A Man Like Him

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“Right.” Angela swallowed. It was barely eleven in the morning and already the town’s detective inspector recognized her. Robert was coming whether she liked it or not.

The cop cupped Angela’s elbow. “Come with me.”

Angela stiffened. “Where?”

Kindness shone softly in the cop’s eyes. Eyes that stupidly reminded her of Chris Forrester’s. “I want you to sit tight while I sort out Mr. ‘Big I Am,’ okay? Go and take a seat in your car. I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” She winked. “I won’t be long and then you and I can have a chat.”

Before Angela could say another word, the DI walked behind Angela’s stalled car and seconds later vehicles slowly moved past. Angela walked to her car and got inside. “Then you and I can have a chat.”

Defeat crawled over her shoulders and sat there heavy and unwelcome.

* * *

AN HOUR LATER Angela walked into her house. Her chat with Detective Inspector Catherine Garrett, nee Forrester, had left her in a numbed state of disbelief. What were the chances of her meeting Chris Forrester’s sister? Now she was in a bigger emotional mess than ever. Inspector Garrett was bound to tell Chris they’d spoken. Then what? Would he contact her? Not care one way or the other?

She tossed her keys onto a side table by the door, her thoughts running at a hundred miles per hour. The one thing this had to mean is that Chris had no connection to Robert. Why would Robert enlist the help of a DI’s brother? Surely that would just be stupid and far too risky. The one thing Robert wasn’t was stupid, and risks were something he abhorred. His pursuit of her would be as gradual and as tormenting as his abuse.

Softly, he’d approach her. Silently, he’d pursue her.

Angela pulled back her shoulders. Her biggest defense was her in-depth knowledge of how Robert thought and analyzed before he struck. Whatever happened next, it was imperative she acted alone. The police would make the situation worse by assuming Robert’s actions incorrectly, as they had before, leaving her wide-open to danger.

Nobody knew her ex-husband like she did.

She walked through the house and out onto the balcony leading from the living room. Lucky enough to rent a place on the beach, she sat at the small bistro table and stared out toward the sea. All she could do now was hope and pray she’d misinterpreted the look in Chris Forrester’s eyes that betrayed an interest in her. She had no right involving him in her life. No right involving him in a potentially explosive situation if Robert saw the newspaper and decided to come and get her, as he’d threatened so many times in his letters.

Even though DI Garrett hadn’t said as much, Angela could tell by the concern in the detective’s eyes and the occasional gentle touches to Angela’s arm that Chris had told his sister about her stupid, albeit terrified, admission about Robert killing her.

Now not one but two people knew she was in Templeton hiding from her ex-husband. Tears stung her eyes and the view blurred. How could she have been careful for so long, only to blow everything? DI Garrett was most likely at the police station right now running a check on her.

She’d discover Angela had been living there for two years. She’d read all about her court case, her history and her horrendous—and very publicized—marriage. She tightened her jaw. Whatever DI Garrett’s reaction was to what she discovered, Angela had rights. Until she requested help, the police couldn’t get involved. She’d lived alone and happy for a long time and there was no way in hell she’d allow her way of life to be governed by Robert’s actions again.

So, why then were tears searing hot behind her eyes? Why did it feel as though her heart was being squeezed? Like Robert’s fist pushed clean through her chest, bruising and hurting her once more.

Covering her face with her hands, the tears broke and Angela cried harder than she had in months. Cruel images of a wedding, children, first days of school and birthday celebrations appeared in garish Technicolor behind her closed lids. Her body shook and her heart ached for a life she was beginning to believe she’d never have.

Once her tears were spent and her throat sore, she inhaled a deep breath and swiped at her cheeks. Done. No more. Tears didn’t get things done. Didn’t protect her life or those she loved.

Those I love.

Angela leaped to her feet. She needed to warn her family. Her parents. Her sister. Forewarned was forearmed. Who was to say Robert wouldn’t contact them before her? She went back inside, snatched up the phone and dialed her sister’s number.

Eloise picked up on the third ring. “Hey, you.”

Angela released her held breath. Her sister sounded the same. Happy. Free of worry or concern. “You haven’t seen today’s Daily News, have you?”

“No. Why?” The smile left Eloise’s voice. “Is everything okay?”

“No. I’m afraid it isn’t.” Angela walked into her open-plan living room and collapsed onto the leather sofa. “You need to get today’s paper.”

“Why? What’s happened?”

Angela leaned her head back against the sofa and closed her eyes as a sharp thud took up residence in her temple. “There was a flash flood yesterday. Part of the Cove was completely washed out.”

“My God. Are you all right?”

“Yes...” Thanks to one man. “So far twenty-five people are dead. The holiday park was completely devastated. Nothing spared.”

“Oh, Ange. I’m so sorry.”

“There’s a picture of me in the paper, Ellie.”

Silence.

Angela opened her eyes and stared ahead. Her sister’s muffled curse came across the line and then Eloise blew out a breath. “So, you’re leaving Templeton, right? You know you can’t stay there.”

“I’m staying.”

“What? No. You can’t.”

“I can, and I will. He’s not making me change my life again. No way.”

“He’ll go there. If he sees that picture... Look, I’ll pack a bag and be there by tonight, okay? Tomorrow we’ll grab what we can and get you back home with Mum or me. We’ll let the police know what we’re doing before we leave.” Her voice cracked. “Everything will be all right.”

Angela’s heart ached for the renewed pain the photographs in the newspaper would cause her family after the peace of mind they’d had knowing she was safe—if a little lonely. She sighed.

“I’m pretty sure the police will be knocking on my door anytime now, so don’t worry.”

“Why would you say that?”

Angela sighed. “I met the town’s police inspector today.”

“You’ve been to the police already? Thank God. I didn’t think you would...” Eloise’s breath rasped down the line. “Well, that’s something, at least.”

Angela stared across the room, not bothering to correct her that she hadn’t been to the police but rather they happened upon her. Having placated the guy whose car Angela hit with promises of a full insurance follow-up, DI Garrett had slid into the passenger seat of Angela’s car like it was the most natural thing in the world...and asked her absolutely nothing. It was clear from the intense look in her eyes and the set of her shoulders that she was waiting for Angela to tell her about Robert. Angela hadn’t said a word, either. The minute she did, her life would no longer be her own—again.

Angela blew out a shaky breath. “I just wanted you, Mum and Dad to be aware that Robert could already know where I am. What he chooses to do about it, none of us knows.” She paused. “We’ve just got to hope he won’t be angry enough to land himself back in prison for longer than he could’ve dreamed of.”

“So, you’ve told this inspector everything, right?”

“Right.” Angela grimaced, the lie feeling horrible in her mouth.

Even though Inspector Garrett hadn’t directly asked her anything, her eyes asked so much Angela had squirmed under their gentle scrutiny until she’d been forced to stare out the windshield or crumble. She’d curled her fingers around the steering wheel, silently begging God to make DI Garrett leave before everything came spilling out. Her gaze was so much like her brother’s; Angela had felt herself weakening. She just hoped she didn’t see Chris again—the potential for disaster was wide-open.

She closed her eyes. “There’s more, Ellie.”

“More?”

“I told someone Robert will kill me. After all this time, it just slipped out.”

“Who? Who did you tell?”

“Her brother.”

“Her brother? Whose? The inspector’s?”

“Yes.”

“But how? You’re so careful. How could you tell the inspector’s brother? Was he with her at the station? Who is he?”