Fall From Grace(59)

I nodded for the detective to continue.  What could be more disturbing than telling me the guy who attacked me could be roaming around the streets of New York City ready to attack another girl?

“When we ran his name through our system, nothing came up.  Investigating further, we found him to be an outstanding citizen until the last five months or so.”

Shane looked curiously at the Detective; asking the question that was formulating in my head.  “What happened five months ago?”

Taking a deep breath, Detective Allens stepped forward to answer, “He was admitted to the Sans de Barron Hospice; he was terminal.  His doctors had given him only a few weeks to live. He’d been comatose and unresponsive for weeks, then sometime last Sunday, he just walked out of the hospice.  Am I right in saying that you had been living at the hospice with your brother Jacob for approximately six months?”

I swallowed hard and nodded a yes.  “There must be a mistake though. The man that attacked me, there was no way that he could have been that strong and dying of some disease at the same time. Maybe the guy stole the real Carl Sumpton’s identity or something.”

The detectives both shook their heads in agreement, but their expressions never reached their eyes.  They had their own theories and they weren’t going to share it with us.

Detective Ramos cleared his throat and continued, “When a perpetrator of a crime of this magnitude is arraigned, the District Attorney on the case usually requests a temporary order of protection to be issued to the victim.  This is your copy of the order.” He placed another paper on the table from his briefcase.  “I wanted to say that I’m sure this matter will be resolved soon.”

Shane’s hand was still on me. It was quickly kindling a fire under his fingertips.  His features were angry.  “And you think a piece of paper will stop this lunatic from trying to hurt Grace again?  What should she do if he comes up to her when she’s walking down the street? Should she say, hold on let me look in my purse, here this piece of paper will stop you?”

I placed my hand on Shane’s knee and his eyes snapped to mine at the touch.  “Stop it, Shane.  I’m sure they will do everything they can to contain him again.”  I looked at both the detectives.  “Thank you both for coming here and telling me instead of calling me on the phone.  I appreciate the paperwork and everything.  Is there anything that you think I could do in the meantime, while you…um…work on this matter?”

“We understand your anxiety, Mr. Maxton.  For the next twenty-four hours, there will be a uniformed officer sitting outside this apartment in a patrol car.  Just be aware and keep your eyes open, Miss Taylor.”

After a few more words, I walked the detectives to the front door and locked the deadbolt.

Shane came up behind me and gently placed his hands on my shoulders.  They felt strong and safe; I stepped away quickly.  The last thing I needed was my head muddled from his touch.  “I’m fine, Shane,” I snapped.

He stormed off down the hallway.  “Yeah, well you definitely will be, because Conner and I are staying here with you and Lea until that * is behind bars again.”

Somehow, I thought that would prove to be more dangerous than Carl Sumpton trying to kill me.




Chapter 10

Shane thundered into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him, “I’m taking a shower!  Do not leave this building without me!”

“Make sure you scrub yourself real well, Shane!  That perfume you were wearing when you came here last night stinks!”  I screamed, as I slammed my bedroom door.  Now he was going to be Mr. Chivalry and pretend to care about me?  Was he trying to prove something? Who did he think he was?  And who in the world was going to protect me from him?  AND, what gives him the right to shower in my apartment?  Oh, this is the perfect time to start doing my laundry with really hot water!