LETHAL OBSESSION

by Carey Regenold

  Inside Gene was seething. He worked to keep a sneer from showing. Just seeing this hated brother in law so close to Ellen made him want to shoot them both right here. He was counting on having some alone time with Ellen, maybe try and convince her he was the better man but not now.

  "You are welcome." His eyes bore into Ellen's. "I feel this is a wonderful project for Cedar Grove and I wish to help in any way I can."

  Gene felt small arms go around his waist and he stiffened as he looked at his wife.

  "Does that mean you will be doing some volunteer work around here, Sweetheart? Just because I have a paying job teaching cooking lessons doesn't mean you can't help out."

  "I'm a busy man, Martha. Not sure if I could scrape up the time, but I will give it try," he lied.

  Martha reached out. Putting her arms around Rick and Ellen as well as her husband, she said. "My wish is that we all become a close, happy family. We can share holidays. Oh, it will be so much fun."

  "Yeah." Gene managed a smile for his wife patting her on the head like a child. "We'll do that."

  Rick and Ellen wrapped in each other's arms were just dozing off when the door bell rang. They looked at each other with alarm. It was late and this was bizarre. Rick quickly pulled on pants and a shirt as Ellen donned a robe and followed him downstairs. He looked through the peep hole, opening the front door to his sister. Carrying a thick manila folder, Martha placed the bundle in her brother's hands. She was sobbing as Rick pulled her into his arms. "Sis?"

  "I found those at the bottom of Gene's sock drawer. I can't believe he would do something that vile. If he finds out I gave them to you, he will probably kill me."

  Martha wasn't sure what would happen if Gene came home unexpectedly and found her gone. In all the years they had been married he had never physically hurt her but there was always a first time. Now that her eyes were open, she no longer knew the man she married. Blind faith and trusting in the Lord was one thing. Being oblivious to the evil around her was quite another. Martha did not want to believe it of the man she had loved for so long. Ellen and Richard were family and she had to protect them.

  "Come in out of the chill."

  Rick tried to soothe his sister while Ellen went to make some coffee.

  "What's in the folder, Sis?"

  "Photos, bad ones. Check your bedroom. There's a camera in there somewhere. Why Richard? Why would Gene take pictures of you and Ellen?"

  "I don't know Sweetheart, but I want you to stay here with us. Gene is going to know you gave these to us. You can't go home."

  "Oh Richard, I love him." She started sobbing again as Rick led her to the couch. Ellen sat down embracing Martha as Rick opened the folder.

  Spread out on the dining room table were intimate photos of Ellen and Rick, that first night sitting in a restaurant, cuddling by the stream in the forest and here in their bedroom, making love.

  Gene had been stalking them even as far back as the night of the singles dance. The thought of it sent a terrifying chill through his body. He knew his brother in law was dangerous. Now Rick was thinking dangerously unbalanced. His obsession with Ellen has spun wildly out of control. He didn't want to guess Gene's intent but it could mean one or both of them could be killed.

  Rick worked quickly making copies and placing the originals back in the folder. Seeking recording devices, he raced up the stairs to their bedroom as the women followed. "We need to look for a camera. It will be hidden so look for a possible red light that might be flashing in a very unlikely area. If you find something don't touch it. Let me use gloves to remove it."

  Ellen and Martha looked at each other than started checking every nook and cranny in the bedroom.

  "Found it," Rick announced. "Ellen, I need a ladder and some gloves."

  Removing the device from the air vent, he was careful not to leave any prints on it. Hopefully Gene's prints would be there but knowing the man he probably also wore gloves.

  "What are we going to do now," said Martha.

  "We all need to stay safe, Sis. I feel Gene is capable of anything at this point. Let's sit down and talk about it. Gene is going to know you gave us the photos. When I notify the police, he will become desperate. I'm fairly sure he has men working for him and he's too smart to get caught even by his own people.

  Martha started to cry. "Richard, I love him. We're family. Why would he do this?"

