“Well, the detective finally got a warrant to search the airstream on site. They found pictures of you two, including handwritten notes that had been balled up and thrown in the trash.” Mr. Daniels continues. “There were some other questionable things, but they don’t think they are relevant to your case.”
My hand tightens around Hud’s. “So we still don’t know who is behind all this shit?”
“The police have their eye on someone,” Dad tells us.
I launch out of the chair so fast it topples backwards with a harsh crack against the floor. “You have got to be fucking kidding me! Why didn’t you start with that?” My chest is heaving, my hands balled into fists.
“You need to calm down, Cullen,” Mom snaps, her eyes sharp.
Hudson tugs me back down to my seat, his hand going to my knee, squeezing with enough pressure to help settle me.
“Who are they keeping an eye on?” Hud questions, his voice wavering as he looks from his dad to mine.
Dad sighs. “The campsite is only a few hundred yards behind the old Keller house. I think we are both cautious to agree with the police, but they suspect Mason Keller.”
Mr. Daniels nods his head, agreeing with my Dad.
Hud and I exchange a surprised look. “Mason Keller? You mean the Mason Keller who was our soccer captain when we were freshmen?” Hud doesn’t look convinced, but to me, it makes perfect sense.
Mason is the town druggie. No one really knows what happened to turn him into one, though there are rumors. Somesay his family turned on him when he came out as gay. Others claim it was his family that died in a plane crash in the Bahamas a few years ago, and he was the only survivor.
Doesn’t matter because he’s a recluse, which would make him the perfect stalker.
“I didn’t want to say anything because we don’t know for sure. It’s just speculation at this point, but he does seem to have the easiest access to the property the police found,” Dad explains. “Plus, there is a connection to you. The pieces seem to fit.”
“So why don’t they arrest him? If there is, like, probable cause, can’t they lock him up?” I ask, wanting this guy to be off the streets so he can stop terrorizing Hud.
“You can’t just arrest someone on a hunch.” Mr. Daniels says. “You need solid evidence. They need DNA or something else just as concrete. Besides, they were able to track him down and question him. He cooperated and claimed he didn’t know anything.”
I scoff. “This is such bullshit. Why can’t something go our way just once?”
“Cullen, it’s something, and that’s more than we had yesterday.” Mom reaches forward and pats my hand that is fisted on the table.
“She’s right, babe. It’s… something.” Hudson doesn’t sound any more convinced than I feel.
I stare at him incredulously. “You can’t possibly be alright knowing this asshole is still roaming around somewhere.”
He sighs and rubs his brow. “I didn’t say I was, but we have a possible face—a name, and that’ssomething.”
Our eyes stay locked for a moment. I’m amazed at this version of Hudson sitting in front of me. Had this happened a month ago, he would have sunk inside his mind without a way out. The growth in this short amount of time is unbelievable, and becauseof that, I’m willing to let go of the fact that his stalker is still walking free—for now.
“You’re right,” I finally agree, albeit begrudgingly. “It’s more than we’ve gotten. Hopefully, they’ll catch him soon.”
Hud stands and wraps his arm around me, kissing my cheek. “No more negativity. I’m having a good day and I want to keep it going.” He leans in, lips brushing my ear. “Wanna go on a date with me?”
My heart flutters. That little sentence gives me more hope than I’ve felt in weeks.
“What did you have in mind?” I ask, ready to do whatever he wants.
“Nothing in particular. I just want to go out and live a little.” His smile is bright, genuine—happy. It says so much.
Live a little.
He wants to live.
“You boys go out, have some fun,” Mom chimes in. “You both deserve it.”
“Mom is right. It’s been a stressful time, and you boys need to try and get back to some semblance of normal.” Dad gives me a look, one that reminds me to keep my gun close by. I give him a nod to let him know I’ve got his message loud and clear.
