Deadly Obsession

by Karen M. Davis

  Lexie smiled, knowing Brad was making light of missing his son’s party.

  ‘Stop talking and go . . . now. I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll call you if anything comes up.’

  Brad hesitated, hovering at the end of her desk.

  ‘I’m sorry about the Josh situation . . .’

  Lexie waved her hand in the air like it was old news.

  ‘Let’s just forget it, okay?’

  ‘Are we good?’

  Lexie smiled and nodded her head.

  ‘We’re good. Now, go home.’

  With that Brad was gone.

  Lexie started typing a statewide notification; an alert that Little Gitt was wanted for questioning. She was still typing when Batman sat down in Brad’s chair opposite her.

  Lexie glanced around the room. Except for Lurch, who still sat at his desk in the corner of the room engrossed in his computer screen, they were all alone. She turned back to find Batman watching her intently.

  ‘Would you like to go for a drink, Lexie?’

  Batman kept his voice low as he gave her a very sweet smile.

  ‘It’s not a date; just two friends going out for a drink after work. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?’

  Taking her hand off the computer mouse, Lexie sat back in her seat and gave him a long, serious look.

  ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea, Batman. After Josh, I promised myself I wouldn’t get involved . . .’

  Her voice faded as she searched for the right words.

  ‘I’m not saying you’re proposing marriage or anything . . . it’s just that I’m not ready . . . for anything, really.’

  Batman wouldn’t be put off.

  ‘I respect you, Lexie. I’m not suggesting a relationship, just friendship; at least to start with.’

  He shot her a cheeky grin.

  Lexie raised her eyebrows at him.

  ‘And I don’t mean friends with benefits either. I just thought . . . after seeing Josh today you might be feeling . . . I don’t know. Like getting drunk, maybe?’

  Lexie laughed.

  Do you really want to go back to an empty apartment and think about Josh all night?

  Totally surprising Batman, and herself, Lexie said, ‘Okay, let’s go for a drink.’

  Batman’s face lit up.

  ‘Really? That’s great. Let’s finish up and head from here. Where do you want to go?’

  ‘I’ll meet you at the Clovelly Hotel; out the front, in forty minutes. There are a few things I have to do before I go,’ Lexie said, already dialling Rex’s number.

  Batman nodded and rushed back to his desk.

  After two rings, Rex answered.

  ‘What can I do for you, detective?’

  ‘You know Little Gitt?’

  There was silence for a moment on the other end of the line. Then Rex cleared his throat.

  ‘Yeah, I know him.’

  ‘If you see him, can you do me a favour and give me a call? I need to speak to him urgently regarding this murder investigation. He could be a witness.’

  ‘I would have thought it more likely he be the suspect,’ Rex muttered, sarcastically. ‘No worries. I’ll keep my eyes open.’

  ‘Thanks,’ she said, hanging up and shutting down her computer.

  As Lexie tidied her desk and put files away in drawers, she was surprised to find that she was actually looking forward to a relaxing drink.

  CHAPTER 30

  Josh was on his second beer and listening to his mate, Troy, from high school days, boast about his latest girlfriend, when he saw Lexie walk into the hotel. His heart leapt into his throat at the sight of her; that was, until he saw Batman hot on her heels.

  What the hell?

  Troy must have noticed Josh’s expression and followed his gaze.

  ‘Oh shit,’ said Troy as he placed a hand on Josh’s arm. ‘Handle it, mate.’

  Josh took a deep breath and looked down at the bar, hoping desperately they wouldn’t see him. He didn’t think he could feign pleasantness to his former workmate who was obviously trying to move in on Lexie. What Josh actually wanted to do was ram his fist down Batman’s throat.

  Josh kept his head bowed.

  ‘Did they see us?’ he asked Troy after a few moments.

  ‘They did. Lexie nodded at me and the bloke she was with shat himself. He almost bolted up the stairs to the back bar.’

  Josh let out a pained sigh. That black cloud that had been hovering nearby was now threatening to engulf him. He tried to push it away before it could settle in.

  ‘Let’s find somewhere else to have a drink, mate,’ Troy suggested, finishing his beer.

