“Ok,” I squeak again. God damn it, I wish my voice wouldn’t do that!
Tristan follows Joyce into her office, looking back at me once before he closes the door, I can see he’s still assessing my behaviour. He can read you like a book Coral, hide what you’re feeling for god’s sake woman!
I smile up at him, then wink. Tristan chuckles at me then slowly shuts the door. Tentatively, I pick up the information on Olivia, fold it over several times and stuff it inside an envelope.
I decide it’s too risky to read through Susannah’s information at my desk, so I place it in the same envelope and stuff it inside my handbag. I switch on my computer and sip my Cappuccino while I wait for it to fire up, when it does, I open my inbox, and get started on the letters Joyce sent across to me...
I AM ITCHING TO READ Susannah’s information. I'm about to sneak off to the ladies when Joyce’s door is flung open – Uh-oh! – Tristan looks mad.
“Can I see you in here please?” he asks firmly. He does not look happy.
Frowning at him, I stand from my desk and walk into the office. Joyce is sat at the big mahogany desk she uses for meetings. I walk over and sit down next to her. Tristan takes a seat opposite us both, with a face like thunder. I’ve never seen him look like this before.
“Joyce has given me some…well, disturbing news,” he says, his voice flat. “Can you confirm that Susannah upset Joe?” he asks.
“Yes,” I whisper, swallowing hard, my eyes wide with fear.
“Why didn’t you tell me Coral?” he asks, finally meeting my gaze.
“It wasn’t my place to say Tristan, and Joyce told me not to, she said that she would talk to you about it,” I answer honestly.
He clenches his jaw and looks once at Joyce, then stares down at the paperwork in front of him. This feels really weird, he’s acting like…like a boss.
“I'm going to ask you a question, it is pivotal, so please be honest. Is there anything else Joyce and I should know about?” I look down at my hands.
“Coral!” he admonishes.
I wonder if I should tell him everything, but the fear of losing him takes over. Besides, I want to read that report first then I’ll tell him what I know.
“No,” I state firmly locking eyes with him.
“There’s been no problem working with Susannah, nothing to report?”
“Tristan, you know I don’t”– I shake my head – “It’s not like we’re going to become best buddies,” I laugh nervously.
Tristan narrows his eyes at me – Shit!
I sigh heavily. “No. Nothing to report, well apart from what I told you on Saturday,” I say.
Tristan looks deep in thought as he stares at the paperwork.
Joyce clasps my hand under the table. What’s that all about?
“Are you sure?” he questions, his head cocked to the side, his eyes narrowed, trying to read me.
“Yes,” I say narrowing my eyes back at him. Something’s going on! “What’s going on Tristan, why am I in here?” I question.
He sighs heavily, looks up at Joyce then his gaze rests on me. “Susannah has put in an official complaint about you. She said that you threatened her when she found out we were seeing each other, that you have repeatedly been un-co-operative with her, and that you threatened to get her sacked.” My mouth pops open, I silently stare wide eyed at Tristan. Is he joking?
Tristan continues. “I have no choice but to involve H.R, they will continue this complaint.” Tristan looks mortified. I blink three times trying to get my brain to fire. I look several times from him to Joyce, while the enormity of what Tristan’s just told me sinks in. An investigation? I threatened her?
I shake my head feeling totally bewildered. “That’s ludicrous,” I snort sarcastically.
His head snaps up, our eyes meet. “Were you difficult with her?” he asks. See, this is one of the reasons I didn’t want to get involved with my boss.
“No.” I bark, feeling angry that Tristan would even ask that question. “Tristan, I haven’t threatened her,” I tell him firmly. I try to get my head around why she would say that?
I stand up and start pacing the room, there’s no way I can say that it’s her that threatened me now. that’s just going to make me sound like I’m trying to save my own bacon; that I’m trying to turn the tables on her.
“Coral, please sit down.” I turn and look at Tristan, it’s written all over his face.
“You believe her,” I say, my voice barely audible.
