The Man in the Shadows

Jessica’s heart pounded as she continued away from the farm, her fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly. The letters now on the passenger seat, wrapped in the same faded red ribbon her mother had used to bind them, caused Jessica to let her mind wander.

She wanted to stop and read them, but fear was keeping her foot on the gas pedal. She felt as though someone was following her. She could not shake the feeling, and every set of lights in her rearview mirror caused the hair on the back of her neck to rise. A shiver ran down her spine. She shook her head as if to clear it of these thoughts.

"I am overreacting," she thought to herself.

By the time she reached her hotel, where she was forced to remain until the investigation was over, she was exhausted. It was a modest roadside inn just outside town. It was near the police station, and Jessica guessed it was so the sheriff could keep an eye on her.

No matter how tired she was, Jessica refused to sleep until she read a few of the letters. She locked the door behind her, drew the curtains, and sat on the bed, staring at the letters. Her father’s name, Michael Bowden,was scrawled on the front of each envelope in the return address. He had left when she was a child, vanished without explanation, and now, after all these years, here was proof that he had still been in contact with her mother. With trembling fingers, she untied the ribbon and selected the letter at the top of the stack, dated just three months ago.

My Dearest Fran,

I know I have no right to ask for your forgiveness, but I need you to understand why I left. It was never because I stopped loving you or Jessica. It was because I had to protect you. I have already told you there are things I did in my past, things I never wanted you or our daughter to be a part of. But I fear my past is catching up with me, and if it does, you and Jessica could be in danger. You know I never stopped watching over you both from a distance. But I can’t stay hidden much longer. They know I’m alive. They know about Jessica. Please, Fran, if something happens to me, tell Jessica the truth. She deserves to know. And she needs to be ready.

Michael

Jessica’s breath hitched. She read the letter again, trying to process the words. They know about Jessica. Who were they? And why was her father so afraid? She reached for another letter, this one older, dated nearly ten years ago.

Fran,

I’ve secured some money. It’s enough to keep you and Jessica provided for and escape if necessary, but you must follow my instructions carefully. Don’t trust anyone—not the police, not old friends, no one. If something happens to me, you’ll find everything you need in the place where we used to watch the stars. I am so sorry that things have turned out the way they have, but I am doing this for your safety. I never wanted to leave you. I had no choice.

Please, Fran. I love you both more than anything. Keep our daughter safe.

Michael

Jessica’s mind spun. She felt dizzy. What was this all about?

The place where they used to watch the stars? Jessica thought about it for a few moments. That could only mean one place, the old barn loft. As a child, she and her mother would climb up there on summer nights, staring at the sky while her mother told her stories about the moon and stars. Could her father have left something hidden there?

A sudden noise outside the hotel made her freeze. The sound of gravel crunching, like a footstep just outside her window. It was halting, as if the person realized the gravel was causing noise. One step, wait, then another, silence, then another.

Jessica’s breath caught. She crept toward the curtain and carefully peeled it back just enough to peer outside. The hotel parking lot was dimly lit, but she could make out the shape of a black SUV parked near the edge of the lot—one she hadn’t noticed when she first arrived.

Someone was watching her.

She swallowed nervously. Gently she put the curtain back covering the window. She looked around the room for something to use as a weapon. Slowly and methodically she removed the chair from the small desk and propped the top of it against the door under the handle. She tugged on it. It certainly seemed to have secured the old door somewhat better.

She knew she would not sleep this night. She sat on the edge of the bed and began reading the entire stack of letters. It was a long night, but she knew what she had to do come daylight. She had to go back to the farm and find the answers!