by Linnea Hall
Collin glared at her suspiciously, “problems related to you?”
Not wanting to upset him, Jewell quickly shook her head. “No, just in general.”
“Then how come you two are the only ones with an escort?” Jewell was finding that it was going to be very difficult to lie to Collin, but she stuck to her story.
“We were just the last ones out.”
Collin continued to eye her, clearly not convinced. “Well then, why don’t we grab some coffee and beignets?” He reached for her hand.
Jewel shifted away from him, shrugging her shoulders. “Collin, I’m so tired. I really need to go home and get some sleep; tomorrow?”
“If you’re sure.” The concern was evident both on his face and in his voice.
“I’m sure. I’ll see you later, okay?” She gave him a hug that, without realizing it, conveyed her fear clearly to Collin.
“I’ll pick you up for work.”
“No, I’m riding with Ashley. Her car’s not working so I have to drive her.” The lies were uncomfortable, but until she knew what was happening, she didn’t want to tell Collin about it.
“I love you.” He hugged her back.
“I love you too.” She smiled, looking up at him. At least that had been an honest answer. He watched her as she walked back to Ashley and the security guard, and then followed her as they walked to the car.
“What did you tell him?” Ashley asked.
“I didn’t tell him anything.”
“Jewell, don’t you think you should tell him?”
“No, the police and security have everything in control. It’ll be okay.” Her voice was shaking. Ashley looked at Jewell. It was obvious that she thought Jewell was making the wrong decision, but she wasn’t going to tell her friend what was best for her.
Chapter 25
Collin walked into the front door and looked around. He heard voices coming from the kitchen so he walked down the hall in that direction. When he opened the door, everyone stopped talking and looked at him.
“What?” He looked at the group of people sitting around the table.
“Percy?” Gladys said, looking at Collin’s uncle.
“Collin, you know how I feel about you getting too close to people. We won’t be here forever. What are you going to do when we leave?”
“Maybe I won’t do anything. Maybe I’ll stay here.” Collin responded defiantly.
“You can’t Collin.”
“Why? Because you’re my legal guardian? Well, I have something to tell you Uncle Percy, I’m an adult now. What I do with my life from now on is my choice. Don’t get me wrong, I love you, and I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me, but I love Jewell.”
Percy sighed. He looked at Gladys who just shrugged. Kendryck got up to get a glass of water and Dot and Carl were engaged in their own personal conversation, too interested in each other to help Percy. Percy looked at Collin, clearly exasperated, but not knowing what to say.
“Is that it, then?” Collin asked, glaring at everyone sitting at the table. When no one said anything, he walked out, going to his quarters behind the house. He grabbed a fishing pole and wandered out to a pond, or more of a swamp, about two miles from the house. Living on such a large piece of land definitely had its advantages.
After he had been out for a few hours, he started feeling better and started walking back to the house. The worst part about all of this was Jewell. What was going on with her? He glanced at his watch. It was only noon; the middle of the night for Jewell. It would be rude to drive to her house just to make himself feel better. He didn’t really feel like going to New Orleans. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. After he put his pole away, he walked into the house and headed toward the kitchen. He wasn’t really hungry, but he couldn’t think of anything else to do. Walking into the house, he saw his uncle watching TV in the parlor. Collin walked in and sat down next to Percy.
“I’m sorry.” Collin didn’t look at his uncle.
Percy put his arm around his nephew. “I’m sorry too. I know that you really like this girl, but you know that you can’t get too involved with people. We’ve already been here for a couple of years, we’ll probably move on in another year or so.”
“But why? Why can’t I get close to someone? Why do I have to move?”
Percy, with his usual evasiveness said “I thought we’d go to Australia. I haven’t been there in a while, and I miss vegemite. Have you ever had vegemite?
Collin sighed. He gave his uncle a quick hug and got up from the couch. “I’m going to see if I can find some lunch, do you want anything?”
When Collin arrived at the hospital before Jewell’s shift, he parked his car and went to stand in his usual place, a place where he would be certain to see her as she walked into work. He had noticed that security seemed to be tighter. At the entrance to the garage the gate, which was usually up, was lowered and he had to stop to give the attendant his ID before entering the garage. He was also surprised that the attendant knew who he was. The man had laughed as he handed Collin’s driver’s license back to him. “So you’re Collin. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Then he lifted the gate so that Collin could enter the garage. Collin noticed a security guard discretely positioned so that he could see who was entering and leaving the garage. In the guard house, Collin noticed a piece of paper tacked to a bulletin board with a license plate number, the description of a car, and the physical characteristics of someone, apparently with a broken leg.
As he wound his way through the garage, Collin spotted two more security guards on foot with billy clubs out, and one sitting in his car near the exit to the garage. Maybe Jewell wasn’t lying; maybe the person didn’t have any interest in a particular person, but rather was just some sick freak with a nurse fetish. While he was waiting, he watched several nurses walk into the building. He noticed security guards walking past, but none of them took any particular interest in the nurses entering the hospital.
