The Christmas Singer

by Cheryl Wright

  As much as she’d tried to dismiss it, the expression on Joe’s face told her he was more than a little concerned.

  Chapter Five

  Derek came up behind Felicity and slowly put his arms around her. A thrill went through her as it did every time he touched her.

  Her heartbeat sped up, and she felt a little flutter low down in her belly, anticipating what might come.

  He turned her around to face him, and gazed down into her face, his eyes staring at her rich red lips. Her tongue darted out to hydrate her parched lips. She’d wanted this, needed this, for far too long.

  Unconsciously, she reached up and caressed his face with her fingertips. Softly, unhurriedly.

  He leaned into her but stopped when his lips were only a whisper away from hers. Poised, ready to move, but waiting for her silent permission.

  She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, moving closer still.

  He moved ever so slightly, and his lips touched hers, sending a shiver of pleasure through her entire body. It felt like tiny fairies dancing across her lips, their dance of love warming her whole being. Her arms went up around him, pushing her closer still. She felt his heartbeat against her chest, beating in time with hers.

  A sigh left her lips; she was in heaven. She didn’t want this moment to stop. Not now, not ever.

  But stop it must. They were professionals working toward a common goal. They couldn’t get involved. Not now. Not ever.

  Felicity sighed, then pushed Derek away. He was confused, his expression said it all.

  “I…” She was going to explain but clamped her lips together almost immediately. He understood, she was certain he did.

  His eyes pierced her existence. Watching, staring, and penetrating her being. She tried to snatch her gaze from his but couldn’t. They were meant to be, she was certain they were, but not like this. Not now. Not in this place and time.

  She fought back tears knowing it may never be the right place or time. Knowing they may never be together. Realising her heart may forever be split in two, yearning for a man that she simply couldn’t have.

  Unable to face him any longer, she turned away to stare out the window, to contemplate her next move. How could she be happy without Derek at her side?

  Her breath caught in her throat as she saw a blur. Was she being watched? Or was it her imagination? Her confusion was deepening instead of things falling into place.

  She spun toward Derek. “Did you……?” She bit her lip. He’d think her an idiot.

  He waited for her to finish the sentence, but no more words came. Instead Derek finished it for her. “Want to go to lunch? Sure, let’s go.” Derek grabbed her hand before she could protest and headed toward the door.

  * * *

  It was hard going home alone. More than ever, Felicity wanted to be with Derek. She sighed, knowing it could never be. They could never be.

  Closing the door behind her, and ensuring it was locked, Felicity headed toward the bathroom. Todays rehearsals had worked up a sweat, and if there was one thing she truly hated, it was being able to smell her own body odour.

  The water was warm and inviting. Felicity revelled in the comfort she derived from this small act of self-indulgence. Letting the warm water flow over her body, she leaned against the glass wall and let out the breath she didn’t know she was holding. It felt good.

  She hadn’t felt this content for a long time. Since she suspected she was being followed. Was being watched. She wondered if her little apartment was even safe these days. More than once she’d come home to the feeling someone had been inside while she was gone.

  A book out of place here, a cushion moved there. Just little things, but enough to raise her concerns.

  For a time, she checked the unit the minute she walked in the door. But Felicity felt she was becoming paranoid, so stopped. Now she simply accepted that her apartment had to be secure.

  It was after all her home. Her haven.

  As she turned off the water, she stopped dead. There it was – a muffled sound. In her apartment.

  She held her breath. They had to know she was here. They would have heard the running water, so she wondered how safe she was.

  With the white fluffy towel wrapped around her, she inched her way out of the bathroom. Her bare feet made no sound.

  She felt eyes on her, and braced herself for whatever may happen, standing still, all the while searching the room.

  Something touched her feet and she let out a squeal. Thank goodness it was only her sweet little kitty, and not an intruder.

  “Oh my gosh, you scared the heck out of me.” She knelt to pat Meow. The kitty rubbed her head against Felicity’s still-wet feet, encouraging her to pat her little head. That was when she heard the distinct click of the front door closing.

  Felicity gasped.

  Someone had been in her apartment. Oh my gosh.

  Not knowing what to do next, and feeling extremely panicked now, she ran around and locked all the windows and closed all the blinds.

  Tomorrow she would get new locks.

  * * *

  In the dead of the night, the telephone rang.

  Felicity reached out for the handset, despite her dazed state of mind. “Hello?”

  It would be the catalyst for the rest of the day, despite the caller only saying a few words. “I’m watching you.” The words were said in a whisper, but with sinister intent behind them.

  Felicity sat bolt upright in the pitch black of night. “Who is this?” The caller didn’t respond. Heavy breathing was followed by deadly silence.

  “What do you want?” She was screaming down the phone now. Bad enough when he rang her over and over but didn’t say a word. This time it was a definite threat.

  With her heart beating out of control, she froze with the handset to her ear. She heard a sound in the darkness. Was someone in the house? Was she still alone?

  She had no idea. To appease her concerns, she flicked the light on, but the sudden brightness caused her to close her eyes tightly.

  As she opened them, movement out of the corner of her eye made her gasp and hold her breath.

