I gave them the camera footage. I gave them the locksmith’s company name. I gave them the recorded audio of Ronald ordering entry into my home.
The older officer watched the video twice, his mouth flattening.
“He claimed wellness concern,” he said.
“Yes.”
“Did he have any reason to believe you were in danger?”
“No.”
“Any messages suggesting that?”
“No.”
The officer nodded slowly. “Then he’s using that as a pretext.”
Exactly.
Ronald had always loved respectable excuses. Concern. Family. Reputation. Stability. He used soft words as gloves over hard hands.
When the officers left, they warned me to preserve every recording and consider filing for a protective order. I promised I would.
But my mind was already elsewhere.
Nevada.
I called the one person who would answer before seven in the morning and understand the problem before I finished the sentence.
Marina Shaw picked up on the first ring.
