She smiled to show she had forgiven him this lapse.
‘My first approach was in a restaurant in the city. You were having a meal with the woman you had married. You looked dazed and didn’t recognise me. I wondered why at first, then remembered my appearance had changed a little.’ She smiled broadly, rubbing her finger along her nose.
‘I admit I was disappointed, I would have expected you still to recognise my heart. But after I watched you for a while, I realised she had played on your emotions. She had blinded you to your true feelings, so she could hold you. I just needed time to make you realise who your true love was.’ She smiled again, but it was absent-minded, she was focusing inwards.
‘It took a lot out of me to walk away that night, but I knew I had to be patient. After all, it was the rest of our lives at stake. So, I watched you and worked out what I needed to do.’
Eliza reached forward and picked up her coffee, taking a sip. She realised it was cold, and put the cup back on the table.
‘I knew I needed to stay local, so I could be close to you. I found the perfect apartment. It gave me all the advantages I needed. The sitting tenant was most unhelpful, refusing to move and give me the apartment.’ Her voice rose in indignation.
‘I did my best to convince him, but no matter what I tried, he refused to play fair. He was most selfish, and that made me angry. He didn’t care that my future was at stake. He told me to get lost and not bother him again, this was his place and he wasn’t giving it up for some chippie just because it was what she wanted.’ She frowned as she remembered his rudeness, then grinned and added, ‘I convinced him to move on in the end, though.’
‘How did you convince him?’ Adam asked softly.
‘Got him interested in a plot at the local cemetery. Hard to retain claim to an apartment, when you’re six feet under.’ Eliza chuckled.
‘The apartment was perfect for me, and you will love it too. It’ll be an ideal base, close to work.’ She looked pleased with herself, knowing she had done well. She paused for a moment to let Adam absorb what she’d achieved, then continued.
‘I needed to get a job, one that would allow me to stay close to you. The ideal would be Davis & Co. I applied there, but do you realise how little staff turnover they have? I wasn’t even going to be considered! They told me there was a waiting list, so even if a vacancy occurred I had no chance of getting a job at Davis & Co. I couldn’t believe it and for a moment, I admit, my faith was dented. Maybe this wasn’t the path I was supposed to travel.
‘I was forced to rethink. I realised this was just a test of my resolve. I needed leverage to get in. I was disappointed at the setback but soon realised I had to be prepared to work for what I wanted. I knew eventually you would appreciate my effort.’ Again, she smiled at Adam. She clearly believed he was finally understanding. She was so close to her goal.
‘It was time to do further research. I found out John Dawson and Arthur Benham were close friends. I knew that if I could get into Westmead I could exploit that.
‘I applied at Westmead. Again, there were no vacancies, but this time I knew, if there was one, I would be first in line for the job. The only thing left to do was make the vacancy I needed. That bit was easy,’ she gave a low laugh. ‘Dawson’s secretary was a creature of habit. Not difficult to arrange an accident. I created the job I wanted.’ She grinned at the memory. Pleased with her careful planning: planning that had resulted in her success.
‘What do you mean, you arranged an accident? How is an accident your work?’
‘Oh, Adam, you can be so naive sometimes,’ Eliza chuckled. ‘She was easy to manipulate once I found her weakness. She should never have gone to that part of town. She didn’t see me until it was too late. The look on her face was priceless.’ She chuckled again. ‘Hey presto, job vacancy!’ She waved her hand, miming a wand.
‘I started at Westmead within two months of applying for the job. My plan was working, the path leading me straight where I needed to be.’ Eliza paused and looked directly at Adam, willing him to see the planning and determination that had been necessary to get to this point.
Neither Adam nor I dared to move a muscle, we didn’t want to break her narrative.
Jethro broke into my train of thought. ‘Mike has contacted a couple of his buddies still on the force. They’re outside the front door. Just let us know when you want to end things.’
