Page 103 of Day Break

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“Hope is brightest when it dawns from fears.”

- Walter Scott

Chloe

I just couldn’t get my heartrate to steady or slow down.

I’d spent months on the outside and not once had I feared that Elliott would hunt me down and harm me in any way. Or worse, drag me back under his control.

But hearing the worry in both Malory’s and Lane’s voices, suddenly that fear consumed me.

After we’d gathered our things and put them in Lane’s room, I tried to busy myself by making dinner and dessert while Lane worked on his laptop at the kitchen counter. Every now and then I’d look up to see him watching me or looking at the closed windows. He’d shut all the curtains and blinds in the house, so we’d turned on the lights earlier than usual.

I remembered the first trip that I’d made from my hiding spot in that tall grass to the house. How Byron had led me to George.

Just thinking about the old man had my eyes burning, so I shook those thoughts from my head and focused on rolling the dough for the sourdough bread I was making to go along with beef stroganoff. I’d found a slow cooker in a cupboard and wished I’d had one all those years ago.

The house was filled with mouthwatering smells by the time I took the bread out of the oven.

When Malory arrived, she parked her vehicle in the garage to hide the fact that she was there.

While I finished dinner, the pair of them sat at the table talking quietly.

Malory informed us that she hadn’t gotten official approval to be there, so she’d had to take a week’s vacation.

“I’d wager that it won’t be a week before he tries something,” she said to me as I set the food on the table. “If it takes longer, I suggest the two of you take a little vacation until he messes up,” she added with a wink.

I liked the idea of Lane and I taking a vacation. I’d never been anywhere. A drive down the coast to visit some of the places I wanted to see in California sounded wonderful. Or to stay at the little bed and breakfast he’d mentioned.

I’d read an article on Napa Valley and then had dreamed about visiting ever since.

I wished that Malory would tell us why she was so sure that Elliott would be coming here, but when I asked, she would glance at Lane, who quickly changed the subject.

I tried listening in on their conversation while I was cooking, but they were talking too low and with their heads bent close together.

Now as we sat around the table eating, I finally demanded.

“Why do you think Elliott will come after me?”

I glared at Malory until the woman sighed heavily and put her fork down.

“It’s a hunch. Really,” she said. When I narrowed my eyes further, she threw up her hands. “We found a shrine in the house where he had been hiding. The one that belonged to the Allens. There was a walk-in closet full of your items, pictures of you, and newspaper clippings from your case. There were so many photographs of you, some from before the police raid. They appeared to be from a home security system.” Malory paused.

I remembered Elliott having a security system installed in the massive place. He’d told me it was because he didn’t trust me and needed to watch my every movement so that I wouldn’t screw anything up. It had been one more reason there had been no escape from him.

“Then there were images of you in court, and in jail,” Malory said as she glanced at Lane, who nodded. “And some of you here.”

“Here?” I practically squealed it. “Here, here?” I asked looking around. “Did you know about this?” I asked Lane, who nodded.

“I asked him not to tell you. I knew you’d worry. He was locked up. There were images of you and Lane walking on the beach. Playing with Byron in the yard. The two of you kissing. My gut tells me he was at the restaurant that night not to have dinner, but to spy on you. Or worse.”

“How can that be? They were leaving the restaurant. Him and that woman. We had just arrived there and…” I broke off, not fully understanding the timing.

“They had walked in moments after you and had only ordered one drink at the bar. Lisa Allen claims that she’d met him to discuss some business since her husband, Tim, had gone MIA. We are still looking for him, by the way,” Malory added. “Lisa claims that Elliott agreed to meet her outside of Lane’s townhouse building. She’d assumed Elliott was staying there but when she arrived, Elliott suggested that they head out for a drink. We believe they followed you to the restaurant.” She took a sip of her iced tea and waited as I refilled it. “I believe Elliott wanted you to see him. To be afraid of him. I don’t think he believed for a moment that you’d call the police,” Malory said. “I think he’s known right where you were from the moment you stepped out of prison.” She pulled out her phone and handed it to me.

On the screen were several photos of what looked like a large closet with a mix of papers and photographs.