by Sioux Dallas
Arnold was ecstatic and was happier when two of the large paintings went for five thousand each. “The cost of insurance and utilities is so high, I still don’t make much of a profit, but I’m not complaining. The real estate or property taxes are horrendous. I’m thankful I have an income and can provide one for you. By the way our health insurance premium was raised, but we’re both covered. Don’t worry. If you have to go to the hospital, you’ll be covered. Of course Ben will take care of anything else.”
Wiping a tear of happiness from her eye, Liisa hugged him and walked into the hall to have another look at the mysterious man. Is he Aasegg Rygh? I wish I could remember. I spent more than a little time with him to paint a picture of this size. She continued to stare until Arnold came to the door to see what she was doing.
“I’m just trying to remember who he is and why I painted him.”
“Are you having troubles of some kind, honey? I’ve noticed that you seem preoccupied lately and you look as if you don’t feel well.”
“Aw, I’m okay, just the winter blues. Guess my age is catching up with me.”
“Sure. You’re so old, but then I’ve always heard you’re only as old as you feel. I feel twenty. What about you?” Arnold went back into his office laughing.
The week went by cold, with snow flurries and very few customers even looking. Liisa was wishing for more to keep her busy and decided to try portrait painting as Arnold had suggested. She set up her easel and board, then prepared her palette, knife and colors. Seating herself so that Arnold would not suspect what she was doing, she proceeded to paint a portrait of him.
She first did a faint charcoal outline. She then did the shape of the head and hair. Smiling to herself, she started on his complexion of face and neck. She had only gotten that far when Arnold suddenly appeared on the other side of the easel.
“What are you working on? You’re looking as if you might have to fight your way through an army to achieve your goal.”
She jumped in surprise. “Oh! Don’t look. Don’t look. I’m -er getting to be one of those superstitious, paranoid painters. I would much rather no one would see what I’m doing until I’m finished, or nearly so.”
“You’ve never been this way before. Liisa, tell me the truth. Is everything all right with you?”
“Pay no attention to me. Just let me paint in peace while we don’t have customers looking over my shoulder asking inane questions and making useless comments.”
“If that’s what you want. I’m going down to Mitchell’s Barber Shop and then to Claymore’s Deli. Do you want me to bring anything to you?”
“No, but thanks anyway. I brought a sandwich and an apple. I’ll make some hot chocolate when I’m ready to eat. Be careful where you walk. There’s still some ice under the snow.”
“Yes, mother. I’ll be careful,” he chuckled as he put on an overcoat and a Russian trooper hat made of Siberian fox. Liisa and Ben had given the hat to Arnold last Christmas. It had cost three hundred and fifty dollars but was worth every penny. It was warm and would last many years.
Liisa drew a sigh of relief when Arnold left. She was pleased that he had not seen the painting and she would be able to surprise him with it. She hoped he would hang it in the hall beside the mysterious man.
The week went by with only a few small sales. Liisa was able to paint Arnold’s neck and shoulders. She would do the upper part of the body next. The face would be last. Standing back and looking at what she had accomplished, she was very pleased.
There had been no threatening phone calls all week which gave Liisa a false sense of safety and peace, in fact, she had put the calls on a back burner to not dwell on. Saturday was bitter cold, but clear. Arnold had made the decision to close at one. Although he never complained, Liisa observed that he looked tired and pale.
At twelve noon Liisa had started to cover some items and place a drop cloth over her painting. The phone rang.
“Liisa, will you get that, honey? If it’s someone wanting to come in, tell them they’re out of luck.” Liisa knew he would never insult a customer. She realized that he was desperate to leave and go home.
She picked up the phone. “Arnold’s Arts and Antiques. Liisa speaking. How may I help you?”
“Well, little lady. You may help yourself.”
Cold chills ran a marathon up and down her spine. She gasped for breath. “What do you want? How dare you call here at a place of business.” She moved to the front door with her back to Arnold so he would not be disturbed by the call.
