Back to Salem

by Alex Marcoux

  Early in the relationship, Taylor decided to maintain the secrecy of their courtship. Although it was hard for Jessie, she respected Taylor’s decision and was careful whenever they were together.

  In the spring, Taylor went on a six-week mini-tour. She traveled from town to town, performing at night and on the road by day. It was the first time Jessie and Taylor were apart for any length of time and it proved to be difficult. In the middle of the tour, Jessie planned to fly to Chicago and join Taylor after a concert there. Taylor had 48 hours until her next appearance, in Madison, Wisconsin. They planned to spend every available moment together.

  Jessie took an earlier flight into O’Hare that Friday evening, hoping to surprise Taylor. When she arrived at the Fairmont Hotel, Taylor had not returned from the concert. Jessie retreated to a comfortable corner in the lobby. She admired the polished marble floor and luxurious furnishings, sat, pulled out her cell phone and called Taylor.

  Taylor answered on the third ring. “Hello.”

  “Hi sweetheart. How was the concert?”

  “Hi,” Taylor whispered. “Where are you? You should be in the air.”

  “I’m at the hotel.”

  “You’re here?”

  Jessie recognized the excitement in Taylor’s voice. “I’m in the lobby. I got an earlier flight.”

  “That’s wonderful. I can’t wait to see you. We’re getting in the limo now.”

  “I have some work. I’ll just hang out in the lobby. I’ll come up to the room after you’ve come in.”

  Taylor started speaking cryptically. “Call me when I’m back in my room. I’ll be available to chat more in about 45 minutes.” Then she whispered, “But call first, okay?”

  Jessie heard other voices on the phone. Then it sounded as if Taylor was in a tunnel. “I’ll call you after I see you come in.”

  “That’s great.”

  Jessie pulled out her laptop and started some work. About fifty minutes later, a group of people entered the hotel lobby. Some reporters and fans swarmed around them. In the center of the group, Mark protectively held Taylor’s waist, pulling her through the crowd and into the elevator, leaving the reporters and fans in the lobby. Just as the elevator door closed, Taylor caught sight of Jessie.

  Jessie waited patiently before she called Taylor.

  When Taylor’s cell phone rang, she knew it was Jessie. “Hi, are you still in the lobby?”

  “I am.”

  “I’m in 3705. But I’m on a secured floor. You need a key to take the elevator to the floor. Meet me on the 36th floor. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Jessie got in the elevator and pushed thirty-six. When the door opened, Taylor stood in front of her, smiling.

  “Hi,” Jessie greeted her.

  Taylor raised a finger to her lips, then whispered, “Come with me.” She took hold of Jessie’s hand and led her to a door that said “Fire Exit.” The door opened into a stairwell, and as soon as the door closed behind them Taylor turned to Jessie.

  “God, it’s good to see you.” She kissed Jessie firmly on her lips. The slam from a door on a lower floor startled them both. “Come.” Taylor led Jessie up the stairs to another door that had a book wedged in it. She opened the door and picked up the book and the two were on the 37th floor.

  Once on the floor, Taylor was determined to get to her room. She hurried down the hallway with Jessie following close behind. Taylor was just reaching the door when they heard a man’s voice. “Jessie?”

  Both Jessie and Taylor turned to find Mark coming out of a room a couple doors away. He stood staring at them. Jessie knew how it must have looked, standing at the threshold of Taylor’s room, bags in hand. She recognized the pain in his eyes as he stared back at Taylor.

  “Hi, Mark,” Jessie said.

  Mark nodded distantly then turned away.

  “Mark?” Taylor called.

  He stopped then turned around. “Yes, Taylor?”

  Taylor looked at Jessie then back at Mark. “We need to talk.”

  In the hotel room, Mark sat at the desk, Taylor was in the loveseat while Jessie remained standing. Mark stared at the floor, waiting for someone to speak.

  “Mark, I want to tell you about Jessie and me,” Taylor started.

  “There’s no need for that. It’s none of my business.” Mark would not look either woman in the eye. It was obvious that he didn’t want to hear it.