  Rick held his sister as she cried. He looked at Ellen as he spoke. "I need to get in touch with my nephew and I need to report this. After that I want to get us all out of town. Can the shelter spare you for a week or so?"

  "Yes. I have capable people running things."

  "Good because we're going to Florida to see the folks. I think we're overdue for a visit, right Sis?"

  Martha looked at her brother with tears streaming. "I want to see them."

  "Okay, I'll make the arrangements."

  Ellen held out her arms to Martha. "Let's get you settled upstairs. I have everything you need for tonight. Try not to think past that for now."

  "Oh Ellen, this is so awful. I didn't want to believe it. I prayed, hoping Gene would see the error of his ways and come to the Lord for forgiveness. Deep down I knew he had a dark side, but I loved him so much, I just couldn't accept it."

  "I know. Sometimes life doesn't seem very fair. I want you to know you will always have a home with us and you are loved, Martha. You are the sister I never had."

  "Thank you, Ellen, it helps."

  "Try and get some sleep. Let Rick handle things from here. I am looking forward to meeting your parents."

  "Oh Ellen, they will love you."

  "Well, I know how much I love their children."

  Gene's truck was hidden in the trees as he watched his wife at Ellen's front door. The gig was up now. Martha's betrayal has changed everything. He didn't expect her to find the folder but maybe the sock drawer was a bad hiding place. Martha never snooped into his paper work and the folder was sealed. What made her break the seal and open it this time? Ah well, who knows.

  Nothing to be done now but get the hell out of dodge and hope the cops don't find him. If anybody has learned to outrun the law, it was Gene. Jail would not be an option for him. Now they are all going to pay, he vowed. His friends would do whatever he asked. Fear and money could buy a lot of devotion.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Ellen, Rick and Martha sat quietly while the two officers dusted the photos and the camera equipment for prints. Ellen was stunned. Rick had been right all along. She heard the officer on his phone.

  "I want the Stone residence checked and send somebody to talk to the deputies. Put out an all points bulletin. Here is the license number."

  The manhunt was in full swing. Ellen couldn't believe that something as innocent as an upstanding officer wanting to help a grieving widow could end up like this. Was Gene capable of murder at this point? Ellen shuddered as Rick pulled her close. "Try not to think too much about this." He kissed the top of her head.

  An old rattletrap truck chugged down the mountain highway heading toward the state line. Gene, hidden under a tarp, peeked out to check for any road blocks. So far, so good. He wasn't sure exactly where he was headed but for now, the farther from Cedar Grove, the better. Once the heat died down over the photos, Gene would work on his next plan of action.

  The jumbo jet touched down at St. Petersburg Airport. This was going to be a surprise visit. Rick did not want to alarm his parents by calling. Ellen felt he should've told them but he said they were in their late seventies and not in good health. They would fret thinking something was wrong. Trusting Rick to do the right thing she said no more.

  Ellen wasn't nervous about meeting the elderly couple but they would know this wasn't an ordinary visit when they saw their daughter. Martha wept silently for most of the trip. In all their years of marriage, she had not been apart from her husband for more than two nights. Her whole world was falling apart and her parents would know instantly.

&nb
sp; This was going to be an interesting homecoming, Ellen mused. Their daughter was leaving a husband and their son was bringing home a future bride. She hoped that their health wasn't that frail.

  It seemed to take forever to gather their luggage and rent a car but finally the three were on their way. The tropical, balmy air felt marvelous compared to dreary chilling rains of winter in the Smoky Mountains.

  "Ethyl, there's somebody at the door."

  "What?"

  "Answer the door, Ethyl."

  "You answer it, I'm busy."

  Rick had to smile. He knew his dad would just sit there and ignore her. Both being hard of hearing, they were yelling in competition with the TV at full blast. He figured they would be thrilled but they would also worry. Their daughter was coming alone although Gene wasn't exactly a beloved son in law. Explaining his absence was going to be difficult at best.