  “Reow.” Meow curled up beside her on the bed and began to knead, making himself comfortable.

  “Oh, Meow, you scared me.” Holding her hand to her heart, Felicity suddenly realised she still had the phone in her hand, and quickly replaced it.

  She scrutinised the room. Were they watching her? Was she safe here? Gingerly climbing out of bed she pulled the curtains back, checked the windows were locked. Satisfied, she pulled the curtains back into their closed position and ensured no one could see inside.

  She draped her robe around herself and moved into the lounge room, checking the windows, then checked the doors were secure. Then she double-checked them all again.

  She’d not long finished when the phone rang again. This time she hesitated, knowing it was probably him again.

  Felicity picked up the handset but didn’t speak. “Just because your curtains are closed doesn’t mean I can’t see you.” He chuckled, then disconnected the call.

  For all of thirty seconds Felicity stood frozen in terror. Then she called the police.

  * * *

  When the knock came on the door, Felicity jumped. “It’s the police,” came a deep male voice. She looked through the peep-hole and sure enough, two police officers stood outside. “Can you hold up your ID please,” she called out.

  Certain these were real police, she opened the door, pulling her robe tightly around herself while trying to contain Meow at the same time.

  She held the door opened while the two officers entered, and noticed two police cars outside. “Two officers are checking the parameter,” the officer in charge explained. “If anyone is still here, we’ll find them.”

  Felicity nodded her acknowledgement, almost too afraid to speak in case she broke down. She wasn’t the sort of person to lose her cool easily, but this whole business had her on edge.

  The sec
ond officer searched through her unit, making sure no one was in there with her. “I live alone,” she told him.

  “Just a precaution Ma’am,” the officer said. “I’m checking that no one is hiding in here.”

  Felicity stumbled backwards. She hadn’t considered that option at all. She’d always felt safe in her little apartment. She was surrounded by good neighbours, but still had her privacy and her independence.

  Now she was at great risk of losing both. The officer helped her to the sofa, realising she was in shock. Felicity put her hands to her face and quietly sobbed.

  The police were amazing. Professional but compassionate at the same time. They waited until she composed herself again before interviewing her.

  “How long has this been going on?” one officer asked.

  She had to admit it had started some time ago. Perhaps a few months?

  “And nothing else has occurred out of the ordinary?” he wanted to know, all the time scribbling notes in his little black book. He looked up at her, waiting in anticipation.

  “Well… I’ve had phone calls, and once or twice I was sure I was being followed.” She took a deep breath. “But I couldn’t see anyone. Then just the other day I was certain someone was watching me at rehearsals. Through the window.”

  “And you’re just reporting this now? Don’t you understand how serious this could be?” the second officer said, a disapproving expression on his face.

  “I, I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do,” she told him.

  He reached over and patted her hand. “Well now we know, and we’ll look into it. First off the rank is a trace on your phone. Write your number down for me and I’ll set that up right now.”

  Felicity immediately felt better, but it didn’t mean the problem would be resolved. Far from it.

  While they spoke, the other officer was still wandering around the apartment. “Hey Pete,” he called to the policeman talking to Felicity. “Check this out.”

  “Well I’ll be…” Pete said, obviously surprised.

  Felicity sat on the sofa, perplexed, but also worried. “What is it,” she asked, not sure she really wanted to know.

  “It’s a small camera,” Pete said. “You’re being watched from inside your apartment.”

  * * *

  Taking a gulp of cold water as she left her dressing room, Felicity walked toward Joe. But her eyes were not on him, they were focused on the windows. Correction. She was looking out onto the street. Her eyes moving toward each window, scanning each one individually.

  Joe peered toward the window, squinting in an effort to get a better look. What was out there? Although who was out there was probably closer to the mark.

  Felicity had been distracted for weeks. Her confidence seemed to be slipping, but it was more than that, he was certain.

  He’d seen her glance over her shoulder on many occasions recently. And he’d seen the startled looks when someone moved quietly toward her.

  And he sure as heck hadn’t missed her panicked expression when her phone rang. What was going on?

  This was not the Felicity he knew. She’d never been the type to scare easily. She was a strong-willed, strong-minded woman who knew what she wanted and went after it.

  These days Felicity was jittery, frazzled. And more than a little skittish.

  This was nothing like his Felicity. She had never acted like a scared little rabbit in her life. Why was she doing it now?

  Joe took a deep breath and turned toward Felicity, to ready her for their last practice dance for the day.

  A shiver went through him as he sensed someone watching him. He quickly turned back toward the uncovered window. That was when he saw it. The silhouette of a man watching them.

  In the blink of an eye he was gone.

  He turned and briskly grabbed Felicity by the shoulders. “What are you not telling me,” he asked, his voice serious. “What are you hiding, Sweets,” he demanded in the softest voice he could muster.

  She stared directly into his eyes and lied. She’d never lied to him before all of this, and this revelation had him reeling. “What do you mean? I’m not hiding anything. I told you about the break-in the other night.”

