he shook his head in disgust. “He didn’t care that he was further incriminating himself, only believed that if they let him explain his level of devotion, they would understand he’d done nothing wrong.
“He followed behind you on your hiking trip in Wales. He believed you secretly knew he was there and enjoyed his little gifts. He even slept in one of the bunkhouses with you. He knew your schedule because of the Ramblers meetings.”
“Oh my God, I would find flower bouquets in my bag, things would go missing, and for a couple of days, my journal to Dad was gone. He…he…slept… Jesus, I can’t wrap my mind around all of this.”
“He planned on surprising you on the last night of your hike and professing his feelings. The snowstorm stopped him from finding you. When he finally caught up with you, he saw you with Dagr.”
She looked at Dagr, shocked at how close she’d come to being alone with that man. He walked over and held his hand out. She scooted off the couch, her friends patting her back as she stood,and sighed in relief when he wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
She tilted her head back so he could hear her. “I truly believe Dad sent you,” she said quietly.
“He did.” He kissed her forehead. “You are safe.”
Bébhinn didn’t want to ask, but she forced herself to twist in Dagr’s arms so that she could face Thomas and Coll. She needed to know. “Do you know how long he’s been watching me?” She felt Dagr stiffen behind her.
Thomas scanned the room before he focused on her. It was clear that Gray’s dad didn’t want to discuss the camera. She saw his deep barrel chest inflate before he exhaled on a rough breath. “They haven’t finished looking at the time stamps, but at least for a year. I’m sorry.”
She felt tears prick her eyes. It wasn’t just the horror of a stranger seeing her naked or watching her have sex. It was the nights she’d cried herself to sleep after her father died.
“The Gardaí have notified TU,” Thomas continued. “The administration will be handing over all electronic devices Todd used. I’m sorry, Bébhinn. I made sure that none of your videos would be viewed, only the timestamps. After he is charged in court, all of the content he saved will be permanently destroyed.”
Coll crossed his arms over his broad chest, glancing at Thomas, who nodded his head to finish.
“Before we arrived here tonight, Thomas and I were informed that they believe Bébhinn wasn’t the only woman Todd stalked. They have evidence of at least two others. They will be contacted. Once this all goes to court, and the judge sees that Todd is a serial stalker, he should go to prison for a very long time.
“Tom and I are sick that something like this happened under our watch. We’ve people coming in tomorrow to install a whole new security system.”
Hearing Mag’s moan coming from the couch was the only thing that brought a smile to her face that night. She’d wanted less security, not more.
She turned back into Dagr’s arms and let him carry some of her weight. A numbness had been stealing over her limbs as she’d heard just how sick that man had been. A man she’d allowed into her home. She shivered thinking about him following her all those days on the trail. Worse, maybe, than the camera.
At the end of it, Mr. Todd was a thirty-six-year-old man who preferred to live in fantasy rather than reality, and hurt people as a consequence. She wouldn’t let a coward like Mr. Todd alter the trajectory of her life.
Was she sickened over the violation? Yes. Would it take her a while before she was ready for another solo hike? Yes. Would she go to sleep tonight knowing that she was surrounded by family and friends who love her? Yes.
Dagr squeezed her tighter while he gently kneaded the back of her neck. “Bébhinn is exhausted. I booked a room at Fitzwilliam. Would it be okay for us to run into her house to pick up a few things?”
“Yes,” Thomas answered. “Coll and I are staying here tonight.” He looked at his daughter, Gray, then Mags, and Blair. “Our team is starting before sunup to make sure they’ll be done by tomorrow evening. Everyone can stay at the house, but it would be easier if the girls stayed next door tonight.”