“Coral, I can’t be seen to be taking sides. I have to pass it on to H.R.”
My head whips round to Joyce. “Do you believe me?” Joyce nods once.
I start pacing again. I can’t believe Tristan is choosing her over me. Then it hits me, she can get me sacked for this, and she wants to move here. Holy crap! – This is her way of getting rid of me!
“Is she moving here?” I ask sharply.
Tristan frowns. “She’s asked for a transfer,” he states.
I can’t help laughing sarcastically at that answer.
“What?” he questions.
“You’re not going to need two P.A’s here are you?”
“No but’ – “So what is she going to do Tristan?” I narrow my eyes at him.
He glances across at Joyce, takes a deep breath then looks up at me. “Coral, Susannah’s been with the company a long time’ – “Six years,” I interrupt. “I’ve done fifteen,” I add.
I know where this is going, she’s going to get my job, well screw her!
My heart starts manically beating against my chest. I don't know why I think it or say it, but the moment the decision comes into my head, I know it’s the right one to make. Taking a deep breath, I utter the words.
“I quit.” Joyce gasps and Tristan looks up at me with wide eyes, then they narrow as he once again tries to read me. “You want Susannah here, you got it,” I snap then I turn and look at Joyce. “Joyce if it’s ok, I’d like to work with you till the end of the week, as long as Susannah’s not here,” I add between gritted teeth.
Joyce stands with tears in her eyes. “Coral, please…” she whimpers.
“Don't be upset. I think this is the best option anyway. I don't think I’d have liked it here once you’ve gone.” Joyce nods despondently and sits back down in her chair.
I turn my glare on Tristan and silently shake my head at him. He stands up and starts to walk around the table towards me. “Coral,” he says with his hand held out. “Don’t be rash.”
I shake my head at him and cross my arms. “Do you believe her?” I ask again.
Tristan stops about a foot away from me, clenches his jaw, sighs heavily and stares down at the floor. I guess that answers my question.
“Un-fucking believable,” I hiss.
“Coral’ – “Save it Tristan,” I snap holding my hand up to him.
Turning on my heel, I march out of Joyce’s office, slamming the door behind me. Stopping at my desk, I pick up my handbag and stomp down the corridor to the ladies….Holy hell, what have I just done?
Once inside, I lock myself inside one of the stalls. I close my eyes and lean my head back against the cubicle. I try to think clearly but my head just feels like its swimming.
What just happened? I can't work out if Tristan was on my side or not, and how dare Susannah flip everything around so I'm made out to be the bad one, the crazy one!
Putting the lid down on the toilet, I slowly sink down onto it, tears pooling in my eyes.
Holy crap, I just quit!
What the hell am I going to do now? Then I remember that I'm two hundred and fifty thousand pounds better off, at least I don't have to worry about money, and whether I can pay my mortgage, but I can't not work, it would drive me crazy.
I decide to call Malcolm, see if he’s got anything going at the moment, unzipping my bag I go to find my mobile when I'm instantly side-tracked. There, sitting in my handbag is the information that may save me. Right!
Tak
ing the envelope out and ripping it open, I pull the contents out and flatten them across my legs. I may have quit my job, but I haven’t quit Tristan. I love him too much to lose him, and I won't let her get between the two of us. So let her come here, let her have my job, see how she likes Tristan and I being an item…hopefully married!
Taking a deep breath, I begin reading…Oh this should be good!
On the first line is her name.
Mrs Susannah Johnson – So she is married.
Then I read the next line.
Spouse – Sgt Samuel Johnson - Deceased 19/4/07 – Helmand Province.
I stop reading. Her husband died! I can't help but cry a couple of tears, how awful, poor Susannah! I check the date again, 07’ – So her husband dies a year before she started working for Tristan? Even though I feel heartbrokenly sorry for her, I also feel angry, she has lied to everyone, including Tristan – And she stole from me!
