Bound by the Red Thread

Nicole took the picture. “Thank you?”

“Huang wanted you to see that your son is safe and happy. He feels once you know this, that you will be content to leave the boy where he is happiest with his family. He has cousins, siblings, aunts, and uncles all who love him and can give him more than you can. If you stop this nonsense of trying to get him back Huang will continue to let you communicate with the boy. If you do not, other methods will be employed to persuade you.”

He then moved past Nicole and let himself out.

Nicole stumbled over to the sofa and dropped to a sitting position. What did she do now? Should she call the police? What should she do?

She stopped the recording on her phone and noticed the small white card on the floor where she had dropped it. Paul. She’d call Paul and let him know what had happened. He would know what to do.

Nicole hung up the phone after explaining to Paul what had occured. It had only been a short time since she’d left Trident and he was still close by. He told her he’d be there as quickly as he could. She sat on the couch to wait, her head resting in her hands. She’d never expected Huang to threaten her and wondered if Jin knew what his father was up to.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before she heard a knock at the door. It was Paul and the guy who had used the computer at the meeting. They also had a Tampa police officer with them.

“Nicole, I’m sure you remember Monty Hardgrove, and this is officer Wilson Meeker of the Tampa police department. He’s going to take the report on the break-in. A team will be here shortly to check for evidence.”

Nicole sat on the couch while the men stood in her small living room. She offered them seats, but they all refused.

She explained how she’d gotten home and found the man, then played the recording for them. They asked several questions, then Paul went to check to see if he could determine how the man had gotten in.

Monty took her phone and sent the short film clip to his own email and also to the cybercrimes department of the police department for further analysis.

“I think I found the point of entry,” Paul called from her bedroom. “Do you remember if this window was open or closed?” he asked pointing to a small window next to her bed.

Nicole moved over to it and reached for the sill. “Don’t touch it,” Paul said stopping her and moving her back.

“I’m sure it was closed and locked,” she said moving her hands behind her back and leaning up to peer at the lock.

It was broken. “Was it like this before?” Paul pointed to the broken pieces.

“I honestly don’t know. It’s been too warm to open the windows and I don’t remember whether it was broken before or not.” Nicole tried to think if the lock had been like that before or not.

“Don’t worry about it. It really doesn’t matter. I’ll make sure it’s fixed. I’m going to check the other windows. I’m pretty sure this was where he gained access though.” Paul started for the only other room with windows in the apartment.

“But I’m on the second floor? I thought I’d be safer here.” Nicole leaned towards the window again.

Paul stepped up behind her, so close they were almost touching. “See the scrollwork on the balconies. It would be very easy for someone to climb up those. Then hoist themselves up over the rail and step onto the balcony. A short jump to this ledge and he’s in.”

Nicole followed him to the kitchen. They could both tell immediately that this was not the point of access. Nicole had several plants on her windowsill, and it was obvious that none of them had been disturbed.

Nicole moved back into her bedroom where Officer Meeker was just finishing taking pictures. He nodded to her and moved out of the room. Nicole stood staring at the window.

That meant he had to have gotten in through the bedroom. A shiver ran through Nicole’s body. What if she had been home and sleeping? She could feel the panic starting.

“Not now,” she told her body. “No, please not now.” She dropped down on the bed and leant forward, her head drooping into her hands. The little shivers that had been coursing through her now became tremors, and she could feel the sweat beginning to form on her brow.

She hadn’t realized that Paul had followed her until she heard his voice.

“Are you okay?” Paul asked, dropping down beside her and putting one arm around her.

Nicole couldn’t answer, all she could do was shake her head. Paul grabbed the blanket off the foot of the bed and wrapped it around her. He pulled her head up until he could gaze into her eyes.

“Nicole,” he said her name firmly. “I think you’re having a panic attack. I want you to watch me and breathe with me. Can you do that?”

She didn’t respond at first. “Nicole!” This time he threw a bit of his Dom voice into it. Many a sub had dropped to her knees with just a glance from him.

When Nicole nodded, Paul smiled. “In. One, two, three.” He continued to a count of ten. Then he watched as she pulled in a shaky breath and held it. “Now out.” He counted to ten again. Nicole let the breath out. “Again.” Paul repeated the breaths in and out several times, watching Nicole closely as he did.

“Do we need EMS?” Monty asked from the doorway, his voice soft so as not to distract Nicole.