A maniacal laugh was her answer. “How dare I? HOW DARE YOU! Did you think I would never find out that you tried to trick me with a tracer on your phone? I’ll make you sorry that you ever thought of that, or did one of your men friends think of it?”
“I -I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t try to lie your way out of it. I told you I know all, see all, and from now on, I’ll hear all. You’ll pay for it and you only have yourself to blame. Apparently you don’t care if your family and friends are safe.” He slammed the phone down.
Without thinking of Arnold listening, Liisa immediately dialed Paul and began to cry as she tried to tell him about the call. A hand reached over her shoulder and took the phone causing her to gasp and choke. Arnold had taken the phone. “Who is this? Paul! I think you’d better come here and explain to me why Liisa is about to faint after having a couple of weeks of going around almost like a zombie.” He hung up.
Turning to Liisa he put his arms around her and held her close. “Honey, I’ve known something is wrong. Why won’t you trust me enough to tell me about it?”
“Arnold, I do trust you. I didn’t want to worry you until I found out for sure what my - stalker is talking about.”
“STALKER!? Now I do need to hear all about your problem. Honey, you’re like my own child and I want to know when you’re unhappy or afraid. I want to be there for you.”
I know you do, but I’ve tried to spare you all that I can.”
Arnold closed and locked the door placing a ‘Sorry we’re closed. Please come again’ sign on the door. He led Liisa back to the office and urged her to sit while he made some hot chocolate for her. He had just handed her a cup of the chocolate, when they heard a loud knocking at the door and someone calling. Liisa sat the cup on a small table by her chair and ran to let Paul in, carefully locking the door again. Paul hugged her and walked back to Arnold’s office with her.
“Paul, I’ve been very concerned about our girl because she has not looked well for some time and hasn’t been her sunny self since she returned from the auction. It’s time I know what’s going on.”
“I agree,” Paul assured him. “You and Liisa have been concerned about each other, and she has tried to keep you from suffering for her problems.”
“Her problems are my problems. Now talk.”
Liisa and Paul told Arnold about the calls and about the tracer on her phone. Liisa took up there and told about the call today. “This is the first time he’s called me at work. I know why. Some how he found out about the tracer and won’t call me at home. I’m afraid he’ll try to come in here next.”
“Bring him on. I’d like to see him face to face and take care of him.” Arnold jumped up and looked as if he could fight his weight. Liisa had to smile at his agitation and concern for her.
She looked lovingly at the five-foot-nine man with thinning brown hair with more silver than brown and kind hazel eyes. She was shocked to see that his sturdy build was now almost to the point of being thin. I must take more responsibility and help him more. I realized he was not well, but I’ve been so caught up with my own selfish, self-centered thoughts that I haven’t noticed how much weight he has lost.
She gave herself a mental shake and determined to be stronger emotionally.
Chapter Six
A few days passing without disturbing phone calls, gave Liisa a false sense of security. She hoped that he had stopped calling and would leave her alone since
he now knew that a tracer was on her phone. She worked as many hours as Arnold would allow and stayed more nights than usual with the Johnsons.
Finally she became annoyed with herself and stayed at her own apartment. She worked and visited with friends as she had done before the calls started. One Friday night Liisa had gone to the Country Club on Oronoke Rd. with friends for dinner and a birthday party for one of the friend’s husband. Aileen and Richard Stoddard, Carolina Pervis, Gerald Decker, Rosa and Roger Marcum, Jenna and James Coyle and Liisa were laughing at remarks made by Richard when Paul joined them.
“Hello everyone and happy birthday, Roger.” Paul spoke as he sat by Liisa and hugged her. No one thought anything of Paul hugging Liisa because all of them had known Paul and Liisa for years. They knew Liisa had been raised by Paul’s family and looked on him as a brother to Liisa.
“Roger, are you going to open your gifts first or do we eat and then you open gifts?” Gerald asked.