Reluctantly, I continue reading. It tells me all the kind of information I thought I would get like; D.O.B, her age, her parent’s names, and the schools she went to, her academic achievements, and a full employment record.
I'm surprised to see that none of the places she’s worked at are office based. It’s mostly retail work; shoe shop, bakery and clothes store. Not one office job?
I find that very odd, but I don't have much time to be thinking this over, as I reach the end of the page and turn it over to the next page, I'm shocked to see it says Medical History.
As I start reading it gets really scary…
7/5/07
Patient admitted to hospital. Failed suicide attempt. Anti-Depressant Paroxetine prescribed.
9/9/07
Patient admitted to hospital. Second suicide attempt. Patient grieving loss of husband and miscarried child. Patient placed in Psychiatric Ward for full evaluation.
Fuck - She lost her baby too! I swallow hard and carry on reading.
20/9/7
Patient receiving Psychological Treatment. Diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy implemented. Patient symptoms include – Severe Anxiety Attacks, Clinically Depressed, Emotionally Unstable – Patient showing signs of progression through treatment programme.
5/11/7
Patient released from programme due to greatly improved behavior. Patient to return home with follow up sessions with assigned therapists.
20/5/8
Patient showing signs of increased behavioural difficulties. Sessions with therapists to be increased. Patient diagnosed with Chronic Obssesive Compulsive Neurosis.
Holy fuck!
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE! I mean I knew there was something iffy about her, but I wasn’t expecting this, I don't even know what Chronic Obsessive-Compulsive Neurosis is, but it doesn’t sound good, I swallow hard. Jesus, on the one hand, what the poor woman has been through is just awful, losing her husband, then her baby, but on the other hand, she’s dangerous and my instincts were telling me from the very start.
I look back at the last paragraph May 2008 – Shit! Tristan told me she started working for him by then –Shit! Shit! Shit! I try not to freak out, but my heart is slamming against my chest, my stomach twisting with anxiety. What if it’s not just love that she has for Tristan? What if she’s turned obsessive about him?
I shake my head in denial, no way surely someone that sick wouldn’t function normally on a day to day basis. I'm instantly reminded of the film Fatal Attraction, Glen Close’s character seemed pretty normal until she went loopy.
I suddenly feel really, really scared for Tristan. What if she’s been stalking him, keeping potential relationships away from him, what if I'm right, and she’s the one that told Tristan Olivia was cheating on him?
Karen’s words come into my head ‘she is so different with everyone when he’s around, the moment he leaves she goes back to being....I don’t know....just weird’’
My mouth goes completely dry. I think about her behaviour last week, she’s been up and down like a yo-yo, one minute she’s being nice, the next she’s not. The dream I had of her comes unbidden into my mind’s eye and I know in that very instance why I had the dream about my mother – Oh my God!
I close my eyes and lean my head against the cubicle. They have the same look in their eyes! I knew it, I knew all along that something wasn’t right with her, I’d seen it before, I just never put two and two together? Susannah is sick, really sick, and she needs help before she harms someone!
Then a sinking, sickening feeling washes over me and I know it was her.
Susannah was the one outside my door Monday night.
Suddenly it all becomes very clear.
She’s not after Tristan, she’s after me. Fuck!
Shaking my head in horror, I open my eyes and read the last entry.
2/7/8
Patient no longer attending sessions. Failure to contact patient. Case Closed.
Case closed? What the fuck! – I close my eyes and lean my head back against the cubicle.
Why the hell didn’t they bang down her god damn door! She was evidently showing signs of getting worse, not better. I feel lost, what do I do? Should I speak to George, Joyce, Gladys, or should I be brave and show this to Tristan, even though I know I risk him rejecting me because of what I’ve done.
Opening my eyes, I look down at the papers in my shaking hands, and that’s when I notice I still have a page to go, I turn it over. Oh no!..No….No…No!
I am staring at what looks like a photo of Tristan, but it’s not, it’s her dead husband.
