LETHAL OBSESSION

by Carey Regenold

  She walked over to the refreshment table with her back ramrod straight. Picking up a plate, Ellen selected some tiny sandwiches, olives, carrot sticks, and potato salad. The punch looked like an interesting mixture of fruit juice and sherbet so she poured herself some. Then she peered over the groups of people and tried to select a friendly looking bunch. Being shy and quiet most of her life, Ellen was having trouble conquering this annoying discomfort.

  “Mmm, I like what I see here.” A gruff male voice boomed behind her.

  Ellen startled, almost spilling the punch she held. Turning to see who belonged to the voice, her eyes widened. The man was a giant and she had to look up to meet his eyes. From the scruffy gray beard to the lumber jack plaid shirt, and the Santa Claus protruding belly, Ellen shook her head and tried to regain her composure. She felt a hysterical laugh deep inside just dying to be set free.

  The man ogled the swell rising from her sweater. “Well, well. Sure is nice to see a pretty little thing like you around here. Usually the women that come to these parties are two ton tillies and desperados.” He actually smacked his lips. “Yes siree. Sure is nice. What’s your name, Sweetie Pie?” He lowered his head to peer at her nametag causing Ellen to take a step back. “Ellen, now that's a beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”

  Ellen had to work to keep her mouth from dropping open. She was speechless and wasn’t even sure how she was going to get away from this person. Desperately, her eyes scanned the room searching for a means of escape.

  “Excuse my bad manners, Honey.” He thrust a beefy hand in her direction. “My name is Elmer. See? He pointed to his tag. Says so right here. Hey we kinda match, don't we? Ellen and Elmer.” Then he laughed loudly as if the statement was hilarious.

  “Oh...uh...nice to meet you.” She tried to balance her plate and drink to shake his hand.

  “So, Miss Ellen.” Elmer tucked her hand between his arm and rotund body. What’s a sweet looking thing like you doing in a place like this?” His lecherous gaze raked her body coming to rest once more on the V of her sweater.

  “Same thing you are, I guess.” His condescending attitude was getting on her nerves. She tugged to free her hand and not topple her plate and punch.

  “Look, Elwood...” “

  Elmer, Honey. The name’s Elmer. Come on. I think they’re playing our song.” He took her plate and punch, and placed it on the table. Ellen felt like a hapless lamb being led to the slaughter as he maneuvered her out onto the dance floor. He was every bit as clumsy as he looked. She winced when his heavy shoe came down on her tender toes. He had her in a tight bear hug and she grimaced as her face was pressed against his rough shirt. Damn, she thought. This was insanity. Her mind worked feverishly to find a way out of this predicament. Pissing off Big Foot might be hazardous to her health. The situation called for some tact, a lot of stealth, and perhaps some brute strength. She moved her head and attempted to look around the room. His voice came down close to her ear. His spittoon breath made her want to gag.

  “Who ya lookin for, Honey? I’ve already staked my claim on this little heifer tonight.” He patted her rump. “You is now with me, pretty lady.”

  Furious, Ellen had taken all she could stomach. At this point she didn’t care about anything but getting away from this lecherous buffoon. Who did he think he was? Still her common sense warned her. He was a stranger and making enemies of strangers was not a good idea. Ellen shoved hard to put some distance between them. She tried to keep her voice as civil as possible. “I’m looking for the bathroom, do you mind?”

  He looked down at her grinning, and his arms loosened. “No problem, Honey. You just remember to come back now, ya hear? Cause your Elmer is gonna be right here a waitin.”

  When he released her, Ellen began walking away quickly. It didn’t matter which direction she was going. She just wanted to get away. She saw the sign pointing to the ladies room and ducked in. Women were coming and going. Ellen sat down in front of the mirror feeling at a loss. This was not the kind of evening she had envisioned. Ellen thought she could be brave and was hoping to make some friends. Now all she wanted to do was go home where she felt safe. Ellen gave herself a sardonic look in the mirror. Well, coming here seemed like a good idea at the time. At least she got in the door. For her, that was a feat in itself. She didn't count on being man handled by some giant mountain man.