I breathed, ‘Okay,’ knowing Jethro would hear it and wait for my signal.
I wanted to give her longer, get everything we could. We needed to make sure she was put away for a long time, in an appropriate place, where she could get the help she needed, although, hearing her talk, I was no longer sure there was a way back for her.
Eliza continued to speak. She was looking very proud of herself now, confident she was impressing Adam.
‘Dawson was so easy to manipulate. He wanted the excitement I offered him. When I knew the time was right, I applied pressure. He reacted just the way I expected! The only surprise was how his wife reacted. She showed rather admirable strength!’
A grudging respect was clear in her tone.
‘But in the end that worked in my favour as well. It all fell into place, rather better than I’d hoped.
‘They wanted to get me out of their lives, so I gave them a viable option, one they jumped at, keen to get rid of me. I should have been a bit hurt with the speed at which they agreed. After all, I’d worked well for them. Still, I forgave them because it bought me step closer to my goal.’
She grinned as she announced proudly, ‘It wasn’t hard to create the position I wanted at Davis & Co.’ Her eyes were twinkling with glee. She was so pleased with her ability to manipulate people and situations to her own end.
Chapter Twenty-Four
‘I befriended Shirley as soon as I found you. I needed some contact with you and she kept me up to date with your life. For a time, it was all I had.
‘I had many pleasant visits with Shirley. She loved to talk about her work and her wonderful boss. I wanted to tell her the truth when she would talk about how much you loved your wife and son.’
She grimaced as she remembered the conversations. ‘I have to admit that was the hardest bit. She simply didn’t understand your future was with me and I couldn’t tell her. I suspected she wouldn’t be as open with me if she knew the truth.’ She looked at Adam for confirmation. He nodded, and she accepted that.
‘She loved to talk about her job, too. She was so proud of the system she’d developed. The information she gave me meant it was easy to slot into her role when the time came.’ She paused for breath. I wondered how long she would be prepared to keep going.
‘I made her gifts of my own tea blends. She loved that, enjoying the novel flavours. So, I let her get used to drinking them, and when the time was right it was easy to add ingredients to induce illness. I just needed then to convince her to listen to her doctors and retire. Actually, it was easier to convince Jim. I played on his fear of losing her and he soon convinced her it was best to retire.
‘She did the right thing, luckily. I wasn’t looking forward to having to take the next step.’ Again, a half smile. ‘I actually liked old Shirl.’
With a satisfied look on her face she continued.
‘Finally, I was working with you!’ Her eyes focussed on Adam, her excitement clear.
‘You acted like you weren’t interested, but I could feel your eyes watching me, when no one else was around, and I got the messages you included in your instructions.
‘I knew you were pleased to have me there, and wanted to spend time with me, but everyone was convinced you were happily married. Now that created a problem, but I knew I just had to put my mind to it and I would find a solution for us. We just needed time.’
She grew a little teary as she continued. ‘I was so hurt when you had me moved, Adam. I thought that was the end, that you too had betrayed me.’ Her face brightened. ‘Of course, once I had the chance to think, I realise
d you had no choice but to remove me as your secretary. No hint of a scandal could touch you.’
She gave Adam a repentant look. ‘I’m so sorry I doubted you, even for a moment.’ Adam simply nodded. I knew he no longer trusted himself to speak. She seemed to accept that and moved on.
‘Again, I had to rethink, replan how we could be together without damaging your standing. I could see Lucy was getting in the way. So, I decided I needed to be the one to rid you of that weight. I began making plans to rid us of her. I knew I had to take the lead in this. You care for your son and I didn’t want to ruin that relationship for you. It would have been difficult for you to have a real role in getting rid of his mother and keep your love for him untainted.’
I felt Adam stiffen beside me and leant into him again. Reminding him silently why we were doing this. He relaxed back into the chair, but I could see a pulse pounding at the base of his neck. I let out a deep breath, encouraging him to follow. Eliza continued, completely unaware of the tension building in Adam.
