by Leona Fox
Then Ellen sank back into his arms and let sleep come over them. Somehow her eyes closed and she was dead to the world, feeling safe and secure in Andy's arms, and with Scampy keeping watch over her all through the night. But out there, somewhere, someone had designs on her and she was playing on their mind. They were waiting, biding their time until they were ready to make their move and then they would strike. It wasn't going to be long. A reckoning was coming and Ellen was the target. How long did she have left? That was up to the secret admirer, who could have been working on a new clue as she slept.
And, of course, she could not stay in Andy's arms forever. She awoke the next morning and, despite feeling unsettled, carried on her day as normal but now she understood how Kelly must have felt upon discovering that somebody had been watching her. She could feel eyes on her at every moment and whenever she saw someone she eyed them with suspicion. Were they secretly hiding the fact they had been stalking her? It brought attention to the fact that, when it came down to it, other people were a complete mystery. They each had their own secret universe hidden within. The only things other people saw were what anyone allowed them to see. Could you really, deep down, trust anyone? It was a dangerous line of thinking. Usually Ellen was an open-minded person and took people as they came, but on this particular occasion she found it hard to not wonder what secrets people were hiding.
As the day continued she thought perhaps she should go to Andy and spend as much time with him by her side as possible. But to keep things as normal as she could she remained at the cafe, hoping it was a busy day to distract her. However, her mind was continually on the clues and she watched everyone as they came in. An ironic thought struck her; that she was watching people so carefully they may think that she had some secret agenda of her own!
More than a few people came up to her, still wanting to talk about the newspaper article. She tried to be as gracious as possible but her mind was skittered and she found it difficult to concentrate. Everywhere there were people trying to get her attention and any one of them could have been the person writing her the notes. She looked for any clues, eyes darting around the cafe for any sign. Did any of them have gas stains on their boots? Were any of them wearing an antique watch? She had the feeling that her admirer could be testing her and would be hiding in plain sight, waiting for her to accuse him.
Perhaps that was the end of the game, the grand reveal where she would 'win' by finally seeing him. Or perhaps there was something darker waiting for her, some final clue that would lead her to somewhere strange. She thought back to the park and the burned flowers. This person had taken her cases, her greatest accomplishments, and twisted them into some sick game. She wanted it done. Whoever it was, she just wanted to know who they were and put an end to it. She felt helpless, and it was the worst feeling in the world.
As people came in and out of the cafe Ellen kept a close eye on all of them, and was glad for Scampy's presence. At least she knew there was one thing in the cafe she could trust unconditionally. Whenever anyone asked her about her progress with the riddles the hackles rose on her back. She looked at them carefully, but she was in such a state that she wasn't even sure if she could trust her own judgment, and that was the worst feeling of all.
She always had prided herself on being a person of sound mind and strong intellect but now it had failed her. Ellen's powers of perception had been found wanting in the time when she needed them most. She wasn't sure if she was seeing what she wanted to see or if she was completely blind to the truth.
There was a strange feeling in the air that day, as though she knew that at some point something bad was going to happen. It was simply a matter of time. There was no sense being babysat by Andy, for the admirer was convinced he was an instrument of destiny. So whatever his actions, they were on an inexorable course.
Late in the afternoon, Kelly entered, and Ellen wondered if she had worn that same look of pity when she had told Kelly that someone was after her.
“Do you want to talk?” Kelly said.
“No, I'm rushed off my feet at the moment. There are so many things to do and I really have to get to them.”
“Ellen, stop,” Kelly said.
Ellen paused and took a deep breath. Her eyes welled up, the stress getting to her, and she relented as Kelly pointed to a table in a corner.
“I know exactly what you're going through. You're feeling violated, like somebody is watching your every move. It's horrible and I wish I could say I know how to deal with it but I can't. All I'm going to say is what you said to me. You're not alone and we can get through this together. You've got me, Andy, and Matthew, and even though you can't be sure of most of them you have the support of the town as well. Nobody wants to see you come to any harm Ellen and they won't let you. It's going to be okay.” She reached over and took Ellen's hand in hers, squeezing it tightly. It was a simple gesture yet it meant the world to Ellen.
“Thank you,” she said, sniffing back tears.
“Do you have any idea who it could be?” Kelly asked.
Ellen shook her head. “I never thought of myself as somebody people had crushes on. I know it has happened. When I first came into town there were a few guys who asked me out but I haven't seen anything, especially not since I've been with Andy. This seems completely out of the blue and whomever is writing these letters has made up this whole fiction for himself. I'm worried what they're going to do when I tell them the truth.”
“Well, try not to be left alone as much as you can. I know you don't want to live like you're under witness protection but it makes sense for now.”
“I know. I'm sorry this whole thing has messed up your plans. I never wanted you to get involved in something like this so soon after your wedding.”
“It's fine. You know what I'm like, easy come, easy go. Matthew and I still are having fun, although I'm still waiting for him to tell me where we're going on our honeymoon! That's the next big mystery to solve.”
