by Rita Hestand
"No—Oh God, I'm glad you were here." She murmured.
"Me too. But we do need to sit down and think this through. Someone is trying to either scare the hell out of you or hurt you Melanie, and I don't want them to get away with it." Jesse assured her.
"What can I do?"
"First off, we'll have us a good breakfast, then go by the police department and report this, as I was an eye-witness I can help. Then we are going to get that car."
"What if I can't make the payments?" She asked. "I mean, I'm sure I can right now, but things happen. I'm trying to live on my own money, Jesse, and not use theirs."
"I know that. Remember we used to talk about it, when you first got the money. You didn't want to use it then. You can't even call it your own, can you?" He chuckled, "I know you. But don't worry I'll make them for you until you can. Melanie, if they are trying to hurt you, I don't want you walking home in the middle of the night or riding a bike either. I have a business to run, so I can't be here all the time and I don’t want to worry about you. Secondly, from now on, every time something happens I want you to call me and let me know and contact the police each time so they know everything that is going on. It's important that you contact them each time something happens, so they have a record. Without a record, you'd be screwed in court. I'll come up as often as I can. But we may have to keep each other's schedules. If I pull off the deal I'm hoping for, I'll be up here before long regularly."
"You're really serious about opening another store?"
"Yeah, I've got a guy working for me now that can run the store back home. That means I could move up this way."
He took up the bacon on a plate and then turned to look at her. She was staring.
"What's wrong?"
"Jesse, we slept together." She looked startled at him.
He chuckled. "Yeah, I know…You just now figuring that one out?"
"I guess I am. And you didn't touch me." She said softly. "I mean, really didn't touch me."
"Not that I didn't want to, but right now I don't think that would be a good idea. Right now, I'm your friend, maybe later, if you are so inclined it can be a lot more…. I'm not interested in having a girlfriend, Melanie. I'm interested in a girl for the long haul. And until you can be that girl, nothing is going to happen between us, when you are with me. The way I see it, you have enough to contend with as is."
She smiled, "You are?" She stared into his softened expression. "You want to get married?"
"Well of course I do, when the time is right and the girl is willing. I guess that surprises you." He grinned. "I want to buy a bigger house, and start a family. Now, how do you like your eggs?"
"Over easy." She grinned back.
Melanie sighed, Jesse wanted her, but he didn't take her, he loved her but he didn't pressure her. Was this what real love was all about? Had she put too much stock in kissing and making love? Had she forgotten her own values so much that she didn't know how important it was to get along with someone and live with someone and trust that someone? She seriously had some thinking to do.
He made toast and eggs then set it all on the table after adding the strawberry jam she had in the refrigerator.
They talked endlessly while they ate.
"Now, have you decided on the car?"
She nodded. "I've never had a loan other than a few small ones from school. You really will co-sign for me? I know that I could just pay cash, but it wouldn't establish credit for me. And I'm really trying to live on my own money. I want to know that I can support myself."
"That's admirable of you. Your bank would give you a loan on the savings account your opened. I trust you too, you know. Good, we'll go get it here in a bit. We'll drive your car and trade it in." He told her. "I also want you to make a list of all the females you know, and we'll take them down to the police station."
"All of them…"
"All of them here at least."
She shrugged, "Won't they question them?"
"That's the general idea." Jesse laughed.
"But what if they all get mad at me?"
"Let them, we have to find out who is doing this." He told her. "It isn't a joke Melanie. Someone is putting in some serious time to scare or hurt you. And they damned well have scared you. I saw it for myself last night."
She looked at him long and hard, "When did you grow up, Jesse?"
He looked at her and smiled a melancholy smile, "When you moved away."
"Seriously." She giggled.
"I am serious."
She stopped giggling and looked into his warm brown eyes once more. Had she hurt him back then? It was unintentional.
" I lost the best thing in my life, when you went to college. I knew it was for the best, that's why I never came after you. It was your dream to be a nurse. I knew that. After all, we were just kids then. It would have never worked back then." He said, his voice going husky at the surprise on her face. "I didn't have a decent job, didn't even know where I was going with my life back then."
"Why didn't you call me, and tell me how you felt?"
"I couldn’t do that. I knew you wanted to be a nurse. Have your own life. I respected that. And I had no right to stop you. Besides, we were both too young, and I soon realized that I had to do something with my own life. But I want you to know," He took her hand and kissed it. "You'll always be my best friend, no matter what, and I'm going to see you through this stalker thing. I promise you that."
"You really mean that, don't you?" She asked.
"Of course, I do…"
"Even if Dex and I get together?"
"Even then."
"I've never known anyone I could count on so much. But when it's over?" She asked, holding her breath for his answer.
"We'll see…" He winked.
"Yeah," she smiled and squeezed his hand. "We'll see."
"You know of course that your friend is going to think the worse of both of us."
"Dex?"
"Yeah, Dex." He grinned.
"I'm sure he did. You know, now that I think on it, it's kind of funny."
"What?" Jesse asked as he put jam on his toast and glanced at her.
"Dex and I we got close fast, and then, suddenly, he got so possessive of me. Like he did a complete turn-around on me. And now, he's seeing this woman upstairs."
