by Sioux Dallas
“I don’t remember.” She had to set the mug down because she began to tremble all over. Paul quickly put his mug down and gathered her in his arms.
After she calmed down a little, he led her back to the living room and away from the upsetting drawing. They drank the now cooling coffee and looked out the large windows at the falling snow.
Paul sighed deeply and sat down heavily in a chair. “I don’t have an answer right now, but I’m going to call Cory and see if he can come see the drawing. Maybe he knows a way we can now turn to bring closure to your nightmare.”
Cory was with a client, but could join them by five o’clock. Paul suggested that, instead of Liisa trying to cook, he would order for the three of them from a nearby Chinese restaurant. He had to call and double his order when Ben and Ellen came.
“Uncle Ben! Aunt Ellen! What a nice surprise. I’m glad you’re here in time to have dinner with us.”
“Your Aunt Ellen was going bonkers and driving everyone else crazy worrying about you, so, I decided the cure for that was a visit for her to see for herself that you’re alive and well. You are well, aren’t you?” Ben frowned and hugged her again.
“I’m well. As far as happy, I’m not so sure. I won’t be happy and feel free until my stalker is caught Aunt Ellen, would you like to help me set the table for five. There will just be the five of us, won’t there?” Liisa looked at Paul.
He grinned and assured her that five was the limit. Liisa and Ellen went into the dining area of the kitchen to set the glass-topped table. Ellen took the artificial flower centerpiece off and placed it on the kitchen window sill. She opened one of the china cabinet drawers and got out five cloth placemats and matching linen napkins rolled inside of gold rings. Liisa set the tableware in place and started a fresh pot of coffee.
Cory carne in bringing a cold feeling in the air with him. He laughingly held out two big bags of food which was still smelling good and warm. Paul hurried to take Cory’s coat and hat and hang them up. “Paul told me to pick up the food.”
“Thank you, Cory. Paul or Uncle Ben, or both, will give you the money for this,” Liisa assured him.
“No one gives me anything. This is my contribution,” Cory beamed with friendship.
The fortune cookies were taken out of the bag and one placed by each person’s place. The Shrimp and Cashew Nuts were placed on each plate and the Moo Goo Gai Pan was divided on each plate. The fried rice was placed in a large bowl for each person to take what they wanted. Liisa had heated two pans of yeast rolls which were placed on the table on a platter. Butter and blackberry jam were placed in small bowls.
Paul told Cory of the latest developments. They were mystified as to how the stalker knew of the tap on the phone. Speculating got them nowhere.
Cory looked thoughtful while pulling on his left ear as he did when he was thinking deeply. “It’s clear that he’s someone in the immediate area and someone who knows all of us. I can’t, for the life of me, decide how he knew of the phone call.”
“We may have to bring in the FBI after all,” Ben declared. “They have the equipment to trace the calls and find the place of origin.”
“I’m the one who hasn’t wanted the FBI brought in. I was afraid that the more who knew of it, the more dangerous he would become,” Liisa explained. “Oh! I just had a horrible thought. What if he is a policeman in some capacity?”
“That’s always possible,” Cory agreed. “Rogue cops do happen. But we can’t just sit here and hope he’ll give up and leave you alone.”
“Please, Liisa, come back home and stay where we can protect you,” Ellen begged.
“Aunt Ellen, I love all of you and do appreciate your concern, but I refuse to allow him to run me out of my own home. My biggest fear now is that he’ll do something to one of you or Arnold.” She choked on a sob. I just wish I could remember what happened to me in the past and then I’d have an idea who he is.”
“It’s wasted effort to ponder on maybes and what ifs. He exists and he’s a dangerous person. It appears that he has no remorse and no conscience,” Ben stated. “Do either of you think he might have a, for lack of a better word, a partner close to us that reports to him?” Ben asked.
“No, I didn’t consider that,” Paul spoke slowly and softly, “but it makes sense.”