  “Well then, Mark, I need to tell you,” Taylor started.

  “No, you don’t. It’s plain as day what’s going on here.”

  “Mark,” Jessie started. “This is Taylor, not me. Please give her a chance.”

  Mark looked at both women then softened. “I’m sorry. You have my attention, Taylor.”

  “Jessie and I have been seeing each other,” Taylor started.

  “I understand.”

  “We haven’t told anyone, you’re the first. And I’m glad you know. I’ve wanted to share it with you,” Taylor confided.

  “I’ve wondered if you were seeing someone, Taylor.”

  “Why?”

  “You’ve just been…different. How long has it been going on?”

  “Four months.”

  “Have you given any thought as to how this could impact your career if the truth gets out?”

  Taylor sighed. “Well, I know it wouldn’t be a career booster.”

  “We’ve been very discreet, Mark,” Jessie interrupted. “Taylor isn’t at a point to let others know.”

  “But I’m getting tired of being in the closet.” Taylor turned to Jessie. “Being without you these last three weeks has been hard. I don’t know how much longer I can do it.”

  “Let’s not do anything rash here,” Jessie said.

  “I agree,” Mark said. “To let people know you’re having an affair with a woman just carries too many serious consequences.”

  “It’s not an affair.” Taylor seemed hurt by the undermining words.

  “Whatever it is—I think you need to be careful. If the two of you are seeing each other in a year or so, and you know it’s not a phase, then we can talk in a different vein.”

  “It’s not a phase,” Taylor said defensively.

  “Taylor, Mark is just doing his job.”

  Taylor was clearly hurt by how Mark had reacted. “Are you going to be okay with this?”

  “I’ll be fine. May I speak business?”

  “Can’t it wait?” Taylor did not want her precious weekend to slip away.

  “It’ll just take a minute.”

  Taylor nodded.

  “There was a note left for you at the front desk. It was from I.D.”

  Taylor’s face paled.

  “Someone apparently left it on the desk sometime today.” Mark pulled a paper from his pocket and displayed it for the women to read. It was written on the Fairmont Hotel stationery; the penmanship appeared to be traced.

  It’s only a matter of time till we’re together.

  I.D.

  “He’s here in Chicago?” Taylor’s voice was distant.

  “Is this the same person that was harassing you last year?” Jessie asked.

  “Yes. We think so, anyway,” Mark answered.

  “I thought all that stopped,” Jessie said.

  “I did too,” Taylor said. “Mark started getting letters again after Kurk died.”

  “Not very often, I think there were two, maybe three. I just sent them on to the police. With everything that was going on, I just didn’t think I needed to bother Taylor with it.”

  “But since we’ve been on the road, every town we’ve been in, I’ve either received a call on the hotel phone or my cell phone. There was a letter mailed from LA County waiting for me in Denver.”

  “What’s being said in the letters and phone calls?” Jessie asked.

  “Pretty much the same thing. They say that I’m his destiny and it’s only a matter of time before we’ll be together.”

  “What about the voice?” Jessie as
ked.

  “I think it’s a man’s voice, but I’m not completely sure, Jessie. The person whispers, there has always been a lot of noise in the background. Most of the time, I have a hard time hearing what he’s saying.”

  Jessie went to Taylor. “How come you didn’t tell me this was going on?”

  “I didn’t want you to worry while I was on the road. Mark has been watching me.”

  “I’ll leave you two to your weekend,” Mark said, then he turned to Taylor. “Sunday morning, nine o’clock, the bus leaves.”

  “I’ll be there,” Taylor said.

  Jessie followed Mark to the door. She turned back to Taylor. “I’ll be back in a minute,” and stepped into the hallway with Mark.

  “Are you okay about us?” Jessie asked Mark.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “I know you care for her.”

  Mark looked at Jessie before he answered. “I do care for Taylor. I care enough to want what’s best for her and to want to see her happy. Somehow, you’re making her happy. I can see that, Jess. But, I don’t think you’re the best one for her.”

