by L. T. Marie
According to the file, Tory had never received a text, e-mail, or phone call of any kind, so the increased number of letters over the past few weeks made sense. It also explained why the letters had become more demanding, more violent. The more she refused him, the angrier he was bound to become.
Stage Three: Obsessive Phase
This phase is marked by the subject beginning to lose total control and suffering from extreme anxiety. They think about their love interest nonstop, developing a rapid escalation in behaviors such as phone calls, letters, etc. Subject may accuse love interest of infidelity and perform drive-bys of home or other places where person may spend time.
Lee thought about the person she had witnessed driving by the West home earlier that day, and a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach emerged. From tomorrow on, around-the-clock cameras would be posted at every available angle right outside the front gate. If he attempted to drive by again, maybe they would get a good look at his face, or at the very least a license plate. She wouldn’t go home tomorrow until the task was completed.
Stage Four: Destructive Phase
The final phase is the most dangerous of the four phases. At this point the stalker is in a deep depression and will most likely display feelings of self-blame or self-hatred. A desire to seek revenge is likely. Suicidal thoughts may manifest, as may thoughts of homicide.
“What does that mean exactly?” she murmured in irritation. A physical confrontation? A break-in? Damn it. She needed specifics. Gary was usually good at his job, but this piece of paper was sloppy work. For all she knew, he could have found out this information himself by Googling stalkers over the Internet. She’d call him first thing in the morning and double-check to make sure his source was legit. Knowing Gary, if he had a source it would probably be a current or ex-FBI profiler, although the credentials didn’t matter as long as the information was accurate.
She had already laid out three pairs of pressed black jeans and matching T-shirts for the week, along with the nine-millimeter Beretta she was licensed to carry. After cleaning her weapon and polishing her boots, she would be equipped for the next few days. Following her motto, “It pays to be prepared,” she wouldn’t let anyone catch her off guard or not be ready in a moment’s notice.
She dimmed the light above her head to a soft glow, then burrowed under the sheets and tried to relax. She still couldn’t sleep soundly throughout the night, and when her demons surfaced, it was easier to wake up to the light than to night’s shadows. As the heaviness of sleep overtook her, she pictured Jo’s face and drifted off to sleep with a smile.
Chapter Five
“What do you mean she’s gone?” Tory said as Marilyn handed her a copy of the upcoming tour schedule. When Jo hadn’t met her for breakfast at seven, Tory had sent Marilyn upstairs to look for her. Since then, Marilyn had scoured the house from top to bottom, but they still hadn’t found any sign of her. “She’s not supposed to leave the damn house.”
“You know Jo.” Marilyn shrugged. “She probably needed fresh air and went for a walk. I’m sure she’s fine.”
Tory threw the schedule onto the desk, the papers slapping against the polished wood. “A walk? Listen to yourself? She’s on crutches and has broken ribs, for God’s sakes!”
“Tory, calm down.”
“No, you calm down and find my sister!” Tory picked up the phone to call Gary just as Dan Powers, her primary bodyguard, appeared with Lee Winters in tow. “Oh, thank God, you’re here. Jo’s missing.”
Lee stopped. She couldn’t have heard correctly. Two minutes on the job and already Jo was missing? “For how long?” she asked calmly, although she felt like punching something.
“We don’t know. Last time I saw her was around ten last night.”
Lee chastised herself inwardly for already dropping the ball. A good soldier was always prepared for anything, which just proved she wasn’t a hundred percent on her game. After scribbling down a few notes, she handed the piece of paper to Dan. “Call Gary and assemble the rest of the guys. We’ll meet in five to do a full sweep of the house and grounds.”
Dan nodded but glanced in Tory’s direction. She answered his unspoken question. “I told you, whatever she says, goes.”
Lee turned her attention back to Tory. “What was the last thing you two talked about?”
“What we always talk about. Her leaving. She was angry and we fought, but I didn’t think she’d actually leave.”