“I'll get on it after I'm done with this one,” Ellen said dryly.
Although she was not in good humor, Ellen still appreciated the company. The two of them chatted for a while before Ellen really had to get back to work. Kelly offered to stay for a while but Ellen said that she could go.
“Just promise me you'll get Andy down here when you close up,” she said, and Ellen agreed.
A few hours later Bob came in and this took Ellen by surprise. Although she didn't think he was responsible for the notes he still had been associated with the case and the fact that he was here...it made her feel scared again. He acted as though nothing was unusual, however Ellen was shaking. There was nobody in the cafe she could trust but she couldn't very well throw everyone out. It wouldn't be good for business, and the last thing she wanted to do was show everyone that she was rattled. Especially not since she just had had a newspaper article written extolling her virtues and how determined and strong-willed she was. No, she had to try facing this herself.
Yet the sound of broken crockery could soon be heard and then all eyes were on Ellen. Her face reddened as she tried to shut them away but it was no good. They swarmed their eyes around her, suffocating her. She had to bite her tongue when all she wanted to do was scream out loud for them all to go away and leave her alone.
Breathing deeply, she craved a cigarette. It had been a dirty habit she had dabbled in when she was in her last year of college as a way to deal with the stress of finals and the impending future. She hadn't touched one in years but she wanted one so badly now. Her nerves were frayed. She'd taken a moment to step into the back, away from the front of the cafe. The sounds of chatter and laughter could be heard and she was glad that people were enjoying her establishment. Was this what it was to be a hero? To cower in the back and hide from the outside world, from that which scared you? She had scolded Andy for doing the same thing recently, and now she wondered if she had been too harsh on him.
Pull yourself together Ellen. You've faced taking down murderers a
nd kidnappers, she told herself. Yet this was different. None of them had been coming for her, and she never had been kept in the dark this long.
The evening had been busy but by the time everyone left and she was closing up things had begun to quiet down. She saw that Scampy's bowl of food was still full. Then it occurred to her that she hadn't seen him for a while, and a sense of worry tumbled through her mind. He was independent and often wandered around by himself, especially in the cafe, but she couldn't be sure of anything anymore. She called out for him and when there was no response her heart began to race. Surely nobody would ever do anything to him...
Ellen ran to the back, calling out for Scampy repeatedly, her tone getting more desperate every second Scampy didn't respond to her call. She thought about how the clues had referenced previous cases and wondered if the admirer knew about the very first one, when she had discovered George's dead body at the back of her cafe. She desperately hoped that history would not repeat itself now because if anything happened to Scampy she never would forgive herself.
She almost screamed when she saw Scampy's limp body lying on the floor. She fell to her knees and felt his body, hoping against hope there was still a heartbeat. Thank God. He was still breathing, but he was unconscious. She looked around but there was no sign of anyone else. She closed her eyes tightly, hating that somebody had gotten so close to her. She should have called Andy then, should have made him aware of what had happened but something caught her eye. It was another note, this time placed in Scampy's collar. A chill ran down her spine as she pulled the crisp piece of paper out and unfolded it. She wished that simply ignoring it would have prevented it from coming to pass, but whomever the admirer was, he was getting closer to her, getting closer to the endgame.
'The time for mystery is over. I can take no more of this sweet anticipation. Let us meet our destiny.'
Ellen's throat was dry, no matter how many times she swallowed. Her heart raced in her chest. She picked up Scampy and went back into the cafe, this time pulling out her cellphone to call Andy.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” a calm voice said.
She froze, afraid to turn around. The voice was familiar but it had a different tone to it than usual. Slowly, she turned, and finally laid eyes on the man who had been tormenting her, laying eyes on her secret admirer.
Chapter 10
The evening was dark and the candles were still lit in the restaurant, but there was nothing romantic about Ellen's state of mind. It was just the two of them in there. She was trying to keep her breathing steady because she wasn't sure what was going to happen next. She only could imagine that it wasn't going to be anything good. Her finger hovered over Andy's name on her cell and she almost risked pressing it down, but the gravity of his tone made her think twice. Instead, she obeyed him and placed her phone on the counter, then stepped away from it.
The tables were cast in shadows and Ellen wished she had some way of notifying any passerby that she was in trouble. She looked down at Scampy, who was out for the count, and turned back to her secret admirer, who was sitting casually at a table. He stood up and sighed, then stepped into the light so there was no doubt left as to who he was. Edward Carrey. The harmless man who had been in the cafe a few times. Right under her nose. They even had spoken before and she had not suspected a thing. Her hands curled into fists as rage flowed through her body, not just at him but at herself as well for not being smart enough to see the truth.
“What do you want? Why did you have to hurt my dog?” Ellen said.
“Scampy is fine, I just gave him a treat with a little kick. But I know how he likes to protect you so I had to get your attention for this final act.”
He spoke smoothly and confidently with every word. She never had seen him act like this before.
