“At the vet’s. He might not make it.”
He squeezed his hand into a fist. “I need to see her.”
Lincoln nodded. “We’ll both go. Fleur said they have evidence.”
Not long later Ryan strode into the veterinary surgery. Hannah was staring at the ground, her friends gathered around her. She didn’t move even as he approached her. His heart hurt.
Ryan crouched down, rested a hand on her hip. “I’m so sorry, Hannah.”
Her eyes were red from crying. “We need to find this bastard, Ryan.”
“We will. I promise.” He had no idea how he was going to keep his promise. He kissed her hand and pulled her into his arms to hug her. She shuddered and he stroked her back, his stomach in knots. There was nothing he could do to stop her pain.
When he let her go, Kit said, “I’ll show you what we found.” The receptionist directed them to a back room. Kit whirled around to face them as soon as the receptionist left. “Lincoln, this has gone on long enough. Why haven’t you caught him?”
Kit stood with her hands on her hips, anger in her every pore. Ryan frowned. Did she think they were doing nothing?
“We’re trying.” Lincoln ran a hand through his hair, his frustration clear. “We have a couple of new leads.”
Phillip’s alibi had proven solid, but they had Smithy to investigate and they hadn’t been able to confirm whether Marko was still in Perth. “We’re waiting on lab results as well,” Ryan told her.
“Can’t you put a rush on them?”
“There’s one lab in the state and testing blood from a break-in has a low priority,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do about it.”
Kit swore.
Ryan glanced back to the treatment-room door. “What are Joe’s chances?”
She sighed. “They’re pumping his stomach now. We’re staying with Hannah.”
Ryan wanted to be the one to stay, to be with her, and the depth of his longing surprised him. It was a foolish desire – he had Felix to look after and she didn’t need him if she was surrounded by her friends. “Call me if you need anything.” He wrote his mobile number on the back of his card.
“Will do.”
They needed to catch this bastard. He’d escalated to poisoning Hannah’s dog, who was always with her, who could protect her. What was he planning next?
On his way out, he gave Hannah another hug. “I’m here for you,” he murmured.
She nodded, sniffing. He hurt seeing Hannah so upset.
As he and Lincoln walked out to the car he asked, “Do you think your mum will have Felix for an extra couple of hours?”
“Probably. Why?”
“I want to go over everything again. Check if we missed anything.” And he’d track down Marko Novak and get Smithy’s alibi confirmed.
“I’m sure she will, then. Let’s get some food on the way back to the station.”
They had to find something. The stalker had escalated alarmingly and abandoned the twelve-days-of-Christmas theme. They were running out of time.
It seemed like an eternity before the vet came out. Hannah had bitten all of her nails down to the quick and her eyes burned.
“I’ve done all I can. Now we have to wait and see,” Oscar said.
Hannah stared at him, her skin cold. “What do you mean?”
“There’s no antidote to snail bait, but we’ve emptied his stomach and given him activated charcoal to soak up anything that remains. He’s either going to pull through, or he’s not.” The man’s expression was apologetic. “I’m sorry, Hannah. I can’t be any more specific than that.”
Hannah closed her eyes, her chest heavy, the urge to scream and rage strong. She couldn’t lose Joe. She took a deep breath to make sure she wasn’t going to explode before answering. “So what now?”
“You can take him home tonight, but he needs to be monitored. If he gets worse you have my number.”
She followed him into a treatment room, and Joe was pushed in on the trolley. He was awake and his tail gave a tiny wag. Her pulse leapt.
“He’s going to need another half an hour to recover from the sedation,” Oscar said. “Then he’ll be fine to leave.”
Hannah nodded. Joe was so still, so sick.
“You can both stay at my house,” Fleur said. “It’s closer.”
“Thanks.” She didn’t want to be far from the vet.
“I’ll drop around in the morning on my way to work and check on him,” Oscar said.
