by S. E. Lund
It did upset me that she left the building and went home without telling Reg. I decided to talk to him and maybe have someone go there and make sure the place was covered. We still had no idea who Mr. Fedora was, and I didn't want to risk anything just in case it was one of my former staff members who was terminated and who wanted to hurt me and mine.
I left my office and went down to the security office. I glanced up at the camera and pressed the button on the security door. The duty officer buzzed me inside. Reg was in his office, reading over some report.
"Mr. Macintyre. What can I do for you?"
"Ella left the building without letting us know," I said when I sat in the chair across from his desk.
He frowned. "When?"
"I don't know for sure but probably after lunch. Let me check."
I texted Sharon.
JOSH: When did Ella go home with her migraine?
SHARON: She messaged me just after lunch. I suppose it would be soon after. Is something wrong? Didn't she tell you?
JOSH: No, she did. I was just wondering what time she left.
I then decided to tell Sharon about Mr. Fedora.
JOSH: I'll be right up. I need to talk to you about something.
SHARON: I'm here at your disposal.
I turned to Reg. "She probably left just after lunch hour, but I don't have an exact time."
Reg left the office and went to the videos in the control room. "I'll check the feed and see when she left, check to see if Mr. Fedora wasn't in sight but I'm pretty sure we would have caught him if he was."
"Good. And make sure to send someone to her place to watch over, just in case."
"Will do."
Then, I went up to Sharon's office and when I arrived, I closed the door behind me and sat across from her.
"What's up, boss? Is there an issue with Ella?"
I shook my head. "No, not at all. I've been followed recently by someone we can't identify and so we don't know who it is or what his motives are. I hired a security company to watch over the building and ghost both Ella and me when we leave and when Ella goes to her place, just to be safe."
She frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Who do you think it is?"
"I honestly have no idea."
"Do you have any enemies?"
I shrugged. "Could be a disgruntled former employee. Could be a business competitor who is doing research on me. Until we have more information, I have no way of knowing, but I want to be safe rather than sorry, on the off-chance it's a nutcase."
"That's a scary thought. But given the employment related shootings that happen every year, I guess you have to be careful."
"Precisely my thoughts," I replied. "Anyway, Ella knows about it and has agreed to be careful to let the security people know when she's coming and going so they can ghost her, but she didn't when she left the building today. I know she's not feeling well so it just might be an oversight on her part. Sometimes people with migraines get a kind of brain fog and she forgot to let security know. Whatever the case, I have someone going over to make sure her building is watched for the weekend."
"That must be expensive," Sharon said.
"If it protects me or Ella, it's worth every penny."
We spoke a few moments longer about Ella and then I left, feeling somewhat better that Ella had just forgotten about security because of her migraine. At least Sharon knew now and would be aware in case anything came up in the future.
I had a late meeting to get through, but I wanted to text Ella and make sure she was okay and didn't need anything.
JOSH: Hey, sorry to bother you when you're not feeling well, but did you know you forgot to let Reg know you were leaving? I realize you probably forgot because of the migraine but don't worry. I'll send someone over to watch the apartment for the weekend. If you need anything, let me know and I'll come right over. Anything at all -- coffee, takeout food, me naked and wearing a manservant apron -- anything.
I didn't hear back from her and at first I put it down to her not checking her cell because she wasn't feeling well but when she hadn't responded by nine that night, I started to panic.
I called Reg.
"Any news on Ella's place? I've texted her and she didn't respond."
Reg put me on hold for a moment to check with his man on the street watching Ella's apartment.
"My guy Parker said there's been no movement since he's been watching. There's a light on, but he hasn't seen her come or go."
"Okay, thanks. She usually gets back to me quickly, so I was a bit worried."
"Do you want Parker to go up and check on her?"
"No, no, that's okay. I'll drop by and bring her some food or something just to check on her."
"Okay. I'll tell Parker we'll be by. I'll be outside waiting in the car."
I ended the call and sat in the quiet of my apartment, wondering if she was just sleeping.
JOSH: Hey, I’m coming by with some hot soup that I hear is excellent for people who are sick or under the weather. I'll be by in twenty minutes.
She didn't reply, so Reg drove me to the Pho restaurant and waited while I got a takeout container of the spicy noodle soup that Ella loved. Reg took me to her place and we drove alongside Parker, who was sitting in a car across from Ella's building.
"Josh will run up and check on Ella," Reg said to Parker.
We parked, and I grabbed the Pho and went to the front entrance. Ella had given me a key, so I let myself into the building and took the stairs to her third-floor apartment. I went inside, but she wasn't there. I checked the bathroom, but the place was empty.
I panicked.
JOSH: Where are you? I'm at your place and you're not here.
Nothing.
I ran down the stairs to the car and got inside. "She's not home."
"What?" Reg frowned. "Parker said she didn't leave the place. He can see the entrance from here -- both the front and rear exits are visible.
I glanced over to the building and sure enough, you could see through the entrance to the rear door. The entry was well-lit and there was no way Parker could miss someone going out either exit.
