Aud picked up a pen near the cash register and then immediately put it down. He didn’t have any reason to have the pen in his hand. “Even if the first time they thought it was an animal of some kind?”
“Exactly.” Hemlick looked up from the yellow tablet he was taking notes on. “Now, if you want, we can get a restraining order on him. That will also give you a legal paper trail. The problem with restraining orders is that they don’t help much and can often push stalkers to take more extreme measures.”
“I probably don’t want to know about any of those.” Aud picked the pen up again. Although he tried very hard to hide it from Leo and Heather, he was more than a little disturbed by Randal’s actions. He had no doubt that the face Leo saw in the window had been Randal.
“Even if I could tell you, you definitely don’t. Now, are you sure you don’t want to file suit on the gym for releasing your personal information? That could be a very profitable move. It will also send a message to them that they need to make sure they understand client confidentiality.”
The phone rang, and Aud checked to see that Heather picked it up before he replied. “I’m sure. I’ve filed a complaint with the branch I went to and their corporate offices. In both complaints I gave veiled threats of lawsuits, but that’s all they were: threats. Ultimately, they shouldn’t be held responsible for things their employees do. The employees should be, but I don’t know who gave out my information.”
Hemlick capped his pen and slid it into his shirt pocket. “You do understand that most people don’t share your opinion on that?”
Aud nodded. “I do. But that’s how I feel. Everyone should be responsible for their own actions, not the place they work for or some nameless god. It’s just the way I was brought up. If more people owned up to everything they did, the world would be a much better place.”
“You’re a refreshing breath of air, Mr. Sorenson.” Hemlick took the pad and dropped it in the briefcase that rested on the floor at his feet. “You have a lovely gallery here. Think about the restraining order. If you decide you need one, just let me know and I’ll get it filed quickly.”
“Thank you.” Aud stuck his hand over the counter. “Especially for coming down here on a Saturday, and with short notice. What do I owe you?”
The lawyer returned his handshake. “The first consultation is free. Don’t worry about it.” He turned toward the door. “Just make sure I’m on your list for your next gallery opening. Last night was a delight, even with Mr. Hudspeth providing entertainment.”
“I’ll ensure you’re on the list. Thanks again.”
Hemlick waved as he opened the door and strolled out onto the sidewalk.
“That doesn’t sound reassuring.” Heather emerged from the back room.
“No, it doesn’t.” Aud grabbed a rag and walked out to dust. “I hate the idea that I’m going to have to wait until Randal gets caught doing something. It doesn’t make me feel safe.”
“Do you have access to a camera you can get to quickly if he shows up again?” Heather asked, taking the rag out of his hand. “And you’ve already dusted the gallery twice today.”
“Sorry.” He looked at the floor and tried to remember if he had vacuumed when he showed up two hours early. “I’ve got several cameras, plus the built-in one on the phone, so yeah, I think I can get to one quickly.”
“Good.” She put the rag back behind the counter. “Next time he shows up, take his picture. I don’t care where it is. It can be in line at McDonald’s—”
“I don’t eat McDonald’s,” he interrupted. “You know that.”
“It was an example.” She looked at him, concern flowing from her blue eyes into his. “If you weren’t so stressed by all this, you’d have realized that. It doesn’t matter where you see him. Document it. When more shit happens, you’ll have that as proof he’s been up to no good.”
“That’s a good idea.” He desperately wanted to change the subject. “Heather, do you mind covering the gallery for me next weekend?”
“Next weekend?” She looked thoughtful. “I think I’m open then. What’s up?”
Aud walked back behind the counter and started playing with the pen again. “I want to take Leo to the mountains for the weekend. To make it up to him for our screwed-up dates the past two weekends.”
She smiled at him. “A quiet romantic weekend. It’s been forever since you had one of those. Of course I can cover things for you. Where are you going?”
“I don’t know yet. I’m going to make some phone calls and see what I can do about securing reservations and get somewhere nice.” His mind turned from Randal to Leo and he relaxed. There was something about Leo that acted as a balm to him. It was a pleasant change. He’d never dated anyone who was as laid-back as Leo was.