“I’m starved. Let’s eat first and then Roger can open his gifts,” Rosa answered firmly. Laughing at Rosa telling Roger what to do, they ordered. While waiting for their food, Jenna asked Liisa to tell about her paintings and her trips to Norway. They were horrified when Liisa gave a gasp and hid her face on Paul’s shoulder. She was infuriated with herself when she realized that none of them knew what she had been burdened with.
Paul quickly covered Liisa’s actions. “Come on, little lady. Everyone knows you’re not that humble,” he said with a laugh. “She feels that if she tells of her success that people will think she’s bragging and won’t approve of her.”
Thankful that Paul had made a joke of her actions, she faced her friends with a laugh and said, “I always find many beautiful people and different scenery to paint in Norway. You’ll just have to come by the gallery and see for yourself. By the way, Arnold has suggested that I should try portrait painting. I could use your input if you’d like to see some of my work and give me your unbiased opinions.”
The food was served and ten hungry people quickly ate and waited impatiently for Roger to open his gifts. Rosa had secretly arranged for a special cake to be baked for Roger. Everyone present was encouraged to sing to him with his friends. Paul and James paid for a dessert to be served to others in the restaurant.
Liisa and Carolina left to go to the ladies’ room. When Liisa returned, she found a sheet of paper, folded in half, in her seat. She opened it, gave a soft cry and felt the floor rise up to meet her. Her friends were frightened when she fell face down on the floor. Paul picked her up and held her on his lap while the Club manager brought a wet cloth to hold to her face. Aileen had trained for an EMT. She hurried around the table and rapidly rubbed Liisa’s wrist and lightly tapped her face while calling her name.
Liisa came out of her faint and was embarrassed to find herself on Paul’s lap and so many people gathered anxiously around her. “How stupid of me. I can’t imagine what happened, or why.” She quickly scooted over into her own chair and reached a shaky hand for her glass of water. The water slopped over on her hand until Paul took the glass and held it for her,
“If you kind people will excuse us, I think I’d better get Liisa home. She apparently is getting sick. I’m going to take her home and let Dad check her out. Thank you for including us tonight. If nothing happens to keep us from meeting, I’ll see you guys on the golf course tomorrow.” Paul quietly and quickly got Liisa out and on his way to her home.
“Liisa, I can only imagine that whatever was on that paper caused you to panic. I knew you didn’t want to air your problems in public, so, I placed the paper in my pocket and said nothing about it.”
He pulled over and turned on the map light and read: GOOD TO SEE YOU OUT HAVING A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS. ENJOY THEM WHILE YOU CAN. YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED, BUT FIRST FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL SUFFER.
“He was there with us!” Paul shouted. I wish I had seen him. He’d never cause heartache for anyone else again. I’ll keep this and give it to Cory. Maybe he can get some clues from it as to who is doing this.”
Liisa wiped the silent tears from her cheeks. “Why is he doing this? He either was there as a guest of someone or is a member and someone that we might know.” She began to cry.
At Liisa’s apartment, Paul made a cup of hot tea for her and urged her to lie down, but she was too full of nervous energy to do anything but pace. He quickly called his dad to come see about Liisa. And then called Cory asking him to join them. Ellen came with Ben.
Over Liisa’s protests Ben gave her a shot to relax her and soon she was ready to lie down. She fell asleep with Ellen softly crooning to her. Ellen went into the living room to hear what the men were saying. It was the first she had heard about the phone call at the GALLERY and now the note in Liisa’s chair.
Cory was adamant. “It’s time to call in the big guns. We need to bring in the FBI.”
Ben shook his head. “There isn’t enough to tell them. Sure they would take notes and offer suggestions, but the last phone call and the note are all that we have to show them.”
Paul sat with his elbows on his knees and his head held between his hands. It was obvious that he was extremely affected by Liisa’s troubles. Ben thought it was just because she had been raised with his children and that Paul thought of her as a little sister. Ellen knew Paul was developing deeper feelings for Liisa. He had never expressed himself, but she had noticed an expression on his face when he looked at her and had challenged him about it. He reluctantly admitted to his mother that there might be more than sibling feelings. She wanted to hug him, but restrained herself in front of the two men.
