Chapter 3

By the next morning Penelope had convinced herself the letter from Tamara was a mere anomaly. As she headed into the kitchen to start their morning coffee while Derek took a shower she was back to feeling like all was right in her world. With the smell of coffee permeating the air and talk radio playing in the background to provide news and traffic updates she was happily cocooned in normalcy when her cell phone chimed.

If it was work, Derek's phone would be ringing any second and they'd need coffee more than she'd need to see the summons on her phone. As a result, she didn't hurry into the bedroom to retrieve her cell. Penelope took the time to pour coffee for them both and was just enjoying the first sip when she heard the phone again. Carrying both cups, she made her way back to the bedroom as Derek came out of their en suite bathroom. He greeted her with an appreciative smile and a loving kiss. "Thanks, sweetness."

"No problem, my love," she said making her way into the bathroom for her own shower. Since Derek's phone remained quiet she figured whatever the text messages were about wasn't urgent. Before she had a chance to step into the shower the phone went off for a third time. Now she was growing annoyed. "Hot stuff, could you check my phone please?"

"Sure, P. Want me to bring it to you?"

"Nah! Just shut it up. Too early for spam without being fully caffeinated," she replied as she removed her robe and stepped into the stall.

There was no response from Derek for several seconds and then, "What the hell?"

Penelope quickly stepped back out of the shower. "Derek?"

"What is this?" Penelope felt her stomach clinch and begin to cramp with anxiety even before he came into the bathroom her cell held out like it was burning him. "Has she contacted you before?"

"She who?" Penelope knew it had to be Tamara. She still hoped there would be a small chance it was some other mentally unstable ex-girlfriend of Derek's.

"Pen!"

"There was a letter," she said reaching at last for the phone. Three messages awaited her. As Penelope read them she started to shake and regret destroying the letter. 5:53 AM: Where are you? You can't hide from me. 5:58 AM: Stay away from Derek. He's mine. 6:04 AM: BANG! You're dead, soon. Thinking of you, Tamara.

"Was?"

"I…I shredded it. Last night."

"Baby girl, you know better. That's what was going on last night, wasn't it?" She nodded, not trusting herself to respond without starting to cry. Derek drew her against him and held her close. "What did the letter say?"

Penelope channeled her inner Spencer Reid and repeated the letter verbatim to an increasingly agitated Derek. "Damn! Why wouldn't you tell me, P?"

She felt self conscious under his intense stare and it had nothing to do with her nakedness. "I wanted to believe she was just letting off steam. I know what it's like to love you and see you with someone else. It hurts, Derek."

He kissed the top of her forehead before releasing her and heading for his own phone. "Derek, no. Please leave her be. She's harmless." He didn't look convinced so she went for her trump card. "There's been no escalation. Isn't that what you profilers are always looking for in order to figure out where the UNSUB's head is at? Tamara's just angry. Let it be." Yet, even as he put his phone back on the bedside table and returned to her side to give her another lingering hug, she wondered if she was right.