Her Silent Shadow: A Gripping Psychological Suspense Collection

by Edwin Dasso

  Stone cocked his head and locked gazes with Jack. “Really, Jack? You really believe that? Or do you just really not want to admit it’s another flashback illusion?” He made a quick note in the chart. “Maybe something even worse…”

  “No! It was too real! I know she’s alive—and I want to find her.”

  “Jack…you know that can’t be true. I’ve read the case files from Dr. Love. She’s dead…and your baby died with her.”

  “No! It was her! I know it!” Spittle flew from Jack’s mouth, and his bloodshot eyes were opened wide. Why wouldn’t this dumbass believe him?

  Stone held his arms up, palms outward, and waggled them at Jack. “Okay, okay. I didn’t mean to get you riled up.” Stone waved a hand at couch. “Please…take a seat and let’s talk about this some more.”

  “No! I’m done here today!” Jack threw the door open and rushed out. How can I convince him she’s real?

  21

  Stone had tried to dissuade Jack from believing that he’d find Janice at the shopping center but, after a couple of sessions, reluctantly agreed to accompany Jack there. Before they departed, Stone tried to prepare Jack for the probability of not finding Janice and said he wanted to be there to support Jack when that realization hit home. Jack ignored Stone’s words and concerns, anxious to show Stone that she wasn’t just a hallucination.

  They’d strolled up and down the sidewalks for over half an hour when Jack stopped suddenly, spun toward Stone, and grabbed his arm. He thrust his other arm out, pointing a finger down the sidewalk.

  “There she is!”

  Stone looked where Jack was pointing then at Jack’s face and arched an eyebrow. “I don’t see who you’re talking about.”

  “C’mon. I’ll show you.” Jack pulled Stone by the arm, dragging him along. “I knew she’d be back! I just knew it! She told me we needed to meet, and now she’s here to do that,” Jack rambled, quickening his pace and tugging harder on Stone.

  “Jack! Slow down—you’re hurting my arm.”

  Jack shot a glance at Stone. “No. She’s looking for me—counting on me to find her again!” He released his grip on Stone and ran ahead.

  The woman made an abrupt turn and ducked into a shop. Jack swore she looked over her shoulder at him just before she went in. She smiled at me!

  “I’m coming, baby,” Jack mumbled.

  “What?” Stone asked.

  “Never mind…you’ll see for yourself soon enough.”

  Jack shot a quick glance at the shop name above the door. I’m certain I saw you go in this time. He stopped suddenly at the doorway and ran his fingers through his hair then turned to Stone.

  “Do I look okay?”

  Stone cocked his head and wrinkled his brow. “I suppose, but…look okay for what?”

  Jack grabbed his arm again and tugged. “C’mon—I’m going to introduce you to my wife and child.”

  Stone closed his eyes and sighed. “Jack…please. Don’t get your hopes up.”

  “Save it, Dolion. Just follow me.” They stopped just inside the door, and Jack scanned the interior of the shop, focusing briefly on the face of every woman. He began strolling down the center aisle, waving Stone after him. Jack stopped occasionally and stood on his tiptoes, looking rapidly from side to side, searching every nook and cranny. I’m not crazy! I know I saw you come in here! Jack and Stone walked the entire shop twice. No Janice. Jack’s face went limp, his smile slipped, and his excitement drained away. He spun toward the rear of the store then rushed to the clerk standing at the women’s dressing room. He wiped saliva from the corners of his mouth.

  “Did you see a strawberry-blonde lady come in here? She was carrying a baby.” He jabbed a finger in the direction of the changing rooms.

  The clerk’s eyebrows shot up, and she backed away from Jack. “Wh-what?”

  “I said”—Jack leaned down, his face near the clerk’s—“did you see a lady with strawberry-blonde hair go in here? About five foot six…carrying a baby.”

  The clerk backed up, stopping when she butted up against the wall. Her gaze shot back and forth between Jack and Stone, and she chewed at her lip. “N-no!” She shook her head. “I haven’t.”

