Stalker, Stalker

by Therese Sullivan

  ‘Finally, he could stand no more and told her bluntly, in front of their friends, that there was NOT going to be a wedding. He added that he never wanted to see her again, telling her clearly that he didn’t love her!

  ‘By all accounts, she was crushed. She kept to herself for a couple of weeks. Then suddenly reappeared, seeming to be okay, and resumed going out with mutual friends. If they crossed paths, she was polite but nothing else.

  ‘Everyone admired her strength and resilience.

  ‘A month or two later he met someone, and apparently fell hard for her. They became inseparable. Eliza seemed to be taking it in her stride, not happy about it but accepting. But one day, not long after, Eliza was seen rowing with him. She was described as being in a rage.

  ‘Eliza maintained that “rage” was too strong a word. She had been annoyed, yes, because he had moved on so fast. She felt it was unseemly and told him so. He accepted her verbal battering because as he told his best friend later, he felt guilty for hurting her, and if she needed to vent her feelings then he owed her at least that. He then refused to talk about it, saying it was in the past and it helped no one to dwell on it. With only Eliza’s version of the row no one really had any idea what had been said.

  ‘A week later his car ran off the road, killing both him and his girlfriend.’

  Adam gave an audible gasp.

  ‘At first the police considered suicide. There were no skid marks where the car went off the road. But, on investigation, the brake lines appeared to have been cut, and there was a dent in the side of the rear bumper, suggestive of a shunt. Thus, evidence supported the theory that the car was “helped” off the road.’

  Jethro wiped his hand over his face, clearly disconcerted by his findings.

  ‘They briefly considered Eliza, but her grief was too raw, and she had an alibi of sorts. They decided she wasn’t really a credible suspect. The case remains unsolved.’

  Jethro stood and paced again. ‘We need to rethink our plans.’ He grilled me with a look, trying to make me pull back. He always did this when he was worried I was putting myself at unnecessary risk. I shook my head at him. This changed nothing.

  ‘No. We don’t,’ I stated firmly. ‘We already suspected she was capable of murder. We considered her threat to Lucy real. Now, yes this makes it seem more likely, but it’s still only conjecture, nothing has actually been proven. Nothing has really changed.’

  Jethro argued, ‘We suspected she could be capable! Now it seems she has possibly killed before. That makes her more dangerous than we thought.’ Jethro was adamant.

  ‘You’re out there, JB! Her probable target! Not only that, but if Adam has behaved as her previous boyfriend did then he will become a target too. I’m just not sure it’s worth the risk! We could pack this in, get Adam and his family away, give us time to build a case against her.’

  I watched Jethro pace for a moment, looking like a caged animal in the enclosed space.

  I then turned to Adam. He was pale but sitting straight. ‘What do you think,’ I asked him.

  His face set, he replied. ‘We set plans in place, knowing she was a danger to Lucy,’ he stated calmly.

  ‘The idea was to refocus her anger on you and me. I don’t see that’s changed. Now we know we were probably right. She is a danger to my family!’ He paused, appearing to be thinking of what he was going to say.

  ‘I don’t like you being in the line of fire though, JB. So, maybe I should dramatically dump you too. We could find another way to work her.’ He looked from Jethro to me.

  ‘I do, however, know I don’t want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder! And I want to go back to my family.’ He stopped again, then continued.

  ‘My preference would be to go ahead as planned, unless we can come up with a new plan, with as good a chance of success. Maybe we could increase protection for JB.’

  I looked to Jethro. He was clearly worried, and I could see his point. Someone who has already killed will find it easier to do so again. Especially if, as it appeared in this case, they got away with it the first time.

  I stood and stopped Jethro pacing, making him face me.

  ‘I know you’re worried about me. I get that! But we have everything in place. She doesn’t know we have all this information on her! She thinks she has everyone fooled! We have the element of surprise there.’

  I gave him a quick smile. ‘We have people in place. My back is very well protected. You know this!’ I placed my hand on his arm.

