Bequeathed

Chapter Twelve: Another Visit to the Police

Claire and William return to the police station. A group of officers are behind the desk; the seats in the waiting area are all occupied, but William leads Claire straight to the desk. William taps the desk.

“Have a seat,” says an officer without looking up from his papers.

“We were here before,” says William. “We were told to come back with evidence.”

“Have a seat,” the officer repeats. “We will be with you.”

William pulls the card from his wallet. Claire hasn’t seen it since their last visit to the police station. William slaps the card down on the table. “Look, Officer Denton said that we should return with more information. We have more information. This maniac has been threatening my wife, harassing her. She can’t leave the house. Every time we change the number, he obtains the new one and keeps calling. We can’t live like this. My wife can’t live like this.”

“Have a seat and we will get to you.” The officer points behind Claire and William to the people seated. “They are all waiting to be seen.”

“Where do you suppose we sit?” Claire finds her voice. “Maybe if you treated our reports with urgency, there wouldn’t be so many people here waiting.”

The officer glowers at Claire.

“I’ll take these two, Dawes,” says an officer who has just entered the police station. “Come with me,” he says to Claire and William. “I’m officer Gibbons.”

Officer Gibbons leads them to an interview room. He takes Claire’s statement, reads it aloud, and tells her to sign it.

“We will create a file for you,” says Officer Gibbons. “If he escalates, or you discover his identity, we will be able to act quickly because this…” Officer Gibbons taps the statement with the tip of his pen “...will be on record.”

“What about now?” Claire leans forward.

“Maybe leave the phone. If he calls, we can try tracing the call.”

Claire pulls the phone out of her purse and slides it over to the officer.

“Is this a good idea?” William whispers in her ear.

“I’m willing to do anything at this point,” says Claire.

Officer Gibbons examines the phone; he pulls it apart and explores the inside. He reassembles the phone, turns it on.

“I’ll need your password,” officer Gibbons says.

Claire takes officer Gibbon’s legal pad and writes her password down. William touches her hand while she’s writing. “They’ll have access to everything on there.”

“This is strictly for investigative purposes.” Officer Gibbons enters the passwords and starts scrolling through the apps. “Your information will be protected. But we need access to you to find out how he’s gaining access to you.”

Claire nods; William looks contemplative. After a few minutes of scrolling, Officer Gibbons says, “We will be in touch, Mrs. James.” Claire opens her mouth to correct him and say, "It's Ms. White"; she decides to bite back the correction. They’re halfway through the door when Officer Gibbons calls out, “Mrs. James…” Claire stops at the door, so does William, his hand anchoring Claire at his side. Officer Gibbon's eyes are fixed on his hand with the phone. He looks up when Claire answers. “She will be out in a quick second,” Officer Gibbons says. Officer Gibbons escorts Claire back into the room and locks the door, separating Claire from William.

“Mrs. James…”

“White,” Claire says. “I’m still getting used to the James. When I hear Mrs. James, I’m tempted to look over my shoulder for someone else.” Claire forces a laugh; it dies in her mouth.

Officer Gibbons smiles. “White…I have a friend who specializes in these types of things. He has…uhm…creative ways of solving these kinds of problems.”

Claire stares at Officer Gibbons. He can’t be suggesting she hire…”A hitman?”

“No. No.” Officer Gibbons shakes his head frantically. “I hope that’s not what you’re considering. I understand you’re fearful, but that option will land you behind bars.”

“I already feel like I’m living behind bars. But no. I wasn't thinking of murdering my stalker.”

“Good. I have a friend. He’s a P.I...used to be a cop. He needed an escape from the rules that made it hard for him to do his job, he said.” Officer Gibbons slips Claire a card. “I think you should give him a call.”

Claire reads it. Andrew Harris investigative services. Claire raises the card to her eyes and nods; she turns to walk away.

“Ms. White…” Officer Gibbons reaches for her. “...experience tells me the husband is always a suspect.”

“What?”

“Maybe you should keep some things to yourself.”

Claire walks from the room into William. “What did he say?” asks William. Claire is about to tell him about the P.I when. She remembers that if it had not been for Aunt Bev’s will, William would be completely unknown to her. Maybe some things were to be just hers.

“Nothing,” she says. “He wanted to know how all of this is impacting my life.”

“We already told him everything.”

Claire shrugs. “He wanted assurances that I am okay, I guess.”