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Chapter 7: Yes, Sir, We Got Trouble
Part 4: Sam
Sam couldn’t decide whether to be angry or just roll his eyes. Two weeks of quiet, and now this?
Sophie’s little sedan had been keyed. A trip around the perimeter of her vehicle revealed deep scratches gouging both sides and the hood. Someone had tried to break one of the rear windows but only succeeded in making a splintering crack. A rock on the pavement next to the car seemed like too good of a tip to be true.
“Don’t touch,” he quickly warned as he saw Sophie stretch a finger toward one of the scratches. She immediately drew her hand back and wrapped both arms around her waist. Sam went to her and put an arm around her shoulders while drawing out his cell phone.
“I don’t understand,” she spoke so quietly, her voice breaking.
“It’s going to be okay,” Sam tried to reassure her, but he had no idea how to actually do that. Currently his mind was leaning towards hiding her away somewhere no one would think to look while she took a leave of absence from work until Vic found her stalker. Why did the man – and Sam was convinced it was a male – torment Sophie without leaving any messages? They had gone through so many of her memories and interactions over and over, and she never remembered anything that someone might have taken as a slight. She was sweet and kind, on the quiet side, too trusting and naive to cause anyone offense.
“Vic? Yeah, I’m at Sophie’s,” he said as soon as the man answered.
“Seriously? I’m still waiting for Thing One’s lawyer,” Vic grumbled in his ear. “What now?”
“Her car got keyed.”
After a beat of silence, Vic jumped to action. “I’ll be there in 10 with a fingerprint kit. Don’t -“
“Touch anything,” Sam finished. “I know the drill. But hey, you’ll be happy. One window is cracked, and there’s a perfectly suspicious rock on the ground right by it.”
“What in the world? This guy is weird,” Vic muttered. Sam heard the slamming of doors in the background. “I’m on my way.”
“Thanks.” Sam ended the call, noticing Sophie shivering next to him. He reached back into his car for the extra jacket he kept in the backseat. Something warm sprang up his chest at Sophie’s grateful smile when she slid her arms into the coat.
“Vic’s coming. As soon as he gets here, we’ll go inside so you can warm up,” he told her. She just nodded absently and kept silent as she stared at her car. It wasn’t a particularly nice or new car, but if he had to guess, she had paid for it herself. Her family, like his, didn’t seem the type to gift cars.
“Hey,” he nudged her. “You in there?”
“Hmm?” she looked up at him, a little dazed, he thought.
“It’s just a few scratches, Sophie. Your car will be fine.”
“Yeah, but…”
“But?” Sam prompted.
“Will I be?” she whispered.
He knew he had no right to make such a promise, but he did anyway. “Yes.” He felt her melt against him, so he squeezed her shoulders a little tighter. Now wasn’t the time, but the question of their relationship status threatened to roll off his tongue just then.
Vic saved him the bad timing by pulling into the parking lot and doing his bob and weave to inspect the car. He asked Sophie dozens of questions – did she always park here, when was the last time she drove the vehicle, where did she park at work, etc. Sophie answered them all with unflagging somberness. Sam kept a protective arm around her.
When Vic was gone, he ushered Sophie upstairs and into her living room.
“Why don’t you make yourself a cup of tea?” he suggested as he locked her deadbolt.
“Okay,” she mumbled, clearly distracted. “Want one?”
“No, thanks.” He didn’t do that weird flavored hot water stuff, not even coffee. He settled on the couch and waited for her to return, where she curled up next to him and dragged a blanket over her lap, still huddling in his coat.
How to start this conversation? Sam thought through another minute of silence.
“I’d like to talk to you about stepping up your personal safety. Are you calm enough for that conversation now?” he asked.
Sophie didn’t answer right away, taking a few sips of tea and a few deep breaths. Then, finally… “I think so.” So hesitant.
“All right. First one’s easy. Do you know how to share your location through the messaging app on your phone?”
Her wrinkled brow told him all he needed to know, so he walked her through changing her settings, then showed her how to share her location with a specific contact. He had her practice with him.
“How long does it last?” she asked.
“It’s just a one-time thing. See the little map? It won’t update if you move.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Worried someone will creep on you?” Sam asked without thinking. Thankfully, she laughed.
“No, I’m worried I’ll share my location with a dozen people and leave them all knowing everything I do!”
He grinned. “Don’t worry on that front. Next thing: have you been keeping your pepper spray handy?” he asked.
“I mean, pretty much,” she hedged.
Sam shook his head. “I’d like it in your hand whenever you are moving between your car and a building, between buildings, out for a walk – basically any time you have a free hand and aren’t at home or work.”
Sophie’s brow furrowed as she processed that thought, then just nodded.
“Good. Last thing for tonight: do you know the body’s major weak points if you need to fight someone off?” he asked, hoping the question didn’t scare the daylights out of her.
The sudden lack of color in her face told him that hope was thoroughly dashed.
“Do you think-“
“No. I’m not expecting anything bad to happen-” Okay, that wasn’t 100% true, but she was scared enough now – “but my grandpa always told me to be prepared. I’d like the same for you.”
She took a few shuddering breaths before refocusing on him. A blush snuck across her face. “With guys, I know, um, between the legs…”
He resisted the temptation to smile. “Yup, that’s your first port of call. What else?”
“I saw in a movie once to stomp on top of their feet if you get grabbed from behind.”
“Not bad, but sturdy shoes can stop that one. Think of a fight scene in a movie. Where do they aim their punches?” Sam prompted.
“The face,” Sophie replied immediately.
“Exactly. Shoving the heel of your hand,” he held up his palm and tapped the hard surface above his wrist, “into the nose is a really effective strategy. Everyone’s nose is a weak point. You can also throw an elbow into the eye socket or throat without having to worry about aim too much. You want to think about connecting the hardest points of your body with the weakest points on theirs.”
Sophie nodded, chewing on her lip in thought.
“Would you be willing to practice with me sometime?” Sam offered.
Looking a little hesitant and more than a little afraid, Sophie opened her mouth and shut it twice before answering. “If you think I should, I will.”
“I think it would be very wise, considering both where you live and that someone’s stalking you.” That fact never got gentler, no matter how much Sam wished it did.
“Then my answer is yes.”
“Excellent. I have one final question that I hope will also be a yes,” he hedged, feeling a sudden flurry of nerves.
“Oh?” Sophie asked, tilting her head. She obviously expected another self-defense question.
“Will you be my girlfriend?” Why did that feel as serious as a proposal? He had to work to swallow, his mouth was so dry.
Sophie seemed to have no such problems. She hurriedly plunked her mug on the coffee table, not worrying when it sloshed over the sides. Then Sam let out a muffled ‘oomph’ as she threw herself into his chest, wrapping him in a big hug.
“YES!” she squeaked, and he couldn’t help but laugh in delight with her.