Deadly Obsession

by J. Lea

  I spent the majority of last night researching. He has to keep her somewhere private, but we’ve checked all the properties he owns, the properties his parents and other relatives own, and no luck. We have a police car staking out his place 24/7 in case he appears.

  It’s late afternoon and I’ve gone through Jensen’s file for the umpteenth time, when my phone starts beeping furiously. I freeze in my spot. Blinking once, I realize what has just happened. April. She turned on the GPS signal. Hope springs up in me and I jump to my feet, feeling like a mountain has been just lifted off my chest. No one knows the true purpose of the bracelet so it must have been April. She’s alive.

  “Becker, Guzman, get over here!” I yell. I find her location immediately. The signal’s coming from New Hampshire, a good hour away from here. In the vicinity of some lake. We never could’ve guessed he’d taken her there, but it makes sense. The location is far enough from the city to feel safe. Tourists are forbidden from entering onto private property so it’s isolated enough no one could hear her screams in case she yelled for help. I’m not sure what state I’ll find her in, but she’s alive, and that’s all that matters.

  “Hey, you called?” Guzman comes through the door. Becker follows.

  “I have April’s location. Get backup and I’ll notify the Captain. We need to go now.”

  “Sure, we’re on it. Meet us in the parking lot in ten?”

  “Yes, the sooner the better. We have some rescuing to do.”

  We break into the log cabin that’s surrounded with cops. This time he’s not getting away. We spread throughout the house and it’s soon apparent no one is here. But I know for certain April was here; I could recognize her scent everywhere. There’s one door we haven’t opened yet, and I swallow hard at the thought of what could be waiting for us behind those doors. The door is unlocked so I open it, and a smell of mold hits me first. The lights are on and I run down the stairs, policemen after me. We stop in our tracks when we take in the sight before us. April and Ron are each lying on their own bed, their forearms cut open. Ron’s clutching April’s hand as their blood is dripping down to the floor. Just like the picture from the article we found.

  “No!” I yell and run to her. Two policemen try to stop me, but I shake them off and reach the beds in three long strides. Ron’s still conscious, his head turning toward the noise we’re making.

  “Leave us,” he whispers hoarsely, and I’m sure it took him a lot of effort to speak. I ignore him, only focusing on April, lying still and lifeless in front of me. Her eyes are closed, her usually olive skin is ashen white, and she shows no signs of life.

  I’m afraid to touch her because she seems so fragile, but I still press my hands on her bleeding arm to stop the blood from spilling out so violently. Hopelessly, I’m standing beside her and I slowly lift one hand to check the pulse at her neck. I’m praying hard she’s still alive and, while I’m waiting to see if I sense her pulse, I’m starting to feel more and more panicked. But then I feel it. A slow, weak pulse under my fingers. Relief washes over me in such a strong wave my head starts spinning. The pulse is almost nonexistent, but it’s there, and that’s what gives me hope. April’s strong; she’ll survive this.

  “April, stay with me. Please, stay strong,” I beg her, whispering words of encouragement into her ear. I’m so involved in what I’m doing I don’t even hear Guzman and Becker calling my name. Two EMTs push me to the side and start working on April’s arm.

  “She’s alive,” I tell them, dazed. “I felt her pulse.”

  Becker steps closer to pull me away from the paramedics so they can do their job without interruptions. I don’t want to get back any further. I need to stay close to her. She’d been on her own for way too long.

  I see EMTs are working on that fucker Jensen too. My blood boils. “What the hell are you doing?” I ask, furious.

  “Please, step aside, we’re trying to help him.”

  “You’re kidding, right? This guy killed a man and almost succeeded in killing her, too,” I point my hand to April, “and you’re trying to save his sorry ass? Let him die,” I hiss. Becker squeezes my shoulder to make me calm down, but I don’t stop. “He doesn’t deserve to live!”

  “O’Rilley, stay out of it,” Becker calms me. “Come on, let’s get some fresh air and let them do their thing.”