Her eyes filled with tears. Joe’s eyes were wide as they stared at her, as if asking what he’d done wrong. A lump formed in her throat. “It’s going to be all right,” she whispered. “You’re strong, Joe. You’re going to pull through. Fight for me.”
Mai and Kit put their hands on her shoulder.
Hannah burst into tears and they surrounded her.
Joe roused himself enough to walk out of the vet, but it took them all to lift him into the car. They got him settled in Fleur’s guest room and Hannah dragged the mattress from the spare bed onto the floor so she could lie down next to him.
It was the longest night that Hannah could remember. She stayed next to Joe as her friends took turns being with her, their presence a constant support. Joe’s breathing steadily improved as the night wore on, but Hannah wasn’t willing to be optimistic. She kept herself curled up against him, her arm around him, and murmured comforting words that he didn’t understand.
It was around seven in the morning when Oscar arrived carrying a tray full of coffees from Mai’s bakery. “How’s my patient?”
“Alive.” Hannah let him in and took one of the coffees he offered. She stretched out the aches in her body, keeping her eyes firmly on the vet, watching for any sign that Joe wasn’t going to make it.
“He’s looking good,” Oscar said after he’d examined him. “He’ll need to rest for a couple of days, and it might be good if he comes back to the clinic so we can monitor him today, just in case.”
Hannah let out the breath she hadn’t been aware she’d been holding. “Of course.” Fleur and Kit rubbed her back and she took a sip from the coffee, her hand shaking slightly. “Are you sure he’s OK?”
Oscar smiled at her. “Yeah, I’m sure. Why don’t you girls get some proper sleep? I’ll take Joe now and call if anything changes.”
She hesitated. What if Joe thought she was abandoning him?
“He’ll be in good hands with Oscar.” Kit put her arm around her.
Of course he would. He’d be safer than with her. Hannah nodded, and helped Joe up before walking him out to Oscar’s small car.
“I’d better get back to the farm.” Kit yawned.
Hannah felt a stab of guilt. Kit had stayed all night and now had a full day of work ahead of her. “Thank you.” She kissed her friend’s cheek.
“Anytime,” Kit said. “Though next time we do an all-nighter I’d prefer it with booze and dancing.” She flashed a tired smile.
“I’ll come out and help you after Lynette arrives,” Hannah promised.
Kit shook her head. “No need. I gave Paul a call last night and he’s taking care of the milking this morning.”
Hannah was relieved that one of Kit’s farmhands was helping. She checked the time. She should already be at the park. It wouldn’t be fair to call Lynette or Shirley at such short notice. Especially not after what had been going on lately.
Shit.
She scrubbed her eyes. She had to check for gifts. “I’d better get going too.”
“Where are you going?” Fleur asked.
“To work,” she said.
Both of her friends frowned at her.
“I’ll be fine.” If the stalker dared show his face she’d beat the crap out of him for what he’d done to Joe.
“You barely slept last night,” Kit said.
“Neither did you, and you’re going to work.”
“I’m crawling into bed for a couple of hours first,” Kit admitted. “Paul will have everything sort
ed.”
“I’ll take a nap when Lynette arrives,” Hannah promised. “But I need to check on things.”
“You mean check if that bastard has left any more gifts,” Fleur said. “I’ll come with you.”
Annoyance welled in her. “I can check for damage on my own.” She sighed, trying to push back her irritation and fatigue. “Besides, Lincoln’s probably down there already.”
Fleur nodded in acknowledgement. “I’ll come with you in case he’s not.”
“No,” she argued, turning Fleur around so she faced her door. “You need to sleep.”
“You shouldn’t be by yourself, especially when Joe’s not with you,” Fleur said, a stubborn tilt to her chin.
“She’s right,” Kit agreed.
“Let the bastard just try something today,” Hannah snarled. “It’ll be the last thing he ever does.” The rage was so hot and fierce inside her, and both Fleur and Kit stared at her as if her head had started spinning around.
“Geez, Hannah Banana,” Kit said. “You’re terrifying when you’re angry.”