  "Who is it?" Ethyl being cautious refused to open the door to potential strangers.

  "It's Richard, Mom."

  "Oh dear Lord, Will, come quick, it's Richard."

  "Who?"

  "It's your son, you deaf dolt. Richard is here." She fumbled with the heavy front door finally pulling it open to stare at her two grown children and a strange woman. "Richard and Martha, both of my children, oh my God, I can't believe it."

  "Surprise." Rick threw up his arms then enclosed his mother lifting her off her feet. There were hugs and tears as the older couple ushered their unexpected guests into their modest Florida home.

  Rick stood behind Ellen with his arms around her. "Mom and Dad, I want you to meet a very special lady in my life. This is Ellen Anderson."

  She put out her hand but got a hug from Ethyl then Will. "If you're in my son's life, she said, "then you are part of the family, Dear. Welcome."

  The tiny white haired woman barely came to Ellen's shoulders. There was so much love here. She knew her fiancé was a wonderful man. Now she knew why.

  Martha did not have her parents fooled. They were never fond of Gene but accepted the fact that their daughter was totally devoted to him. Now to have her show up alone on their doorstep was cause for concern. Ethyl was not going to let it go.

  "I'm sorry Dear, I just don't understand. You have never visited us because you couldn't leave Gene and he wouldn't come. And now you're here. Are you and Gene having problems?"

  Leave it to Ethyl Carrington to cut right to the chase. Martha was on the verge of choking up again and Ellen felt for her.

  "Mom, it's very hard for me to talk about. Just give me some time please."

  "Let's go walk on the beach and see the ocean." Rick got up and took his mother's hand. "I've been wanting to do that for years. Then we can all go out for a delicious seafood dinner, my treat."

  Leave it to her wonderful Rick to save his sister from a painful interview and divert his parent's interests in another direction. Then he took his mother aside.

  "Mom, Sis is going through a hard time right now. She will talk to you when she's ready. Meanwhile let's just let her relax and get her feet back under her, okay?"

  "Well, you're the psychiatrist. What do I know? Oh and by the way, I really like Ellen. It does my heart good to see you happy again. It was so horrible when...oh never mind." she wiped her eyes. "We won't talk about that."

  "The here and the now is so much more joyful. Let's stick with that, Mom, okay?"

  Ethyl leaned up to kiss her son. "I will darling, I will."

  "Now where is that husband of mine? Probably off puttering somewhere. I swear to goodness Richard, your father is getting more senile every day." Her voice raised to a roar. "William, where are you? We're going to the beach. Get your shoes on and for God's sake put on some half way decent pants."

  Seven days went by so fast Ellen couldn't believe it was time to fly home. Spending time with Ethyl and William Carrington was a pure joy. If only she had been raised in the bosom of such a loving family, but she wasn’t. Rehashing the past was not what Ellen wanted to do. She had been lucky to have two wonderful men love her. Rick’s family accepted her like one of their own. The only dark spot marring their future was Gene Stone.

  Ellen dreaded going back to the black cloud waiting for them but there was no choice in the matter. She wondered if the police had caught up with Gene and what his alibi was. Ellen was sure he had an airtight one. Having Gene on the other side of the law was not going to be a pretty sight. His fixation on her was scary enough but hidden cameras really made the situation creepy.

  As the hum of the jet engines had her closing her eyes, once again Ellen's guilt crept up to choke her. What could she have done to trigger Gene’s obsession that he would actually plant cameras in her bedroom. Surely she had to be at fault in some way. Rick’s hand tightened over her own.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “You know me too well.”

  “I want you to stop it. You are not the cause of Gene’s problems. Trust me on that.”

  “I’m the one he’s obsessing about.”

  “That’s not your fault.”

  “I did encourage him at one time.”

  “Ellen, look at me. The man is mentally unstable and has been long before you came along.”

  They both turned as Martha stared at them. Large tears glistened in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Sis.”

