Page 99 of Walking Away

Caitlin swallowed hard.He’s gone,she told herself,but he’s everywhere.

Rosie pressed her head to Caitlin’s leg and huffed.

“Block it for tonight. If he uses another number, we’ll add it to the list.”

She nodded and set the phone face-down, as if it might bite.

The house settled into quiet. Rosie stretched across the hall like a furry gate, ears twitching at every creak. Caitlin lay awake, watching the faint streetlight blink against the ceiling.

Her phone buzzed again.Unknown number.

She ignored it. Then it rang again—and this time, she answered.

A pause. Then his voice, smooth and sure:

“You can’t just erase me, Caitlin. You’ll see soon enough. People like you don’t stay happy long.”

Her stomach dropped. “Don’t call here again.”

The line went dead. She counted the seconds, praying it was over before it buzzed again.

A moment later, her screen lit—a text from another number:

You know you miss me. You can’t possibly be happy in that godforsaken place.

She stared until the words blurred, then turned the phone over, breath shaking.

From the couch down the hall, Burke’s voice came low. “Cate? You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she managed. “Just… another number.”

He appeared in the doorway, barefoot, face shadowed but calm. “Let me see.” He stared at the phone. “He’s escalating.”

Her eyes filled. “He’ll never stop, will he?”

Burke’s tone stayed even, but steel threaded through it. “He will. One way or another.”

He took the phone from her, blocked the number, set it on the dresser, then brushed a thumb beneath her chin until she met his eyes.

“You’re not fighting this alone anymore. Not while I’m breathing.”

Rosie’s tail thumped once against the floor.

“Try to sleep,” he said. “I’ve got it.”

Burke Scott

The porch boards creaked as Burke stepped into the cold. He stood at the railing, the chill biting his knuckles, thumb hovering over the call button. Then he scrolled to the latest number and hitCall Back.

Three rings. Then a click.

Jason’s voice, smug and sharp. “You shouldn’t be calling me, Sheriff. That’s interference.”

Burke’s voice dropped, low and measured. “You call her again, and you’ll find yourself under a harassment order by morning.”

Jason’s chuckle was a blade’s edge. “You think you scare me?”

Burke didn’t raise his voice. “Not trying to. I’m warning you. You cross that line again, and you’ll find out what happens when you push too far.”