LETHAL OBSESSION

by Carey Regenold

  Eugene smirked. "Ah, I think I'm getting the picture now. Ellen fell in love with Uncle Richard and Dad went crazy jealous. Am I getting close?"

  "I guess that’s true. Richard is happier than I've ever seen him. He and Ellen started a project for the community and it's so wonderful. It's a women and children's shelter. I'm working there myself planning meals and teaching cooking, and I love it. But I miss your Dad so much. I don't know what will happen to him when he comes back and it scares me."

  "You mean if he comes back."

  "Oh Eugene, I can't bear to think about that."

  He put his arm around his mother and it was her undoing. The tears she was trying so hard to hold at bay came streaming out. "Hey Mom, I'm glad Uncle Richard and Ellen are looking out for you. I can stay for a couple of days but I need to get back to my classes after that. Maybe you should consider moving in with them until all this blows over."

  "I know you’re right, but I want to be here when your dad comes back.”

  “I don’t like that idea, Mom. Dad is a wanted man. I don’t want to see you caught in the cross fire. You could be accused of harboring a fugitive you know.”

  Yeah, you’re probably right. I love you, Eugene.”

  "I love you too, Mom."

  After kissing her son goodbye, Martha walked through the empty house hearing her footsteps. Nothing was really out of place except all of Gene's things were gone.

  She sat on the couch putting her head in her hands. "Oh Gene," she murmured. Where are you? Why did you do those things? I love you, please come home to me."

  Sleeping in their cold empty bed was the hardest. Martha found herself constantly feeling for his warm presence. She had cried so many tears, she felt like there were none left. Was this to be her future? Would Martha be living in this home, old and decrepit, waiting for Gene to come home to her? It probably should, but it didn’t matter all the horrible things he’s done. Martha loved him just as much now as she did when they first met. She would wait for the man she loved.

  As days turned into weeks, Rick and Ellen tried to look out for Martha without invading her privacy. Her deep depression was slowly fading away. The saying was true, that time heals all wounds. She was beginning to embrace her job at the shelter with enthusiasm. Being in charge of shopping and food preparation, Martha became a mentor for the residents, some of whom had never heard a kind word. She taught these young mothers cooking skills, money management, and time saving tips. Each resident took her turn at meal preparation which gave them a sense of belonging.

  Ellen sat in her office agonizing over the long waiting list of mothers and children needing the shelter. How she wished they all had a safe place to go in order to get away from the threats and violence. There were other shelters and she did her best to try and find a place for everybody.

  Looking out her office door, Ellen had a perfect view of the children's play area. Heather loved working with the children. She had a natural knack for keeping these children involved. Her face was glowing and Ellen smiled. Heather was so changed from the pathetic, abused woman found on the highway. She seemed like a whole new person. If only Ellen could save the world but of course that was not reality. She was making a dent, saving families one at a time. It had to be enough for now.

  Rick was relaxed and smiling as he drove home to Ellen's chalet, their chalet. Yes, it was home now, a place of happiness after so much sorrow. The home he had shared with Laura and the children was sold quickly. He could not tolerate being there without them. Their voices were everywhere making him crazy.

  At that point in his life, Rick had made up his mind to spend the rest of his days in solitude. No woman could replace Laura in his heart. Then he opened his office door and saw Ellen sitting in the waiting room. She was nervous to the point of fleeing. That was the day the dreary darkness became dazzling sunlight.

  Rick had bid farewell to his small, lonely apartment of the last two years. Ellen was his world now. He loved her so much, that life without her seemed impossible. Rising from the ashes of hopelessness, fate was giving them both another chance at love.

  Feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, Rick knew something was terribly wrong. He glanced in the rear view mirror. The speeding, black sedan coming up fast was suddenly on top of him. This was a winding, treacherous part of mountain highway. High walls of granite on one side and a sheer drop off on the other there was no place to get out of the way. The person behind him had to be drunk or suicidal.

