The Executioner: A Love Story by Melissa Silvey Read Free Book Online

her and the FBI agents.
    She paced around her apartment briefly. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the second knock. Was it maybe Jordan? Was she so preoccupied she didn’t hear him come up the steps?
    Hesitantly she opened the door, and saw a man in a delivery company uniform. And then she remembered the Secretary’s package. She took it and signed the little electronic pad, then slammed the door quickly.
    She sat down on her couch where Agent Argento had sat only a few minutes ago and stared at the envelope. She didn’t want to open it. She wanted to throw it in the trash. She really had no idea what to do. She sat with her head in her hands for several minutes, until she finally gave up and opened the package.
    It was her day to be shocked. Inside the envelope was a thin manila file folder. And when she opened it, the picture staring back at her was Jordan Stewart.
     

Chapter Six
     
     
    She read through the file several times, in utter disbelief. Jordan Stewart, her sweet, adorable neighbor had been arrested and charged with statutory rape, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, forcible sodomy, and indecent assault. He was charged with five fraternity brothers who had given alcohol to a minor at a frat party and gang raped her. The group had been released after it was found there was not enough evidence to prosecute them. The girl was inebriated and could not point out who had raped her, and there was no DNA found on the girl.
    The only evidence anything had happened were several nude pictures and a video taken of the girl with two or three different men who were unidentifiable in the pictures. They were all taken with Jordan’s phone.
    She found it hard to believe that her Jordan was capable of anything like that. There had to be an explanation. There had to be a reason.
    She heard his footsteps on the stairs and panicked. The FBI, the Secretary, the package. It was all too much for her. What did she do?
    She heard his keys in his door, and then a pause. He expected her to come to her door and greet him. He would be disappointed if she didn’t. She didn’t want to disappoint him.
    “Hi,” he said with a smile as he took a step back onto the porch.
    “Hi.” Her voice broke with emotion, and suddenly she was crying. He did what he always did; he comforted her. He reached for her and brought her into his arms. For a split second she wanted to pull away.
    “Have a bad day?” His voice was all honey and molasses as he spoke. His voice was so warm, so soothing. She wanted to wrap herself around him and never let go.
    She pulled back quickly, and when she looked at him his expression changed. He reverted instantly. He was the Jordan she first met: shy and reserved.
    “You know,” he said as he exhaled and turned away from her. He took two steps into his apartment, and moved to shut the door but she slid inside.
    “You have no idea the day I’ve had,” she whispered.
    He moved away from her. He walked toward his kitchen and dropped his brief case on the table. He took a soda out of the fridge. He opened it and took a sip. And the entire time he ignored her as if she wasn’t even there.
    She didn’t sneak quietly behind him. She knew he heard her walk into the kitchen. Why didn’t he turn to her and console her? Then it hit her; maybe he needed to be consoled. She put her hand on his shoulder, and he pulled away. But she wasn’t deterred. She stood right behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and pulled him against her. She rested her cheek on his shoulder blades and listened to his heart.
    She felt his flat stomach contract, then his back, and she realized he was crying soundless tears. Of course this delicate, fragile man didn’t do the things they said he did.
    “I was there, when it happened,” he murmured. “My friend, James, was invited to join the fraternity. He and I were in the room when the older guys brought the girl in. I had the new smart phone, and my friend