“I told you that the note used some of the same phrases!”
“You mean when compared to the notes you don’t have anymore? Again, I’m not saying that you’re wrong. In fact, I think there’s a good probability that you’re right. But as a former prosecutor, you know what the phrase ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ means. And right now, there’s not enough for an indictment under the stalking statutes.”
“He’s been following me, watching me, and monitoring my actions. That meets the course of conduct required in the law. He wrote a note that terrifies me. He slashed my tires. That constitutes harassment. His actions have caused substantial emotional distress, which is why I’m here. He’s clearly stalking me and that’s a crime.”
Margolis raised an eyebrow. “All right, Miss Former Prosecutor. But if he denied writing the notes once, he’ll just deny it again. And then what?”
“What about the pattern? Notes, flowers, following me around, dead flowers. He’s mimicking what Laws did to Cassie.”
“The pattern is similar, but not the same. Laws sent letters and identified himself. You received short, unsigned notes. Laws spied on Cassie at dinner and made sure she knew he was there. Someone bought you a drink at a club, anonymously. Cassie knew that Laws had sent her flowers. You don’t even really know for sure who sent you the roses.”
“It’s close enough.”
“To you, maybe. But in a court of law, it’s different.”
“In other words, because he’s been careful, he’s going to get away with it? You’re not even going to talk to him?”
“Don’t get me wrong. I’ll try to talk to him.”
“Try?”
“You’re assuming that he’s still in town and that I can find him. On the other hand, if he’s in Charlotte or another city, I’ll probably have to turn it over to a detective there.”
“And what would you say to him if you were able to find him?”
“I’ll let him know that I know what he’s up to, and that it’s in his own best interest to stop, or the authorities will intervene.” When it became clear that Maria hadn’t expected him to say what he had, Margolis went on. “In other words, I believe you. With that said, I can’t arrest him because you think he bought you roses. Or because you think he bought you a drink. Or because you think he put a note on your car. You and I both know that’s not going to fly. And, in the end, he might make things even worse for you.”
“Excuse me?” she asked.
Margolis shrugged. “You made an accusation before and the father threatened to sue you and the police. Now you’re accusing him again. It’s possible that he could make a claim for harassment against you.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
“But it’s possible.”
“What am I supposed to do, then? If you’re not going to do anything to help me?”
Margolis leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. “I’ve taken your statement and the report will now be on file. I told you I would talk to him, assuming I can find him, or that someone else will. I’ll review the files on Laws’s arrest and Cassie’s death. And I’ll find out what I can learn about Lester Manning. I’ll talk with the Charlotte police and have them check whether the old notes are in a file somewhere. Considering you’ve offered me nothing whatsoever in the way of proof that you’ve been threatened at all – and taking into account your questionable judgment in choosing a boyfriend – I’d say that’s more than enough, wouldn’t you?”
Maria’s face was a mask. “What about a restraining order?”
“Anything is possible, but you and I both know it’s not automatic, for all the same reasons we’ve discussed. But let’s say that by some miracle, a judge does grant one. The law says that it’s not valid unless Lester Manning can actually be served. Which, again, may or may not be possible.”
“In other words, you’re telling me to pretend it isn’t happening.”
“No. I’m telling you to let me do my job.” He reached for the file. “I’ll let you know what I find out.”
“I don’t know why I went to him in the first place,” Maria said on her way back to the car, her face tight. “And you know what really pisses me off?” She didn’t need an answer. “He’s right. About all of it. And I know he’s right. If a detective had brought me a case like this, I would have turned him away. There’s nothing in the way of proof. Even if I know it’s him.”
“Margolis will check into it.”
“So what?”
“Margolis may be an ass, but he’s smart. He’ll get Lester to say something incriminating.”
“And then what? You think Margolis will convince him to stop? I thought it was over when I moved here, but even that didn’t end it. He knows where I live, and for all I know, Lester killed Copo. He might have been inside my parents’ house!”
It was the first time that Colin had heard her link Copo’s death to everything else that had occurred, and her obvious fear made something coil inside him.
This was going to stop. Let Margolis do whatever he was going to do, but right now, that wasn’t good enough for Colin. It was time, he thought, for someone to find out just what Lester was up to these days.
After he dropped Maria off at work, Colin popped in his earbuds, put on some music, and perched himself in front of the computer at his desk.