“They’ve stopped now. I think he got the hint I’m not going to respond. There are more rants and pleas for me to come back to him, to understand, then more rants about how I ruined his life and this is all my fault. I’ve stopped paying attention. It’s more of a record than anything at this point.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I’m tired of him intruding in our lives.”
Detective Valdez leaned over the desk. “Can you track each other on your phones?”
“No.” At the same time Liz said that, Tate said, “Yes.”
She eyed him. “Really?”
“When I bought the phones, the point was to make sure Clint didn’t have your new number. But I thought it was a good idea that we could track each other, considering, so I had them add the app.”
“Like I said, he probably knows it, but he keeps calling the old one.”
Detective Valdez held his hand out. Liz handed over the old phone. Valdez scrolled through the texts and listened to a few of the disturbing and threat-filled voice mails. “Jeez. This guy is off his rocker.” He stood and headed for the door. “Let me have one of the guys download a copy of all this from the phone. I’ll pass it on to the DA. It proves harassment. There are a couple of veiled threats in those voice mails.”
“The video he took of us outside her work tonight was a threat. He’s telling us, I can get to her anytime I want.”
“Proving that’s what he intended is harder than it should be.” Valdez walked out and left him with Liz.
He reached out and held her hand. “How are you holding up?”
“Great. I love having strangers watch me have sex.” She glanced over her shoulder as Detective Valdez handed a guy her cell and Tate’s. “You know they’re all going to watch that video and say it’s evidence.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Her lips scrunched into an incredulous frown. “That doesn’t make it any less humiliating.”
“I know. I’m just trying to find any way to make this better for you.”
That took the wind right out of her. “You make it better just by being here.”
“He’s been close enough to scratch you and take a video of the two of us. I want him locked up.”
“Six feet under would do me just fine.”
The vehemence in her voice surprised him, but he got it. “Include me in that,” Tate confirmed. “I’m sure a lot of other women feel the same way. Valdez is right. We need to talk about a plan for what we’re going to do when he comes back.”
“For you? Or me?”
“Both.”
And so Tate and Liz talked out every scenario they could think of for Clint trying to take her, hurt him, and vice versa. Valdez gave them some help and pointers on how best to protect themselves, but the general consensus remained: Clint was coming and nothing would stop him next time. It was just a matter of time, and how and when he did it.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Clint had wanted to ignore the summons from Detective Valdez to come down to the police station to answer questions. The cop had it out for him. He wanted to link Clint to Aubrey’s death. Not going to happen. He’d pulled off the perfect crime.
And he’d done it again last night.
Tate had to be reeling from seeing the video of Clint fucking Liz. No doubt Tate saw on her face how much she wanted and enjoyed it.
Tate would never get that out of his head. Tate would know Liz liked it better with him.
And why wouldn’t she. He’d been the perfect lover and boyfriend. She’d see that and regret leaving him for a guy who only wanted her now because Tate didn’t want anyone else to have her.
Everything had been fine until Tate and Aubrey confused Liz. She'd chosen wrong, and now she'd get what she deserved.
Detective Valdez walked in with a folder tucked under his arm and a paper coffee cup. He barely spared Clint a glance and settled his gaze on Clint’s attorney. This time he wouldn't answer any questions without being lawyered up.
“Thanks for coming in.” Detective Valdez sat in the chair across from him and his attorney, leaned back, took a sip of his coffee, and tossed out the first question. “Where were you tonight between the hours of six and seven p.m.?”
“At home having dinner and watching America’s Got Talent. I love that guy who throws knives at his wife.” He