The conversation went on for almost an hour until Ben finally stood. “This isn’t getting us any where. We’re just going over the same thoughts and ideas. It’s frustrating and aggravating, but we’re doing all we can now.”
Liisa woke the next morning with a slight headache and a feeling that the oxygen had been taken from the room. Memories of the night before came flying into her head causing her to sit up in bed. Alarmed, she smelled something strange to her apartment. Slowly she got out of bed and put on a robe and slippers. Easing her bedroom door open she peeped out into the living room.
“Uncle Ben! What are you doing here? How did you get in?”
As Ben stood to walk toward her, Ellen came out of the kitchen. “Aunt Ellen! What’s going on?”
After they had both hugged her, Ellen served homemade blueberry pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, orange juice and coffee. Liisa was surprised to find that she was hungry and could eat all of the tasty food. She and Ellen cleaned up and then they came to sit in the living room while Ben explained about Paul calling them and he and Ellen staying the night.
“I’m embarrassed. I didn’t want any of you to be burdened with my problems. And you say Cory was here, also. Oh, what he must think of me.”
“He thinks you are a lovely young woman who is being tormented by an unknown coward and he wants to do all he can to help bring a closure to this whatever it is,” Ellen spoke breathlessly. She was angry at the situation and afraid for Liisa. Ben would not allow Liisa to go to work and called Arnold to explain what had happened. Arnold was so distressed that Liisa was afraid he would have a heart attack. She told them of his age and how worried she had been about him. “I don’t want Arnold put under any pressure. He’s been too good to me and I love him for it.”
“We understand,” Ben patted her back. “He was there when you had the phone call and you and Paul did tell him about this, this - well, let’s call him a stalker. Arnold is an intelligent man and loves you dearly. Of course he wants to know what is happening and wants to do what he can to keep you safe.”
Extracting a promise from Liisa to stay at home and rest, Ben and Ellen left after lunch. She sat at her computer to type the additional notes she had and to try to make some sense of all that had happened.
Just sitting here thinking isn’t getting me anywhere. I need to keep busy or I’ll go even more off my roc
ker than I am now.
She hurriedly got up to dress and do her laundry. She opened a louvered door in one end of the kitchen where there was a stacked washer and dryer. Placing clothes in the washing machine she then went into the long room beside her bedroom to paint some at an easel. She had no idea what she was going to paint, but mixed paints and picked up a small brush. She put the brush down and picked up colored chalk.
To her surprise, lines began to appear to show an overweight, bald man with small, mean-looking eyes. “Who in the world is this?” she exclaimed aloud. “I must have seen him somewhere, but where and who is he?” Staring at the drawing, she jumped when the phone rang. Thank goodness it was Paul asking how she felt. They talked a while before she built up nerve enough to tell him of her drawing. He insisted on coming right over to see it.
In about fifteen minutes Paul was at her door and rushed in bringing the cold air about him. She took his overcoat and hat to hang them up.
Liisa shivered as she touched the clothing. “Phew, is it that cold? Your coat feels as if you’ve been standing in the freezer.”
“I feel as if I’ve been standing in the freezer. Yes, it’s bitter cold. I need a hot mug of something to drink and hold in my hands.”
“Do you want coffee, tea or hot chocolate?” she smiled. “You forgot to add me,” Paul teased.
“What?”
“You know the old joke. The stewardess asking, “Would you like coffee, tea or me?”
Liisa didn’t think it was funny. Paul laughed and asked for coffee.
With the big mugs of coffee in their hands Liisa led Paul into the room to see her drawing.
“Wow! That’s some likeness. I could take that drawing and go through a crowd to select the man in a heart beat,” Paul exclaimed.
“But I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before. Maybe it’s just a drawing that I made up as I worked, but it sure didn’t take long to draw it.”
“No. I think it is someone you’ve seen and have blocked it out just as you have your memories. Maybe he’s part of the problem that caused your amnesia.”