“When did you realize she was gone?”
“About a half hour ago.”
“Seven thirty,” Lee said, mostly to herself, as she looked at her watch. “And you checked her room thoroughly?”
“Of course! I’m not stupid, just upset.” Tory inhaled deeply in an obvious attempt to rein in her temper. “I’m sorry, that was rude. Yes, Marilyn checked.”
“My apologies but I have to cover everything. Has she ever done this before?”
“Unfortunately.” This time when Tory spoke, the angry edge was gone, replaced with resigned weariness. “Jo is very independent and doesn’t enjoy being told what to do. She promised me last night that if she left the grounds she’d tell someone. It’s not like she could go far in her condition so I didn’t think much of it. Besides, she promised we’d talk and have breakfast together before I left today. It’s not something we’re able to do when I’m touring. The nights turn into days faster than I’d like when we’re on the road.”
Lee didn’t want to frighten Tory, but there was a nine-hour gap between when Tory had last seen Jo and the time she realized Jo was missing. Anything could have happened during that period. She could have wanted some time alone, or she could have been kidnapped. Lee jotted down every detail Tory could remember, from what Jo was wearing to what she ate for her last meal. She ignored the slight tremor in her hand. Coffee on an empty stomach always made her a little shaky.
“Shouldn’t you be out looking for her or something?” Tory said. “I don’t understand all these questions. Who cares about her eating and sleeping habits? She’s missing and you need to find her!”
Lee rested her hip against the desk, not taking the outburst personally. Mentally detaching herself from other people’s emotions had always been one of her gifts. She couldn’t think about what would happen if another person she was asked to protect died. So she focused on the list of tour dates on Tory’s desk to concentrate on something other than Tory’s emotional state. “Ma’am, the details are important because they allow me to outline a pattern of your sister’s behavior. According to what you’ve told me, this is not the first time she’s—”
“What’s going on?” Jo asked from the doorway, leaning heavily on her crutches.
“What’s wrong?” Tory asked angrily. “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been worried sick!”
“I needed some air,” Jo said, her tone defensive. “And since when do I have to check in with you?”
“Damn it, Jo. You know you don’t have to check in, but with everything going on didn’t you think I’d be worried? All I ask is that you tell someone—me, your bodyguard, anyone here—that you’re going out. You’re still injured. Something could have happened to you.”
“And that doesn’t sound like checking in to you? Tell someone. Leave a note. Being chained to a goddamned bodyguard!”
“Look, I don’t want to argue.”
“Then stop telling me what the hell to do. I went for a walk, Tory. A walk!” Jo said, her voice escalating with each word. “What do you want me to do? Sit in bed all day and play solitaire?”
Lee watched the sisters argue but stayed out of the way. They reminded her of two billy goats, fighting for space on a steep cliff. Jo’s defensive posture and the flaring of her nostrils were sure signals that the final blow would be delivered shortly. Jo might have only gone for a walk, but she did so by escaping the notice of the four bodyguards currently on duty. After today she would make damn sure it never happened again.
“No, I didn’t expect
you to lock yourself away, but why can’t you understand—” Tory paused as Jo swayed and fainted. “Jo!”
Lee leapt forward and caught Jo’s head before it hit the ground. Placing two fingers on Jo’s carotid artery, she detected the even pulsations against her fingertips. Her own heartbeat steadied as Jo slowly opened her eyes.
“Lee?”
“Yes.” Good, she’s talking and aware of her surroundings. “Are you okay?”
“I think so,” Jo murmured. She placed her hands on Lee’s forearms and tightened her grip. “Help me up.” Jo made it halfway to her feet before she sagged again, but this time Lee was ready. She held her close, taking her weight to keep her from further injuring herself.
“Jo, honey,” Tory said, holding her sister’s face between her hands.
“Ms. West,” Lee said to Tory as she cradled Jo’s head and hooked one arm under Jo’s legs, lifting her as easily as she would a small child. “Move.”