  Josh could feel his mate watching him carefully. Having been friends for over twenty years, Josh knew he would be trying to read him. When Josh didn’t budge from his seat, Troy gently reached for his arm. Trying to persuade him to get up, Troy repeated, ‘There are plenty of other places for us to go. Come on. Let’s find somewhere else and get a drink.’

  Strangely, for the first time in as long as he could remember, Josh didn’t feel like having another drink.

  *

  No matter how hard Lexie tried, she was unable to concentrate on anything Batman was saying. She could see his lips moving, but the sounds of the noisy pub fused with the buzzing in her ears made it impossible to make out his words.

  Sipping on her chardonnay, Lexie tried to clear her mind. Focus.

  It was useless. Her thoughts were like a confusing maze of pathways spearing off in all directions, yet somehow each path led straight back to Josh.

  ‘Are you okay, Lexie?’ Batman asked.

  Lexie nodded automatically. Taking a big mouthful of wine, she forced herself to look at him. She noted Batman’s eyes were hazel. They were nice eyes but not the piercing shade of green of Josh’s eyes. His hair was dark, also like Josh’s hair, but Batman wore it shorter, in a flat-top, military style. He also had a set of cute dimples, again like Josh.

  For the first time Lexie noted the similarities between them. At one level, they were alike; yet they were not. Batman was younger, more immature. He was a cheeky, flirty, free-spirited boy. Whereas Josh was older, more mature. He was a strong, gorgeous, masculine man. The undeniable air of aloof confidence he presented gave him an edge. He was complicated. There were many facets to his character. Inside that cool exterior, there was a definite vulnerability he endeavoured to hide. Josh had been wounded by life and all that he had experienced. The combination of strength with vulnerability was, to Lexie, irresistible.

  Seeing Josh for the second time today had totally rattled her. Out of all the pubs in the Eastern Suburbs, he’d had to pick this one to have a drink in? He knew this was her pub. That she lived not five minutes away. Had he come here on purpose? she wondered.

  Batman was still staring at her.

  ‘Lex, are you in there?

  Lexie blinked a few times and sipped continually on her wine.

  ‘I’m sorry, Batman.’

  She was aware she was far from being riveting company right now, but she didn’t know what else to say.

  ‘No, I’m sorry, Lex,’ Batman apologised, reaching forward and briefly touching her hand. ‘I can see that running into Josh has upset you. Trust me, as much as I like the guy, he is the last person I wanted to see sitting at the bar. I don’t think he saw us.’

  Lexie pulled a face.

  ‘He saw us. His mate, Troy, looked straight at me.’

  Josh had seen her, she had felt it, yet he had looked away before she could meet his gaze. The uncomfortable look on Troy’s face told her all she needed to know. The knowledge that Josh had seen her with another man and had failed to come after them to hunt Batman down and claim her as his, irrespective of how unrealistic that notion might be, left her feeling dizzy and weak.

  It’s like he doesn’t even care . . .

  ‘Look, I feel really uncomfortable about all this as well. I like Josh, but I don’t like the way he treated you. He pisse
d off and left you, Lexie.’

  Lexie was unsure how much Batman knew about the circumstances of her break-up with Josh, but she did know how cops talked. Rumours spread quickly along the grapevine. Sadly, the gossiping word of a colleague could very quickly become distorted and taken for gospel.

  She sighed audibly.

  ‘Let’s not go there, Batman.’

  ‘All I’m saying, Lex, is don’t forget what he did—’

  Lexie was not going to talk about Josh with Batman. She put her hand in the air, palm directed at his face to stop him talking.

  ‘Okay, we won’t talk about it, then. Let’s just enjoy the night.’

  Pushing her glass of wine away, Lexie was no longer thirsty, or hungry.

  ‘Look, I think I’m going to have to give dinner a miss. This is really bad timing. I’m very tired.’

  Batman’s face dropped.

  ‘We’ve only had one drink, Lexie. Don’t let him get to you. He left you, remember? And I’m right here.’

  His voice held the slightest hint of impatience.

  The atmosphere between them changed; turned thick and heavy.