Collin didn’t see Jewell’s car as he wound through the garage which meant she probably wasn’t there yet, but he knew that he would see her as she walked toward the hospital. He watched towards the parking area, waiting for her. When he finally saw her, he noticed a security guard, following behind her and Ashley as they made their way to the hospital. This only confirmed his fear that this was about her in particular and not about the nurses in general. When Jewell saw Collin, both Ashley and Jewell walked toward where he was standing. Collin smiled at Ashley and asked if he could have a minute alone with Jewell. Ashley winked at him and started toward the employee entrance. Collin watched the guard as Ashley left. He hadn’t moved. He stood a discrete distance from them, but his attention was definitely focused on Jewell.
Jewell practically threw herself at Collin; out of excitement or fear, Collin wasn’t certain. “Did you want to tell me the truth now?” He asked her gently.
She sighed and leaned the top of her head against his chest staring down at the pavement. “A couple of nights ago a guy came in looking for a blonde nurse with a ponytail. Since I’m the only nurse on night shift with blonde hair, they assume he meant me. He showed up again last night, but left before they could catch him.”
“Catch him? Why were they trying to catch him? I’m up here every night looking for you and they’ve never tried to catch me.”
“A couple of the nurses saw him and reported him. He just looked a little weird, that’s all.”
“Seems like pretty tight security for ‘a little weird.’ Maybe I should start driving you to work.”
“No, it’s fine. Security here has everything under control, and the guy hasn’t come back. I’ll be fine. Plus Ashley rides with me every day, so I’m never coming in alone. Tom at the guardhouse lets security know when I come in and I tell security when I leave, so it’s fine, see?” Jewell looked up at Collin, trying to read his face. She didn’t want a personal body guard.
“Do you know what this guy wants?”
“No. He’s probably just some creep.
He came into the ER a couple of days after you came in. I guess he saw me and just got obsessed or something.”
“I can definitely understand how that can happen.” He smiled and gave her a little squeeze. “Well, it does look like they’re taking pretty good care of you.” He waved at the security guard who waved back, but didn’t smile. The security guard’s eyes were constantly searching the shadows and the surrounding area for possible danger. “It’s a good thing the guy at the guardhouse knew who I was too, or he wouldn’t have let me in! Apparently, you’ve been telling stories about me.”
She hugged him. “It’s kind of unbelievable that you’re mine. I can’t help telling everyone how wonderful you are. I’ve got to get to work. Will you be here in the morning?”
“If they let me in.”
“I’ll make sure security knows who you are.” She gave him a quick kiss and ran towards the hospital.
As Collin walked back to his car, he stopped to talk with the security guard. “What do you think about all this?”
He shrugged. “It’s definitely worth taking seriously, but we’ve had incidents like this before, usually with ex-boyfriends,” he eyed Collin, “but the group we’ve got here is pretty tight and none of our nurses have ever been hurt while they’re on hospital property. We’ve also alerted the New Orleans police, although they can’t do anything unless the guy tries something.”
“Tries something?” Collin asked. “What does that mean?”
“Well, he actually has to try to attack her before they can arrest him. They have his name and description of his car. He doesn’t have a criminal record if that makes you feel any better.”
“Yeah, much.” Collin said sarcastically. “Does Jewell know all of this too?”
“I know she knows what he looks like, and security told her what his car looks like, but I don’t know if she knows his name or anything.”
Collin gave the man a pat on the shoulder and nodded as he turned toward his car. He thought about the guard’s words, while on hospital property. He wasn’t convinced that this guy wasn’t a real threat, and he definitely wasn’t convinced that Jewell knew about the danger she could be in. His uncle didn’t like his relationship with Jewell, but maybe he would have some ideas about what could be done to protect her.
*
When Collin got home, he found his uncle out walking in the garden. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure kid. What’s on your mind?” He smiled up at Collin as he pulled a weed out from between some oleander plants.
“Well, I know you don’t approve of my relationship with Jewell, but I need some help with a situation she’s involved in and I don’t really know what to do.”
Collin’s uncle stood up and gestured to a bench that was on the side of the path. “It’s not that I don’t approve, it’s just that there are circumstances that would make your relationship with her…complicated.”
“Well, it’s complicated now. Someone is stalking her.”
His uncle was quiet for a minute, contemplative. “What do you mean, stalking her?”
Collin explained the situation at the hospital. “I’m not really concerned about her at work, I think that security is taking care of her, but I’m worried about her when she’s not at work. I don’t know anything about this guy, and she doesn’t know very much. I’m scared something is going to happen to her, but she doesn’t seem to take it seriously. The police can’t do anything, I was wondering if you had any advice. Any ideas about what I can do to protect her?”
“Where does this guy know her from?”
“He was a patient in the hospital, about the same time I was there. For some reason he just keeps following her.”
“Does anyone at the hospital know about your relationship with Jewell?” His uncle asked harshly, almost accusingly.
“Well, Ashley for sure. That’s her best friend. The guy at the parking garage seemed to know. I would guess if he knows than it’s not much of a secret. Why?”
“When did you start seeing her? When was the first time that you two were together?”
“I don’t know Uncle Percy. I guess when I was in the ICU. What difference does it make?
