Chapter 38 The Detective
CAITLYN'S POV
I sat in the waiting room at the hospital for my routine checkup and tried not to think about everything I had discovered in Collin's study three days ago. Every time I closed my eyes I saw those documents. The proof that my father was a criminal, the evidence that Collin had my parents killed. The plans to murder me and the baby.
"Mrs Hayes?" the nurse called from the doorway.
I stood up and followed her back to the exam room. The doctor performed all the usual checks and reported that everything looked good with the baby. It had a healthy heartbeat, good growth, and no complications. I should have felt relieved but all I felt was numb.
"Any questions or concerns? Do you feel uneasy sometimes or are there any inconveniences you would like to share with me?" the doctor asked.
"No," I said. "Everything is fine. The only things I feel are the pregnancy symptoms, which I believe are normal. I'm just taking my time to navigate them.”
That was a lie. Nothing was fine but what was I supposed to say? My husband is planning to kill me, and I do not know how to escape. The doctor could not help me with that.
I left the hospital and walked to my car in the parking lot. Collin's guy was parked a few spaces away, watching me, as always. I had gotten used to being followed everywhere but it still made me feel trapped.
I unlocked my car and was about to get in when someone stepped out from between two vehicles near me. A man in his fifties with gray hair and tired eyes. He was wearing a suit, but it looked old and worn, like he had been wearing it for too many hours.
"Mrs Hayes?" he said. "Can I have a moment of your time?"
I looked around nervously. Collin's guy was still in his car but he was watching us now. "Who are you?"
"My name is Detective Rourke," he said and showed me his badge. "I work for the city police department. I need to talk to you about your husband, it’s quite urgent and I promise to not waste your time.”
My heart started racing. "I do not think that is a good idea. Besides, I'm in a hurry to get somewhere so I can't spare that time.”
"Please," Detective Rourke said and his voice was gentle. "Just five minutes, it is important."
I looked at Collin's guy again. He had gotten out of his car now and was walking toward us. "I cannot talk to you. My husband would not like it."
"Your husband is under investigation," Detective Rourke said quickly before Collin's guy got too close. "And I think you might be in danger. If you want help you can call me anytime."
He handed me a business card and walked away just as Collin's guy reached me. The guy looked at the detective walking away and then looked at me.
"Who was that?" he asked.
"Some guy asking for directions," I lied. "I told him I did not know."
The guy did not look like he believed me but he did not push it. "Mr Hayes wants you to come straight home after your appointments. No stops."
"I know," I said and got in my car.
My hands were shaking as I started the engine. I looked down at the business card Detective Rourke had given me. It had his name and phone number and nothing else. I shoved it in my purse before anyone could see it.
A detective. A real detective investigating Collin. That meant someone in law enforcement knew what Collin was doing. Someone who might actually be able to help me instead of being on Collin's payroll like most of the cops.
But could I trust him? What if this was some kind of trap? What if Collin sent him to test me and see if I would talk? I did not know who to trust anymore.
I drove home with Collin's guy following behind me like always. When I got to the house I went straight to my room and locked the door. Then I pulled out the business card and stared at it.
Detective Marcus Rourke. That was his name; he looked like someone who had seen too much and been disappointed too many times, but he also looked honest. Like someone who actually cared about doing the right thing.
Your husband is under investigation. Those words kept repeating in my head. What did Rourke know? How long had he been investigating Collin? Did he know about my parents? Did he know about Jason's brother?
I wanted to call him but I was too scared. If Collin found out I talked to a detective, he would kill me, maybe not right away, but eventually. He would make it look like an accident or blame it on someone else but he would do it.
I hid the card in the same place I kept my old phone. In the back of my closet under some sweaters. Then I sat on my bed and tried to figure out what to do.
I had sent Jason a text three days ago asking for help but he had not responded yet. Maybe he did not get it, maybe he thought it was a trap, maybe he just did not care enough to help me.
And now I had a detective saying he could help, too, but trusting the wrong person could get me killed. I needed to be smart about this, I needed to figure out who was really on my side before I made any moves.
My phone buzzed with a text from Collin. "How was the appointment?"
"Fine," I texted back. "Baby is healthy."
"Good," he replied. "I will be home late tonight, do not wait up."
That meant I had the evening to myself. A few hours where I did not have to pretend everything was normal. A few hours where I could think without Collin watching me.
I pulled out my old phone and checked to see if Jason had responded to my text. Either he had not gotten it, or he was ignoring me; either way, I was still on my own.
I thought about calling Detective Rourke but I was too scared. What would I even say? My husband killed my parents and is planning to kill me too? Did I have any proof besides what I saw in his study? And if I told Rourke everything would he even believe me?
I put the phone away and lay down on the bed. My mind was racing with questions and fears and what-ifs. I needed help but I did not know who to turn to. Jason was not responding. Detective Rourke might be a trap and everyone else I knew was either dead or working for Collin.
I was completely alone. Trapped in a house with a man who wanted me dead. Carrying a baby was my only reason for surviving, and running out of time before Collin figured out the truth and killed us both.
I put my hand on my stomach and felt the baby move. "We are going to make it through this," I whispered. "I do not know how yet but
t we are going to survive."
But even as I said it I was not sure I believed it.