  “No!” I disengage from his hold and go back to April’s bed. Despite the ugly looks the EMTs are throwing me, I take her healthy hand in mine and squeeze tightly. She needs to survive this. She must.

  “Let’s get them out of here,” one of the EMTs says.

  “Can I ride with her?” I plead.

  The EMTs share a look. “Only if you stay out of our way. We’re trying to help here.”

  “I promise. You have my word. I just want to stay by her side.”

  “Okay then. Let’s hurry.”

  With the corner of my eye, I spy something silver in the pool of blood on the floor by the bed she was on. I run over and see it’s a bracelet. The bracelet I gave her, which led us to her. I squeeze it in my fist, not caring it’s full of blood, close my eyes for a second, and run upstairs to the ambulance.

  Eighteen

  Jude

  Max, his wife, and I are in the waiting room of the hospital waiting for any news on April’s recovery. I still have the scene from the basement in front of my eyes; it’ll be burned into my mind forever - April, lying on a bed, unconscious, every drop of blood dripping from her hand, shortening her chances of getting out alive. And her ashen white face that showed no signs of life will forever haunt me. I’ve never been so terrified in my life as I was today, when I thought we were too late. She looked so tiny and fragile. And the relief I felt when I felt her pulse was indescribable. It gave me back my hope, hope that April is going to open her beautiful eyes eventually. I don’t even want to think about how many minutes or seconds she had left on that table based on the amount of blood on the floor, too much blood even for two people… I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head.

  Thank God she managed to press the button on her bracelet in time or we wouldn’t be standing here, waiting to see her, to talk to her. I doubt we’d ever even found her if it wasn’t for the bracelet.

  If I had any say in it, I’d let the fucker Ron bleed out next to April. He doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as her. But they’re fighting for his life a few rooms over. If he survives by some miracle, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure he never sees the light of day again.

  We learned afterward that Ron leased the log cabin a few months in advance and he must have been withdrawing his paycheck every month so he could pay for the cabin with cash, which cannot be traced. He used another fake name and even paid extra so the neighboring houses would be vacant at the time of his stay there. The owner of the log cabin admitted that Ron told him he was planning a mini honeymoon with his wife and didn’t want anyone to disturb them. The owner didn’t ask any more questions since Ron paid cash in advance.

  Max and Amanda are sitting on the bench, embraced, both silent and staring at the ground, holding hands. I’m pacing the corridor, unable to sit still. I just want to hear April’s going to be alright.

  “Miss Brookes’ family?” I turn toward a tired voice. An older female doctor in scrubs stops in front of us.

  “I’m her brother. How is she?” Max says, he and Amanda jumping to their feet, still holding hands.

  “My name is Doctor Quinn. I was the doctor on call when Miss Brookes was brought in. She was weak, having lost a lot of blood. Luckily her blood type is A+, which is pretty common, so there were no complications. We stitched her forearm, and I think it’s safe to say she’s doing well. She’ll have a nasty scar to remind her of this day, but I think that’s not such a big deal after all she’s been through. Her ribs are severely bruised, cracked in some places, by the look of the bruises it’s most likely due to the accident you mentioned earlier. Her head CT came back clean, but she was administered a large d
ose of sedative, so you should expect dizziness, headaches and weakness, which is also the result of losing so much blood.”

  “So, she’ll be alright?” Max asks, fear and hope mixed in his voice.

  “Yes,” the doctor gives him a smile. “She’ll be alright. She’ll need lots of rest so she’ll gain her strength back, and she needs to watch her ribs as well as the stitches on her forearm.”

  “When can we see her?” I ask.

  “Tomorrow. We still need to do some tests so I’m advising you to all go home. It’s late, and you can come back tomorrow during visiting hours.”

  We did as the doctor asked, but weren’t too happy about it. I stayed the night at Max and Amanda’s. I couldn’t go back to April’s house.