  ‘I really don’t see how this makes a difference. What’s more, I really don’t think we have a choice. We have to keep going. She won’t back off, so we can’t afford to!’

  I held Jethro’s eyes as he considered what I had said. I knew, deep down, he agreed. He just hated that I took risks.

  ‘There isn’t a better plan, and you know that. If there had been, we wouldn’t be doing it this way, would we?

  ‘We have a very good chance of getting Adam and Lucy their lives back and I think we should keep going.’ I could see Jethro knew I was right, but he didn’t want me to be.

  ‘Keep searching. If you can find proof of her complicity in murder, then we can use that. But for now, we’ll keep going as planned. Okay?’ I looked from Jethro to Adam as they both agreed, Jethro reluctantly.

  We settled our next move and I suggested everyone get some rest. Tomorrow would be another busy day.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jethro

  There was no way I could sleep. My eyes were gritty, and my head was pounding. But I had to keep searching. Things just kept getting worse with each new piece of evidence I uncovered. Unfortunately, it was all circumstantial. A picture was forming, but there was no proof. Nothing I could take to the police that they would be able to use.

  While I knew there was no other plan with even half as much chance of success, I wanted badly to come up with something, anything that would allow us to abort this operation.

  I hated when JB put herself in the line of fire. I gave a grim laugh. I really should be used to it by now, but, even knowing better than anyone how well covered she was and the extent of her skills, I still worried. Losing Kath had made me realise how important it is to cherish those we love. And JB is my family.

  I’d been up all night, searching, looking for a way to end this before someone I loved got hurt.

  Adam had gone to bed not long after we talked. I suspect he’d talked to Lucy for some time and had probably not slept very well. I was pretty sure he wouldn’t have shared the knowledge he’d received with her. We had agreed to check it out before doing anything else.

  JB had stayed with me for a while longer, until I talked her into getting some sleep. I wanted her sharp, even though she was confident this would still work. She maintained nothing had really changed.

  But I was worried. If we were right, and Eliza had killed before, it increased the likelihood of a tragic outcome. I shivered as a chill ran down my spine.

  I had been hoping to find some evidence, before JB woke. If I could find something we could take to the police, we could get her locked away for murder. That would solve everything. But I knew JB would be up soon. I was running out of time.

  The more I delved into Ms Eliza Roberts, the more I realised she was a narcissist, viewing others only in as much as they impacted on her.

  I suspected the humiliation she felt she had suffered, at the hands of her college boyfriend, had been the catalyst for the emergence of her overt tendencies.

  She seemed to care only for making her life go the way she considered it should, for getting what she considered her right. There were too many coincidences in the way her life panned out, for her not to have been sacrificing others in the pursuit of her perfect life.

  Her college boyfriend and his new girlfriend killed in that car crash was just the first of a string of coincidences, all of which had the same outstanding result of changing something in Roberts’ favour.

  The next thing
I found was her query regarding an apartment she considered perfect for her needs. She applied for it, only to be told the tenant had a long lease. She offered to pay over the odds, if the tenant could be moved. But was told that wasn’t possible. She was shown other properties that were available, but none suited her so well.

  She then, it seemed, approached him directly, trying to convince him to move. But, unfortunately (for him, as it turned out) the apartment suited him well and with his long lease and reasonable rent, he had no desire, nor intention, to move.

  A few days later the man stepped into traffic and was killed by a truck. It was ruled accidental. Witnesses said he had appeared to have been pushed, but no one could say by whom. That being one of the corners not covered by cameras, there was no evidence so once again, a possibly suspicious death, with no way of proving anything. There was nothing to indicate Roberts was even involved. It was more a gut feeling on my part. Her name had been taken, but she was never questioned. She was just one of the many people noted to be in the vicinity. Of course, it meant her perfect apartment became vacant. She was quickly accepted as the new tenant. Once again fate had worked out to give Eliza Roberts what she desired. I don’t believe in coincidence.

