Chapter 38

ERIC

Three days later, I saved the scene I was writing and rubbed my eyes. Alex's home was growing on me. With its sprawling downstairs living area, there was more than enough room for everyone to live together without tripping over each other's feet.

"There you are."

I looked up to see Riley standing in the doorway. His gaze skimmed across the changes I'd made to the formal dining room.

"This looks good."

"We only moved a few things around, but it makes a big difference." With Alex's help, I'd attached my storyboard to one wall. The dining table had become my desk and a bookcase had been converted into temporary shelves. Multicolored folders held my research notes, photos, and other information that went into making my stories as authentic as possible.

The most important addition was an old blue blanket. Each day, Sherlock curled himself into a ball and happily snoozed while I wrote.

"You were up late last night," Riley said as he stepped closer.

I shrugged. "The story was flowing, so I thought I might as well keep going. Are you happy with the progress you're making on your painting?"

A slow smile spread across his face. "I don't know whether it's the fresh mountain air or having a bigger work area, but I'm farther along than I thought I'd be."

"That's good." I glanced at Sherlock. His nose was pressed to his paws, and his eyes were looking at Riley with the adoration of a dog who knows who gives him the most treats.

Riley knelt on the floor. "Hi, boy. Do you want to go for a walk?"

Sherlock's ears twitched, and his jaw opened into a gigantic yawn. Within seconds, he was on his feet, stretching his front paws like a yoga master.

"Is Alex going with you?" I asked, knowing how isolated we were and unwilling to let Riley go anywhere alone.

Riley nodded. "I've been painting for the last four hours and Alex has been busy in his office. He thought a walk would clear our heads."

I looked at my storyboard. The next scene would take a long time to write. If I didn't take a break now, I'd still be there at dinnertime. "Do you want some more company?"

"Sure. I'll pack another bottle of water and a muffin. We'll meet you at the front door in a few minutes."

While Sherlock happily trotted after Riley, I closed the folders on my desk. I absently rubbed my leg as I walked upstairs to find my hiking boots.

When I stepped onto the landing, Alex was about to go downstairs. "I'm coming with you," I told him. "I just need to change my shoes."

"Something's come up. You need to see the email Bryant Security sent me."

My whole body tensed. "What does it say?"

"They know the stalker's name."

Quickly, we moved downstairs. Instead of feeling overwhelmed with relief, I was stunned at how long it had taken to get this far.

"Bryant Security has contacted the police," Alex told me. "I wouldn't be surprised if the detectives involved in your case call us within the next few hours."

"Does anyone know where the stalker lives?"

"Not yet, but Bryant Security's working on it." Alex strode into the living room.

As I passed the kitchen, Riley walked into the entryway. He looked at me and frowned. "What's happened?"

"Bryant Security has identified the stalker."

Riley stopped pulling his backpack onto his shoulders.

"Alex is about to show me their email. Do you want to see it?"

With a quick nod, he followed me into the living room.

Alex's laptop sat on the table. "I connected all my devices to the satellite phone. It makes it easier to download information." He pulled out a chair and started typing on his keyboard. "The email was sent an hour ago." He moved out of his seat.

I held the chair out for Riley, then read the email over his shoulder. "I've never heard of Leith Chapman."

"Your friend in the NYPD would have." Alex pointed to the screen. "When you've finished the email, open the attachment."

Riley looked up at me.

I nodded, and Riley clicked on the file. The document listed Leith Chapman's convictions from the last seven years. "He's been busy." Burglary and aggravated assault charges slotted between two prison sentences. "Is Bryant Security sure he's the stalker?"

"The fingerprints at the cottage match a set that was found at the warehouse."

Riley scrolled to the next page.

Chapman's photo stared back at us. He had the sort of face you could easily forget. Blue eyes, dirty blond hair to his shoulders, and a mouth that didn't look as though it smiled often. No standout features that stuck in your mind, nothing to make you think he's trouble.

"He's from Staten Island," Riley said. "Isn't that where Aaron Connelly was born?"

I nodded.

Alex pulled our spreadsheet off a shelf. "That's not the only similarity between the hero of your books and Chapman. They both served in the military. But, unlike Aaron, Chapman was dishonorably discharged."

Riley moved to the next page and read Chapman's family history. "How did Bryant Security find all this information?"

"It's better not to ask," Alex muttered. He pointed to the spreadsheet. "I've added more information to what we've already collected. Chapman spent fifteen years in the foster care system. When he was eighteen, he enlisted with the Army. Five years later, he was discharged and not long after that was arrested for aggravated burglary. Whatever he did was enough to send him to prison for a year. His life went downhill after that."

I frowned. "He was released from his second prison sentence two years ago."

"Bryant Security doesn't know what he did after that. They couldn't find his current address, but they did track down his stepbrother. I'm assuming the NYPD will try to find him. Open the second email."

Riley closed the attachment and frowned at the screen. "Which one?"

Alex pointed to an email below the one we'd seen. "It was just as well Eric told his agent to send any messages to me."

I moved closer. I'd spent enough time with Alex to know when life was about to go from bad to worse.

As soon as Riley opened the email, a picture of him appeared on the screen.

He looked at me. "Why did you send your literary agent a photo of me?"

"I didn't." I glanced at Alex.

"Chapman sent it yesterday."

I barely managed to hold back a curse. Chapman was getting closer. If we didn't find him, what he did next would only lead to disaster.

I leaned over Riley's shoulder and took a closer look at the photo. "That's at the Cherry Festival."

Riley's face was white. "The photo was taken when we first arrived. I'm still wearing my jacket."

"He must have followed us to the festival, then driven back to Sunrise Bay." I looked at our spreadsheet. "It was a good opportunity to break into the cottage. With both of us at the festival, he must have thought he'd have more time to cause havoc."

"He forgot about the security system," Riley said. "If he was watching the cottage, he would have known I had one installed."

Alex shook his head. "Not necessarily. Sunrise Bay is a small town. He would have to keep a reasonable distance away in case some of the locals saw him."

"He made a mistake." Riley's softly spoken words made me frown.

Riley moved away from the table and looked through the living room window. "What if he finds us?"

I took a deep breath and tried to think logically. But logic had nothing to do with my pounding heart or wanting to wrap Riley in my arms and tell him everything would be all right.

Instead of doing any of that, I stood beside him, trying to at least offer him the reassurance of who I was. "I wish I could tell you everything will be okay, but I can't. The only thing I can promise is that I'll do everything I can to keep you safe."

Alex closed his laptop. "If it's any consolation, I have my trusty Glock."

Riley's eyes widened. "You own a gun?"

"I live in a house in the middle of the forest. If someone breaks in, a bow and arrow wouldn't have the same effect."

Riley turned and lifted the edge of my jacket.

I knew what he was looking for, and I knew how he felt about guns.

"You brought it with you," Riley said flatly.

"I was a detective. I'll only use it in extreme circumstances."

Riley sighed.

"It's not too late to stay with your mom." I waited while Riley thought about what I'd said.

"It wouldn't do any good. The stalker knows who I am." Riley's eyes widened. "I need to call Mom. If he saw us at the festival, he might have seen her leave. He could easily find her."

Alex turned away from the table. "I'll get the satellite phone."

Riley hurried after him.

I watched them leave the room with a heavy heart. I didn't know when this would end, but I hoped it would be soon. One way or another, Leith Chapman needed to be found.