“As for what I want, well, I should have thought that was obvious. You know, I have enjoyed this little intellectual dance with you, Ellen. I knew you were the only one who would be able to match me. I hope you have enjoyed the clues I placed around town. I hope it goes to show you I have paid attention and I know you better than anyone, maybe even better than you know yourself.”
“You don't know me at all,” she said bitterly, harshly. Edward's expression flickered.
“I know this is surprising and you still may need some time to get used to the idea. But you must realize you are better than everyone else in this town, certainly than that cretin of a police officer. I have studied you for a long time and you deserve to be with someone who can appreciate your gifts, your talents. It is the same for me. For so long I have been in this world waiting to find my soulmate. It took a long time but here you are, and I knew I had to take matters into my own hands if anything was to come of us. I don't blame you for making mistakes and getting fooled into thinking the cop was a good match. He's certainly handsome, if you like that stereotypical square-jawed look, but the time for that is over. Our real lives can begin now.”
“Do you even hear what you're saying? You've invented this all by yourself. There's no truth to it at all. We're not destined to be together and we're not soulmates. I don't know why you think like this but I'm not going to be with you. I'm in love with Andy. What you've done, all those clues, you're sick! Stealing that watch from those old people, creeping around town, emptying out the gas, burning those flowers, poisoning my dog! Where do you get off? What gives you the right to toy with someone like that!” she screamed, blood flooding to her face and her eyes going apoplectic with rage.
Her entire body was tense and rigid, ready to strike. Adrenalin flooded through her and her strong words echoed around the empty cafe. All the while she regained some of her composure and searched for anything she could use against him. He seemed unarmed but she was not aware if he had anything hidden under his jacket, and he could have been deceptively strong.
In response, he merely laughed. “Oh, there it is, the passion I love so much. You know, there are so many people I've seen who have no spark or personality and that was one of the first things that attracted me to you. You have this love of life that I just find irresistible. Of course, when I learned you were helping the police I followed your little career with much interest. I often had thought of lending my own skills to them as well but they often bored me. They look like little pretend soldiers in their buttoned-down uniforms, always so prim and proper and they never know how to have fun.”
“Crime isn't a fun business,” she said, through gritted teeth.
“No, I suppose you're right. But you don't have to surround yourself with that any longer. You can come away with me and we can start a new life. I understand why you don't quite see things from my perspective yet. Perhaps I should have made the puzzles more challenging, maybe the game could have gone on a little longer but I had been hiding these feelings from you for such a long time that they were burning inside me, hurting me and I just had to get them out.”
As he said this he beat his fist against his chest so hard he must have bruised himself. He also stepped forward, and the look in his eyes grew more intense, making Ellen wish she wasn't backed into a corner.
“Edward, you don't have to do this. You don't know what you're saying. We can get help for you. We can talk about this. Somewhere along the way you've become confused.”
“No!” he said, and this time his fist beat against the wooden surface of a table.
“I do not need help. That's what people used to tell me. They used to say I needed to talk to someone but they just didn't understand. But you do. I know you're still just playing with me, Ellen. You're too smart, you've known all along that it was me. I should have known I hadn’t fooled you and now you're playing with me. Tremendous! But we can't play forever. Our lives are waiting for us and you need to tell me how you really feel. I can't wait any longer, Ellen. You don't know what it's been like waiting my whole life for you. Sure, it's going to be hard to break your toy soldier's heart but there's nothing else for you here. Your friend is married now, she'll b
e having a life of her own, and you don't want to look back with regret.”
The man obviously was insane and Ellen knew she couldn't beat him by trying to argue with him logically. She had to try a different tactic instead.
“Maybe you're right. Maybe this is all a lie but if it is why haven't I been feeling the same pull as you? Why did I not fall madly in love when I first saw you? Is it possible that you were mistaken?”
His expression flickered again. “No, it's just one of those things. It will take its time but if you give it a chance it will become clear.”
Ellen's phone rang. Her heart leaped when she saw that it was Andy but Edward told her to leave it alone. The two of them stared at each other while the phone rang, filling the silence with its shrill noise. When it finally subsided Edward spoke again.
“I assume that was your little boyfriend. Well, he can wait,” he said.
But Ellen knew Andy and that he would not wait if she didn't answer the phone. All she had to do was stall Edward until Andy got there, and then everything would be over. Control was coming back to her and she was in the dark no longer.
“Okay then, so what are my choices?” she asked.
“Quite simple, my dear. You can come with me and begin our new life together or you can end up like those flowers in the park.”
“You'd really treat me like that? Kill me? What kind of love is that?”
“The purest kind. If you can't see your destiny then you're too far gone, there is no more hope for you. It will hurt me more than it does you because I'll have to live with it, but it is a necessary evil. I couldn't have the woman I love continue living with another man, now could I? That just wouldn't be fair. But that's a last resort. This whole ordeal could be over if you just give me your hand and come with me.”
“How do I know you'll always love me? I've heard it before, you know, men making promises they can't keep. How do I know you're not like them? Not going to get cold feet when things get serious?”