  Did she honestly think she could keep something like this from him? He was a patient man, and he was certain Felicity would be scared, so he’d allow her this misdemeanor.

  He stepped forward and pulled her into a big bear hug. Hugs could solve anything. But perhaps this time, that would be overstepping the expectation.

  Joe felt Felicity shiver in his arms, felt her entire body shake. “Joe?” Her voice was soft, only a smidge above audible.

  “Yes, Sweets?” He would try to keep it normal. Perhaps she would open up to him. “You know you can tell me anything.”

  “I don’t know what to do,” she said in a quiet, frightened voice. “I think someone is trying to hurt me.”

  That short statement sent a shiver down his spine and caused him to stumble backwards.

  * * *

  Felicity was shaken up by the events of the previous night for sure but was determined to not let it deter her.

  Even after her talk with Joe, where she’d withheld vital information, like the cameras in her apartment, the day’s rehearsals had gone well, but suddenly it hit her. Someone had been inside her unit. Probably on more than one occasion. And they’d been watching her. Violating her privacy.

  Had they watched her undress? Take a shower? Sleep? The police removed all the cameras but didn’t tell her where they’d been placed.

  She was rehearsing what was to be her signature song when the realisation hit home. She could have been attacked. Or worse, killed.

  A shiver went through her, and then she forgot the words.

  She never forgot her words. Ever.

  “Felicity, Sweets,” Joe said, concerned. “What’s wrong?” He was quickly at her side.

  “Nothing,” she said, staring down at the floor, and knowing it was a blatant lie. “I just forgot the words.” She kicked at the floorboards with her toe.

  “My darling, it is obvious something is very wrong,” Joe said. “You forgot the words.” He reached forward and wiped his fingers across her cheek. “And there are tears,” he said sadly. “I thought we’d talked about this issue you’re having.”

  Felicity wiped her own hand across her cheek. There were tears. She hadn’t even realised; she was so engrossed in her thoughts.

  “Oh Joe,” she said, stepping into his comforting arms. “It’s all such a mess.”

  “A mess?” Joe looked confused. He had no idea about the chaos that was last night. The full chaos. “Let’s sit down and you can tell me all about it.”

  Joe was always there for her. Always.

  She should have called him last night. He would have come over and sat with her. Made her feel safe after the police left. She’d endured hours of uniformed police as well as detectives. They’d checked her entire house for more cameras, as well as phone taps.

  Felicity mentally slapped herself. Joe would have helped her through her ordeal. He was her best friend.

  He put his arm around her shoulders and led her toward her dressing room.

  Once seated, Felicity looked at him, tears building in her eyes once again. “It was horrible,” she said. Then covered her face with her hands.

  “Horrible? Joe sat patiently, waiting until she was ready.

  “I had to call the police,” she said, looking up briefly and seeing Joe’s horrified expression.

  He sprang forward and wrapped her in his arms.

  “Oh my poor Sweets! Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  Felicity told him the whole sordid story, and he listened intently.

  “This is not at all good,” he said, when she’d finished. “We have to do something.”

  “Like what?” Felicity demanded. It was okay to say it, but what could anyone do?

  “I don’t know,” Joe admitted. “But we’ll come up with something,” he said
quietly. “Stay with Maurice and me tonight?” He looked apologetic, as though he knew it was a lame idea.

  She looked at him long and hard. “And let them win? No way,” she said, determined. “But thanks anyway.”

  Joe sighed in resignation. Felicity wondered if she was doing the right thing in turning down his generous offer.

  “Back to rehearsals,” she said. “I promise not to forget the words this time.” With that, she stood and made her way back to the rehearsal room.

  * * *

  Joe met with Derek after Felicity had left for the day. He had to be told, despite all of Felicity’s protests. It wasn’t his problem, it didn’t affect him, he didn’t need to know, she’d said. None of it worked. Joe had an obligation to tell Derek about the stalker. Even if he didn’t, he would still tell him. Felicity needed to be safe.

  Derek was horrified at the news.

  Not only was someone harassing her by phone, he was physically stalking Felicity, as well.

  “So, you actually saw this guy?” he asked Joe.

  “Kind of.” Joe was a man of few words unless necessary, which Derek fully appreciated. “I saw a silhouette at the window.” Joe shivered. “He bolted when he realised I’d seen him.”

  Derek sat quietly, considering their options.

  “And you’re sure it wasn’t Hector?” He shook his head, trying to shake that thought away. “Scrap that. Hector wouldn’t try to hide his presence. He’d make sure everyone knew it was him.”

  Joe sat bolt upright and gazed directly into Derek’s eyes. “I’ve known the man for over fifteen years. He’s the lowest of the low, but he would not stalk his own daughter. I’m absolutely sure of it.” He paused briefly. “He wouldn’t want to be found out either. He’s a coward of the highest order.”

  Joe sat contemplating how much to tell Derek, but decided he needed the full story. “The police found hidden cameras in her apartment.” It was blunt but needed to be said.

  Derek sat upright and rubbed his hands through his hair. “Then there is no option,” he said calmly. “I’ll organise a body guard to protect her.” He sat back, satisfied with the decision he’d made.