You Belong to Me – 30

 

 

Corey stopped pacing and sat down on the edge of the motel bed, feeling profoundly relieved that Kerry hadn’t hung up on him yet. He was certain that when his brother admitted he was shocked by what Corey had told him, it was an understatement. He was still talking to him, however, which Corey supposed was a good sign, so he tried to master his whirling emotions enough to reply in a way that made sense.

 

“I don’t know who. I don’t have a name, I mean. But I have an idea. Someone’s been stalking me.”

 

“Good Lord, Corey! Did you report it to the police? And did you tell the detective?”

 

“I haven’t officially reported it, no. But I told the officers about it when someone broke into my place a couple of days ago and stole something. A watch.”

 

“Just a watch?”

 

“Well…. Okay. Someone left it at the shelter for me. As a gift. But there was no name on the card. I mean, other than mine. It’s an expensive one, Kerry, and….” He gnawed his lip.

 

“And?”

 

“A couple of days after that I got a card in the mail….” Corey went on to tell him everything that had happened since then, even about being called a slut by his stalker. “And that’s it,” he said in conclusion.

 

“All right. Yeah, you’ve got a full-blown stalker. I take it they didn’t leave any sort of note behind with the body?”

 

“No. Or at least not that the police said.”

 

“And they haven’t tried to call you since the murder.”

 

“The stalker? No. But then my phone was dead, so they couldn’t have. It’s on the charger now.” Corey chuckled. “Too little, too late, I guess you could say.”

 

“Corey, the first thing you’re going to do is get in touch with the detective on your case. What’s his name?”

 

“Foster. Darin Foster.”

 

There was a pause, then Kerry asked, “Tall, dark hair? My age? A dimple in his cheek when he smiles?”

 

“Well, he never really smiled, but, yeah, I guess that matches. Why? Do you know him?”

 

“I was at a police convention last year and met a Darin Foster. I’m certain it’s the same man, since he was from there. He’s supposed to be very good at what he does. You talk to him. Tell him everything you told me, and I mean everything. He can’t find the killer if he doesn’t have the pertinent information.”