  “But…you had to!” Jack waved his arms in the air. “She’s got to be in there!” He thrust his arm out wildly, pointing behind the curtain that hung across the doorway. He’d seen Janice come in here—he’d swear he had. “You’re lying! Let me go look!”

  The young girl inched sideways along the wall, her mouth hanging open as she shot a look at Stone and mouthed, “Help me.”

  Stone grabbed Jack’s coat tail and tugged. “Jack! Stop! You’re scaring this poor girl.”

  Jack swatted at Stone’s hands, but he held on tightly, leaning backward as he pulled at Jack’s coat. “Jack, it’s time to go!”

  Jack glared at the clerk as Stone slowly pulled him away from her.

  “I told you this would be the result if you came back here,” Stone said. “You need to face reality—she’s dead…and the baby, too.”

  Jack spun violently, breaking Stone’s grip, then shoved a finger in the man’s face. “Back off!”

  Stone’s mouth dropped open, and he leaned away, holding his arms up. Jack stood straight, thrust his shoulders back, and made one more quick survey around the shop. No Janice. He let his head flop to his chest and his shoulders droop.

  Stone put a hand on Jack’s arm and squeezed gently. “C’mon, let me take you home.”

  Jack dragged his feet across the floor as he trundled behind Stone. I know she’s alive…

  22

  Jack didn’t sleep that night. He’d tried, but every time he started drifting off, nightmares grabbed his thoughts. His drunken father beating his mother to death. Lori being shot dead right in front of him in Iraq. Janice lying dead in the ICU bed as he stared at the flat line on her ECG monitor. He bolted upright in his bed, the soggy, sweat-soaked sheets clinging to his legs. He untangled himself then swung his feet over the side of the bed and leaned his elbows on his knees, holding his head in his hands.

  I need to see something…someone, real. Someone I can hold. Someone who will tell me they’re real. He blew out a long breath then suddenly sat up straight.

  “Amanda! I need to see Amanda.” He jumped off the bed. “She’ll help me understand all of this.”

  Jack was always pleased when he thought about what a solid human being Amanda was. Smart, compassionate, and well-grounded. As she’d grown older, he’d found himself counting on her more for a pillar of support. He trusted her completely.

  Jack looked at his watch then ambled toward his bathroom. In spite of the hour, there was no sense in trying to sleep. He might as well go ahead and drive up to her college. I’m sure I can find an all-night coffee shop and wait there until she gets up.

  Amanda pulled the warm blankets up around her neck and opened one eye slowly, glaring at her buzzing phone on the nightstand. Who the hell? She wiped at her eyes and reached for her phone. “Dad” flashed on the screen, and she answered immediately.

  “Dad, why are you calling so early? It’s only seven in the morning,” she mumbled.

  “I’m sorry—I need to see you…and I didn’t want to risk you going off to class before I caught you.”

  “Really?” She rolled over and plopped her head on her pillow. “This couldn’t wait till tonight?”

  “No…not really…”

  “Are you okay?” Amanda asked.

  Her dad huffed. “I’m fine…I just needed to talk with you about something important.”

  “What? What’s so important that you call this early?”

  “How about I tell you over breakfast? I’m already in town.”

  “What? You’re here?” Amanda wriggled up in her bed and leaned against the headboard. “Now, you’re scaring me.”

  “Don’t be scared—I’m fine.” He snorted. “What? A dad can’t want to see his only child?” He chuckled. “Get dressed and I’ll pick you up in
front of your dorm in a few minutes. Bye.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Amanda straggled out the door. She wore sweat pants and pulled the hood of the matching sweatshirt up over her uncombed hair. Her dad was sitting on the hood of his car in the parking lot and jumped off then rushed up the sidewalk to meet her. She stopped and watched him approach, furrowing her brow as she searched his face. He had bloodshot eyes, and the creases in his face seemed deeper than usual. You don’t look so good, Dad.

  Her dad threw his arms around her and pulled her close, squeezing so tightly she grunted. Amanda squirmed out of his embrace, pushed him back, then stared at him.