Lee carried Jo up the stairs, being careful not to bump her casted leg against any obstacles along the way. She placed Jo onto her bed, ignoring the fatigue in her left arm, more concerned with Jo’s incoherent murmurs and the glazed expression that suggested she was still disoriented. She tried to adjust pillows and blankets to make Jo comfortable, while Tory stood next to the bed talking into her cell phone.
“Yes, Doctor. Twice. No. Yes…uh hum…yes. Okay…thank you. See you soon. Bye.” Tory sat on the edge of the bed and held Jo’s hand. “Dr. Chase says you’re to stay put until he arrives. He told me to give you fluids and ask if you’ve had any troubles with your vision or if your headache has returned.”
“Tory,” Jo said, her voice stronger but still weary. “I’m not an invalid. When the doctor gets here, I’ll talk to him. Now, please, everyone out.”
Tory left without another word. Lee, though, remained rooted to the foot of the bed, studying Jo like a terrain map, searching for any signs of weakness or confusion that could mean trouble.
Jo glanced at Lee curiously. “Why are you still here?”
“Just leaving. I’ll be on the other side of the door if you need anything. Hope you feel better.”
“Outside my door? Why?”
“Because that’s my job. Call out if you need anything.”
Lee closed the door behind her and stared at her hands, willing them to stop shaking. The dark circles under Jo’s eyes and her fainting spell had her worried, and until the doctor arrived and supplied a more clinical update, she wouldn’t be able to relax or calm her racing heart.
*
Dr. Chase closed Jo’s bedroom door and nearly bumped into Tory, who was pacing in the hallway. Lee remained leaning against the wall close enough to overhear their hushed conversation.
“How is she, Doctor? Is she okay? Does she need to go back to the hospital? Is she—”
“Whoa! Easy. She’s fine. The dizziness was most likely due to hypoglycemia, since she told me she hasn’t eaten much in the past few days. Not eating combined with the little bit of exercise from her walk and the pain medication wasn’t a good mix. I tried to tell her that before,” he said, and chuckled. “But you know Jo. Luckily she fainted inside the house rather than outside by herself.”
He’d been with Jo an hour. A very long hour, in Lee’s opinion. Finally, she could take a deep breath, but not until Tory and the doctor were elsewhere. She remained motionless with her hands in her pockets and her back against the wall. If her dark clothes didn’t stand out against the white walls, no one would have even noticed she was there.
“Thank you, Doctor,” Tory said. “God, she’s so damn stubborn!” Tory was speaking to the air more than anything. The doctor nodded and gave instructions about bed rest and food before he left.
“Sure seems that way,” Lee said, realizing immediately she’d spoken out loud.
“Starting to regret taking this job?”
“Not at all. But until she accepts the idea of needing a bodyguard, she could be in danger.”
“I agree. Can I ask a favor?”
Lee motioned warily for Tory to continue.
“Jo won’t listen to me. In fact, she’s barely speaking to me. Maybe you could get through to her. Make her understand.”
“I don’t think—”
“Please, Lee.” Tory stepped closer and lowered her voice in an obvious attempt to make sure Jo couldn’t hear them through the door. “I need her to appreciate that this isn’t a joke.”
“Ms. West. This isn’t a good idea.” And definitely not my expertise.
“Probably not,” Tory said, and smiled. “But I have nothing to lose.”
Tory placed her back against the wall and hunched her shoulders, a telltale sign of defeat. From what little she’d witnessed of the superstar’s controlling personality, she had to be at her wits’ end to be reduced to begging. It further confirmed her suspicions that no matter how strained the sisters’ relationship was, Tory was willing to do whatever it took to protect Jo. It wasn’t what she signed up for, but if it kept her client safe, she was willing to give it a go.
“I’ll speak to her if you think it will help.”
“Thank you.”
Yeah, right. She’d need more than thanks to get through Jo’s wall of independence.