Hannah burst into a nervous laugh. “I’ll be fine, I promise. I appreciate your concern, but I want you both to get some sleep. I’m worried about you.”
“We’re worried about you,” Fleur said.
“I know, but right now it would make me feel a whole lot better if you were tucked up safe in your bed and getting some shut eye. I’ll call Lincoln and ask him to meet me at the park.”
“Promise?” Kit asked, holding out her hand in the musketeers’ solemn-promise handshake.
“Promise,” Hannah replied, taking her hand. “Now go get some sleep.”
“Take care of yourself,” Fleur said as she finally headed into her room.
Hannah forced a smile. “You too.”
She rubbed her hands over her face, to wipe away the fatigue. She waved with more enthusiasm than she felt and drove to work.
Who was she kidding? She was so exhausted, she probably shouldn’t be driving, but there was little traffic on the road. She parked and took in a deep breath. There were a couple of people wandering around, but it was mostly silent except for a few cockatoos calling to each other in the still morning air. She got out of the car, holding the door open for Joe, before she remembered he wasn’t with her. Feeling a little vulnerable, she called Lincoln like she’d promised as she walked around the back of the office.
“What’s new, Hannah?” Lincoln asked as he answered.
“Nothing. I promised the girls I’d call and tell you I’m at the holiday park.”
“By yourself?”
“Yeah.” She stopped as she reached the back door. It was partially open. She frowned at it, her tired brain trying to compute what it meant. It was too early for Lynette or Shirley to be in.
“Hannah, you know—”
“Have you been by the park this morning?” she interrupted as she took a couple of steps back, her heart pounding hard in her chest. She was alone. There was no one with her.
“Not yet. Some idiot decided to crash his car into my neighbour’s fence. Why?”
“The office is open.” Shit, she should have listened to Fleur and Kit.
“Don’t go in,” he ordered. “I’ll send someone around. Go back to your car.” He hung up.
Hannah backed away from the door, all her bravado gone as her brain played out all of the possible ways the stalker could hurt her.
She had to get away.
Had to run.
The door swung open.
“Hannah, what are you doing hanging out here?”
She stiffened as the familiarity of the voice hit her. Her mouth dropped open. “Granddad? What are you doing here?”
“Surprise!” Her nanna pushed past her granddad, her arms wide open and smothered her within them. “As if we’d let you be alone at Christmas.”
Hannah automatically returned her nanna’s embrace as her heart rate slowed and her brain flooded with relief. “When did you get here?”
“Last night,” her granddad said. “We thought you’d be here an hour ago. Are you slacking off without us here?” he joked.
She shook her head, still trying to process what was going on.
“Where’s Joe?” her nanna asked.
The question got her brain moving again. “At the vet.” She walked into the office, wanting to be inside instead of out in the open.
“Is he all right?” Her Nanna’s concern was obvious.
How much should she tell them? She didn’t want to worry them, but in a town this size it wouldn’t be long until they heard anyway. “He is now.” She could fill in the details later.
“No wonder you were late,” her granddad said. “I won’t dock you any pay this time.” He laughed.
She smiled as she looked around the office, to check if there was anything out of place, if any gifts had been left. It was clear.
“Hannah?” her nanna asked.
They were both looking at her as if they were waiting for something. “Sorry. What did you say?”
“What happened to the door?” her granddad said.
She debated how much to tell them. “It broke.”
“Are you all right?” her nanna asked.
“Just tired,” she said. “I didn’t sleep much last night, worrying about Joe.”
“Oh, you poor thing. Let me make you a cup of coffee.” Her nanna hustled into the kitchen.
Hannah tried to focus. “Are you staying long?”
“We’ll play it by ear,” her granddad said. “We still want to head up to the Northern Territory and north Queensland, but we’re in no rush.”
There was a noise at the back door and Hannah whirled around as Ryan strode in, his hand on the gun on his belt. He glanced between Hannah and her grandfather. “Is everything all right?” His hand relaxed at his side.