Percy got up from the bench, mumbling to himself and walking toward the house leaving Collin sitting on the bench speechless and confused.
Chapter 26
When Jewell came out of the hospital in the morning, she was accompanied by Ashley and a security guard. Collin approached them, pulling Jewell aside. “I’m going to follow you to the house.”
“What? Why?”
“I’m not worried when you’re at work. They’re doing a great job, but what about when you’re not at work? What are you going to do if he shows up at your house or something? Have you even told your dad?” The concern in his voice was apparent.
“Well, no. I guess since the hospital is the only…” Jewell’s voice caught.
“The hospital is the only what?”
“Um, never mind.” Collin glared at her. She couldn’t lie to him. “Well, I was going to say the hospital is the only place I’ve seen him…”
“But it’s not.” It was an accusation. “I’m following you home.” He didn’t even look back as he walked purposefully toward his car; his stride angry.
“What did he say?” Ashley was curious as Jewell rejoined her to walk to the car.
“He figured out that this guy hasn’t just shown up at the hospital. He’s worried. I think he’s taking it upon himself to be my personal bodyguard.”
Ashley sighed. “That’s so romantic.”
“Well, he’s going to follow us home.” Jewell got into the car and unlocked it for Ashley. They drove home without talking.
“So I guess you’re going to stay with Collin for the next couple days?”
“Apparently, he’s not going to leave me alone. Not that I really mind, of course.” She smiled. “I’ll call you and let you know if officer heartthrob is going to let me ride in to work with you on Saturday, or if he’s going to insist on chauffeuring me around.”
“Okay, have fun.” Ashley winked and shut the door. She watched as Jewell backed out and noticed Collin’s silver corvette near the end of the road, waiting for Jewell. She drove past, and he followed.
Jewell pulled into her driveway. Her father was home, so Collin parked on the street. Jewell waited by her car as Collin walked up the driveway. He put his arm around her shoulders protectively as they walked toward the house. Inside, it was apparent to her father that something was wrong. There was tension in both of their faces.
“What’s wrong?” Jewell’s dad asked as soon as they walked into the living room.
Collin walked to the chair, other than the couch and the table the TV sat on it was the only furniture in the room. He gestured for Jewell to sit down, and stood behind her, his hand resting on the back of the chair. Jewell looked up at him to see if he was going to explain to her father what was going on at work. It was clear that he wanted her to tell him.
“Well,” Jewell started, “there’s this guy at work who is kind of hanging around me.”
“Hanging around you how?” Her father asked suspiciously.
Jewell shrugged. “He just showed up a couple of times at work, that’s all. Security is taking care of it. They’ve also told the New Orleans police.”
“And…” Collin prompted.
“What? What else is there?” Jewell asked.
Jewell’s father looked at Collin for an explanation. “He hasn’t only shown up at the hospital. Apparently, she saw him when she was in Lake Charles with Ashley.”
Jewell’s father got out of the chair and walked over to the phone. He punched in a number. “Alex? Tommy. I need some help. Would it be easier if I come down to the station or do you want to stop by after you get off work?” He waited. “Okay then. We’ll see you in a few minutes.” Tommy hung up the phone. “Alex is going to come to the house and take an official report.”
Jewell sighed. “D
ad, is this really necessary?”
“Yes,” answered Collin and her father at the same time.
When Alex Stanley arrived at the house, Jewell told the story again with Collin filling in details that he felt were important. After asking questions and taking notes for about forty-five minutes, Alex stepped out to his squad car. Jewell watched him out the window, talking on his cell phone.
After several minutes, Alex came back inside. “I called the information into the station. He doesn’t have any charges that we can pick him up on, not even a parking ticket. I have a couple of friends in New Orleans police department. We also let Andy Baraven with the St. Tammany Sheriff’s department know what’s going on. Now, you understand that we can’t do anything unless he threatens Jewell, but we’ll definitely be watching her.”
Jewell’s dad had stood up to stand by Alex. He clapped Alex on the back, “Thanks. That makes me feel a lot better.”
“Anytime Tommy,” Alex said, reaching for the handle on the door. “I need to get back to the station so that I can write this up before my shift ends. I’ll call you if anything comes up.” Alex opened the door and stepped out.
“Thanks Alex.” He shut the door and sat back down on the couch. Jewell was pale, visibly shaken by having to recount everything that’s been going on.
Jewell’s father looked at her. “Jewell honey, you don’t look good. I know you’re tired. Why don’t you go to bed?”
“Yeah dad, you’re probably right. She turned to Collin and gave him a hug. He hugged her protectively then leaned down to kiss her cheek. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you,” he whispered.
She just smiled at him. She gave her dad a hug and then disappeared into the hall heading towards her bedroom. Jewell’s father turned toward Collin and looked at his watch. “She’ll probably sleep until about six, especially since she got to bed so late.”
“Yes sir. I’d like to stay here if that’s okay with you. I told her I’d make sure nothing happened to her. I don’t like to break my promises.”
Jewell’s father gestured to the chair. “Can I get you a book or something, or maybe you can find something on TV that you want to watch.”