Chapter 12 - The Stalker in the Shadows
Despite the strict, highly restrictive bail conditions, Liam desperately attempted to locate me by illegally hiring a shady private investigator.
The Portland detective called me late one evening to strictly warn me that a man had been asking highly suspicious questions around my old hospital.
"Liam is getting incredibly desperate because he knows the massive trial is approaching and the physical evidence against him is absolutely damning," the detective explained.
I completely doubled down on my security protocols, absolutely never taking the exact same route to the diner and constantly checking my rearview mirror.
Every single shadow in the quiet parking lot felt incredibly threatening, violently triggering the severe PTSD I was desperately trying to completely overcome.
Brenda constantly reminded me that the massive shelter was entirely secure, but the psychological terror Liam inflicted from afar was incredibly exhausting to endure.
One night, while cleaning tables at the diner, a strange man in a dark suit walked in and sat completely alone in the corner booth.
He ordered a black coffee and simply stared at me intensely for nearly an hour, completely making my blood run absolutely cold with terror.
I quietly slipped into the back kitchen and immediately called the local police, my hands shaking violently as I gripped the greasy phone receiver.
By the time the police officers arrived, the strange man had completely vanished into the night, leaving a fifty-dollar bill on the table.
The shelter heavily advised me to completely take a leave of absence from the diner, totally isolating me back within the fortified brick walls.
I felt incredibly angry that Liam was still actively stealing my freedom and peace, even from hundreds of miles away across state lines.
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But the terrifying harassment only solidified my absolute, unwavering resolve to see him permanently locked in a federal prison for the rest of his life.
I was entirely done running, and I was fully prepared to finally completely face the monster in the harsh, unforgiving light of a massive courtroom.
