Criminal

Chapter 13

I sat at the table with Sarah and Rachel, feeling a mix of apprehension and frustration as I recounted the unsettling messages from the anonymous sender. Sarah, always full of herself, scoffed dismissively. "Oh, please," she said, rolling her eyes. "It's probably just some loser trying to mess with you. Ignore it, Ava."

But Rachel, ever the peacemaker, reached out a comforting hand. "Ava, you can't just brush this off," she said, her voice gentle yet firm. "We need to take this seriously and figure out who this person is before things escalate."

I nodded, grateful for Rachel's support. Despite Sarah's skepticism, I knew that I couldn't ignore the ominous warnings any longer. It was time to uncover the truth behind these cryptic messages, no matter what it took.

Sarah leaned back in her chair, a smug smirk playing on her lips. "Why don't you just ask Daddy for help?" she suggested, her tone dripping with condescension. "After all, he's the 'ruthless businessman,' isn't he?" She emphasized the last words with air quotes, as if mocking my family's influence.

I bristled at her suggestion, but before I could respond, Rachel interjected with a more practical approach. "Maybe we should consider calling the cops," she suggested, her voice calm and measured. "This person clearly means business, and we shouldn't take any chances."

I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure in the face of Sarah's arrogance and Rachel's concern. "Calling the cops might be our best option," I agreed, casting a pointed glance at Sarah. "This isn't something we can handle on our own."

Sarah scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Oh, please," she retorted, her voice dripping with disdain. "Like Ava's even worth the effort. Who would bother stalking her? She's not even that pretty."

Rachel's expression darkened, her patience wearing thin. "Sarah, that's enough," she admonished, her tone firm. "This isn't the time for your petty jealousy. Someone is targeting Ava, and we need to take it seriously."

I nodded in agreement, grateful for Rachel's support. Despite Sarah's hurtful words, I knew that Rachel was right. Despite Sarah's hurtful words, I knew that I needed to focus on finding a solution to this unsettling situation. "Let's not waste any more time," I said, pushing aside Sarah's negativity. "We need to figure out who's behind these messages before things escalate further."

Rachel nodded in agreement, her expression determined. "I'll make the call to the police," she said, reaching for her phone. "In the meantime, Ava, stay vigilant. We'll get through this together."

Feeling a sense of relief wash over me, I nodded gratefully at Rachel. Despite the tension at the table, I knew that I could count on her to stand by my side. With her support, I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The sound of approaching sirens made my heart race as the police officers arrived. Two officers stepped out of their patrol car, their presence commanding attention as they approached our table.

The first officer was a tall, imposing figure with a stern expression etched onto his rugged features. His dark hair was cropped short, and his eyes held a sharp intensity as he surveyed the scene before him. He carried himself with an air of authority, exuding confidence in every step he took.

The second officer was slightly shorter but no less imposing. She had a no-nonsense demeanor, her sharp eyes scanning the area with keen observation. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her uniform was immaculate, a testament to her professionalism.

The first officer spoke first, his voice firm but not unkind. "I'm Officer Rodriguez, and this is Officer Monroe," he introduced, gesturing to his partner. "We received a call about some concerning messages you've been receiving. Mind filling us in?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me at their arrival. "Thank you for coming," I said, my voice steady despite the lingering unease. "It's been... unsettling, to say the least."

Officer Rodriguez nodded, his expression serious. "We take these matters very seriously," he assured me, his tone reassuring. "Can you tell us more about these messages? Any idea who might be behind them?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much to disclose. But with Rachel and Sarah's supportive presence beside me, I felt emboldened to speak up. "They've been anonymous," I explained, choosing my words carefully. "And they've been... cryptic, but definitely threatening."

Officer Monroe stepped forward, her gaze focused and attentive. "Do you have any suspects in mind? Anyone who might have a motive to send these messages?" she inquired, her voice calm yet probing.

I shook my head, feeling a sense of frustration at the lack of answers. "I can't think of anyone who would want to do this," I admitted, my voice tinged with unease. "But whoever it is, they seem to know a lot about me."

Officer Rodriguez exchanged a glance with his partner before turning his attention back to me. "We'll do everything we can to track down the person responsible," he assured me, his tone reassuring. "In the meantime, I suggest you take precautions and avoid being alone."

I nodded, grateful for their guidance. Despite the lingering fear in the pit of my stomach, I knew that I was in good hands with the police officers. "Thank you," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. "I'll make sure to stay vigilant and take your advice to heart."

Officer Monroe nodded in acknowledgment, her expression empathetic. "Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything," she said, her tone genuine. "We're here to help."

With a final nod of assurance, the officers turned to leave, their presence a comforting reminder that I wasn't alone in this ordeal. As they disappeared into the night, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. With their help, I was confident that we would get to the bottom of this mystery and put an end to the threats once and for all.