I can’t think of anyone, whom I see, or am with daily, who would betray me,” Liisa said. Ellen sat taking it all in and rocking back and forth in her chair. Her face twisted with her grief and worries.
Cory stood and began to pace the living room. “Liisa, the only thing I can think of at this moment is for you to have a bodyguard. It could be someone you would hire or it could be someone the FBI assigned. What is your thought about a bodyguard?”
Liisa gave a small gasp. “Bodyguard?!” she gave a hiccupping laugh. I could never imagine me, average citizen, with a bodyguard. It is a sad day in the U. S. A. when someone like me would need a bodyguard. A celebrity or a politician, sure, but me-”
“If you won’t come stay with us, then it makes good sense to have someone with you,” Ellen said.
“How could we find a bodyguard that we would trust? I would still be very worried about my girl,” Ben declared.
“Do you people realize how upsetting and embarrassing this is to me to have you discussing my private life and making decisions for me?” Liisa moaned. Ellen quickly hugged Liisa and took her into the bedroom to lie down.
“We’ll not get anything settled tonight,” Ben spoke sadly. “Paul, why don’t you and Cory go on and leave. Ellen and I will stay with Liisa. “Watch your backs carefully. He seems to know when any of us get together and he might decide to do away with us.”
Cory quickly put on his coat and hat. He thanked them for including him and left with the promise to try to think of a workable plan. Paul reluctantly left, more worried than he had been when he came.
Ellen helped Liisa prepare for bed and gave her a cup of hot tea. Ben and Ellen stood by Liisa’s bed and prayed with her. Ellen sat by her until she fell asleep. Ben settled on the couch in the living room. Ellen came in and sat by him. He put his arm round her and hugged her dose. They both shed a few tears for their girl.
“Go get in bed beside Liisa. I’ll take this couch. At least it’s long enough and comfy,” Ben urged Ellen to go to bed.
“No. I would rather be here beside you. Or I can relax in that big, comfortable lounge chair.”
“You won’t rest in that. Go share Liisa’s bed.”
Ellen was stubborn, too. She slept in the lounge chair and Ben slept on the couch.
Chapter Seven
Liisa woke to bright sunlight and the odor of fresh coffee. Her thoughts rushed in like a runaway freight train. Jumping out of bed with her heart racing, she tiptoed to her door and peeped out. She was relieved to see Ben and Ellen sitting on the couch reading a newspaper.
“Hey, you two. Did you stay the night sitting on that couch?”
“OH!” Ellen jumped up to hug Liisa with Ben behind her. “How do you feel this morning, darling?”
“How are you darling girl?” Ben thundered as he hugged her hard enough to make her gasp for breath.
“Easy on the body,” Liisa laughed. “We’re all three here and safe and I’m starved.”
Ben rushed to the kitchen and brought her a mug of coffee with loads of cream just as she liked it. “If you want to eat now, we can fix that,” he suggested.
“Yes, I’m hungry, but I’ll drink this and we can talk first. What did everyone finally agree to do last night? I didn’t even know when Paul and Cory left.”
“You heard all that we discussed. I think a bodyguard is an excellent suggestion, but that doesn’t cover all possibilities of danger. It’s your decision and if you need money, I’ll supply it. Or Paul will be happy to do so.”
“I’ve already taken more than enough from all of you and I’m so grateful, but I can take care of my own expenses. Remember, I banked a lot of my inheritance and it has
been earning interest.”
“We’re going in circles with all this talk. Come on and let me get some breakfast for you,” Ellen urged. She and Liisa went into the kitchen.
The phone rang and Ben made a hurried step to answer it. “Oh, Paul. It’s you. I was afraid it might be our mystery man. He seems to know all that’s going on. I’m sure he knows that we all gathered here to talk last night. Yes, she’s okay. Here, I’ll let her tell you.” He held the phone out for Liisa to take.