"Are you sure about that? That could have been something innocent and only a onetime thing."
"Well, he had lipstick at the corner of his mouth when I caught him. Clear she kissed him. And I suspect he's been seeing her for a while. I mean do girls kiss a guy right off the bat?"
He looked perplexed. "Not most, but a few. Depends on the girl, Melanie."
"I guess you are right about that."
"Did you get a look at her?"
"No, just saw her legs, and she was obviously pretty and thin."
"How do you feel about that? I mean, him kissing another girl?"
"At first, I'll admit, I was mad. Strange, if you want the truth. I thought him better than that. And when I saw for myself, I was shocked as though he was just play acting with me. Like I've been a sucker for his charm. He wanted to go to bed with me and yet he's proven he can't be true."
"You don't trust him anymore?" Jesse frowned.
"I'm really not sure if I can. I've come to realize something about myself. I'm naïve and vulnerable. Admittedly since this stalking started I have had a hard time trusting anyone. I went with Brad four years. Mainly because we were both in the same college, and we both enjoyed the parties and stuff. But when he got kind of rough with me, I quit. Dex has never been physical, but even though I told him in the beginning that I wouldn't have sex until I married, just recently he has put the pressure on me. It's a complete turn-around Jesse. It's like knowing two different men. What changed?"
"Is he serious about you?"
"I have no idea. But I won't have sex with him to find out." Melanie told him. "I want a commitment from a man before I go to bed with them. A ring, a promise at the very leas
t."
"Good girl." He winked.
"What do you want Jesse?" She asked with a slight smile.
"I've thought about that a lot. I don't have a lot of needs. But there is one thing I want in life. A girl who loves me, for myself, just the way I am. A girl who wants a family and who works hard. A lady."
She smiled. "Good."
The contrast between Jesse and Dex was huge. Why could she see that now, and not before? Dex said he loved her, wanted her, but he hadn't given her any indication that it might be a life-long thing. Not once. Jesse on the other hand was levelling with her. He wanted a wife, one that loved him, as much he loved her. He wanted a commitment.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Melanie and Jesse went to the car dealership first to get the car. Thinking it would be a long process, Melanie filled out the loan application and Jesse insisted he co-sign for her so there would be no hang-up's in getting the car today. They had driven her old Ford in to trade as a down payment. The loan was so simple she couldn't believe that within two hours she was driving her diamond blue Chevy. What was even better payments weren't too steep. She could see herself managing them. She knew she could use the inheritance to pay cash, but she really didn't want to touch that money and Jesse was one of the few that understood that. He understood a lot of things about her, that no one else did.
"You got yourself one good car there, little lady." The dealer told her as they were about to drive off.
"I love it." She smiled at him.
"Let me ask you something," Jesse glanced at her as she drove down the street.
"Sure, what?"
"Does anyone else know about your inheritance. I mean, have you told anyone?"
She looked at him, "No, I didn't think it wise to tell anyone. Well I mean, I did tell Neely, another nurse. I trust her and she is really worried about me. Why? I mean I hadn't intended using it, why should I tell anyone?"
"Just wondering. If anyone does know, they would have had to really dig deep to get any information, but it is possible through a computer. Some hackers can find just about any information they want on them. Have you filled out any paperwork lately?"
"Only at the hospital."
He slapped his forehead, "Of course, your employment papers. They have your Social Security number, or could have gotten it off there. Oh boy, this could be bigger than we first thought Melanie. That isn't good."
Jesse nodded, as though it hadn't occurred to him before. So, the hospital was connected to all of this. Someone there, it had to be.
But as they were driving to the police station she glanced at Jesse again and his wary expression. "You know, whoever is following me, won't know I have a different car. Not unless they see me getting into it."
"This is true. And this for a short while might work in catching them."
"Unless it's someone I know well, that sees me every day."
"See how it goes the next few days, if they don't catch on to the new car, then you know it is someone you aren't in contact with all the time. Especially if you don't tell all your friends and neighbors about buying it. Can you park your car somewhere else at the hospital? So, they don't know where to look for you?"
"That's a good idea Jesse. Yes, I can use the guest parking. Anyone can park there that is in the hospital. I don't think I would get in trouble for that."
He smiled at her. "It might be wise. That could throw them off a little. And if anyone does ask where you are parking, you could say you were in a hurry and parked in the guest parking."
"Good answer." She smiled. "Say you are pretty good at this detective thing."
He laughed. "Don't you remember as a kid, I was always investigating things."
"Yeah, you were, weren't you."
When they pulled into the parking lot next door to the police station, they walked over to the station, glancing around them for anyone suspiciously watching them.
The Sargent was at his desk and recognized her. "Miss George, glad to see you. We did a check on your ex-boyfriend Brad. We couldn't find him. Do you have any kind of address on him?"
"Actually, I don't." Melanie frowned. "I don't understand, it was a law firm in Chicago, but I can't for the life of me remember who. I can check my files or my e-mail it might be in one of them."
"Good, now, please do. Now, who is this?" The Sarge was eyeing Jesse with perception.
