Forbidden With Me - Leigh Lennon Page 0,4
and a half years after the murders
My life continues, and the file of the Strickland murders stays in the top drawer of the desk in my office. I’ll solve this murder one day, but for the past seven years, it’s been as cold as a summer’s day in Antarctica.
The massacre of her family still haunts me, but I’ve continued living and even have begun to date a woman who most think is all wrong for me—my new partner. I guess maybe I started dating her because she’s so different from who anyone would predict for my future.
Being a detective in homicide, I’ve taken over the Strickland murder case, and I work it between other cases. I owe that to the little girl I saved all those years ago.
When the next letter comes, I have a fuck ton of remorse again, letting this poor girl think I’ve neglected her or her family’s case.
Dear Mr. Police Angel,
You never wrote back. Did I do something wrong? I hope you’re all right. I worry about you in your job. And I never want you hurt. I’ve included another picture I’ve drawn. I still think of you all the time.
Your friend, I hope.
Malia
Eight years after the murders
I think I’ve found the one I’ll build my life with. Being around Matt and his entire huge as fuck family has me wanting the same thing one day—a forever. And I’ve found it with her, my partner in both our jobs and our future together. She’s who I’ll build everything with. But even in our lives together, I won’t ever forget about Malia.
I receive more letters, and with every single one of them, it seems inappropriate for me to reply as an adult male. So I don’t. But to say I don’t check in on her from time to time would be a lie because ever since this girl has burrowed herself into my heart, I haven’t been able to let go. I’ve framed most of the art she’s painted for me throughout the years and have them hanging in my apartment. If I can’t have her as a fixture in my life, the drawings and paintings she’s sent to me throughout the years will remind me of the reason I’ll solve these murders one day.
Chapter 2
Nine Years after the murders
Wells
“I’m coming. I’m coming,” I call out, grabbing my ball cap and jacket. I’m ready for the game and home-field advantage. I couldn’t wait to spend it watching my team kick some ass.
Matt’s always early when I’m not. “Hold up, asshole.” I open the door to my newly remodeled home, and it’s not Matt on the other side but the little girl I’d been stalking on Facebook, who’s certainly not a little girl anymore.
“I’m sorry to just drop by, but do you remember me?” Her voice is soft and a little shy.
My hands break out into a sweat, and I can’t breathe. No, I try to take a breath, and it doesn’t come. In front of me is Malia Strickland, the little girl who I’d saved all those years ago. “Of course, sweetie, I remember you.” I could never forget her.
It’s colder than a witch’s tit outside, and she barely has a long-sleeve shirt on, and I open the door a little wider. “Come in, sweetie, let’s get you out of this cold.” What do I say to her? I’ve learned from Matt’s sister that she’s one year from graduation, but she has to be at least eighteen or nineteen by now.
“I’m sorry to have just stopped by, but you’re the one person who…” She stops. “I have no good reason to just stop by.” She runs her fingers through her wet and wavy hair. Her eyes are so big, so bright, and so full of wonder. I’m standing against the wall because this is an out-of-body experience, and I need something to hold me up when I wake from this dream.
“You never wrote back.” She fidgets with her hands, and her eyes turn downward. “For the past couple of years, I’ve sent you several letters, but you never returned them.” A few tears fall from her cheeks, and I can’t stop staring at her. I wish she’d turn her face to me, so I could look upon how beautiful she’s become. I’m instantly ashamed of my thoughts, but hell, in the few glances I’ve had of her, she’s more than beautiful.
Her speech becomes almost ragged and her eyes continue to look at the floor as she continues.