  “I appreciate your honesty, Mark.”

  “I have always been honest with you.”

  “I know that. Can I ask you a favor?”

  “What’s that?”

  “I can’t be with Taylor while she’s traveling, and I don’t like the fact that some lunatic is harassing her. Would you keep an eye on her while she’s traveling?”

  “You don’t have to ask me to do that. I always have. It’s my job.”

  “Would you keep in touch with me and let me know how she’s doing and what’s going on with these letters and phone calls?”

  Mark nodded. “Yeah. I’ll keep you posted as things develop.”

  Chapter 20

  Jessie and Taylor spent the major part of the weekend in the hotel suite. That Sunday morning came too quickly for both of them. Taylor went back on the road for another three weeks and Jessie went home to her computer and new project.

  Back in California, Jessie found it difficult to concentrate on her work. Taylor was so far away and someone was harassing her; Jessie felt helpless. She hit writer’s block on her new book, so she decided to spend most of her time doing research for it. She surfed the Internet for information on prison life.

  Jessie longed to hear Taylor’s voice. Every morning Jessie would call Taylor, then every night she waited for Taylor to call after she was settled in her hotel room. Mark was good to his word. A couple times each week he would call Jessie and give his perspective about what was happening.

  Two days before Taylor was scheduled to return, Jessie went out to lunch with her old friend, Linda Speller. She thanked her once again for the use of her cabin months earlier in Big Pines. The two always met at a restaurant downtown in Los Angeles, not far from Travis’s office, so after lunch Jessie decided to drop in on Travis.

  As expected, Jessie found Alison at the receptionist’s desk. Alison’s face lit up when she saw Jessie approach. “Well, if it isn’t Ms. Mercer,” Alison flirted. “The famous storyteller.”

  “Hi, Alison. What’s happening?”

  “Things are starting to look up. What’s up with you?”

  “I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d stop in and say ‘hi’ to you of course, and Travis, too. Is he in?”

  “He is, but not so fast. Have you been busy or something?”

  “I have, why do you ask?”

  “I remember a time when you used to stop in more often, just to say ‘hi.’ Are you seeing someone?” There was a spark of curiosity in her eyes.

  Jessie nodded, then smiled. “Actually I am.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Alison, I never kiss and tell.”

  “Well, when it starts to go the other way, give me a ring.” Alison pressed the intercom button and announced Jessie’s arrival.

  Seconds later, Travis’s office door opened and he stood in the doorframe. “Jessie, come on in,” he bellowed. After a double take, “You look great. What have you done different?”

  Jessie went into his office. “Do I usually look bad?”

  “You’ve never looked bad.” He studied her as he walked around his desk. “But…there is something different. Whatever it is—it’s good. What are you doing here?”

  “I was just in the area and thought I’d stop by, and see how you’re doing. I heard about you and Dana. I’m terribly sorry. Are you okay?”

  Travis eyed Jessie. “Yeah. I’m fine. She’s going to take me to the cleaners, you know.”

  “I’m sorry, Travis.”

  “Hey, that’s life.” He reached into a pile of addressed envelopes, selected one and handed it to Jessie. “Here, save me a stamp.”

  Jessie looked at the envelope, addressed to her. “What is it?”

  “It’s an invitation for a special previewing of Deceptions. It’s scheduled in three weeks, a couple nights before the release. The invitations should have gone out by now, but we just firmed up the party location. It’s going to be at L’Orangerie. The entire cast and crew are invited.”

  “Sounds like quite a party.”

  “It should be a lot of fun…hopefully better than our last get-together. Speaking of which, have you stayed in touch with Taylor Andrews since Kurk died?”

  “Why?”

  “I haven’t seen her since right after the funeral. I know she went into hiding after his death.”

  “We’ve occasionally talked. She seemed fine.”

  “You two always got along. Would you call her and ask if she’s coming to the preview? I think it would be good PR if we can get the entire cast together and celebrate.”

  “Sure. I’ll call her next week.”

