Page 20 of Two Kinds of Stranger

‘You shouldn’t have gotten involved,’ said Christine.

‘I had no choice. I had to do what was right for my client,’ said Kevin.

‘Where have I heard that before?’ said Christine, managing to land a blow on me and Kevin at the same time.

‘After the case, Cross started following me around the courts. Standing outside the office. Even our home. Then there was a letter yesterday–anonymous, of course, telling us to be careful. That our family was in danger. I got an emergency restraining order yesterday afternoon.’

‘You think the letter came from Cross?’

‘Had to be. The order says he is not to come within one hundred feet of my office, or our home. I saw him out there last night. He stood on the sidewalk across the street, exactly one hundred feet away. . .’

‘Then he showed up at my school this morning,’ said Amy.

‘What?’ said Christine and I, simultaneously.

‘I didn’t want to worry you,’ said Kevin. ‘I’m on it already. I’ve petitioned the court to amend the restraining order to include Amy’s school too.’

‘What did he do at the school?’ I asked.

‘He juststared. . .’ said Amy, and shivered at the memory.

I felt my fingers tightening into fists.

‘I was with her this morning. He wouldn’t try anything with me there. We’re making sure Amy is protected,’ said Kevin.

Reaching for the lid of the lockbox for the pistol, I saw Kevin’s fingers tremble as he closed it, picked up the box and put it up high on a kitchen shelf. He turned and smiled. Kevin was trying to keep a calm façade. He was scared, but there was no way he’d admit that. Not to me. And especially not in front of Christine.

‘Amy, why didn’t you tell me this in the car?’ I asked.

‘I didn’t want you freaking out when you were driving,’ said Amy.

‘Was he stalking you during the case?’ I asked Kevin.

‘Yes, just outside the office, mostly. That’s when I got the pistol. I have a pal in City Hall who helped me get a permit.’

‘How long has this been going on?’

‘About six months. Low level at first. But things have gotten worse,’ said Kevin.

‘Can I see the letter?’ I asked.

‘The original is with the police,’ said Kevin as he took out his phone, brought up a screenshot and gave it to me.

YOU MADE A MISTAKE COMING AFTER ME. YOU SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY. . .

‘How much was Betty Le Saux’s estate worth?’

‘Just shy of twenty million. She gave everything to her daughters, split down the middle. But she had already given Cross some cash for his businesses. He did alright out of his little con.’

‘But you got the fake will thrown out, so what does he want? Money?’

‘He just wants to make our life a living hell,’ said Kevin.

‘Maybe I should talk to this guy?’ I said.

‘No! Look, everything is under control,’ said Christine. ‘We don’t need you making things worse. We’ve got a restraining order, and Kevin has a gun.’

‘What happens if he busts through the front door when Kevin’s not at home?’ I asked.