  “April,” I whisper as I walk into her hospital room that smells like disinfectant. Legs shaking, I get to her bed and I take my time watching her, the slow rising and falling of her chest. She still looks like she did yesterday, when we found her, except that now she’s covered in white bandages. Her skin is still ashen white, hopefully it’ll soon revert to her usual olive, sun-kissed color. She’s lying on the bed, motionless, her eyes closed. I drag a chair to her bed and hold her good hand.

  “You have no idea how many gray hairs you gave me.” My lips form a small smile. “You have absolutely no idea how terrified we were.” I brush my thumb over her hand. “I’m so happy you’re going to be alright. You can’t imagine how happy I am.” I take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. “I’m the one to blame for what happened to you. If I’d been more careful, this wouldn’t have happened. That’s why I distanced myself emotionally from you. I had to if I wanted to do my job. But I guess that wasn’t enough.” I pause. “I couldn’t forgive myself if you died. Max and Amanda need you. Emma’s been asking for you. Even Bella isn’t the same since you’ve been away. She misses you,” I smile at the thought of her spoiled cat and I keep staring at her beautiful face.

  “I hope you’ll soon get back to being the old, annoying April. The one who got on my nerves and constantly defied me. Princess,” I chuckle, shaking my head. “I know you don’t want me calling you that. I actually really enjoyed when you were making me crazy. And so, you’ve grown on me, a lot. This is you. You don’t need to change for anybody. Be yourself. You’ve already proven to be brave and loving and caring. I’ll never forget that. I’ll never forget you. You’re unforgettable,” I smile. “You probably already guessed this is a goodbye. I’m leaving. I don’t deserve you—especially since I wasn’t even able to protect you properly. And you know my job is my life. It’s all I’m good at. Matters of the heart aren’t for me. I’m working from dawn to dusk. You’d resent me, and besides, you deserve more. But I’m glad you’re out of danger and that you got your old life back.”

  I stand up, kissing her forehead, lingering there for a while. “You’re the first woman to stir up a storm of emotions in me and I can see myself falling hard for you. I think I already have fallen for you. You’re really something special, April Brookes.” Reaching in my pocket to retrieve the bracelet that saved her life, I fasten it around her wrist. Taking a deep breath to collect myself, I take one last look at her and head out of her room, out of her life. Forever. My palms are sweaty, my heart pounding in my chest. It’s for the best, I tell myself.

  “Leaving already?” Max exclaims in surprise when I walk past him and Amanda standing by the coffee machine, holding paper coffee cups. They went in to see April before me and they plan on staying the whole day. I’m glad she has such loving family, always by her side, taking care of her. I’m comforted by the idea I’m leaving her in good hands.

  “Yes,” I nod, not sparing them a look.

  “See you later?” he asks hopefully.

  His question stops me in my tracks. “Um…” I clear my throat, trying to find the right words to answer him, but before I can respond the expression on my face probably tells him everything. His eyes go dark.

  “You’re leaving, aren’t you?” I’m surprised at his calm tone, but I see how disappointed he is.

  “Yes,” I say, still avoiding his gaze.

  “Why?”

  Why? I don’t even know that myself. “She’s better off without me.”

  “And you’re not even giving April a chance to decide that? You’re a pussy,” he blows out a breath, shaking his head. “You know, when I caught you two in her kitchen,” Max grimaces, “doing whatever you were doing, I didn’t want you anywhere near her. I knew what you were like and yet I gave you a chance, because of her. She asked me to take it easy on you, and for a moment there I even believed you’ve changed. She was the happiest I’ve ever seen her. But now I see you’re still the asshole you were back in college.”

  “I know I am,” I don’t contradict him.

