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She scanned the words, and a chill ran down her spine.
You think you’re so perfect. But you ain’t.
The world would be a better place without a bitch like you.
Watch your back. The time is near.
She stared at the words until they blended together into an ugly swirl of black. It wasn’t the first angry letter she’d received, or the first death threat, but there was something about this particular letter that grabbed at her throat and choked the air from her lungs.
“Hey, Allison.” Sonny walked over, and she shoved the letter into her bag.
His light gray suit and the blue and green tie with matching square pocket showed his impeccable style. He smiled, his dark brown hair slicked back. He was a good-looking guy with a charming air about him the local woman ate up. He was a couple years older than her, living the bachelor life, but had asked her out on several occasions. She’d said no. Dating a coworker sounded like a recipe for a disaster. Besides, if she were to grab Sandra’s coveted anchor seat after she retired—whenever that would finally be—Allison needed to keep her relationships strictly professional.
He nodded toward the letter. “What was that?”
“Oh nothing. What’s going on?”
“I heard the higher ups submitted your online bullying segment to the Maine Press Club Award for consideration.”
A smile curved her lips. He was being nice, but she’d take it. “They did..” She didn’t mean to squeak, but she’d been floating on cloud nine since she’d found out.
“You’re going to win it.”
She laughed. “We don’t even know if I’m in the running yet.”
“It was a great segment that really highlighted the growing threats of online bullying. It’s current, it’s brave, and it touches those heart strings. You’re a shoo-in.”
She crossed her fingers and held them up. “We’ll see.”
He knocked on her desk and sauntered away.
She shoved the rest of the letters in her drawer, and an unsettling pit formed in her stomach. What if there were more letters like the last? A lump lodged in her throat, but she swallowed it. There was nothing to be concerned about. It was a silly letter, probably by some jackass looking to get a rise out of her. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.
It was just that she was still on edge after the whole gun incident at Scoops, and this had been the first viable threat since then. Up until that day, she had never experienced real fear. Fear like that didn’t just go away. It clung to her, sneaking in at the worst time and reminding her that while she felt unstoppable, some idiot could end her at any minute.
It was getting late, and she wanted to get out of the office and get home.
Her heels clicked on the tile floor as she made her way through the entrance of the building, waving at Tom, the security guard, as she went.
“In a hurry today, Miss Allison?” The sixty-four-year-old Army vet asked. Tom had been a staple in the building as long as she’d been with the station. She always felt safe with him manning the entrance. Now she wondered if someone showed up with the intent to harm her, if Tom would be able to subdue him without getting hurt himself. He had the credentials, but he’d also been out of the military for twenty years.
The thought bounced around her head, and she tried to focus on Tom’s question. “Lots to do today. Want to get a head start. But tomorrow, I want to hear all about that granddaughter of yours.” He was a grandpa to a girl who adored him. Maybe it was time he retired or got a nice, safe job. Then again, security at their office usually comprised Tom greeting people at the door. Maybe she should tell him about the letter…
No. She was being ridiculous. There was no need to make a fuss over it.
“You bet!” Tom exclaimed, and Allison made a mental note to make time to talk with him tomorrow.
She waved again and pushed out into the early afternoon. The sun warmed her instantly, a reminder that summer was just around the corner, and with her schedule, she’d have time to enjoy it. So what if she had to be at the station at five am? She was out the door by one on most days and had the rest of the day to do whatever she pleased.
Today, however, she didn’t want to go to the gym or browse the shops in town. She wanted to get home behind her locked door until the anxiety of that letter fizzled out.
“Allison!” Her name was a bark across the parking lot. She jolted at the unexpected sound, and she expected fight or flight to kick in, but instead she froze.
This was ridiculous. She wasn’t some timid girl who ran from fear or, in this case, became paralyzed by it. Heck. That incident that had filled her with fear was also the same incident in which she held a gun to a crazed gunman. Fear or not, she was strong.
Still, she wasn’t stupid. She positioned her bag close to where she kept her pepper spray—her gun was at home in the safe box— and pivoted on her heel. The tension in her shoulders eased when she saw Reid’s handsome face. She loosened her grip on her bag even though anger twisted his lips into a sinister scowl. Reid she could handle no matter how snippy he got.
She plastered on her news anchor smile and gave him a cutesy wave. “Oh, hi there, Reid.”