  Ellen wondered how long she would have to hide out in the ladies room. Thirty minutes later, Ellen went to the door and peeped out. Surely Big Foot has given up on her by now and found himself another victim. She left the restroom and stayed against the wall, slowly working her way to the exit. Her gaze darted around the room like a frightened deer ready to bolt.

  “There you are." Ellen froze. "I’ve been lookin all over for ya, Honey. Figured ya fell in or somethin.” Elmer’s voice blasted behind her, as he hooted in laughter at his own joke.

  She fought the urge to run and suffered his heavy hand on her shoulder. In exasperation Ellen flung his hand off her body.

  “Look, Mister, keep your hands off me.”

  “The name’s Elmer, Honey. Come on over here and sit down with me. Can’t have you sneaking off before I get your phone number. I want to see a lot more of you. Yes siree, I sure do.”

  “Elmer...no...I really have to leave.” She dug her heels in and struggled against his iron clad grasp on her wrists.

  “I ain’t letting you go, Honey. I’s been lookin for a gal like you all my life. You ain’t gettin away that easy. Now be a good girl and come on over here and set with me.”

  Suddenly a second male voice came from behind Ellen. “Darling, there you are. I’m ready to leave and I couldn’t find you.”

  Ellen swung her head around, wondering who was trying to hit on her this time. That's when her mouth opened in shock.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Dr. Carrington had just walked up like a knight in shining armor and placed a protective arm around her shoulders. Rick put his other hand out to the mountain man for a friendly shake. With a warm smile he said. “I see you’ve met my fiancé, Ellen. Isn’t she a jewel?

  Elmer turned accusing eyes on Ellen. “You didn’t tell me you was engaged. So whatcha doin at a single’s dance?”

  Ellen felt tongue-tied. “I...uh...”

  Rick beamed at her. “Actually Elmer, Ellen and I love to dance and there aren’t very many places around here. Isn’t that right, my love?”

  He nudged her with his knee, bringing her brain to life. “Yes, that’s right, Elmer.” She slipped her arm around her doctor's waist. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we really need to run. It was so nice to have met you.”

  She reached out to shake his fat hand and Rick guided her to the door. When they got out into the cool night air, Ellen breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh my God, that was utterly awful."

  "But you got here. See? I said you were brave."

  She flashed him a sardonic look. "You also said I wasn't crazy. This is the epitome of crazy."

  Rick gave her his killer smile. "Perhaps, but at least you had the courage to get in there and try."

  "Dr. Carrington, this was a once in a lifetime, never to be attempted again."

  "You're not my client tonight. Why don't you call me Rick."

  "Rick, I'm Ellen, see?" She pointed to her name tag.

  He laughed. "It is so very nice to meet you, Ellen."

  When she looked into his emerald eyes an inappropriate emotion hit her out of the blue. Ellen felt herself become so sexually aroused she could hardly breathe. What was it with her and married men? This was ridiculous. Quickly looking away, she grappled for composure.

  "How can I thank you for rescuing me?"

  "Are you hungry?"

  "Obviously Elmer Big Foot took my food away, so I'm starving."

  "Great, I know just the place."

  They drove to a quaint little inn nestled in the hills where the restaurant was elegant and the food delicious. As they sipped their wine, Ellen was puzz
led. Why was Rick at a singles dance?

  "Ellen, you look like you want to ask me something."

  "I saw the photo on your desk and I thought you had a family. So what..."

  "Am I doing at a singles dance?"

  "Yes."

  "I'm widowed like you."

  "You did understand what I was going through."

  "Yes I did, very much so."

  That shadow of sadness in his eyes, it all made sense now. This wonderful man was wounded too.

  "Can you talk about it?"

  "No, not easily." Rick lowered his head and wiped at the corner of his eye.

  "That's okay Rick. I'm sorry I asked. You don't have to." Why did she invade his privacy like that? How embarrassing.

  "I do want to tell you, Ellen, if you'll just give me a minute."

  It was ironic that she felt their roles were now reversed. "Take all the time you need, Rick.

