While Someone Watches

by L A Walton

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

  She kept thinking she just needed to get through these five stages and everything would be alright.

  Declan was coming towards her with a bottle of water, “Laci?”

  She looked up at him with watery bloodshot eyes.

  “It’s been almost twenty-four hours since you heard about your friend and you haven’t moved from the couch. I have an appointment for one of my designs. Are you going to be okay here alone? Should I call Andrew?”

  “No!” Laci shouldn’t have answered so adamantly because it caused Declan to give her a strange look.

  “I don’t want to leave you alone. Is there anyone I can call to stay with you?”

  She shook her head. Yesterday had been horrific. It had been confirmed that Kay was found dead in her apartment. She had been suffocated. Laci didn't move, didn’t eat, and didn’t sleep. Declan slept in the loveseat across from her so that he could keep an eye on her.

  “I don’t want to leave you alone. It’s not safe Laci,” Declan was wearing a suit jacket.

  “Are you going on an interview Declan? I thought you only did freelance?” Her question surprised him since it was so out of the blue. He still answered it.

  “No Laci. It’s not an interview. I’m having a meeting about one of the ads I created for a local clean-up campaign. Apparently they thought something was wrong with the logo I created and they want to discuss it.”

  “They couldn’t discuss it over the phone?”

  “I asked and they said the guy in charge wanted to meet face to face. I don’t know why. Some of these suits have no vision whatsoever.”

  Laci smiled, trying to push back her guilt regarding Kay, “You’re so artistic. I bet your real parents were artists.”

  Declan grimaced, “It doesn’t matter what they were. They gave me up for adoption.”

  “Yeah, I bet they were artists. Do you know what I used to think my parents were?” Laci asked ignoring his previous statement.

  Declan thought the conversation was strange but he went along with it since it made his sister stop crying, “No, what?”

  “Astronauts.”

  Declan gave a grin, “Yeah. That’s interesting because I used to think you were an alien.”

  Laci didn’t give him a reaction like she normally would have and Declan sighed, “You know…I can reschedule my meeting. I think I need to stay here with you.”

  “No. You should go. I’ll be fine. I’ll call a friend over.”

  “Are you sure?” Declan asked.

  “Yeah. I’m positive. Please go before I start to feel upset that you’re treating me like an invalid,” Laci picked up her phone and dialed Amber’s number.

  Amber picked up and her hello was filled with sniffles and sobs.

  “Can you come over?” Laci asked her friend.

  “Sure I need to talk to you anyway,” Amber answered and they both disconnected the call.

  Declan watched his sister and sighed, “I’m not going to be able to wait for your friend. Make sure you lock the door, okay?”

  “I will. Stop worrying,” Laci stood up and walked with her brother to the door.

  “Who’s coming over? Is it Andrew?” Declan asked, glancing at his watch.

  “No it’s Amber. I don’t think you’ve ever met her.”

  Declan laughed, “I guess I haven’t. Her name sounds familiar though.”

  Laci shrugged, “Hurry up and make some money bro. I want you to buy me something good to eat before you come home.”

  “McDonalds?” Declan smiled.

  “Gross,” Laci muttered.

  “Okay, how about Popeyes?”

  Laci rolled her eyes, “That’s my brother…the big spender.”

  Declan pulled his sister into a hug and whispered, “I’m sorry Laci. I know this is hard on you. I wish I could help you but we’re going to get past this okay?”

  She nodded, a fresh batch of tears forming. “Okay…okay. I’m backing away before I cry all over you.”

  Declan was walking out the door when Laci called out to him, “Hey Declan…”

  He turned back around, “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing…just don’t forget.”

  “Forget what?”

  “Your promise to me.”

  “Promise?” Declan didn’t understand what she was talking about.

  “Your promise not to leave me, remember?”

  A faint memory of Laci telling him of Marie Ann’s brother being sad that his sister died came to mind. Laci was asking him not to die on her too. He gave her a big smile and waved, “Come on sis’ you know I’d never leave you. Not unless a supermodel asked me to.”