  Roberts then set about gaining suitable employment. She applied first at Davis & Co. There were no vacancies, and nothing coming up. There was a waiting list, so even if something came up, there were suitable applicants already waiting. They didn’t even bother to take a resumé.

  She next applied for a job at Westmead. There was nothing available there, but they were impressed and took a resumé, in case.

  Two months later Mr Dawson, (MD, Westmead) lost his secretary. She was killed in a hit and run. Out late one night, she had been run down, and left for dead on a quiet road. There were no witnesses, and the car involved was found a few days later, burnt out in the reserve. She had died alone, taking some hours to succumb to her injuries. The police appealed for help, but none was forthcoming. No one could work out why she was in that area.

  Roberts started working for Mr Dawson two days later.

  By the time Dawson was ready to move her on, Adam’s secretary had decided to retire due to ill health. She had apparently been suffering for some time and doctors were unable to work out what was wrong with her. She had recovered quickly once she retired, so it was put down to the stress of working.

  I suspected something else was the cause but could find no link. She was perhaps fortunate that she chose to retire due to her health, or I was sure she, too, would no longer be among the living.

  I could see a pattern starting to emerge. It created a scary picture.

  Those who stood in her way were simply eliminated!

  Adam was lucky Kim figured him out, and got him to come and see us, when she had.

  It had been a tragedy waiting to happen. Lucy was the next person standing in her way. She was certainly the next target.

  JB’s instincts were, as always, spot on. Removing Lucy and Gabe from the line of fire was inspired and had probably saved at least Lucy’s life.

  Using herself as bait was probably madness, but that was what JB excelled in, and it was probably too late now to change the game.

  I knew JB could handle herself and would be more than a match for Roberts, if she saw her coming!

  We needed to know why Roberts had targeted Adam! Where did her obsession come from?

  So far, I had been unsuccessful in finding any link. Adam was sure he’d not met her prior to her coming to work for him. It didn’t make sense that it started there, as everything I’d found pointed to her scheming to get the job.

  I also didn’t understand why she had left the Dawsons alive and apparently unscathed. It didn’t fit the pattern!

  My phone warbled. I glanced at the screen and smiled: a little light in the darkness.

  ‘Morning, my love. You’re up early.’

  Kim responded with a laugh. ‘And yet, clearly, you beat me to it. Did you get any sleep at all?’

  ‘Not a lot. What’s the problem?’

  ‘Tim wanted to know if you needed a report before he clocks off for the day. Of course, I volunteered to be the one to ring, just so I could hear your sexy voice,’ she laughed.

  ‘I’m glad you did. It’s nice to hear your voice. Have there been any problems?’ I asked

  ‘Nope! There’s been nothing out of the ordinary, no mysterious phone calls or anything. Looks like the ruse worked! Brilliant acting all round!’ Kim laughed again. ‘Seriously, though. Tim said as it’s so quiet he should check if you wanted to maintain the same level of surveillance.’

  I moved my head away from the phone, calming myself, making sure my voice sounded casual.

  ‘Nothing should change just yet. Roberts seems to be escalating, and we’re still not confident she has totally disregarded Lucy and Gabe.

  ‘Hopefully it shouldn’t be too much longer. But for now, we’d prefer to keep things as they are.’

  I needed to impress that we shouldn’t relax but I didn’t want to worry everyone. I didn’t think it would do Lucy any good to know how dangerous this woman really was. Not with Adam directly in the line of fire.

  ‘Is Tim there? I’d like a word.’

  ‘Sure, I’ll pass you over. Will we see you today?’

  I’ll try and swing by later. I miss you.’

  ‘Me, too. Here’s Tim.’

  ‘Hey, mate, what’s up?’ Tim never sounded anything but cheerful.

  ‘Listen and please don’t react. I don’t want to worry the others, at this point.’ I spoke quietly.

  ‘Eliza may have killed, in the past, to get what she wants. There’s nothing I can prove just yet, but there are too many questions, too many coincidences.