  “Dad, what’s up? You look like crap.” She arched an eyebrow. “I can tell something’s bothering you.”

  He touched her face then put his hands on her shoulders as he ran his gaze over her. “Are you real? Please tell me you’re real!”

  Amanda stepped forward and stared up into his eyes. “Dad—what the hell are you talking about? That’s a weird thing to ask…even for you. Why would you ask such a crazy thing?” She cringed and scrunched her shoulders. “Sorry—I know you hate that term.” She grasped his hand and started walking toward his car. “I’m glad you came. Let’s go have that breakfast you were talking about.”

  When they were both seated in the car, Amanda turned to him. “Have you been having trouble sleeping again?”

  Her dad sat mutely, his hands resting on the steering wheel as he stared out through the windshield.

  “More nightmares?”

  He nodded once as he stared ahead, his fingers twisting around the steering wheel like he was wringing out a wet towel.

  I better talk to him…try to figure out what this is all about. Amanda nudged his shoulder. “Let’s go grab something to eat, and you can tell me what’s bothering you.” She leaned back and put her seatbelt on. “Then I’m calling Dr. Stone and making an appointment for you to see him…today.”

  She locked her gaze on his craggy face. I can’t stand seeing him like this.

  23

  Jack was slouched down on the couch in Stone’s office the next afternoon, mindlessly picking at a hangnail. Jack snapped his head up and stared wide-eyed at Stone.

  “What did you say?”

  Stone held his hands out in front of him, waving them. “I’m sorry Jack. Let me rephrase that. I didn’t mean to imply that it was your fault Lori and Janice got killed.” He straightened in his chair and leaned forward. “But you seem to have convinced yourself that you were to blame.”

  “It was my fault…for both of them.” Jack mumbled. “I should have protected them better.”

  Stone flopped back in his chair and blew out a long breath. “Maybe we should try a different approach.” He sat forward and smiled. “Maybe it would help you get closure if you tried apologizing.”

  Jack didn’t move except to raise his eyes to gaze at Stone. “How would I do that?” He arched an eyebrow. “Where would I do that?”

  Stone shrugged. “Where do you think would work best?”

  Jack pressed a finger to his chin. “Well…I always go to Lori’s grave in Arlington to talk to her…”

  Stone shook his head and waved his hands. “No, no. I don’t think you need to go through all that trouble.” He scooted forward in his chair, perching on the edge. “I’ve got an idea. That shopping center where you say you’ve seen Janice—why not go there? For her, at least. It’d be a start and would be a lot simpler than traveling all the way to Arlington—especially with Covid still flying around.”

  “What if I don’t see her this time?”

  “You don’t need to see her to apologize.”

  Jack shot his shoulders up in a quick shrug. “What would I say?”

  “Just tell her you’re feeling guilty about letting her be killed.”

  Jack scowled, and his gaze darted to Stone’s face. Stone jumped back in his chair, his eyes shooting wide open. Stone pointed at the water bottle on the couch next to Jack.

  “T-take a sip and cool off!”

  Jack slowly grabbed the bottle, twisted off the cap, and drank, never taking his gaze from Stone’s face.

  “You-you’ve got to be honest with her, Jack! I’m not saying you are responsible, but you need to tell her you’re feeling that way. Tell her it’s been tearing you up. That you want to apologize and ask her forgiveness.”

  Jack grunted. “You really think that will help?” Jack doubted it would.

  “It might…and I don’t see how it could hurt.”

  Jack stared at his hands, which he was wringing on his lap. His face was slack, and he was silent for several minutes then shrugged. What the hell? Maybe he’s right—what could it hurt?

  “I guess I can give it a try…”

  Stone slid back all the way in his chair and rubbed his hands together. “That’s good, Jack. That’s good.”

  Jack went to the shopping center that evening, not wanting to put off trying Stone’s suggestion. As he climbed out of his car, Jack shivered. He was really starting to hate this shopping center. Visiting here had only resulted in torture for him. Had she been real? He sighed. Or was she just a figment of my imagination? He didn’t think this would work, but...