  He laughed and walked away, getting into his truck. Laci watched him drive away and a sadness filled her. She was afraid that she would be left alone soon. Both Marie Ann and Kay had been killed. What if something happened to Declan? She didn’t know what she would do.

  Twenty minutes later, Amber was ringing Laci’ doorbell.

  “Amber,” Laci tried to hug her but Amber didn’t return the embrace. “How are you holding up?”

  Amber’s nose was red from crying and her eyes were a pink color. “Laci we need to talk.”

  They sat on the sofa and Amber continued, “The police talked to Kay’s parents.”

  “Did they get any news on who did this?”

  Amber shook her head, “No, but they know why it was done.”

  Apprehension filled Laci, “What do you mean?”

  Amber shook her head in disgust, “You know exactly what I mean Laci. Why didn’t you tell us?”

  Laci opened her mouth but no words could come out.

  “Here you are…the supposed smart one from our group and you couldn’t even tell us that someone was targeting your friends? Wasn’t Marie Ann’s death enough? Kay’s dead and now your psycho stalker is probably going to come after me!”

  “Why are you acting like this is my fault?” Laci stood up and took a step away from Amber, wanting distance between them.

  “How is it not your fault? A guy is after you and you didn’t tell us! Then he started coming after your friends! Detective Bishop told us everything! How could you Laci?”

  “I…I don’t know. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Laci was crying again, something she didn’t think was possible.

  “Sorry? Is that all you can say? Well I’m sorry Laci but that doesn’t cut it. Do you know how devastated Kay’s parents are? When I think about Marie Ann’s brother, Jacob, it makes me sick. He was so broken up over his sister’s death.”

  “Are you trying to make me feel worse? It started off with pictures Amber. Just random pictures taken from across a room. It could’ve been anyone! What was I supposed to tell you guys? Hey there might be someone watching you so be careful! I didn’t know what to do! He said he would kill her if I went to the cops” Laci defended herself but the words felt bitter in her mouth.

  “Yeah well it looks like he killed her anyway, didn’t he?” Amber crossed her arms and stood up, “Listen, I didn’t want to stay long. I just wanted to tell you that Kay’s family doesn’t want you at the funeral.”

  “What?” Laci was speechless.

  “You’re a psychologist, you should understand that it’s probably hard for them to look at you when it’s your fault their daughter is dead.”

  Amber straightened her purse and walked past Laci as if she wasn’t there. After she left, Laci sat on her sofa and cried.

  Laci looked at her phone and wondered where Declan was. He still hadn’t come home and several hours had already passed. She was still feeling raw and frazzled from her conversation with Amber.

  The doorbell rang and she hurried to the door and answered it to see that it was Andrew.

  “Hi Laci.”

  “Andrew, what are you doing here?”

  “Your brother called me. He said you needed a shoulder to cry on. I’m sorry about your friend.”

  Laci wondered why Dec
lan would call Andrew after she told him not to. “It’s been a bad couple of weeks.”

  They were standing awkwardly at her door when he asked, “May I come in?”

  Laci just stared at him as if she didn’t understand until he laughed. Then she excused herself and let him in, “You really didn’t have to stop by.”

  “Of course I did. I wanted to make sure you’re holding up okay.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Riiight,” Andrew tried to hug her but she brushed him off.

  “Laci, did I do something?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Andrew put his hands in his pockets, “I just feel like you’ve been brushing me off lately and I don’t understand why.”

  “I haven’t been brushing you off,” she said knowing it was a lie.

  “You don’t think you have?” he asked.

  “No,” her voice came out at a higher pitch than normal, indicating it was a lie.

  Andrew laughed, “I call BS.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. I call BS. You’ve been avoiding me and I want to know why. I thought we had a great date and that you liked me.”

  “Andrew,” Laci didn’t know how to explain what was going on.