  ‘She’s definitely escalating and, with this new information, I think we need to remain highly vigilant.’

  ‘Hang on, just going into the other room so I can hear you properly. Okay. Should we be worried?’

  ‘Not sure and that’s the problem!’ I outlined what I had learned overnight.

  ‘So, you see, while I think Lucy will be okay, Roberts believes her to be no threat. Gabe may be still in danger. If she fails to get what she thinks she deserves, she may target Gabe in revenge.’ I finished.

  ‘Damn! I see what you mean. That puts a whole new dimension in play.’ Tim paused for a moment, taking in all I had told him.

  ‘Leave it with me,’ he said. ‘I’ll quietly let the guys here know and we’ll maintain vigilance.’ He paused again then blurted out quickly, ‘I think you should let Lucy and Kim know, they have the right to be involved in it all. Not telling them doesn’t protect them.’

  I grinned at Tim’s words. He didn’t mention that I’d be in serious trouble when Kim eventually found out, but I knew he was thinking it.

  ‘I know you’re right. I should be by later. I’ll fill the girls in then, okay?’

  ‘I can live with that,’ Tim laughed.

  ‘Thanks, mate.’ I replied

  ‘Don’t worry, we’ll keep them safe, including your lady,’ he laughed as he disconnected.

  I decided it was time to wake JB if she was not already up. I wanted to finish up, anxious now to see Kim. I could take my laptop with me and continue digging there.

  JB had decided, as an extra precaution, to sleep next door. I checked the monitor to make sure it was all clear, saw JB up and around, so went to the connecting door. Softly opening it, I poked my head in. JB looked up and I beckoned her to me.

  She tipped her head, querying if I wanted Adam too. I shook my head, no. She picked up her coffee and joined me. I opened the door to let her through and closed it softly behind her.

  ‘You look awful. Did you get any sleep at all?’ She looked closely at my face.

  ‘No! I kept finding more and more and couldn’t stop. You need to see what I have discovered. It’s disturbing, to say the least.’

  I took her through all the information I’d uncovered, then waited for JB to di
gest what I’d been considering all night. I could see her unease growing as I displayed each new thread. Neither of us believed in coincidence.

  I knew we had to keep going, but now the very thought filled me with dread.

  Chapter Fifteen

  JB

  I read through the information Jethro had amassed overnight. I could see why he hadn’t been able to sleep.

  This stuff was disturbing.

  Once he found the correct college details, there was an avalanche of information, each bit worse than the last. This woman was well gone.

  This time she had to be stopped. It wasn’t enough to just move her on, letting her start with someone else. We had to stop her. That meant we had to involve the police. I’d talk to Mike about that, he still had contacts from his days on the force and would recommend who best to talk to.

  ‘Wow!’ I looked up at Jethro. ‘This is mind-blowing! How has no one made the connections before now?’

  ‘She’s good at covering her tracks, I guess! And, as Adam found out when he went to the police, who is going to believe she’s capable of such evil?’ Jethro shrugged, it had clearly been a long night. ‘You also need to consider that people like the Dawsons were just happy to get her out of their lives. They gave her what she wanted with no questions, as long as she left them alone.’

  I looked up from the passage I was re-reading. ‘I wonder why she left the Dawsons alive. They rejected her, didn’t give her what she wanted?’ I was trying to work out what seemed to be an anomaly.

  ‘I was trying to work that out as well. It makes perfect sense, if Dawson was just a way to get to Davis & Co. If perhaps Adam was her target all along. I just can’t work out how or why?’

  Jethro had clearly been giving this a lot of thought, but I suspected he was too tired now to be firing on all cylinders.

  ‘So? What now?’ I asked quietly. ‘We can’t pull back, for the same reasons we discussed last night.’

  ‘I know, much as I would like to say I’ve come up with a better plan, and I wasn’t proposing we pull back now! But we need to play it very carefully.’ Jethro spoke very calmly, but knowing him so well, I could hear the stress in his voice.