Dark Echo

Chapter 13

January 3, 2015The girls leave the precinct feeling no more secure than when they first arrived. Searching for her car keys, Laura suppresses an urge to scream, recalling the apathetic policeman, who sat expressionless behind his desk. “I knew this would be a wasted trip.”

Leanne remains calm, certain an emotional outburst won"t help, although she wanted to throw a chair at the stone-faced officer to elicit emotion. “We needed to report the break-in, Laura. Now there"s an official police record, and if this person resurfaces, the police will take it more seriously next time.”

Tara walks behind the girls toward the car; trying to still chills ripping through her body. “You"re right, Leanne, but regardless, some protection should be offered. For God"s sake, the person broke into our private space. Do we have to be battered and bleeding for them to send security? Girls, we can"t wait for the police to help,” Tara says, wincing from electrical currents surging through her body like a radiating missile over every inch of her skin. All she wants is to dive into a cold pool of water. Trying to disguise her discomfort, she sits still as a statue in the back seat.

“Girls, it"s up to us now,” Laura says, sensing Tara"s discomfort. “We need to stick together until we figure out what"s going on. Since my home has more space than yours, I think you two should move in until we figure this out. Neither of us should be alone at this point. Leanne, where"s Adam?”Laura asks.

“I messed up,” Leanne says in a tearful whisper. “I"m sorry guys. I screwed up this time. I think he left for good.”

Tara shakes her head. “That"s ridiculous. Adam would never leave you; he loves you too much.”

“Well, he did. He"s gone back to Chicago for the holiday. I think he"s finally had enough of my nonsense. He left a message earlier saying he"d call, but I don"t know when or if he"s returning.” Finally realizing how much she wants and needs him in her life she says, “I just don"t want to lose him.”

“Leanne, you"re not going to lose Adam. He probably just needs time to think. Believe me, that man"s not letting you go that easily, sweetie. You"ll see. Okay, ladies. I"m taking you home to pack. You"re moving in with me.”

With no better alternative, the girls don"t protest as Laura drives away from the police precinct. Silence fills the car as she turns onto Broad Street straight to Leanne"s townhouse.

January 5, 2015, Alcott EstateTwo days later, Laura sits in her office examining the new surveillance. The entire house, all thirty rooms, have cameras installed at every major entrance—back door, side door, hallway, window—every entrance in the estate. Laura wonders why she hadn"t done this earlier. Although the girls feel more secure, they"re still on edge anticipating the next note, phone call, or physical encounter with their stalker.

Cody

At the entrance, Cody stomps thick powdery snow off his boots and pants before entering the Constellation Hotel at Northstar in Tahoe. He walks toward the fireplace in the lobby, stopping to warm his hands before heading to his suite.

“Mr. Darling,” called the desk clerk. “You received a package today by UPS.”

“Thank you,” Cody says, and wonders who the package is from. He heads to his suite on the fifth floor, and shakes the box, trying to determine its contents. Inside the small kitchen, he looks for a knife to cut the thick brown UPS packaging. A tiny gift wrapped in silver with a blue velvet bow falls out. He searches the envelope deeper, hoping to find a card or note from the sender. Maybe it"s from the staff. They"re the only ones privy to my whereabouts. He unties the bow and unwraps the silver wrapping to find the brown box, keychain, and note it contains. Perplexed, he empties the contents on the desk hoping to uncover another clue to its sender … Nothing.

Maybe it"s from the staff.NothingHe studies the keychain, remembering this particular one was discontinued last year. For eleven years, AHD gave this chain to previous winners before redesigning the new 2014 keychain. No one could have access to these—only the winner and the staff. He reads the note: You Broke Your Promise.

Why would a winner send this or anyone at AHD … But no one else has access to this chain. He ponders the note and emerges from thought even more perplexed. He reaches for the phone to call Tara but stops when he realizes it"s midnight on the East Coast. Again, he deliberates the note and jeers at the cryptic message. Too tired to ponder its meaning any further, he places it on the desk and heads for the shower.

Why would a winner send this or anyone at AHD … But no one else has access to this chain