AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You think he did this because of… our relationship?” Chloe nodded. “But he wasn’t at the wedding. So how would he even know?”
“You know how gossip travels in Sewanee. Someone could wear polka dots with stripes to bed, and everyone would know by breakfast. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole town knows about us by now.”
My years in New York had given me so much distance between the happenings of a small town. I should have known our relationship would be town gossip the second anyone saw us.
“We can use my car. It’s at the park.”
“I’ll stay here and call the police. I’m not sure what they can do since we don’t have any evidence, but….” Chloe trailed off and shrugged. I could see how worried she was.
I put a hand on her shoulder. “This way, they’ll know to keep an eye on him. It might even be enough to get a restraining order. We’ll figure this out.”
She nodded but seemed unconvinced. Not that I blamed her. I wasn’t even sure what we were going to do. At least Chloe had agreed to go to the city with me. It would put some space between Tyler and her, plus we’d have more time to think. Like I said, we’d figure it out.
I left Chloe to deal with the police while I went to get my car. There weren’t any people walking like me, but I saw a few in their yards. Most waved to me, and I waved back, but I noticed a couple would turn away, as if they didn’t want to have any association. All of them seemed to be older. Looked like Chloe was right – it would make sense for some of the older crowd to be against having a child out of wedlock. It was such outdated thinking, but that was the way it was. It didn’t upset me. I had Chloe, we were having a child – my life was good.
I reached the park in a few minutes and found that my BMW had also been attacked.
“Shit…”
It wouldn’t be too hard for me to get us another car, but Tyler attacking both cars made me really uneasy. So I was even more eager to get us out of town.
The tempered glass of my window had fallen out in almost one piece. As I leaned in to the window to clear some of the glass on the seat, suddenly, somebody grabbed me. I held onto the door to keep whoever had a hold on me from dragging me away. I started to turn my head, but before I could see who it was, a baseball bat came into my field of view. It hit my square in the face, and I hit the ground unconscious.
Chapter Sixteen – Chloe
Deputy Jimmy arrived not too much time later. I quickly gave my statement, letting him know I thought that Tyler was behind this.
“When was the last time you saw Tyler?”
“I’ve seen him here and there around town, but we have spoken in months.”
Deputy Jimmy wrote down everything I told him.
“Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was behind this. It fits his MO. I’ll interview him and see what he has to say. Hopefully, we can get some evidence. Until then, it might be best for you to stay somewhere else or have someone stay here with you. I don’t think he’d do anything too crazy given what happened last time, but it’s always better safe than sorry.”
That made sense. I reassured Deputy Jimmy that I would take precautions. He left, and I headed to the park to find Sean. I had expected him to be back by now. Maybe his car broke down again? Wouldn’t that just be perfect?
I got to the park but couldn’t find Sean anywhere. I looked around the parking lot and saw some broken glass and… blood! I knew something happened. Something terrible. I took out my cell and called Deputy Jimmy. I was antsy waiting for him to arrive.
“Chloe!” The Deputy stepped out of his cruiser and walked over. He looked down at the glass and blood, a deep frown forming on his face.
“You have to find him.”
He nodded. “Let me check something.” He pulled out his phone and made a quick call. “Hi, this is Deputy Jimmy calling about Tyler Haskins. I wanted to know if he’s been in today.” There was a short pause before he said goodbye. “Tyler was supposed to come into work today, but he didn’t. He also didn’t call in to take the day off.”
“Do you have any idea where Tyler would take Sean? What he’s planning?”
“I don’t really know Tyler like that. I’d have to interview his friends, and that could take some time. You probably know him better than me.”
We didn’t have time to go around interviewing Tyler’s friends. Still, I hadn’t known Tyler well for years. “Where would he go?” I mumbled to myself. I dug deep. Then something came to me – there was a lookout where kids would go to make out. Tyler and I used to go there when we were dating. There was a steep cliff guarded by a flimsy guardrail. It was a long shot, but it felt like the correct answer. “Do you know Tiller’s Lookout? I think Tyler may have taken Sean there.”