She wasn't at home.
I texted her right away.
JOSH: Ella, please let me know where you are. I'm worried because of Mr. Fedora. Text me as soon as you get this.
I waited.
"She's not responding to my texts," I said.
"Did you two have a fight or something? Any reason she might not want to talk to you?"
I frowned.
"Not that I know of."
"Is it possible she's out shopping?"
"She went home with a migraine headache."
Reg nodded. "Would she go to the ER because of it? Sometimes, people with migraines get a shot of painkiller."
"She said she had medication for it and just needed to sleep."
"Maybe you should call the police and report her missing."
I took my cell out once more but there still wasn't an answer.
JOSH: Ella, I'm going to call the police and report you missing, so if you get this in the next thirty minutes, please let me know that you're okay and I won't. Otherwise, I'm going to file a missing person’s report.
"I just messaged her and told her I was going to file a missing person's report on her if I don't hear back in half an hour. Just in case she's not answering for a reason but is fine."
"Good idea," Reg said.
We sat in the car and talked about Mr. Fedora and what was being done to identify him.
"I sent his photo to a friend I have who works in the FBI and asked him to pass it through their facial recognition software. At least we'll know if he had an FBI or police file on him."
"That's good," I said. "I need to know who he is. That's the only way we'll know if he's a threat."
"It won't take him long to identify the guy if he's in the system."
"When do you think we'll know?"
Reg shrugged. "Should have something back tomorr
ow night."
"Thanks," I said and checked my watch. "Time's up. If she hasn't responded, I'm going to file a report."
I checked my cell.
ELLA: I'm fine. I came home for the weekend. I'm in Concord at my parent's place. I'll be back on Sunday night. I'm sorry you went to so much trouble to find me.
I frowned.
JOSH: Why didn't you message me? I would have taken you to the train.
ELLA: I needed to be alone. We can talk about it when I get back.
JOSH: Talk about what? Tell me what's the matter.
ELLA: Josh, I'm not feeling well, and don't want to talk about this right now.
JOSH: Of course. But seriously, Ella. I was so worried about you. I was afraid Mr. Fedora had abducted you or harmed you in some way. You can't imagine the thoughts that went through my head.
ELLA: I'm fine. I'm sorry I made you worry so much, but I didn't think you'd find out I wasn't at home.
JOSH: You have to know I'd be worried about you when I learned you weren't feeling well and had a bad migraine. I wanted to come over and look after you.
ELLA: I just needed to be alone and didn't think you'd be so concerned.
JOSH: Can I come and see you in Concord? I'll drive up. It won't take me too long.
ELLA: No, Josh. We can talk when I get back, okay? Just give me the weekend and I promise we'll talk when I get back.
JOSH: Okay. I don't think we should wait, but I will if you really want.
ELLA: I do. I'll let you know when I get back.
JOSH: Please let me know what time your train is going to be in and I'll pick you up.
ELLA: Okay.
JOSH: I'll see you Sunday. I miss you.
ELLA: See you Sunday.
She didn't respond in the usual way, with XOXO and echoing my sentiments so I knew something was wrong.
"She's fine. She's at her parent's place in Concord," I said to Reg.
He shook his head. "She should have let someone know she was going out of town."
"She wasn't thinking clearly," I said, not wanting to get into the whole business. "You can take me back to the building. I'm going to drive to Concord tonight and stay there for the rest of the weekend."
"Do you want me to take you?"
"No, but you could trail me for a while to make sure I'm not being followed."
"Okay."
Reg took me back to the building where I packed an overnight bag and grabbed my laptop. Then, I left the apartment. I programmed in Concord's Marriott and drove off, with Reg following me for the first twenty miles until I was on the outskirts of the Bronx. He flashed his lights at me and then turned back towards Manhattan.
I didn't know what was wrong with Ella, but something was definitely up. I couldn't imagine it was merely the migraine stopping her from notifying security, not responding to my texts, and then returning to Concord without telling me or anyone.
Whatever it was, I was sure it had to do with our relationship.
I felt exhausted after a long day at work and my worry about Ella, but at the same time, I needed to drive to Concord and talk to her.
I didn't want to wait.
19
Ella
I slept late, not waking until eleven in the morning. I crept out of bed then I pulled on my robe and slippers and padded out to the kitchen, where my mother was sitting at the kitchen island reading the morning paper, a coffee mug in hand.
"Good morning, sleepy head," she said and smiled. "Feeling better?"
"Yes," I said and went to the coffee maker to pour myself a cup.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong, so I can help you?"
I poured some cream in my coffee and stirred, delaying my response because I wasn't sure I wanted to tell her about Josh.
"Come on," she said and came over, slipping her arm around my shoulder. "You can tell me. What did he do to upset you? Did you two have a lover's quarrel?"
"No," I said, and it was then I felt my eyes tear up for the first time. "He cheated on me."
Then I broke down and covered my eyes. My mother pulled me into her arms and rocked me back and forth.
"Oh, my poor girl," she said and stroked my hair. "There'll be another man come along before you know it."