  Adrenalin fueled fear shot through Rick's system like an electric jolt. His brain desperately searched for a way to get away from this car. Rick felt the ramming concussion clear through his body as his neck snapped from the sedan crashing into his rear bumper. This was no random drunk driver. Rick was a target and whoever these people behind him were, they meant to kill him. Terrified now, Rick struggled with the steering wheel to prevent his car from going over the edge of the cliff. Would he die here? Please God, not now, not when his reason for living is home waiting for him.

  His car was hit hard again, shoving him off the highway. As the sheer, vertical mountain came hurtling toward his vision, Ellen was Rick's last conscious thought.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Ellen had just removed her fragrant, chicken curry from the oven. Martha was putting the finishing touches on her squash casserole. Together they set the table and lit the candles. This was going to be a celebration. SMOKY MOUNTAIN HAVEN had been up and running for two weeks. The vision was now a reality and total success in so many ways. Women, who once were helpless victims, were now learning how to take care of their babies and themselves with a myriad of opportunities. Once they felt safe, these mothers and children seemed to blossom and grow into happy, thriving human beings.

  Ellen looked at her watch. Where was Rick? She couldn't imagine why he wasn't home yet. Perhaps there was a late client. But Rick always called her when he was running late and he should've been here an hour ago.

  A tiny niggling of unrest began to settle in her solar plexus. Of course it was silly to worry. Ellen and Rick promised each other they would not dwell on negative possibilities. But they both had slogged through that hell and back. It was easier said than done.

  Ellen wiped her hands on the dish towel and picked up the phone. It was dark with no messages. She called Rick's office and got his voice mail for the fifth time.

  Calling his cell, she left a message there. "Hi, it's me. Martha and I have dinner almost ready. Just wondering where you are. Call me. Love you."

  The distant purple hills had faded to pitch darkness. The candles had melted onto the tablecloth. The chicken curry and squash casserole were put in the fridge. Ellen and Martha sat at the dining room table looking at each other with a sickening dread.

  "Cedar Grove Police department, how can I help you?"

  "This is Ellen Anderson. My fiancé, Richard Carrington was due home three hours ago. I think something has happened to him."

  "Ma'am, we cannot file a missing person's report until it's been twenty four hours. I'm sorry."

  "So that means you can’t even begin a search, right?"

  "That's right."

  "Thank you." She slammed the phone down in frustration and looked at Martha. "They won't do anything for twenty four hours."

  "That's ridiculous, what are we going to do?"

  "We're going to start looking for Rick. To hell with them, let's go."

  Ellen started her search at the clinic. It was locked up and Rick's car was gone. That told her he had probably started for home. She carefully followed the highway as she and Martha looked for clues. It was not easy in the dark. The sharp drop off made her stomach lurch. If Rick's car had left the highway, no, she could not allow herself to think about that. Rick was not dead. If he were, her heart would know it. But the feeling of impending doom was stronger than ever. Something tragic has happened.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Ellen saw that Martha was crying. Seeing a vista turnout up ahe
ad, she pulled her car to a stop. Ellen put her arms around the woman who has become like a sister to her.

  "I know this is hard. I want to cry too, but I have to be strong and keep my thinking clear."

  "You're right. I need to buck up too, but so much has happened I'm just overwhelmed. First Gene disappears and now Richard." Martha wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm fine now."

  They both got out of the car and peered over the stone barrier. It was impossible to see anything in the pitch of night, but Ellen knew what was down there. Trees and vines on this mountain side were so thick they could swallow a car whole, never to be seen again. It was not a comforting thought. She put her arms around Martha and found herself weeping right along with her. Maybe they both just need a good cry right now.

  Once Martha had finally settled herself enough to go to bed, Ellen was still up, restless and pacing. She looked at the empty bed and thought about the man she loved so much. She and Rick had been together every night since that first glorious time they made love in this bed.

  Her stomach was aching and her head pounding with worry and frustration. Ellen closed her eyes, willing her mind to be still. Please God, if you're out there, watch over him and let no harm come to him. You put us together for a reason. It's not supposed to end like this.