  "Two years ago we were coming back from vacation. A drunk driver was speeding toward us, drifted into our lane and we were hit head on. My wife and two children died instantly in the crash." Oh God. There were no words to express her anguish at this moment. All Ellen knew was that she needed to be here for him. Reaching over she took Rick's hand as he told his story.

  "I was hospitalized a several weeks and they thought I might die too. I wanted to but I didn't. Apparently it was my calling to hang around this earth plane and learn a few more of life's dire lessons. Sometimes I still have some pretty horrid nightmares, but slowly that's getting better."

  "I can relate, Rick."

  "I know you can."

  They sat in silence for several minutes, hands entwined, just giving each other comfort. It was Ellen who spoke first. "I hope in some way I can help you like you've helped me."

  "Ellen, I need to talk to you about that. We have a professional relationship. With you being my client, I shouldn't be seeing you outside the office like this. For me that is unethical. The problem is I would like to see you socially."

  "Well Rick, I believe I can help you solve that problem. As of this very minute I am no longer your client. You are such a good psychiatrist that you have cured me completely, Dr. Carrington. Shall we drink to my graduation?"

  Rick held up his glass. "Well you certainly are adept at cutting through all the red tape of an ethical issue. I tried to date once I healed from my injuries, but just couldn't bring myself to do it. Laura was just too much in my heart. I still wear my wedding band."

  Ellen held out her left hand displaying her diamond band in front of Mark's gold one. She touched the gold band. "I found Mark's ring in the wreckage and got some mighty nasty cuts in the process."

  "That had to have been horrible to see where he died."

  "It was but it was something I felt compelled to do. If I had not received help that night, I could've easily been hopelessly lost out there."

  "And for that, I owe a thank you to Gene Stone." Rick enclosed her hand inside his, touched the rings, and looked into her eyes. "Both of us have loved deeply which is very rare. Many people have no clue as to what that really means. Will you do me the honor of your future company, Ellen Anderson?"

  "I would be delighted, Richard Carrington."

  "How do you feel about volunteer work?"

  "Yes, I would love to do that. I just don't know how to go about it. And as you well know I've been in this black funk."

  "I volunteer at a soup kitchen on Wednesday nights. Would you like to join me? I don't mean it to be our first date or anything."

  "Rick, you warm my heart. Tonight is our first date when you became my hero and saved me from Big Foot. I also have some ideas about working with people in need if you'd like to hear them. "Tell me about it."

  "As I said in my sessions, my drunken dad knocked around my mom and me a lot and there was really no place for us to go."

  "I remember."

  "Mark and I were making plans to build a shelter until... Well I still want to do it. Something needs to be done about so much violence to women and children. Somebody needs to protect them, give them a place where they can feel safe. My dream is a state of the art shelter for the victims of this horrid crime."

  "I love that idea and would really enjoy helping you with it."

  "That would be wonderful. It seems my mind has been so bogged down with grief, I had forgotten about these plans."

  "Let's plan it together, Ellen."

  An inconspicuous man sat at a corner table with a ball cap pulled low. He was close enough to hear their conversation and his hidden camera had already snapped several pictures. Then he slipped out a side door unnoticed.

  Rick and Ellen talked until the restaurant was closing. These two lost souls who now had a life purpose, had so much to say, so much to share.

  They drove back to the Moose Lodge still talking. As they walked to Ellen's car and faced each other, Rick opened his arms. She snuggled against him like this one act of human affection was the most natural act in the world. They stood together saying nothing, just soaking up the awesomeness.

  Ellen closed her eyes, savoring Rick's warmth, feeling like she had finally come home. Her agony of loss was dissipating like mists over a sunny mountain stream.

  As Ellen felt the steady beat of his heart, she knew Rick was also healing. Both had been wandering a desolate desert with no hope on the horizon of being rescued. Then the kaleidoscope of life turned. A split second in time, when loves are taken, so can they be restored. By some quirk of fate, Ellen and Rick have rescued each other.

  Rick's voice was but a whisper. "You are the only woman besides Laura that I have held like this."

