‘I got it just a few minutes ago,’ Don said. ‘I’ve never gotten one from him before. I passed it on to Ryde. Does he know about this, Kay? Have you heard from him?’ Don asked.
‘He knows,’ Kendra replied. ‘Open the next one.’
This time the color rose in Kendra’s cheeks. Harris cursed out loud and Dee moved to flank Kendra next to Stacie.
‘What does it say?’ Don asked.
‘Jesus, you callous bastard,’ Garrett said, ‘you can’t really expect me to read it out loud! I’ll email it to you.’
Before he could forward the message, Kendra pushed his hand away and began to read aloud. Her voice was distant and without emotion. There was no trembling, no wavering. Just hard, cold resolve.
You’re a whore and a liar, Tess Delaney. You may be able to fool the press with your innocent radiance, but I see right through you. Whores go to jail when the police catch them, Tess. I promise I won’t let you off nearly that easily.
R.S.
‘That sonovabitch,’ Ellis said softly, laying a hand on Dee’s shoulder. He had his BlackBerry out.
‘What are you doing?’ Garrett asked.
‘Getting in touch with Wade,’ he said. ‘If the police can’t help, maybe Wade can. Send him the emails, Garrett, and I think we all need to make a trip down the Pneuma Building. I’ve got Jeffries waiting in the alley with the limo,’ he said.
When Dee saw the look of surprise on everyone’s faces, she added, ‘We figured the two of you would be getting pretty claustrophobic by now. Not that Garrett’s house isn’t nice, and all, but, Ken, I know you don’t like being in one place too long. We were just going to drag you back to Ellis’s place for a little break from all of this, but I think our first stop now definitely needs to be Wade’s dungeon.’
‘Pack what you need,’ Ellis said. ‘You’re not coming back here tonight.’ He gave a glance around. ‘There’s plenty of room for everyone. I’ll have Galina throw an extra bean in the pot and make the beds up in the bunk house.’
‘It’ll be a slumber party.’ Dee squeezed Kendra’s shoulder in an obvious effort to cheer her up.
But both Harris and Stacie shook their heads.
‘I have a very early meeting down on the Malheur Reserve tomorrow,’ Harris said. ‘We’re planning some migratory shoots. But if you need me, Ken –’ he took his friend’s hand ‘– I’ll cancel.’
‘I have a feeling she doesn’t need either one of us,’ Stacie said, lightly touching Harris’s arm. ‘But I echo Harris’s sentiments.’
Kendra shook her head. ‘No. Do what you both have to do. I’ll be fine. I still think it’s all just idle threats. Every celebrity gets them.’ She forced a smile that didn’t look too convincing.
Stacie nodded. ‘I have meetings with my lawyer and the realtors to finalize the papers on the gallery,’ she said. ‘I can stay in the house if you want me to, Garrett. That way it won’t be empty.’
‘Don’t be stupid,’ Garrett said. ‘This asshole clearly doesn’t like you very much either. There’s no way you’re staying here alone.’
‘Garrett’s right,’ Dee said.
Stacie nodded. ‘Well, I haven’t stayed at the Heathman in a while. I think I’d quite like a few days of being spoiled. And Dee, Garrett, Ellis, you all have my number if you need me.’
Harris went to the living room and peeked out the drapes at the front yard to where they could still hear the reporters shuffling and mumbling. ‘Ken –’ he called back over his shoulder ‘– why don’t you and Garrett get what you need and get all set to go.’ He turned his attention to Stacie. ‘Is your rental car still out front?’
She nodded. ‘Might be covered with eggs, though.’
‘We can handle eggs, I think.’ He said. ‘How about if we draw the press’s attention while you all make a fast getaway?’
Stacie nodded agreement.
‘I’ll keep the security here,’ Garrett said. I’ll phone and see if a couple of them can just hang out in the house so it feels like we’re still inside, what do you think?’ He slipped his arm protectively around Kendra. ‘That way maybe they won’t go looking for us.’
It had taken Carla ages to stop shaking. She sat in the motorhome with the doors locked, trembling like a leaf, with the final text from the stalker wavering in and out of focus in front of her eyes. She wanted to look away. She wanted to run away actually. She wanted never to hear from this sicko again, but where could she go?