  Rick opened his eyes seeing nothing. His mouth, hands and feet were bound with duct tape. The odor of raw gasoline permeated the air, as his feet kicked out hitting barriers. It felt like he was lying on a spare tire. God, he was in a car trunk.

  "We got him. What now, Boss?"

  "Yeah, we shoved the car over the cliff. Ain't nobody gonna find that car. The brush and weeds done buried it good."

  "Okay, we're off."

  Rick felt the vehicle lurch forward. He tried to piece together the conversation but it didn't make sense. He didn't know his captors or how long they would let him live. All he knew was that somehow his brother in-law was at the bottom of it. Eliminating him was exactly what Gene needed to do to get his hands on Ellen.

  The following morning Ellen and Martha went to work at the shelter and tried to pretend nothing was wrong. Rick only worked at the shelter part time, so nobody had a clue he had disappeared.

  Ellen sat at her desk in deep thought, struggling to keep the panic at bay. She knew this was no accident. Rick was a careful driver, especially now that he had so much to live for. Gene was involved somehow. Ellen felt it in her gut. The stalking, the photos, and his insane jealousy all added up to getting rid of the competition. Gene had always hated Rick and especially now. Gene wanted Ellen for himself. The man she loved had to be eliminated. It was the only answer that made sense.

  Gene must've hired men to kidnap Rick. The man had a motive for everything he did, no matter how unbalanced. If she could just get into his head, think like he does, she had a chance of finding Rick. Ellen looked out her door and noticed Martha was busy in the kitchen with some of the women. At least for now, she appeared composed and not so fretful about her brother. Ellen wanted to do her own investigation without Martha coming along. It would just upset her more than she already was. The trick would be slipping away. Ellen had to tell her something. She put her purse over her shoulder and walked to the kitchen.

  "Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt. Martha, I have a headache. I'm going home for awhile."

  "Ellen, let me come with you. You shouldn't be alone at a time like this."

  "Thanks." She gave Martha a kiss on the cheek. "I need to be by myself right now. I'm sure you understand."

  "Of course I do. Call me if you feel worse and I'll come."

  "I will do that, thanks."

  "Ellen wasted no time walking through the front door and out to the parking lot.

  Once on the highway, Ellen watched the pavement carefully. She was looking for skid marks, a dented guard rail, or anything out of the ordinary. It was much easier to see by the light of day. Her heart accelerated as she slowed the car and stared at the highway.

  There they were, the tell tale black skid marks. It could be something or nothing. Cars skidded around here all the time. She was at a dangerous hairpin curve with no place to pull off. Finding a safe turnout, Ellen left the car, camera in hand. Anyone driving by would assume she was one of the many tourists visiting Smoky Mountains National Park.

  Carefully keeping to the side, Ellen saw car tracks that seem to head right into the mountain wall. Behind those were another set of tracks. A piece of a tail light glittered in the sun. She picked it up, examining the piece carefully. A car was rear ended here. Was it Rick's? There were scant pieces of glass and metal on the pavement, but it looked like somebody had tried to clean up the area. Her camera clicked as she photographed the highway from every angle.

  She walked to the edge of the precipice and looked over the guard rail. The sheer drop made her dizzy. Taking a deep breath and fighting back acrophobia, Ellen peered into the dense undergrowth far below. If a car went off here, it would be swallowed up by the vegetation. The rail would be damaged. She could see nothing down below, but there were spots where the rail was missing. There was even a spot where it looked like the metal rail had been shoved back together.

  Ellen photographed everything that might point to a possible abduction. Would the police even bother to look here in this place? Would they scoff at her photographs? Without any more proof than this, she doubted they would even give her the time of day.

  There had to be some way to find out what happened. If she was convinced Gene had something to do with Rick's disappearance then somebody was paid to do it for him. That's how Gene operated.

  Then it hit her. Men living in this area were loyal to their sheriff. Look at what happened in the courtroom. These men were paid well to keep secrets.

  The right bait just might draw out a lot of rats. How much money would it take to force a man to break his loyalty? She figured every man had his price. Ellen had the money. All she had to do was make it available.