‘As it turned out, I didn’t need to sully my hands either. Your little whore did it for us.’ She laughed, then gave me a scathing look.
‘I admit you threw me for a moment there, Adam. I almost started to believe you cared for the whore. But I soon came to understand why you let her do that. The boy will accept me much more readily if I am not the one who broke you and his mother up. That was very thoughtful of you, Adam.’ She smiled.
‘I finally realised what was happening, the other day in your office. I’m sorry I got angry with you. Your eyes told me that you needed time. When you stepped between us to protect me from her, I understood. You didn’t want me to be hurt, but you needed to be in control. I can accept that, you know. I understand a man’s need to be in charge.’ Did she really just bat her eyes at him? I tried not to laugh out loud. Laughter, I knew, was born of tension.
Eliza wasn’t yet finished.
‘I gave her the chance to walk away, Adam. I thought she’d done us a favour, so I would allow her to leave. But she’s chosen to defy me.’ She shot me an evil look. ‘I can’t allow her to trap you. Not now. I won’t let you suffer at her hands any more.’
I pushed back against Adam, telling him to be ready. Eliza was very close to the edge. He tensed slightly, telling me he understood.
Eliza continued her rant. ‘Surely you can see she’s gone too far now? I won’t allow her to trap you into another loveless union. Our time begins now!’
She stood slowly, deliberately, her eyes holding Adam’s. She removed something from her bag. Then dropped the bag casually on the couch. When she faced me and lifted her hand, she had a gun aimed directly at my chest. ‘I felt Adam’s indrawn breath and knew he was about to stand and put himself between me and the gun.
‘I hope you’re still taping this, and I hope you’re listening. Gun!’ I murmured on a breath into my comms.
I jumped off the arm of the chair, pushing on the back as I got up and causing the chair to tip backwards, with Adam still in it. I had to stop him jumping in front of me. I would take no risk with his life.
‘I told you to back off, whore,’ she spat. ‘Now it’s too late. Adam is mine and I won’t let anyone else take him from me. I have worked too hard and I want the life I deserve.’
With that she levelled the gun and calmly fired. The round hit me right in the middle of the chest. As I dropped, she rushed to Adam and tried to help him to his feet. She still held the gun in her hand, now dangling by her side.
‘Are you all right my love?’ she crooned. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t get her before she hurt you. But you’ll never have to worry about her, or anyone else again.’ She tried to stroke his face. ‘We can finally be together. You’ll see our lives will be perfect. Finally, we’re together.’
She tried to wrap her arms around Adam, as he lay stunned on the floor. As he came to an awareness of what had just happened, he pushed up against her, his need to protect once again to the fore.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Oh my god. I forgot how much that hurt. I just needed a moment to catch my breath. Just a moment. Please.
Adam jumped to his feet, brushing off Eliza’s attempt to help him.
‘What have you done?’ he screamed at her.
‘I’ve freed us to be together!’ She tried to take his arm. He brushed her off. Then turned and grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her like a rag doll.
‘You’re a complete psycho,’ he spat in her face. ‘I do NOT love you, and no matter how many times you push yourself into my life, we will NEVER be together.’
Adam pushed her backwards, hard. She landed on her backside. The gun fell from her hand and landed in front of the overturned chair.
He then came to me, dropping to his knees beside me, pulling me into him. He felt me finally take a deep breath. He leaned back a little and looked at me. I tried to grin, but it still hurt. ‘Thank god for Flak jackets,’ I said.
‘A little help now, please,’ I murmured. If Eliza stepped up again, I wasn’t in any condition to take her on.
The room filled with people. Jethro rushed to my side. Trina and Ronan covered Eliza. Mike stood off to the side, watching everything.
Jethro helped me sit up as Lucy rushed into the room. She made a beeline for Adam, who was sitting on the floor on the other side of me. She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her too, his intention to never let her go, clear.