  “Be honest with me Laci. We both know a relationship never works without honesty.”

  “Fine, you want me to be honest?”

  Andrew nodded, “Yes!”

  “You asked for it. The truth is that I’m scared Andrew. Do you hear me? I’m scared!”

  “Of being in a relationship?” Andrew asked, surprised.

  “No. Of YOU!”

  “Me?” Andrew didn’t know how to respond to that, “I don’t understand. What did I ever do?”

  “Someone has been sending me notes, pictures, crazy texts. Threatening me. Someone has been doing all that and it all started about the same time you showed up Andrew! There’s something fishy about you and your too good to be true act.”

  Andrew was quiet for a moment. He just stared at her in disbelief.

  “Well aren’t you going to deny it?” Laci yelled.

  Andrew let out a low chuckle and Laci took a step back.

  “You’re right,” he whispered.

  “What?” Laci had yelled at Andrew because she was frustrated but she didn’t expect him to agree with her.

  “I’ve been pretending to be better than I am. I’ve lied to you,” Andrew looked up at Laci, “Shall I explain?”

  She simply nodded, taking another step back.

  “I only took this job…moved to Atlanta…all of it. I did it because of you,” Andrew sat down on her sofa and placed his head in his hands.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I knew who you were before I moved to Atlanta. One of my clients listened to your radio show. She used to talk to me about you so I looked you up.”

  Laci wasn’t quite following him, “You Googled me?”

  “You really know how to make a guy sound like such a loser…but yes. I Googled you. I did my research and when I saw that Modern Self was looking for and Editor, I knew that was my chance to be able to get close to you.

  Laci took another step back.

  “Laci,” Andrew continued, “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

  “No. I only believe in lust at first sight.”

  Andrew laughed, “Me either. At least I didn’t. I don’t know…maybe I still don’t. The point is I purposely took this job when they offered it to me because of you.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” Laci asked.

  “Because I want you to know that if I seem too good to be true it’s because I am! I’m trying my best to impress you; to show you what I have to offer a woman. What I have to offer you.”

  Laci still didn’t respond.

  “I don’t know anything about notes, texts, or threats. I have nothing to do with that.”

  “Why should I believe you?” Laci asked.

  Laci shook her head. She didn’t know what to believe. She wanted to believe Andrew but something was holding her back. Just then her phone dinged. It was a message from a familiar number she dreaded to hear form.

  She slid her finger across the home screen and looked at the message. It was a picture taken from across a restaurant. It was of her brother, Declan.

  CHAPTER 25

  "Declan?" Laci was starting to feel dizzy, "No. This isn't real."

  "Laci are you okay? What's going on?" Andrew stepped forward and looked over her shoulder at the picture of her brother on her phone.

  "I have to call Declan."

  Laci quickly called Declan and begged him to pick up the phone, "Come on Declan pick up...pick up...pick up."

  "This is Declan. You know what to do."

  Laci could feel the panic rising within her when her brother's voicemail message played. She decided to leave a message, "Declan where are you? Call me back now!"

  She dialed the same number again only to hear, "This is Declan. You know what to do."

  "Declan this is the second message I'm leaving you! Where are you? Call me now!"

  She was about to dial his number again when Andrew grabbed her shoulder, "Laci what's going on?"

  She shrugged off his hand and dialed a third time. Her message this time was of her trying not to cry in fear, "Declan...I'm begging you please call me."

  "Is Declan okay?" Andrew asked.

  "I don't know. I don't know. I'm going to call the police. I can't lose him too," her words were strung together and Andrew was having a hard time keeping up.

  Laci was about to dial 911 when the front door opened and in walked Declan.

  "Declan!" Laci ran to her brother and had him in a tight hug.

  "Whoa sis' I'm glad to see you too but can you let go a little? I can barely breathe," Declan laughed trying to extract himself from his sister's bear hug.

  "Why didn't you pick up your phone? I've been calling you nonstop?"

