Life in the Fastlane (Sebastian Vettel)

40. The Relief of Knowing Its Over

A/N. Ok, so I really have no idea how an investigation into this would go, with the offences being in different countries I mean.   So using artistic licence again.

The letter was handed to Formula 1 bosses, who immediately scanned the contents and bagged the evidence to transport back the officer in charge back in the UK.

Mollie had been a mess that night.  She had  tried to sleep but was hit by dream after dream after dream.  Seb had just held her and comforted her.  That was all he could do. 

They'd flown straight back to the UK after the race to give another statement to the police. They hadn't been able to tell them much at all.  They hadn't seen or heard anything from the man since Austin. 

The CCTV footage from the hotel had been scrutinised,  but any hope of identifying the man had
been quickly dashed.  He hadn't been the one to stick the letter on the door. 

A hotel employee was seen doing it.  She'd been spoken to and she'd said that she'd found the letter on the reception desk.  Her supervisor had asked her to take it to Mollie. Having knocked the door and received no answer she'd stuck it to the door with a piece of blu tack.

Further checks had confirmed this.  A figure dressed all in black had been caught on the lobby CCTV dropping the envelope over the reception desk before leaving the building. 

Mollie had begun to hate being in the UK.  She was feeling vulnerable and exposed.  She and Seb had discussed it at length and decided that the best thing they could do was to move into his place in Switzerland, even though it was inconvenient for attending the factory. 

They were going to travel back to Switzerland four days before Christmas, but first they had the Thorne Christmas party to attend.  Matthew had said it was a compulsory attendance for the drivers.  Mollie was actually looking forward to it though, as it was a joint party with TBR FE team.  She was looking forward to catching up with her old crew. 

One day, three days before the party, Seb and Mollie were curled up on the sofa watching a movie.  They'd spent the morning Christmas shopping with Mollie's parents,  and the afternoon wrapping everyone's gifts. 

Seb couldn't wait to spend their first Christmas together.  He'd spoilt her rotten.  She deserved it for so many reasons.  The shit she'd been going through with the man, for basically winning the title for him by overtaking George and mostly just because he loved her. 

The door intercom went.  Who could that be at this time? Mollie thought.  It was nearly 9pm. 

Seb stood up.  "I'll get it."

He walked into the hallway and picked up the handset fixed onto the wall.  "Hello?"

A minute later he walked back into the lounge. 

"Who is it?" she asked him.

"Mols, it's the police," he replied.

                                    ***

The detective in charge of the investigation, DI Cooper, sat down on the armchair. 

"I'm sorry for calling around at this time of night but there's been a development and I wanted to tell you in person. A 40 year old man has been arrested and charged with offences under the Malicious Communications Act.  Prosecutors in America are in liaison with us and considering charges of assault. He's been remanded in custody to appear in court on the 22nd of January, 2025."

Mollie broke down, Seb's arm automatically went around her.

"You got him?" she sobbed. "How? Who is it?"

"The suspect's boss found a drafted letter on the suspect's computer. They'd borrowed it when their's wasn't working and the suspect had left the file open. His boss contacted us immediately. The letter was addressed to you Mrs Vettel. Our investigations have also shown that the suspect was indeed in Abu Dhabi at the time of the Grand Prix. Admittedly it is circumstantial evidence but it mentions many of the same things that the original social media posts and letters said. Our investigations will be continuing to try and get more evidence against him."

"Who?" Seb said, his face turning red with rage.

"The man arrested is a Daniel Hunter. I believe you are familiar with him."

Seb clenched his fist. Mollie shook. It really had been him along. She felt her skin crawl at the thought of how he'd pressed his erection up against her. DI Cooper carried on speaking but Mollie wasn't really taking anything in.

After Seb had shown him out she shut herself into the bathroom and cried.

"Mols please. Come out. Don't bottle things up. I'm here baby, " Seb said outside the door.

"Just give me a few minutes. Please Seb."

"I'll be in the lounge."

She began shaking. Then she realised. She didn't have to be scared any more. The relief hit her hard and she sobbed again.

Finally getting her emotions under control she rejoined Seb in the lounge. She sank onto his lap and he held her close.

"It all makes sense really. He always hated me. I just thought he'd say what he had to say to my face. And I had no idea he wanted me physically. Maybe that's why he was always so aggressive to me in press conferences."

"It's a good job the police got to him before I did."

"It's over Seb. It's finally over. I don't have to be scared any more. We can move on with our lives."

As she said it she felt a sense of freedom. She'd lived under a cloud for most of the season but now the end of it all had come. End of the season, end of the torment.

"Oh Mollie. I love you so much."

"I love you too. I can't wait to spend our first Christmas together. It's going to be all the more enjoyable knowing he's locked up."

"It's going to be the best Christmas ever my love. Us, our families. This is the start of the rest of our lives."

"But first the party! I can't wait. I'm going to enjoy it even more now!"

They kissed, a tender and loving kiss. A kiss full of relief. A relief that it was finally all over.