  He turns even redder. “You could’ve at least waited for her to wake up. If you could fuck her, you could at least have the balls to tell her to her face you’re leaving.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry?” he snorts. “Motherfucker!” He’s right in front of me in two long strides and he punches my face. My head snaps back, blood spilling from my nose. I welcome the pain. I wipe my nose with the back of my hand, but the bleeding doesn’t stop. I don’t hit him back. I deserved the punch. I welcome it. If it made him feel better, he can punch me again as far as I’m concerned. I won’t resist. He’s right—I can’t face April. If I went in to talk to her when she’s awake, I wouldn’t be able to leave. And I need to leave.

  Amanda steps between us and a security guard is running our way, but I hold my hands up to signal my surrender. I’m not planning on fighting Max. I turn on my heel and walk down the corridor toward the exit. Away from April.

  “You fucking coward!” Max yells after me.

  April

  I hear distant voices. It seems like they’re miles away. And I think I recognize them.

  “I think she’s waking up,” a female voice says. A chair screeching makes my ears bleed.

  “Get the doctor,” a man says. The door slams shut and I feel the warmth of a touch on my hand. “April?” Someone strokes my cheek.

  My eyelids flutter, but I can’t open my eyes because the light blinds me. I blink a few more times to get used to the light, and slowly, I open my eyes.

  “April?” I see Max’s face right above me, smiling. He looks relieved. “You have no idea how nice it is to see you with your beautiful eyes open.”

  “What happened?” My voice is hoarse like I haven’t spoken in a while and my mouth feels like I ate sand.

  “You don’t remember?” I shake my head. Max closes his eyes. “Perhaps it’s better this way.” One corner of his mouth turns up and he runs the back of his hand over my cheek. “I thought I’d never be able to talk with you like this again.”

  “Why?” What does he mean?

  “You really don’t remember anything?”

  I shake my head again. “No. Am I in the hospital?”

  “Yes. Ronnie...”

  “Oh, God, Ronnie,” I scream, twisting in bed, as it all suddenly comes back to me. “He kidnapped me. Drugged me!”

  “I know. But you’re safe now. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

  “Wh-what happened? How did you find me?”

  “Jude, um...,” Max clears his throat, “he tracked the GPS signal your bracelet transmitted.”

  “Jude. Shit. How is he?” My heart starts racing and the machine monitoring my heart starts beeping like crazy.

  “Shh, calm down. You need rest.”

  “The accident,” I repeat. “Where’s Jude? Has he gotten hurt in the accident? I was worried sick about him.”

  Max looks at me, remorse in his eyes. Why is he looking at me like that?

  “What?”

  “He’s fine,” he says through clenched teeth. “But he’s not here.”

  “He’s not here,” I repeat after him. “Okay, then where is he? I want to thank him.” Max purses his lips, turning away from me. “Max?”
The door to my room suddenly opens, the doctor and Amanda stepping into the room. Amanda runs to my side, giving me a gentle hug.

  “We’ve missed you!” she exclaims. I give her as small smile, still waiting for Max’s response.

  The doctor tells me her name is Dr. Quinn. She examines me, and I can’t wait for her to leave, so I can speak to Max. “Good. The wound’s heeling nicely, but I’m afraid you’re not going to get away without a scar.”

  “Huh?” I raise my gaze to Dr. Quinn. “What wound?” She points to my bandaged arm. I furrow my eyebrows.

  “Your wrist’s been cut open, but you have nothing to worry about. It’s healing well.”

  “What?!” I raise myself on one elbow, but I’m too dizzy to sit up. I look at my neatly bandaged forearm.

  “We found a large dose of sedatives in your system and it’s highly likely you don’t recall certain things due to the traumatic events you’ve endured, combined with all the sedatives.”

  “What traumatic event? You mean the kidnapping? Of course, I remember it. And the accident. I just don’t remember this happening,” I admit, pointing my head to my arm. I’m confused. Why are they all staring at me? “What?”

  “We barely got to you in time,” Max says, a tear rolling down his cheek. “And Ron, the man you trusted, betrayed your trust and Leo’s. He fooled us all.”

  I squeeze my eyebrows tightly together, shutting my eyes. “I know,” I nod.