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Julie gave her a hug. “I will. Thank you. You’ve been such a blessing since you started working here. You’re always looking out for me.”
Corinne smiled. “And I always will.”
Rain started to fall as Julie watched her secretary rush inside. The droplets fell hard against her skin, and Julie felt the all-too-familiar chill settle in her bones. She got in and started her car. Before she could talk herself out of it, she headed in the direction of the police department. If anyone could help her, it was Ayden. He was Nicole’s husband, and she’d gotten to know him quite well lately. And it wasn’t in a good way.
Chapter 3
Julie could hardly hear the words coming out of Ayden’s mouth. The throbbing in her head was so intense, she was sure she was going to be sick right there in front of him. She swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the feeling.
“Why didn’t you come to me earlier?” Ayden sat behind his desk, clicking a pen open and closed.
“I didn’t think it was a big deal. I mean, this isn’t the first time I’ve received threatening messages. I’m a lawyer. People get pissed when a ruling doesn’t go their way. Especially when kids are involved.”
“You still should have reported it.” Ayden looked down at the numerous photos Julie had given him. The embarrassment was overwhelming. Polaroids of all kinds littered the desk. They dated back a good year at least, right before she’d hooked up with Taylor. There were ones of her dancing against different men. Men she’d later taken to hotels as bets. Ones of her at the bar, ordering drinks. And the most embarrassing one was the topless picture of her dancing on the back of Taylor’s truck. She’d made sure she had Sharpied that part out before she came in.
“The handwriting.” Ayden studied it before he looked back up at her. “It’s unique, is it not?”
Julie nodded. “It was the first thing I noticed. I think I stared at it for a good five minutes before I even opened the package. It’s not written in regular ink though.” Julie leaned in closer and grabbed the first envelope to inspect it again.
Ayden’s eyes narrowed in on her. “No. It’s not. I think it might be blood.”
Manila floated to the floor as Julie jerked her hand back. “You’re fucking kidding me. Are you sure?”
“Not one hundred percent.” Ayden stood from the desk. “Let me send them over to forensics and we’ll make sure.”
All Julie could do was nod. Just the thought that the beautiful letters she’d been admiring were written in blood was more than she could take in at the moment.
“I want you to let me put an officer outside your apartment. If this person is intent on actually hurting you, I want someone there.”
Julie’s lips tightened. “I don’t think I’d go as far as saying someone would hurt me. It’s petty name-calling. Scare tactics. That’s it.”
Ayden held up the Polaroid. “You call someone taking pictures of you asleep ‘scare tactics’? Julie, this is serious. Someone broke into your home.”
“And they could have hurt me when they had the chance. I’m sure in a few weeks they’ll grow bored and move on.”
“These date back almost a year, and the fact that these packages started coming in only a few weeks ago says something. Are you willing to take that chance?”
Was she? Julie stood from her chair. The dizziness caused her to grab the back just so she wouldn’t fall. She needed a drink, and bad. “Just for tonight.”
“We’re not bargaining, Julie. If Melissa knew that I didn’t do everything in my power to make sure you’re okay, she’d tell Nicole, and my ass would be handed to me. I’m not letting that happen.”
Julie shook her head. “A week, tops. If nothing else happens, then we pretend I never came in here. Deal?”
No words came from Ayden’s mouth, but from the hard stare he was giving her, she knew it didn’t matter what she said. Julie looked at her watch. “I have to go home and rest. I’m really not feeling so well.”
“Julie…” Ayden walked around the desk to stand beside her. “Did you take me up on my advice and go see Dr. Benson?”
The pounding worsened from the increase of her heart rate. “I told you, I don’t need any help. I can do this on my own.”
“I beg to differ. Look at you.”
“I’m fine, Ayden. I’ve been responsible about drinking. I take cabs if I decide to go anywhere. I always make sure I try not to go overboard. And I promise you, I’m completely sober right now.”
He lowered his head. “And that’s a problem, isn’t it?”
Julie snatched her purse from the chair. “You and your officers stay away from me. I don’t want your help.”
“Julie—”
