Chapter 53
Inside the paper was a Polaroid picture of them returning home from the hospital with the baby. There was no note, no envelope, no return address, but it wasn't necessary. Woody knew who this was from and that was why he feared for his family!
His dilemma as the elevator reached the fifty floor was what to do about this. He could imagine the fury of Jordan's reaction to this, but it certainly wasn't a time to upset her with evidence that Palmer was keeping watch on them. But Riley must be protected and the more people on their guard against him being kidnapped the better chance they had of keeping it from happening. Woody also had a hard time picturing himself telling his mother about this, after all, they had so far let her believe that Riley was his son.
Jordan's friends at the morgue would want to help, but they were not trained professionals. That left his fellow detectives and the officers at the precinct. They also didn't know the truth about Riley's biological father, but they wouldn't really have to in order to know there was a threat to him and to be able to protect him. However, if there was all of a sudden a police presence around them Jordan would figure out something was going on. So, he was back to the beginning about whether to tell her or not.
Maybe this was a one time thing, and it would all go away? But, then he remembered Jordan's feelings of being watched on the 4th when they were in the park and other times as well, and he knew that wouldn't happen. Palmer had been waiting for the baby to be born and now that he knew that he had a son, the 'it's a boy' banner over the door that was also in the picture Woody held, told him that. He was letting them know he was after the child and there was nothing they could do about it. Palmer was playing the mind games he was so good at. Taunting them, by letting them know he was watching, but would not know when he would strike. However, Woody was not going to let this vicious man get to his family! He would protect them with all that he had!
In the end Woody knew he would have to tell Jordan. After all, Riley was her child and not only did she have the right to know he was in danger, but had the right to help protect him from Palmer.
Entering the apartment, he found his mother putting food on the table and Jordan heading into the nursery to put the sleeping baby in his crib. Knowing that the longer he delayed in telling her, the harder it would be, he followed Jordan into the nursery.
When she had tucked the baby in, Woody took her by the hand and led her over to the rocking they had bought so they could rock Riley to sleep. Jordan gave him an odd look at this action and the look turned to concern when he squatted down next to her with a worried expression. "What is it Woody?!" she wanted to know.
"Jordie, I don't want you to freak out about this, but Palmer is still out there…" he paused for breath and she jumped in.
"I know that! I was the one that had the feelings of being watched! I'm just glad it stopped before Riley got here!"
"It hasn't stopped," he told her as gently as he could. "I found this tucked into our morning paper," he finished, handing her the Polaroid.
Jordan looked down at the picture with a quizzical look and went still at what she saw. Her eyes flew to Riley sleeping in his crib as if to make sure he was really safe. Then she turned back to Woody a hateful anger burning in her eyes. "I won't let him take or harm Riley in any way!" she all but snarled.
"Neither will I Jordie! We will keep him safe from Palmer, I promise you that!"
To be continued…