*
Jo rolled over with a groan, her back protesting from lying in the same position for the last few hours. She swallowed, her throat as dry as sandpaper from falling asleep with her mouth open. The water glass was inches beyond her grasp. Maybe if she could get just a little closer…
“Ow, shit.” She grimaced as her cast leg tumbled awkwardly to the floor, pulling her halfway off the bed. The death grip she had on the covers was the only thing keeping her from sliding all the way to the floor. “Help!”
Lee burst through the door, her gun at the ready, and quickly scanned the room, to find Jo half hanging out of bed. She holstered her firearm, carefully picked up the casted leg, and placed it gently back onto the bed.
“Can I get you anything for the pain?” Lee asked, her voice laced with concern.
“No, but thanks. I’m actually feeling better now that I’m not engaged in a sadistic version of Twister.”
“Are you sure? Maybe something for that headache?”
“What makes you think I have a headache?”
Lee smiled. “Educated guess. Besides, I’ve been told I’m one helluva good detective.”
Jo bet she was good at a lot of things but couldn’t think about any of those things right now, especially with Lee staring at her so intently. She was acutely aware of the fact she was only wearing panties and a T-shirt. Her nipples and clit hardened involuntarily, a response to Lee’s hand still resting on her thigh. Self-consciously she pulled the blanket up to cover her whole body before it gave her away. “You’re right. It’s terrible. But before I take something for it, I have to go to the bathroom. Could you…uh…possibly help me up?”
“Of course. What can I do?”
“For one, you can stand down, Soldier. Your seriousness weirds me out a bit. And then you can start by handing me my robe and those crutches.”
Lee turned away to give Jo privacy as she slipped on a robe. As soon as Jo voiced the okay to turn back around, she held the crutches steady for her until she was able to maneuver on her own power.
“You don’t have to follow me, you know,” she said as Lee stayed close. “The bathroom is only a few feet away.”
“Yes, I know. But for your safety I’d rather be nearby just in case.”
“Do you always have to be so annoyingly in charge, Lee?” She hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, but Lee’s freakish control was starting to grate on her nerves. Tory had enough say over her life at the moment, and she wasn’t about to give up any more to anyone for any reason.
Lee glanced down at her, her face a blank canvas. “Yes. But I am sorry it ‘weirds you out,’ as you so interestingly put it. My job is to protect you, Ms. West. So I’ll wait for you here. Just in case.”
She closed the bathroom door, thankful for the privacy. Figuring out her new bodyguard was like navigating a minefield, and she really didn’t know whether she wanted to hug her or hit her. When she was finished and felt slightly more human, she returned to bed and studied Lee, composed as always, standing at the far end of the room and looking a little unsure what to do next. She could tell by the slight fidget of Lee’s hand that she was a tad uneasy. She wasn’t sure if Lee was aware of the nervous habit, but the thought of making her squirm just a little gave Jo a bit of satisfaction.
“How about you come and sit over here for a while?” Jo pointed to the chair by her bed. “We could get to know each other since it appears we’re going to be spending a lot of time together.”
“I’m good here. Thanks.”
“Funny, you don’t look okay. In fact you look…nervous. Like you’re ready to crawl out of your skin. Do I make you uncomfortable, Lee?”
“Really, ma’am, I’m fine.” Lee’s body became even more rigid and her gaze hardened.
“Okay then.” It’s just freaky how she can flip a switch like that. Robot. “We haven’t had a chance to talk. Come on…sit. Why don’t you tell me a little about your background?”
Lee acquiesced and sat rigidly in the nearby chair. “What would you like to know?”
“Anything, I suppose. My sister told me you were in the service. How about we start there?” The sudden change that came over Lee made Jo wish she’d asked another question. Lee dropped her eyes to her hands, where they dangled between her legs. Her shoulders hunched forward, her jaw clenched. “Hey. I didn’t mean to pry.”