  Ellen leaned up to place a soft kiss on his lips. "If you are as happy as I am right now, then I'd say what we have found is what Mark and Laura would have wanted for us."

  "I am happy, Ellen, and I know Mark and Laura are smiling."

  Ellen gazed into sparkling emerald eyes. "There is so much I want to share with you."

  "And we will for as long as the fates allow."

  Their lips met in a soft, exploring kiss that was so sweet and innocent it curled her toes. Ellen's arms tightened around his neck. Her heart was taking flight, her soul melding with his. The magic between them blossomed. Ellen heart was gently releasing her husband. When the kiss ended, Rick was gazing at Ellen and smiling. The grin was contagious.

  "What?" she said.

  "I just thought of a great idea."

  "Well? Tell me."

  "Have you ever been fly fishing for trout?"

  "No, but it sounds intriguing."

  "It's absolutely the most thrilling activity I've ever done, well maybe the second most thrilling."

  "I do like to fish."

  "Great, let's go tomorrow."

  Ellen looked at him. "Really? Tomorrow? Sure, let's do it."

  She would have gone to the moon with Rick Carrington. Her heart was beating with excitement and something more. What an unbelievable extraordinary feeling this was.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  The man dressed in black looked under the loose tile and retrieved the key. Knowing no one was home he let himself into the chalet, finding his way in the dark.

  He hesitated for a few seconds. What little conscience he had left began to sting. Then the vision of Ellen in another man's arms fueled a rage so powerful, it was like nothing he had never known. That intense jealousy spurred Gene into action. The video equipment was tiny. He knew he was an expert in surveillance and non-detection.

  He surveyed Ellen's bedroom satisfied with his handy work. Bugging the house was only the first step. He had strategies up his sleeve guaranteed to put an end to whatever was happening between those two.

  That night on her couch when Gene had come so close to possessing Ellen, he knew she belonged to him. No man would dare take what was his. If he can't have her, he would see her dead first. Now was the time for action.

  Gene had just finished installing the camera when he heard the front door open. Damn, he wa
s hoping to be gone before Ellen got home. Gene looked around, quickly planning his escape.

  With any luck she would stay downstairs in the kitchen for a few minutes. But that wasn't happening. He could hear footsteps on the stairs.

  Ellen turned on the light in the bedroom. She just couldn't stop grinning. She closed her eyes hugging herself, reliving every minute she had shared with Rick. Seeing him at the dance was the last person she ever expected to be there. But God what a welcome site he was. The huge mountain man was getting down-right scary.

  Pulling the sweater over her head, Ellen placed it in the sweater drawer then unhooked her bra. The skirt came next as she walked to her bureau to find a night gown. Tonight she wanted to sleep in a sexy gown that would hug her tingling body. Laughter and excitement bubbled up from within. Ellen felt so happy.

  She opened the drawer and froze. She sensed a presence like the night of the burglar. Ellen felt eyes on her. Then she chided herself for being ridiculous. Now where did that come from? Looking to the window with its thick, closed curtains, everything was secure. Who would be watching her? No, Ellen was not going to allow anything to burst this exquisite bubble of joy suffusing her psychic. She turned down the bed, slid in between the cool sheets and flicked off the light. Day dreaming about Rick, Ellen was asleep within minutes.

  Gene waited until he knew for sure she was in a deep sleep. Having her discover him in her bedroom did not even bear thinking about. He came out from behind the thick, billowing drapes. Thank heavens there was room to hide there. Ellen must've added them to the window after the prowler incident.

  He quietly crept past her bed. Seeing her lying there with soft honey curls spread over the pillow made him pause. God, she was exquisite. Just looking at her had him rock hard.

  For so long Gene had hoped Ellen would someday come to him. And she almost did twice. Now, that hope has been dashed. Even as a married man, Gene felt he could've enticed her in time, but not now. Damn that Richard Carrington. Gene had never known the agony of mind blowing envy before. Seeing Ellen gazing with love at another man was sending him over the edge. His plan was to watch them and look for a weakness. The photos would come in handy for leverage. Gene was not about to give up on Ellen Anderson. Accidents can happen. Relationships can wither and die. People can die too.