They couldn’t look more alike if they tried; same bone structure, hair colour, even his eyes are the same warm brown. As I stare at the handsome soldier before me, I feel sick to my stomach, my head starts to swim, I think I'm going to faint!
I reach out, my hands either side of the cubicle walls and press against them, trying to stop the room spinning, I close my eyes and breathe deeply, until I feel the cloudiness wash away. Ok, ok, better much better!
Ok, decision time. I know the moment I think those words that I have to tell Tristan, he has to know everything and he needs to know now. I need to be brave, march right into Joyce’s office, place the paperwork down on the desk and beg Tristan to read it.
Hopefully, he will see sense, and we can get the police involved and get Susannah away from him before she does anything stupid, but there’s something I need to do first, there’s still one question I need answering.
With trembling fingers, I prize open the piece of paper with Olivia’s details, and punch her number into my mobile, three times I have to re-do it, because my hands won’t stop shaking. Finally, getting it right, I hit call and wait for an answer.
“Hello?” A sultry voice answers.
“Um...Hi...is this Olivia? Olivia Logan?” I ask stuttering as I do.
“Who is this?” she questions. I rack my brains for what to say, how do I start?
“I'm not interested in anything you’re selling, goodbye’ - “Tristan Freeman,” I screech. “I-I'm calling about Tristan Freeman, I'm not selling anything,” I tell her firmly.
“What about him?” she asks.
“I...he’s in trouble,” I say.
“Trouble?” she questions.
“Well...he might be...I’m not sure,” I say. Come on Coral!
“What has this got to do with me? Who is this?” she snaps.
“Olivia, I'm sorry. I should explain. My name is Coral Stevens. Tristan and I...well we’re engaged but,” I take a deep breath. “I need to ask you about Susannah Johnson,” I tremble.
Olivia is quiet for a very long time.
“Tristan is engaged to you?” she whispers.
“Yes,” I answer. I wait for her to say something, but when she doesn’t, I know I need to push. “Olivia, please help me,” I plead.
“Help you how?” she asks a little bewildered.
“I...I know this must be hard for you. I know you loved Tristan and
that it got all messed up, but I need to know, was it Susannah that told him you were with your ex?”
“How do you know about that?” she questions.
“Tristan told me a little bit about you,” I softly say.
I wait again.
“Yes, yes, Susannah was the one that told him,” she answers.
My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach, Tristan lied to me, he told me Susannah didn’t know about him splitting with Olivia, but she must have done.
With a heavy heart I continue. “How do you know that?” I question.
“Because the night I was with my ex, she came over and talked to me, I even introduced her to him. I always thought it was strange she was there, but when she told Tristan, she made up a pack of lies and he believed her, I’ve never forgiven him for that,” she snaps.
“Olivia, Susannah was mentally ill, psychotic even, she still is, people like that can be very, very convincing. I would know, my Mother spent most of her life in a Psychiatric Hospital,” I say, trying to ease her pain.
“I'm sorry,” she says.
“Look Olivia, Tristan loved you, I know he did, but he also trusted Susannah. I can just imagine how convincing she would have been with her story, and Tristan is too trusting, he would have believed her.”
“He should have believed me,” she snaps.
“Yes,” I whisper. “He should have. That’s why I’ve had a private investigator find out all he can about Susannah…” I proceed to tell Olivia about my week with Susannah, all the things she’s done, then I read out everything that’s on the report. “Do you see what I mean about him being in danger?”
“Yes,” she answers. “I’d like to help, but I don't see how?”
“You have helped. I know it was Susannah that split you up, I'm going to tell Tristan I contacted you, if that’s ok?”
“He won’t take your word for it,” she says.
“I know it’s a risk I’ve got to take, but I'm going to show him the report. I don't see how he can deny what’s plainly written in front of him.” If he does we’re through…I squeeze my eyes shut. I hear a child cry out in the background. Babies, kids, Tristan could have had it all with her…My heart sinks ever further.
CORAL - Fallen (A Romance Trilogy, Book 2) Page 42