All Chapters of Saving Brielle: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

AllenThe next two days pass quietly, with no new intel about Brielle’s case. Mark reaches out to let me know that he has paired Sam and Braeden up on a new assignment, and that the case Jack was working has been resolved.Hope also reaches out via email about some accounting entries, and I review those over breakfast on Monday morning.When we are not in bed, Brielle and I spend our time exploring the property using the two-person UTV that I keep stashed in the little shed behind the cabin. I bought the cabin, and the hundred acres it rests on, from my great-uncle years ago, and I love seeing Brielle’s grin of delight as I drive her around and point out some of my favorite spots on the land.The first question she has when she sees the pond is, “You have fish in there, right?”I chuckle. “Yes, ma’am, that pond is very well stocked.”“I love to fish,” she exclaims. “Haven’t done it in forever.”“Well, then, I guess it’s time we change that.”Fifteen minutes later we are back at the ca

AllenBrielle takes in my team, then swivels her head to look at me. “It’s almost like there is a minimum height requirement to be able to work here.”I shrug. “Never even noticed it, to be honest. I look at character, experience, and skill set. Besides, Hope’s only what, five seven?”“Five seven and a half, thank you very much,” my accountant/office manager pipes up. “And I brought donuts. They’re on the credenza.”We settle in around the conference table.“Okay, here’s what we have so far,” I begin. “A series of voicemails and texts, starting about four months ago, that have progressed in frequency and intensity. Also, whoever this is hacked her home unit to display a countdown. Pete has been able to confirm that on at least one occasion the caller was located within seventy yards of Brielle’s home.”I tilt my head Pete’s direction for him to continue the narrative.“Yes, one of the last calls she received before Allen hid her was from a neighbor’s back yard,” he confirms. “Allen vi

BrielleWe strike gold with the eighth one I try on, a chiffon and lace cocktail dress. Not only is it the perfect size, but the emerald-green color really brings out my eyes. The V-neckline and swooping cowl back are tastefully done, and the dress showcases my waist before it cascades into a soft, flowing skirt with an ankle-length handkerchief hemline.“What do you think?” I ask Hope and Bethany when I step out of the ladies’ room to show them.“That’s the one,” Hope says immediately, and Bethany nods her agreement.“I love it,” I say, “and the hemline means I can wear several different heel heights. I’ll take it, Bethany.”“Excellent,” she replies, clapping her hands together with glee. “Let me take the others back out to the van. I’ll be right back.”“See? That wasn’t so bad,” Hope teases, and I smile.“I normally hate clothes shopping,” I admit. “But Bethany has a way of putting people at ease. Once this is all over, I’m looking forward to browsing in her boutique and seeing what

BrielleWithin a half-hour of our arrival, Mari and Detective Tucker both show up, and I spend the next hour of my life with them, Anne, Benji, and Allen’s entire team in the waiting room just off the hospital’s surgical suites.Sam sits off by himself in one corner of the room, brooding, his expression bleak. When I try to talk to him, he just shakes his head.“I didn’t move fast enough,” is all he will say before he lapses into silence again, and I squeeze his hand before I honor his unspoken request for space and rejoin the rest of the team across the room.I tuck myself between Mari and Anne, both of whom immediately reach out to hold my hands as a silent show of strength and support.Mark returns from down the hall. “The waiter that was also hit is going to be fine. He’s being treated and he will be kept overnight.”“Waiter? What waiter? I didn’t know anyone else was hurt,” I exclaim, my mind reeling.“He was walking behind your chair when Allen was shot, honey,” Anne tells me. “

AllenWhen a week passes, then two, with no more threatening messages to Brielle, I begin to breathe a little easier. It helps when Tucker’s continued investigation seemingly contradicts the initial statements Bitzmore made during his first interview.“Lone whackadoodle,” he tells me over coffee. “Guy’s got some serious mental issues and a very active imagination.”“Yeah,” I agree, flexing the right shoulder that is still aching from the round of physical therapy earlier in the morning. “I wonder if his attorney will use that to try and plea bargain.”“I wouldn’t be surprised at all,” Tucker agrees. “Anyway, I thought you’d like to know where things stood.”***I drive Brielle back over to her place right after lunch, and she is stunned – and not in a good way – to see over two hundred and fifty missed calls on her cell phone.“It’s going to take me forever to get caught up,” she laments, and I go to her and take her in my arms.“But you’re still around to do it, and that’s what matte