Eliza struggled to her feet. ‘Adam!’ she shrieked. Clearly confused, she looked from person to person, trying to make sense of the chaos around her.
She looked at me, unable to grasp why I was sitting up when she had shot me clear in the middle of the chest. She expected me to be dead. Then she looked at Lucy, wrapped in Adam’s arms.
I saw the moment the penny dropped. Her face crumpled, and she let out a scream. She tried to get to Adam, but Ronan blocked her way.
‘You lied!’ she shrieked at him, trying to push past Ronan. ‘What have you done? I told you I would free you from her, and you hid her from me? Why would you do that?’ She stopped fighting and dropped to her knees, sobbing. ‘You know you love me, you always have! We’re meant to be together! I deserve to be happy with the man I love, at any cost! I’ve worked so hard for us to be together. Why would you betray me like this?’ Her words were punctuated by sobs.
Adam looked at her coldly. ‘I don’t love you, and I never have. This is just some sick fantasy you created! You don’t deserve happiness any more than anyone else does. In fact, the destruction you have wrought on others probably make you less deserving.’
His voice and words were cruel, but he had the right to vent. Eliza had tried to wreak havoc in his life, all in the name of love.
‘You killed Gary and his girlfriend because he didn’t love you. You didn’t care if he was happy.’
Eliza raised her head and looked directly at Adam. She seemed to have forgotten anyone else was in the room.
‘He let me believe he loved me, then dropped me. He thought it was okay to hurt me, and then humiliate me in front of our friends. I would have forgiven him, but he told me he asked her to marry him. How dare he do that to me?’ she spat.
‘I’d waited so long for him to ask me, giving him every opportunity. I made it easy for him. And he gave it to someone else. I couldn’t allow that.’
Her eyes filled with tears at the memory. ‘That’s when I realised I had to find you to be happy. You must understand. I need you in my life, otherwise what is there for me? Don’t I deserve to be loved? You loved me once, you can again.’
Adam put Lucy away from him and stood, moving a couple of paces towards Eliza. She rose to her feet and held out her left hand to him. Somehow, she had retrieved the gun with no one noticing. It dangled again from her right hand.
She started to smile, sure Adam was coming to tell her he loved her, that he understood, and it would be all right.
He stopped a few feet from her and waited till she looked
in his eyes, then in a very soft but menacing voice he said, ‘I neither need nor want you. I certainly don’t love you. I never have! I don’t even remember you from school.’ His eyes narrowed but his stare never faltered. She was trapped in his glare.
‘I love my wife! Lucy and I are soulmates, she is the other half of me. The part that makes me a better man. Without her I am only half alive. All this, with Kate, has been to trap you so I could get you out of my life, while keeping my family safe.’
His voice was cold. ‘I could NEVER love someone like you. You know obsession, but you don’t know love. Love is something you can never understand, and I pity you.’
He took another step forward, menacing now. ‘This ends now. You will go to gaol, for a very long time, with all the crimes you have committed. I will appear at every parole hearing and keep you in gaol for as long as I can.’
He was baiting her and we all waited for her reaction. She raised the gun, pointing it at Adam.
Mike spoke from behind her, having worked his way around to stop her escape. ‘Put the gun down! Your web of destruction stops here.’ Eliza glanced at him, assessing the threat.
Mike’s voice was low and guttural. ‘I won’t shoot to kill! But I’ll make sure it maims and causes pain.’ His tone declared he meant what he said.
Trina’s gun was aimed at Eliza’s hand, ready to disable. She wouldn’t get the chance to shoot Adam.
The front door opened, and armed police officers stood in the doorway. They took in the situation. One aimed at Mike and started to shout for him to put his gun down, but the other officer pulled his arm down. ‘He’s one of us,’ he said.
He nodded to Mike. ‘Backup’s here.’
Mike nodded in response without taking his eyes off Eliza.
Stalker, Stalker Page 17
