Chapter 19
Despite Alston’s perfect French, the police ignored him completely.
I was the one who had called police.
From experience, officers knew that “just a disagreement” was often code to abuse.
In domestic situations, French police had a strict protocol. They typically focused on the vulnerable party, not the aggressor.
“Madame?” A female officer approached me gently. “Is what he’s saying true? Is this man your husband? Has he harmed you? If you’re in danger, please tell us. We’re here to help.”
“Yes, Alani, tell her I’m your husband,” Alston called out. “We’re family. He’s just a nutcase who beats the crap out of people for no damn reason.”
Alston was sure I’d back him up. In his mind, couples handled problems privately, not with police involvement.
He assumed I’d understand the stakes.
But I just gave him an icy glance before turning away.
He’s not my husband. We’re divorced. He can’t accept it and won’t stop stalking me. I came to Paris specifically to escape him, but he tracked me down. I want to pply for a protection order. His behavior is threatening my safety.”
uston’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Alani, how can you say that? I’m your husband! You’re making me sound like some crazy stalker!”
I love you! More than anyone-how can you do this to me?!”
lis screams made him sound more like a freak stalking his ex-wife.
After hearing my statement, the police handcuffed Alston and marched him toward their vehicle.
Let go! Get off me! I never do anything illegal!”
male officer shoved him roughly. “Shut up! We see guys like you every week! I know exactly how this plays out. First stalking and eventually you decide to nurder your ex-wife out of spite.”
We’re stopping you now. Should we wait until after you’ve killed her?”
hry handled hundreds of domestic murders yearly.
heir data showed that nearly half these killings involved ex-husbands who couldn’t accept divorce and began following their former wives. It always started vith “just a talk” or “working things out.”
But as these men watched their exes rebuild their lives and start dating again, their jealousy would fester.
Rejection turned to rage, and rage to violence…
Alston’s behavior checked every box in their warning system.
He’d tracked his ex wife to another country!
The police weren’t about to ignore such clear warning signs. To them, this was a potential homicide in the making if mishandled.