"This is Jesse Eugene Ballister, he's from Lone Oak, an old and dear friend."
"Aw yes, Jesse, we were going to contact you for some questions."
"I'm here, you can ask me anything." Jesse said with a laid-back smile.
The Sargent stared at him, "Great, I'll be right back."
He was gone for a while then came back with another officer. "This is Phil, he's going to take you into that room over there and ask you some questions. It won't take long."
"Fine," he nodded to Melanie and walked off with the officer.
"I can tell you it isn't him." Melanie said softly as Jesse walked off with the other policeman.
"I hope it isn't. Because if this is for real, this could get very serious and you may need someone you can rely on. I've been doing some digging myself, and I've come up with some scenarios for you."
"Then you believe me?" She asked. There was a vibrancy in his voice that had her jaw dropping open.
"Very much so. Sit down. Has there been any more incidents?"
"Yes, someone was standing on my patio last night, I saw their shadow and Jesse looked outside and saw a figure running away. A female figure. He said the emergency ladder had been released, and saw a figure running away."
"Female?" He questioned.
"Yes. He was sure of it. But, how did you know?"
"A guess. That's very interesting Miss George. Because we have a suspicion that the one that is doing this —to you is female. There could be several people involved, in fact."
"Do you have any proof?" She asked him, a frown furrowing her brow.
"No," He gave a frustrated sigh, as he looked at his notes carefully, "We'll have to dig deeper for evidence. I'm just profiling. But—there is an interesting twist to it all."
"Oh?" She crossed her legs and her arms at the same time.
"You could be a twin to who we suspect."
"Oh, my God, Norma Wells?" She shrieked, her eyes widening once more.
"You know her?" The Sargent stared with open surprise.
"No, but I've been told at the hospital I'm the spitting image of her." She told him. "Almost everyone has remarked of that except…" she stopped to think for a moment, then shrugged, "except my boss."
She hated to think that Julia might be involved. She had seemed so nice but then, when she was interviewed, Julia hadn't said one word about her looking like Norma. Not one word.
"Your boss?" He stood up and stared at her. "And who is your boss. "Julia Myers, head of Pediatrics. She probably just didn't want to alarm me."
"Here's a recent picture of Norma. What do you think?" He handed her a mug shot.
Melanie's eyes bugged out. "It's impossible. She looks just like me…." She uncrossed her legs and sat up straight staring at the picture in disbelief.
"Yes, she does." The Sargent said slowly, amused by her reaction.
"But I don't know the woman. Why on earth would she stalk me?" Melanie asked grabbing her chest and blinking back tears. "And why would they hire someone that looks just like her? That has puzzled me since I began work at the hospital. I mean, isn't that a bit peculiar, or is that just me being paranoid?"
"That is an interesting question. One I'm working an angle on. You are right to be suspicious of everyone. I would be too, in your position. I'm not at all sure who you can trust, except maybe that man in there." He pointed to Jesse, whom they could see through the glass window.
"Jesse and I grew up together. He's been my best friend all my life. And he lives seventy miles away from here. He couldn't possibly be here that much, he has his own plumbing business in Lone Oak."
The Sarge nodded, then looked at her.
"Tell me about Norma…" She kept staring at the photo.
The Sarge sat down again, and adjusted his gun on his hip so it didn't gouge him while he sat. "We don't know. Norma was arrested over two months ago on kidnapping charges. She was tried, found guilty and we were transporting her to a prison in Huntsville when she escaped. She got away. I suppose you are familiar with the fact that she tried to kidnap a baby in the hospital?"
"I've heard rumors about it yes, but what has that to do with me?" Melanie asked. "I mean under the circumstances, I don't see the connection except we look alike."
"There are several interesting things about her. We aren't sure. Not yet at least. You did take her place at work, right?"
"That's right. But I don't know her. I have no ambition to steal someone baby, nor was I trying to take her job from her either. I have no ambition to know this Norma Wells, except out of curiosity and the fact that we could really be twins, if I didn't know better."
"There are a lot of unanswered question here and we are trying to get to the bottom of this. We're working on a hunch. She might have a grudge against you for taking her job. That is one angle. But I think there are more people involved than just her, and that she isn't the mastermind of what is going on either. She's not quite that clever."
"Can you tell me about it?" Melanie scooted he chair closer.
The Sargent went to pour himself some coffee, "Want some?"
"No thanks."
"It keeps me awake, but I gotta stay alert." He explained.
She smiled at him.
With his cup in hand, he sat on the edge of his desk, taking a sip of the hot coffee, then making a face because it was too hot and burned his tongue. He shook his head and set the cup down. "We think she might be getting ready to steal another baby. We think she's here, in the city somewhere. Her goal is to have a child. She may be a very bitter woman by now. Her husband left her during the trial and I'm sure that didn't set well. Not only that but you took her place at her work, so she's working on some private grudges, we think. But that isn't the entire scheme, because Norma wants a child, and that doesn't have a thing to do with you. And yet, the angle that she could steal your identity is a curious one. So however, she plays into this, she isn't who we are looking for. She's a pawn in the scheme."