  "You were? I'm sorry. I must've forgotten to take it off silent mode after my meeting," Declan said, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "Three missed calls and three messages. You really were blowing up my phone."

  "Declan he's coming for you."

  "Who's coming for me?"

  "The man that murdered my friend," Laci whispered.

  "What? Why are you saying that Laci?"

  Laci pulled out her phone and showed him a picture. He looked at Andrew who was staring at the two of them curiously. Declan gave a nervous laugh, "It's...it's fine Laci. He's probably just trying to scare you."

  "Well he is. I don't want anything to happen to you too Declan."

  "I'm not sure I'm following everything that's going on but if you feel threatened you should call the police Laci," Andrew stepped suggested.

  Twenty minutes later, Officers Joe Bishop and Tracy Stewart were at her house.

  "Is this the text?" Stewart asked.

  "Yes."

  "Don't worry Dr. Cummings. Technology is pretty advanced these days and we can detect which cell tower was used when the message was sent."

  "Will that matter?" Andrew asked getting everyone to stare at him. "Well...it was clearly taken wherever Declan was at."

  "If the phone is on maybe we still trace a signal."

  "Why don't you change your number in the meantime?" Officer Bishop sighed, his hands in his pockets.

  "Why don't you shut the -"

  "Declan," Laci stopped him from finishing his sentence.

  Officer Bishop smirked.

  "I guess you're happy you got to see Amber," Laci said directly to Officer Bishop.

  "What was that?" Bishop caught a quick glimpse of his partner Tracy who rolled her eyes.

  "I talked to Amber. You know, your ex-girlfriend. She said you told her all about Kay's death and how it was my fault. As I said, I bet you were glad to have spoken with her. I'm sad to say that being the messenger is not the equivalent to being a knight in shining armor to a woman. If anything you're now someon
e she may associate with the death of her friend."

  "What the heck are you talking about?" Bishop practically spit in his anger.

  Declan laughed, "What she's saying is that you don't have a chance in heck with this Amber chick."

  "No one asked you," Bishop sneered.

  "Regardless of your personal feelings for me, your job is to serve and protect Officer Bishop. I would suggest you do so without spreading malicious gossip," Laci lifted her chin when she spoke.

  "Malicious gossip?" Bishop scoffed. "How is it malicious when it's the truth? There's someone after you and he's targeting your friends and even your brother. You don't feel the slightest bit guilty?"

  She did, but she wouldn't admit it. Especially not to someone like Officer Joe Bishop, "Why should I feel guilty? I'm not murdering anyone. I'm concerned and I care. These are people that I love. Why should I feel guilty? I can't control the actions of a madman."

  "That's right sis' you can't control what this guy is doing. None of it is your fault," Declan draped an arm around his sister's shoulders.

  Officer Bishop smiled, "I wonder if he'll think the same once this guy comes after him."

  "That's enough!" Stewart said stepping in between her partner and the Cummings. She turned to Laci and apologized, "Listen I'm sorry but we should get going. We have all the information we need. I'll send some patrol cars to drive around the area."

  As they were leaving, she noticed the electronic key pad, "You have an alarm?"

  "Yes we just had it installed," Laci answered.

  "Good. They're a great preventative measure. Keep in touch Dr. Cummings."

  "Thank you Officer Stewart.”

  After they had left Declan cleared his throat, "Well it's been a long day. I think I'm going to hit the sack."

  "Declan. Don't you want to talk about all this? Aren't you worried?" Laci asked her brother.

  "Laci I love you but I don't want to talk about it. I just want to rest. I'll see you in the morning." Declan walked upstairs to his bedroom without looking back.

  "He's scared," Laci whispered.

  "So am I," Andrew answered, startling her. She had forgotten he was there. "I'm scared for you. Why didn't you tell me sooner what was going on?"

  "How could I? Someone has been sending me texts, notes, and targeting my friends. It's been horrible," Laci said as she sat down on the sofa.