  Lexie felt the first prickles of irritation tiptoe across her skin. She took a deep breath. It was unfair to resent Batman just because he was not Josh, she told herself; or because he was speaking his mind.

  Why couldn’t Josh have just stayed away . . . ?

  Suddenly the confines of the pub, although expansive, felt claustrophobic. Lexie felt the old familiar stench of panic start to claw its way up her throat. Swallowing hard, she fought back the unexpected tears that threatened.

  ‘I have to go, Batman, I’m really sorry. It’s not you. It’s just all too much right now.’

  Lexie got up from her seat so quickly the chair she had just deserted fell sideways and crashed onto the wooden floor. A sea of eyes, staff and other patrons, turned towards them with curious stares. Her need to run grew stronger.

  ‘Just wait a second, Lexie,’ cried Batman as he jumped up, flustered. ‘I’ll walk you home.’

  ‘No, no. I’m fine.’

  Her hands were shaking and she couldn’t breathe. It felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room.

  ‘I need to go. Now. I’m sorry.’

  The disappointed look she saw on his face dissipated the irritation she had only moments ago felt towards him. In its place was a bitter sense of guilt, as if she had let him down.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she mumbled again as she moved forward, gave him a quick peck on the cheek and headed for the exit. As she ran down the stairs and flew through the downstairs bar where Josh had been seated, she noted he was no longer there. Inexplicably, this made her feel worse; her composure collapsed.

  Now there was no holding back the tears that ran in a steady stream down her face as she rushed out into the cold night.

  CHAPTER 31

  Without thinking too deeply about what he was doing, Josh knocked loudly on Lexie’s front door. He waited, counting to ten while holding his breath in an attempt to calm his pounding heart.

  There was no answer, but he knew she was in there. And he would wait all night if he had to.

  After leaving the Clovelly Hotel, Josh had insisted, much to his mate’s displeasure, that Troy drop him home. Josh had immediately driven back to Clovelly, luckily found a parking spot near Lexie’s flat, and telling himself this was not stalking, sat and contemplated his next move.

  He thought about calling her. But he was pretty certain she would hang up on him. Besides, he needed to speak to her in person. Josh had still been trying to figure out what to do next when he’d seen Lexie rush past his car.

  She hadn’t seen him; it was dark and she had been in too much of a hurry to notice anyone. Relieved to see Lexie was alone, Josh had scanned the street for any sign of Batman. He was nowhere to be seen. He was in luck.

  Watching Lexie’s sleek silhouette vanish into the building, Josh had given her ten minutes to catch her breath. So now, here he was, standing outside her door. There was no response. She had to be in there. He knocked again.

  Nothing. The place was as silent as a tomb.

  ‘I know you’re in there, Lex.’

  Please open the door.

  ‘I’m not leaving until you open the door.’

  He banged again, louder this time.

  Josh heard a click, then a creaky old hinge screamed as a door opened.

  ‘Shut up or I’ll call the blooming cops,’ the cranky old man who lived down below yelled up the stairs.

  Josh ignored him.

  ‘I’m not leaving, Lexie.’

  He concentrated on keeping his voice clear, his words succinct. He didn’t want her to think he was drunk.

  ‘We need to talk. I’m not leaving. I saw you come in. I know you’re there.’

  There was still no reply.

  Josh raised his arm, was about to bash on the door once again when, without warning, it flew open. Surprised and off balance he stumbled forward under the weight of his own momentum. Lexie stepped back and watched him do a little dance before regaining his footing.

  ‘Are you drunk?’

  Lexie wasted no time in making the accusation.

  Josh shook his head as he looked at her. He noted Lexie’s stance was stiff, hostile. Her arms were folded across her chest, her face was rigid, her expression cold.

  ‘Why are you here, Josh? How much have you had to drink?’

  ‘I’m not even close to being drunk. I’ve had two beers, Lexie. I left the pub after I saw you.’

  Her face remained a mask of contempt. However, she couldn’t hide the despair he saw reflected in her beautiful brown eyes. Lexie’s anguish cut him to the core. It also gave him the faintest glimmer of hope.

  Was it possible she still cared?