  “I know you’re right. I just didn’t want to see it. I knew about the women.” Martha reached over and took Ellen’s hand. “I’m not blaming you. I know Gene came across to you as single. That’s why you were so shocked that day at the fair. I knew what he did to you and there’s a part of me that hates him for that.”

  “Oh Martha,” Ellen wanted to cry. “I am so glad you are going to be my sister. If there is any good to come out of this mess, it’s that.”

  They arrived home to a quiet little mountain town where very little had changed except there was no longer a Sheriff Gene Stone. The man had disappeared off the face of the earth. Everybody who knew him was questioned and that was a lot of people. Nobody seemed to know anything. It was either that or they were not talking.

  The police had reached a stalemate. It was concluded that the stigma of a scandal would be too much for his political career and Sheriff Gene Stone decided to vanish.

  Martha wanted to live in her own home despite objections from Rick and Ellen. If her husband really wanted to do her harm it would not matter where she lived. Martha's anguish was not that her husband would harm her but rather of not ever seeing him again. That fact was ripping her heart out.

  He was the only man she had ever loved. No matter what he did or where he was, she would always love him. Martha wanted her husband home and it no longer mattered about the photos. If the Lord could forgive him so could she.

  Ellen and Rick were helping Martha out of the car with her luggage when a tall, lanky young man with a mop of blond hair opened the front door.

  "Eugene, you're home."

  "Hi Mom. Hey Uncle Richard."

  Ellen couldn't help staring. This boy was the spitting image of Gene. Those electric blue eyes were just as mesmerizing. He took the suitcases from his uncle and they all went in the house. Ellen immediately felt relieved that Martha would not be alone. Even though she would be spending her days at the shelter teaching and overseeing the preparation of meals, Ellen worried for Martha. Being alone was bad enough, but being confronted by a desperate, estranged husband could be catastrophic.

  "Eugene, this is Ellen." Rick put his hands on her shoulders. She's going to be my wife."

  "Hey, that's cool. Congrats, Uncle Richard."

  "Well Sis, Ellen and I are going home to get settled in. You know how to reach us if you need anything."

  Martha hugged them both. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Eugene is here. Seeing mom and dad was wonderful. Thank you for that.”

  “I love you, Sis.” Rick gave her a kiss and so did Ellen.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said.

  Martha was so happy to see her
son. She wasn't sure about his schedule but hoped he would be home for awhile.

  "I'm so glad you're here." She touched his face. "How long can you stay?"

  "I need to find out what's going on with Dad. Uncle Richard didn't exactly give many details when he called. Then you take off to Florida to see Pops and Nana. What's going on, Mom?"

  "It's complicated, Sweetheart."

  "So what's so complicated about it? Dad's disappeared, the police are involved. What did he do, or rather what has he done this time?"

  "I don't like your tone, Eugene. Have more respect for your father."

  "Hey Mom, take off your rose colored glasses. Dad's never been around for you or for me. His family always came last."

  Martha lashed out before she thought. Her palm reached her son's face with a resounding slap that stung her hand. Then she was mortified as huge tears blurred her vision.

  "Oh Eugene, I didn't mean to do that. I'm so sorry."

  "Yes you did. You're always defending him and he doesn't deserve it. I hope he's gone for good." Eugene threw his keys in the air and caught them. "I'm staying with friends. See ya." "No, Honey, please don't go. I'll tell you what happened." Eugene pulled out a kitchen chair, sat in it backwards and waited for his mother to talk.

  Martha took a deep breath. There was no easy way. "I found some photos hidden in your father's drawer. They were intimate pictures taken of your Uncle Richard and Ellen... in their bedroom. He had to have broken into Ellen's home to hide the camera. Richard made copies and called the police. There's an internal investigation going on at the Sheriff's department as well. That's when your father disappeared."

  "Why would he do something like that? It's political suicide."

  "I don't know why. Back several months ago Ellen lost her husband in a private plane crash. Gene was the one to notify her and he started hanging around her, pretending he was available."