  Taylor had not been home a week when Detective Bradley arrived to confer with her. He paused reflectively when he saw Jessie at the house. Then he updated Taylor on the investigation. The police department had categorized Kurk’s death as suspicious. Detective Bradley was the only one remaining on the case.

  “God. I hate it when that man visits,” Taylor told Jessie after he left. “He always looks at me as if I killed Kurk.”

  Jessie and Taylor decided that Taylor would go to the preview of Deceptions with Mark and they would meet up at the theatre. Both knew that the press would be there with cameras in hand, and it would be better if they arrived and left separately.

  When Jessie arrived at the theatre, a valet took the Lexus keys and handed her a ticket. Reporters and camera-crew members lined the entryway forming a hallway to the theatre doors. None of the reporters were overly excited with her arrival. Inside the theatre, crew members and cast members greeted her.

  “Here they are,” a man’s voice said, drawing everyone’s attention back to the entrance.

  A white stretch limo was at the curb. The back door opened and Travis Sanders hopped out of the car. He was stylishly dressed with dark sunglasses concealing his eyes. He waved for all the cameras, obviously loving the attention.

  Jennifer Kendrick and her husband stepped from the limo next. They both smiled and waved to the cameras as they slowly moved to the theatre doors. Finally, Mark and Taylor came out of the vehicle. Mark appeared shy before all the cameras, and wanted to move along the human hallway. But Taylor paced herself. She enjoyed working the reporter line, and personally greeted those she knew from past interviews. Before she entered the theatre, Taylor turned around and waved at all the reporters.

  Once inside, Travis approached Taylor and Jennifer. “ET wants to interview each of you, individually, then together. Taylor, do you want to go first?”

  An Entertainment Tonight representative escorted Taylor to an interview location set up away from the party. Jessie watched the interview from afar as she mingled and enjoyed some appetizers.

  Mark met up with Jessie. “Good evening.” His voice drew her attention away from Taylor.

  “Hi, Mark. How are you?”

  “Fine.”

  “Mark, than
ks for keeping me posted on I.D.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  To Jessie, the encounter seemed awkward. Mark was uneasy. Travis joined them, and then he appeared more relaxed.

  “Good evening, Jessie.” Travis kissed her on the cheek. “You look marvelous tonight.” He shook Mark’s hand. “Good evening, Mark.”

  “Hi, Travis.”

  “Your rafting trip is coming up, isn’t it Mark?”

  “Soon. It’s in August.”

  Jessie overheard the men talking. “Where are you rafting, Mark?”

  “The Grand Canyon.”

  “Oh, he is going to have such a great time. I did the trip last year with Dana. It was one of the best trips I have ever had.”

  “How many days is it?” Jessie asked. “I hear they’re pretty lengthy.”

  “I’m doing just the upper canyon. It’ll take five days.”

  “Are you going by yourself?” Jessie realized that it was none of her business, and she was embarrassed by her forwardness.

  Mark recognized Jessie’s awkwardness. “I’m going with a buddy of mine from the east coast.”

  “It was quite a trip, Mark,” Travis said. “It was beautiful and exhilarating; quite an adventure. I’m envious.”

  Appetizers and drinks were served for about an hour. Jessie was speaking with Travis and Mark when Taylor broke into the discussion. Jessie could not keep from checking out Taylor’s black dress, her eyes eventually finding Taylor’s.

  Taylor smiled at Jessie. “Hi Jessie.” She hugged her. “It’s so nice to see you, again.”

  “It’s nice to see you, too. You look great,” Jessie said honestly.

  Mark cleared his throat. Both Jessie and Taylor glanced at him. “Excuse me.” Mark smiled then left the small group.

  “Actually ladies, if you will excuse me also,” Travis said. “I need to check on a few things. I’ll see you inside.”

  Jessie and Taylor were finally alone.

  “So, what have you been doing with yourself these days Ms. Andrews?” Jessie teased.

  “Oh…I’ve fallen in love.”

  Jessie smiled. “You’ve fallen in love? Anybody I know?”

  Taylor smiled at Jessie. “I can’t wait to get out of here…and take you home.”