"Not like Josh," I said, and wiped my eyes. "I thought everything was so perfect between us."
"Tell me what happened."
We sat at the island and I told her about the messages I got and the link to the page with pictures of Josh and this blonde woman.
"One of the pictures was dated the weekend Josh went away. The day of his friend's funeral. The messages said Josh had been cheating on me with her the whole time."
"Did you ask him about it?"
I frowned. "No, I just left. I needed to get away and think things through."
My mother sighed. "It seems to me that you have to ask Josh before you do anything. Maybe the person who sent the messages was lying. You didn't even give Josh a chance."
"If he cheated on me, he doesn't deserve a chance."
"If is the proper word. You don't know. You only have some anonymous person's word and a picture. Was it of them having sex?"
"No," I said and frowned. "It was a picture of them in a kitchen and he had his hands on her shoulders."
"Maybe he was just talking to her."
"But there were other pictures of them together, and they were clearly romantically involved."
She didn't say anything for a moment and then I heard her sigh.
"Sweetheart, you were hurt badly by Derek. I understand it's made it hard to trust another man, but you have to give Josh the chance to explain before you rush to judgement. Not all men are like Derek."
"I didn't think Josh was like him, but if he was cheating the whole time we were seeing each other..."
"You don't know that for a fact. Talk to Josh. Let him explain. If he admits he was cheating or can't explain that picture of him with the blonde, then tell him it's over."
I nodded. I knew she was right. I hadn't given Josh a chance to explain because I was too afraid of what he'd say. I didn't want to hear him give me some lame excuse about being heartbroken over his friend's death and falling into this woman's arms for comfort. I didn't want to hear him say he was just drunk and didn't really mean to do it.
My mother reached out and took my hand, squeezing. She gave me a soft smile of encouragement.
"Call Josh, or text him, whatever it is you young people do. Give him a chance. If he's been good to you up till now, he deserves at least a chance to explain."
"Okay."
I got up from the counter and went to the bathroom for a quick shower. The spray of hot water always seemed to help me get my head on straight.
Once I was dressed and had a fresh cup of coffee, I sat at the dining room table and took out my laptop. On my messenger was notice of five messages.
I figured they were all from Josh, and when I clicked on the icon, I was right.
The latest message was from thirty minutes earlier.
I read over the messages in order of their timestamp.
JOSH: Ella, I'm coming to Concord. I'll be staying at the Marriott. Please message or call me so we can talk.
JOSH: I'm just passing Boston. I stopped at a gas station and wanted to let you know that you matter more to me than anything and I need to know what I've done to make you leave.
JOSH: I've checked in to the hotel and am lying on the bed, feeling lost without you. Please, tell me what's wrong.
JOSH: It's morning. I barely slept. Please, Ella. Talk to me.
He sounded so upset that I'd left and wasn't talking to him.
ELLA: Come over to my house. My mom's gone out for a while. We can talk.
Then I waited. Josh arrived about fifteen minutes later, and his face was pale, his eyes haggard.
"Come in," I said and led him inside to the living room.
He came over to me and I knew he wanted to hug me, but I quickly sat on the chair
facing the sofa.
He sat across from me, clearly dejected.
"Tell me what's the matter, Ella."
I took in a deep breath, because it was now or never. I had to ask him and he had to tell me.
"The other day, you said you had something to talk to me about that you weren't proud of. I want you to tell me now."
He sighed and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped. He didn't meet my eyes. "My army buddy Grant killed himself."
"I know," I replied and while my instinct would have been to reach out to squeeze his hand to comfort him, I didn't. "You already told me that much."
"He had a younger sister," Josh said and a wave of adrenaline coursed through me. I tried to prepare myself for what he was going to say.
He cheated on me with her.
"You slept with her while you were at the funeral,” I blurted out.
His face blanched and he glanced up at me, frowning.
"No, no," he said and grabbed my hand. "I would never sleep with someone else. Why would you think that? How could you even imagine I'd consider sleeping with someone else?"
I shrugged, my eyes burning. "We were both cheated on," I said, my voice breaking. "Both of us should be more than able to consider it. I figured you're just as likely as anyone to cheat."
"I never cheated on you. I want you," he said knelt beside my chair, my hands in his. "Only you."
"Then what happened that you could be so guilty about?"
He exhaled and glanced away.
"Before I met Christie, when I was in the Army, I used to sleep with Grant's sister when we were in the States on leave."
I nodded, waiting for the rest of the story.
"I thought she was fine with it. You know, we both were young and single and not into long-term relationships. I thought she really meant it when she said no strings attached, but apparently, she thought it meant more. She thought that because we kept getting together each time I was in the States, that I couldn't live without her. She thought we'd take the next step and get engaged, and then marry. She imagined that we'd move to Manhattan and she'd be my wife. Of course, I had no interest in her besides a fun sex partner now and then. I used her, Ella. Crassly. Unthinkingly. I used her and then I forgot about her when I met Christie once I was back home and out of the service. Christie and I got engaged and I guess Penny crashed when she learned about it in the papers."