Free Dream Weaver (Dream Weaver #1) by Su Williams Page A

the nose. Exhale, slow, calm.
                  “That’s great, Emari. We don’t have a current address for him, but it shouldn’t take long to find him.” Officer Molly gathered the pictures and stood to go. “Thanks for your help. I’ll call you if we need you.”
                  I knew better. I knew it would be ‘when’, not ‘if’, they would need me. My blood turned to ice in my veins. The waking nightmare of this was far from over. There would be a trial, and I would have to testify, stand in front of this vile man and relive that day in grisly detail.
                  I followed her to the door. “Sure. Whatever you need,” I choked out.
                  Molly handed me a business card. “This is for that group I told you about. My personal cell is on the back. Please call me if you need anything. All right?”
                  “Sure. Thanks.” I felt like I should hug her or something but it didn’t seem appropriate. “See ya,” I said instead.
                  “You bet. See ya. And Emari, you really are looking a lot better.” Molly reached out and squeezed one of my hands before she tromped down the front steps and the sidewalk to her patrol car. I waved good-bye, reset the alarm and gathered my stunner to my chest. The thought of my zombie sheep receiving a jolt amused me. Poor zapped lamb.
                  The house popped and settled quietly after she left. Its peaceful protestations reminded me of my friends who continued to struggle with all of this. The friends I forced outside my own personal walls. I sighed and shuffled to the kitchen to make myself some tea, scooping up my cell phone along the way. Despite my own continued private turmoil, it was time to return a few phone calls. My friends needed my reassurances, my help to cope with the kind of violence that had never touched any of our lives before. Though that haunted look in Jesse’s eyes made me wonder at a past he seldom discussed.
                  I checked in with everyone, reassured both Ivy and Jesse that I was okay and I didn’t need them to baby-sit me. I promised I would come into town soon for a visit. I told them about Officer Molly’s visit and the guy I’d identified. Ivy offered to go to the support group with me, if I decided to go.
                  I sat, huddled in a blanket on the couch, dreading my final call. Adrian and Celeste would be the most difficult to talk to. They worried so, and I didn’t have the strength for the usual argument. But it had to be done—for their sanity. When I finally got the nerve to call, relief warmed me when their voicemail picked up. What a wuss.
                  “Hey, you guys. It’s Emari. Um…I’m sorry I haven’t called before now…and that you found out from the local news. I just wasn’t up to conversation. I am sorry I worried you. I’m okay, though. I promise. I just need to be alone for a while to get my head on straight. Um, I identified a guy today. The cops’ll go pick him up once they get a new address on him. So, that’s all good.” I tried to sound slightly cheery, not too much; they would never believe it anyway. “Okay. So, please, try not to worry. Honest, Celeste, I really am okay. I’ll call you soon. I promise. Kiss the kids for me, ‘kay? I love you guys.”
                  Adrian knew about the stalking calls, made me swear to call him if things escalated. I knew he worried like a dad. And Barbie doll Celeste fretted more. I hoped Emma and Peter remained clueless to any of this vileness.
                  Feeling completely drained, I made myself another cup of herbal tea and retreated to the couch. Swathed in my fleece blanket, I cuddled my cup like a teddy bear. The tendrils of steam licked across my cheeks. The tea’s fragrance tickled my memory, but I couldn’t quite remember its name or where it