  He didn’t bother looking around as he strolled past storefronts, just stared down at his feet as he shuffled along and started mumbling his apology.

  “Jack, it’s Janice. Let me tell you a safe place where we can meet,” a muffled woman’s voice said from behind him.

  It took a second for the words to register in Jack’s head. He snapped his head up and started to twist around.

  “No! Don’t turn around. Just keep walking.”

  “But…Janice. I-I want to see you! Hold you!”

  “I know, Jack. Trust me, I feel the same way.”

  A soft touch grazed the back of Jack’s neck. A shudder ran over his body. I know that touch!

  “I have to hold you again!” he insisted.

  “No…not now. Trust me, though, I can’t wait for you to wrap those big arms of yours around me.”

  “Then let me do that! Now!” Jack started to turn again, but a hand pressed on his shoulder.

  “No! It’s not safe here.”

  “Then where? When?” He wrung his hands as his gaze darted back and forth.

  “As soon as you can.”

  “Where?”

  “Do you remember the last place you saw me and the baby?”

  Jack furrowed his brow and cocked his head. “The hospital?”

  “No—not there. After that. Think, Jack!”

  He didn’t want to play guessing games. He wanted to spin around, gather his wife up in his arms, and kiss her deeply. “I-I’m not understanding. Help me.”

  “The mountains, Jack. The mountains.”

  Jack still had some spotty amnesia for some periods of his life, but this memory came roaring back out of nowhere, smacking his brain like a slap in the face. “I think I know!”

  “Yes…there. The camp.”

  “It’ll take me a while to get there.”

  “That’s okay—I’ll be waiting.”

  Jack strolled a few more yards. Screw this! I don’t want to wait! He spun, throwing his arms out, ready to pull her against him. He stood flat-footed, and his mouth fell open. Where the hell did she go so fast? He jumped in the air, frantically scanning the sidewalk around him. He then stood stone still, staring at the ground at his feet. I’m not wasting my time looking in any shops again. He jogged toward his car. I need to get my ass in gear and go meet her! He laughed out loud as he ran.

  “Yes! She is alive!”

  24

  The next morning, Hank rubbed at his eyes as he rounded the corner to step into the kitchen at Jack’s house. His gaze wandered toward the countertop, and he stopped short. Hank was an early riser, but Jack was usually already up and had the coffee brewed. Today, the pot sat empty. Hank strolled over to the brewer and touched a finger against the glass carafe. Cold. He spun and stared back toward
the hall to the bedrooms. Hmmm…that’s weird.

  Hank rushed down the hallway toward Jack’s room. I hope he’s okay. Maybe he’s just sleeping in today. Hank took a couple more steps. No—that’s not Jack. He’s a creature of habit. Something’s up! He sprinted the last few steps, grabbing the doorframe as he swung into Jack’s bedroom. His gaze shot toward Jack’s bed. His heart raced. Doesn’t look like he slept here last night. He hurried over to the bathroom. Inside, he touched his fingertips to the sink faucet. Cold. Hasn’t been used recently. Hank’s gut twisted in a sick, familiar feeling. One he’d had too many times since he’d known Jack. I don’t have a good feeling about this!

  Hank rushed back into the bedroom and scanned the tops of both nightstands. His cellphone isn’t here. No notes for me. Hank put his hands on his hips and turned slowly, searching every aspect of the room. Dammit, Jack! Now, what the hell is going on? He dashed to his own room, snatched up his cellphone, and hit Jack’s number. The call went straight to voicemail.

  “Dammit!”

  He disconnected and called Amanda. Her phone rang at least a dozen times, and Hank was just about to disconnect when she answered.

  “Hank?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What the hell is with you and Dad and these early phone calls?” she croaked groggily.

  Hank tightened his fingers around the phone and pressed it harder against his ear. “He called you this morning?”

  “No…a few days ago.”

  “That’s the last time you talked to him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Damn.”

  “Hank—what’s up? Is something wrong?”

  “No…nothing. Sorry to bother you.”

  “Bullshit, Hank! I can tell when you’re lying!”

  “Language, girl!”