  She looked at her watch. In exactly five hours Rick could be considered a missing person. Then the law would be involved. Would the police scoff at her offering a handsome reward? It didn't much matter because Ellen was not going to share that plan with them. She was going to let it be known in the right places. Would it be a wise thing to do? Probably not, but getting Rick back unharmed was something Ellen did not trust the police and especially the Sheriff's Department to handle.

  By tomorrow morning the story of Rick’s alleged abduction would be all over the news. Ellen had better act fast.

  Parking her car outside the sheriff's office, Ellen took a deep breath. If she wanted to offer big bucks for information, this was the place to start, in the rat's nest. Going about it might prove to be delicate, but if the deputies weren't hiding secrets, nobody was. Gene's men knew him better than anybody.

  The dispatcher smiled. "Mrs. Anderson, how can I help you today?"

  "I'd like to speak to whoever has taken Gene's place."

  The other deputies in the outer office looked at her, then at each other. Ellen kept her demeanor placid and waited.

  "Is this a private matter?"

  "Yes, it is."

  "That would be Deputy Matt Howard. Have a seat and I’ll see if he is available.”

  Ellen sat in one of their hard vinyl chairs and waited. In less than five minutes she was summoned. “Mrs. Anderson, if you'll come this way, I'll take you to his office."

  Ellen took a seat by Matt's desk and waited. She could hear several male voices behind the closed door. The men were talking or gossiping. Matt seemed to be a nice man and had referred several domestic cases to her for the shelter. She didn't want to believe he was involved in anything shady, but she didn't think Gene would hide a camera in her bedroom either.

  The door opened. "Hello Ellen, it's nice to see you again." Matt shook her hand and took a seat behind his desk. "Is this about Gene's disappearance? The whole department is in an uproar over that. How's Martha? We've all been conce
rned."

  Ellen chose her words carefully. "Martha is having a hard time not only with Gene's desertion, but with her brother's disappearance also."

  "What?"

  "Dr. Carrington left the clinic at his usual time and never came home last night."

  "Oh my God, that's awful. Do the police know?"

  "The police informed me their hands are tied for twenty-four hours and it hasn’t been that long yet. I will file a missing person's report this evening."

  "I understand you and Dr. Carrington are very close."

  "We're planning to be married so obviously this situation is extremely upsetting to both Martha and me."

  "How can I help you, Ellen?"

  "I am offering a substantial monetary reward of a hundred thousand dollars for any information concerning Rick Carrington's whereabouts. When he is found and returned unharmed, the informer will get his money."

  Matt whistled. "That's a lot of money. You know it's bizarre that Gene and his brother in law would both disappear like this."

  "Why would you say that, Matt?"

  "Well, I don't mean anything by it. I'm sure it's not related."

  "Tell me what you think."

  "Gene and his brother in law have been estranged for years. Everybody knows that."

  "I'm not blaming Gene or anybody else for Rick's disappearance. I just want him back."

  "I understand." He stood up. "I will tell the deputies about the reward."

  "Thank you, Matt."

  Before Ellen started her car, she glanced into the open window of the department. It looked like Matt was holding an impromptu meeting as his men seemed to hang on his every word. The story of a windfall reward was going to spread faster than a forest wild fire, perfect.

  Rick opened his eyes slowly, wincing at the throbbing ache in the back of his head. The last thing he remembered was bumping along in the trunk of a car. When the car finally stopped and the trunk opened he tried to focus on his captors. That’s when he was hit on the head again and went under. Rick wasn't sure how bad he was hurt but when he tried to feel for injuries, his hand stopped short. Grimacing, Rick realized he was handcuffed to an antique brass bed . He blinked to clear his vision and fight dizziness. He probably had a concussion. It seemed he was being held in a hunting cabin of some sort. A deer head displaying a large rack of antlers stared back at him through lifeless, glass eyes. Rick struggled but it was no use. His feet were also shackled. Voices could be heard coming from the other room. Listening carefully Rick swore Gene's voice was among them. That was no surprise. His brother in law had a plan. Rick knew he was expendable and only hoped Ellen would come to no harm.