  Josh took in her appearance. It looked as if Lexie had stepped straight out of the shower, as she was wearing a full length, fluffy white bathrobe. Her hair was pulled off her face, tied in a messy bun on top of her head. Some damp strands framed her makeup-free face. She looked fresh, natural, and more beautiful to him than ever.

  Lexie’s demeanour didn’t falter as she asked again, ‘What do you want, Josh?’

  Now he was here, standing before her, it seemed, yet again, he had lost the power of speech. As usual, his ineptitude to find the right words when needed was at its dismal best. He’d had a whole month to figure out what to say when he saw her again, yet, true to form, he was still at a loss. Josh had never been one of those people who knew instinctively what to say in any given situation; to lend sympathy, encouragement or exhibit emotions when required. He cursed his own inadequacy.

  Stop thinking and speak, you idiot.

  ‘Can we talk?’

  Lexie kicked the door. It slammed shut behind her. Josh took that as a good sign. Without moving from her post beside the door, Lexie stared at him, waiting.

  ‘I’m sorry, Lex. I stuffed up big time. What else can I say?’

  Lexie huffed, drilled her gaze into his.

  ‘Is that it? You can’t do better than that?’

  Just tell her . . . don’t stuff this up as well.

  Revealing his emotions left Josh feeling vulnerable, exposed. But if there was any hope of salvaging this relationship he would have to spill his guts here and now.

  ‘I know I didn’t handle Jenna’s death well. I know I became cold and removed. I was numb.’

  They had been together for six months when Jenna had died so suddenly. It had sent Josh into a tailspin of grief and despair. Almost instantly, the closeness they had once shared was cut off at his end. Pain and remorse took over his entire being. Like a toxic poison infecting his insides, it left him unable to feel any other kind of human emotion except anger and self-reproach.

  Lexie had done everything right. She had tried to comfort him, support him. He had frozen her out, pushed her away. He was his own worst enemy.

  ‘You rang me from the airport, Josh . . . how do you think that mad
e me feel? I knew what you were going through as much as anyone can. I’ve lost my brother, too, you know.’

  Her anger was palpable.

  ‘I did everything I could to help you. I would have stood by you and supported you through everything, anything, but you just left me.’

  Her eyes widened and then narrowed.

  ‘You left me.’

  God, how could he have been so selfish, so stupid? Regret tore at Josh’s gut.

  He knew Lexie had trust and abandonment issues. Her ex-husband had cheated on her. Her brother was gone. Of course being killed was no fault of his own, but the result was the same – Josh knew Lexie had felt painfully alone. He felt his chest constrict as he gazed at her beautiful face set in a cloak of determined despondency. Josh wondered if there was any way he would be able to penetrate the invisible wall she had constructed around herself.

  ‘Can we sit?’ Josh asked.

  Lexie wordlessly gestured towards the lounge that sat in the middle of the living area. She waited for him to take a seat before positioning herself on the lounge opposite. Sitting stiffly, on the edge of her seat she watched him, still waiting.

  A few heartbeats passed before Josh finally found his voice. He took a deep breath.

  ‘I’ll never do it again, Lexie. I promise. I’ve done the wrong thing. I handled things badly.’

  He moved forward so as not to be sucked into the spongy comfort of the lounge.

  ‘Dad and I had the biggest fight we’ve ever had just after Jenna died. He told me I was useless, that it was my fault Jenna had killed herself, that I should have been looking out for her. He said what was the use of being a cop when I couldn’t protect my own sister? He told me I was a pathetic excuse of a man. I guess for a while there I believed him.’

  Josh locked his eyes on hers and didn’t break the contact. Neither did Lexie.

  ‘But your father has dementia, Josh.’

  ‘That’s right. So he has no filter. At least I know exactly how he feels now.’

  Lexie stared down at her hands and said nothing. What could she say?

  Tell her . . .

  Josh paused, took another deep breath, and then blew all the air out of his lungs in a long heavy sigh.

  ‘You see, my guilt was not just all about Jenna dying. It had a lot to do with my resentment towards her being Dad’s favourite. I could never get my father’s approval, no matter what I did, whereas Jenna just had to exist to get it.’