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“I know. Morgan texted me. He wanted to know if I wanted protection.”
“What did you say?”
“No.” I didn’t want to talk about Rhys. “I’m going to sleep for a few hours if you don’t mind, and then I’ll call Morgan.”
“I’m here if you need anything.”
Four hours later, I woke up. It was nine in the morning. Sam was already gone. I showered, changed into clean clothes, and texted Morgan, asking if we could meet.
He responded immediately, surprised I had returned, but told me to meet him at the pub at noon.
It was going on ten. I had two hours to kill. I got in my car and drove to the school, pulling onto a side street. It was quiet, school was already in session, and the parking lot was full of student and teachers’ cars. DC Havard’s patrol car sat off to the side, empty. He came around the corner strutting like a puffed-up security guard as he finished walking the campus and got in his car. I scrunched down in my seat as he drove past me on the street and pulled out, following him. Keeping my distance, I trailed him as he made his way to Herbrandston and passed Anwen’s house. He slowed down, almost coming to a stop, and pulled a pair of binoculars up, looking toward the home before lowering them and continuing on his way. I held back, keeping enough distance between us so he wouldn’t become suspicious. We traversed the small village and then headed toward St. Ishmaels. He did the same thing as he passed Mary’s house, looking at the home with the binoculars when the hair on the back of my neck rose. He was following the bus route. He knew it by heart. How many times had he driven these streets learning the girls’ patterns before he kidnapped them?
He turned the corner. I stopped, giving him time to get far enough ahead of me before continuing. When I made the turn, I stopped short. His car was blocking the street, and he was outside waiting for me. “Get out of your car immediately, stupid bitch,” he yelled.
I made a U-turn and turned right on the main street, driving as fast as possible. I passed the pub and continued on the road until I came to the dead end. The old church was to my left. If I turned right, I knew the street would come to another dead end. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw flashing lights. Havard was gaining on me. I turned left and took the road straight into Môr Haven Manor.
I drove down into the valley and pulled into a copse of trees, waiting. My heart hammered in my chest. Havard’s patrol car passed by at full speed. I got out and ran deeper into the forest, hiding. There was a slight overhang of rock, and I crouched down, wrapping my arms around my legs. Shouting could be heard in the distance, followed by the wail of a siren. I waited for it to fade.
“You can come out now,” a voice said behind me. “He’s gone.”
My heart stopped. I didn’t want to turn around. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.
“I’ll go. I just wanted you to know you don’t need to worry about him. You can stay here as long as you need.”
“Thank you,” I said softly.
He sounded hurt and broken, and it ripped my already battered heart in two. “I’m sorry about everything. You deserved better.”
I felt a tear fall. This was too much. I didn’t plan on seeing him. “It’s fine.”
“Havard will be waiting for you when you leave, and he’s on a rampage. I can have my solicitor go with you so you’re not alone.”
“It’s fine. I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not fine, Navy. It’s anything but fine.”
I nodded.
He was right.
Nothing was okay.
He promised to break me, and he did, and in the process, I think I broke him, too.
“I’m more than the face you saw,” he said softly. “I’m not just a monster.”
I wiped my tears and turned to look at him, but it was too late.
He was gone.
It was futile to think I could drive out of here in my red Fiat. Rhys was right. DC Havard would be waiting for me.
I sat under the overhang, overwhelmed and devastated. Havard was the monster. How long had he been watching those girls? Studying them? Preying on the weakest and most sad. It had to end.
I got up. The trail along the back part of the property led to the pub and would keep me off the main road. I followed it, my heart rate picking up as I crossed the drive and passed by the caravan. But no one came out, and it appeared to be empty. It was cold and desolate. The late November air was reflective of the transition of the changing seasons. Of love lost and the ebb and flow of emotions which accompany it. Leaves covered the forest floor, and the once vibrant trees stood stripped. Pride dropped, they bared their souls, sharing their innermost secrets as the cold, bleak winter arrived. Back home, people would be gathering with family. Turkeys would be carved, and blessings given.
Yet I had no family to go home to.