She’d almost forgotten she’d called. She longed to hug him, but he was here on official business.
“It’s a bit early for a visit from the police,” her granddad said.
“I called Lincoln when I noticed the back door open, Granddad,” Hannah told him. “We’ve had a couple of break-ins over the last few months.”
“The storeroom again?” he asked.
Hannah nodded.
Ryan held out his hand. “I’m Senior Constable Ryan Kilpatrick.”
Hannah winced. “Sorry, I should have introduced you. This is my grandfather—”
“Stan Walter.” He shook Ryan’s hand.
Her nanna came out of the kitchen with a mug of coffee, which she handed to Hannah. “I’m Maureen,” she said. “You’re new to town, but your name’s familiar.”
“I lived here for a couple of years when I was a teenager,” Ryan said. “I’ve just moved back.”
Her nanna nodded. “I remember now. You were friends with Lincoln Zanetti.”
“Still am,” Ryan said, his tone friendly.
Hannah wasn’t quite sure what to say. Should she mention she was dating Ryan? Her brain wasn’t working fast enough this morning, but she didn’t want her grandparents asking more questions about the break-in. “I’m sure you’ve got a whole lot to do today,” she said to Ryan.
He raised an eyebrow at her in question.
Her face flushed.
“Find any evidence of who has been breaking in?” Stan asked before she accompanied Ryan to the door.
“Some prints,” Ryan said. “But right now, we’re focused on who’s been stalking Hannah.”
“What do you mean?”
Hannah winced at the concern in her grandfather’s voice.
Ryan frowned at her.
She closed her eyes, too tired after her night with Joe. “I hadn’t got to that bit yet.”
“Hannah is being targeted by a stalker,” Ryan said. “She’s been left something nasty each day since last Tuesday.”
Her granddad gestured to a chair. “You’d better sit and tell me the details, since Hannah neglected to mention anything.” There was a
harshness to his tone that Hannah didn’t recognise.
Perhaps she could gloss over it so her grandparents wouldn’t worry.
“Both the office and Hannah’s shed have been broken into, she’s been left dead animals on the doorstep and yesterday Joe was deliberately poisoned.”
OK, so no sugar-coating it. She glared at Ryan. Didn’t he understand how fragile her grandparents were?
Her nanna sank onto a chair and her granddad frowned. “Who’s doing it?”
“We have a couple of leads,” he said. “With Joe at the vet, I wouldn’t recommend Hannah goes anywhere alone for the next couple of days.”
“You think he might hurt her.” It was a statement, not a question, but Ryan nodded.
“The gifts have been erratic, sometimes threatening, sometimes more like pranks. While I’m here I’ll take a look around and check if he left anything today.”
Her nanna gasped.
Ryan turned to her. “What is it?”
“There was a note on the door when we came in,” she said. “I didn’t think anything of it.”
Dread pooled in Hannah’s stomach.
Ryan got to his feet. “Can you show me?”
She fished something out of the rubbish bin. Ryan used a couple of pens to smooth out the crumpled piece of paper. It simply read, You’re next.
Hannah frowned. “Next?”
Ryan’s expression was sombre. “He’s referring to what happened to Joe.”
She took a couple of steps back, her hand to her stomach as she thought of Joe lying close to death in the vet hospital. If they hadn’t arrived home when they had, Joe would have died.
Her whole body went cold.
He meant to kill her too.
She turned to her grandparents. “You should leave. If this person is targeting my loved ones, then you’re in danger too. He just has to find out you’re here and then …” She didn’t want to think what could happen. She couldn’t lose any more people she loved.
“We’re not leaving you,” her granddad growled, getting to his feet. “We’ll protect you this time.”
She squeezed her eyes shut at the pain. He was thinking of her mother. They didn’t know about her father being out of jail. That was not going to go down well.
“So far he hasn’t approached Hannah directly, but that might change now that Joe isn’t around,” Ryan said. “We don’t even know if it is a male, it could be a female.”
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