Ben went into the kitchen to help Ellen with breakfast while Liisa talked to Paul. Ben set the table while Ellen made French toast and bacon. He poured fresh squeezed orange juice and made a fresh pot of coffee. He placed butter and maple syrup on the table, then folded paper napkins beside each plate. Salt, pepper and tableware were placed next and then the three of them sat for a blessing and to eat.
Arnold had been called and told that Liisa would not be in for the day. He was walking to work feeling great and happy that Liisa was being taken care of. He walked along nodding happily to everyone he met and waving at business people along the way.
Suddenly he heard a woman scream. Turning to look, he was too late to dodge the car that had driven on the sidewalk. The shock made him too slow to get out of the way and he was hit and thrown through the plate-glass window of the store he was passing.
The store owner immediately called 911 and asked for police and an EMT. He then hurried to kneel by Arnold and see if he could do anything. A small crowd had gathered on the sidewalk looking in the store and talking excitedly.
When the police arrived, no two people could agree on what happened except that a car had been driven on the sidewalk, hit the man and then sped away. Some thought it was grey, some thought it was light blue. Some thought it was a sedan and some thought it was a sport vehicle.
The EMTs worked quickly to place a collar around Arnold’s neck and a back brace. He was unconscious and not able to tell them anything. They bandaged the cuts on him and extracted a piece of glass from his left cheek. They carefully lifted him onto a gurney and wheeled him to the ambulance. The driver told the police they were going to the Waterbury Care Center on Grandview Ave.
The police questioned business owners and found where Arnold lived. Sgt. Ben Gregory and Sgt. Alan Portier went to talk to the housekeeper. From her they learned about Liisa and where she lived.
Fortunately Ben and Ellen were with Liisa when the two police officers came. They gave the sad news to Liisa, Ben and Ellen. The officers were shocked and concerned when Liisa cried out and dropped to her knees.
“He said he would hurt my loved ones to teach me a lesson. I never thought he would go after Arnold. Oh, this is all my fault.”
“Ma’am,” Sgt. Gregory was finally able to speak through her loud grieving. “What do you mean, this was your fault? A car went out of control and ran up on the sidewalk hitting your employer. The driver apparently got frightened and drove off.”
“No, it wasn’t out of control. And he ran away because he didn’t want to get caught. He told me he would hurt my loved ones and Arnold is the first.” She sobbed until she was trembling and staggering. Ben picked her up and carried her to the couch.
“Honey, we have no choice. It’s time to tell the whole story to the police. You can rest assured that the FBI will be in on it.” Ben soothed her while Ellen got a wet washcloth to wipe Liisa’s face.
“Sir. We need to know what’s going on. What is the young lady talking about and why would the FBI be interested?” Sgt. Portier asked. He quickly got a notepad and a pen from his packet, ready to take notes.
With tears running down her cheeks, Ellen turned to speak to him. “There would be entirely too much for you to try to copy down. It is a long, confusing, sad story and, yes, we need to tell you, but not right now.”
“Liisa is being stalked, her life has been threatened, as well as the lives of her loved ones. She has amnesia and doesn’t know who is threatening her or why he is doing so. Her story will take a long time to tell and she is in no condition at the present moment to talk coherently. My son, Paul Johnson and a friend of ours, Cory Patterson, are both attorneys and they’ve been working on her problems. You’ll need statements from all of us. Therefore, we’d like to set a day, or two, for all of us to make a statement. Under the circumstances, I’m almost positive that the FBI will want to be involved.”
The two officers were interested and willing to cooperate. They took down the names of everyone and informed Ben that they would call him and set a time for everyone to come to the station and be interviewed.
Paul was horrified when he got the news from his father. He insisted on calling Cory and the two of them coming over. Both attorneys had to reschedule appointments but did get to Liisa’s apartment within forty minutes.
Ronald was in a class but would be home that evening. Ellen called Gloria and told her to be at the Johnson house that evening for a family conference. Paul and Cory were to be included.
Ben and Ellen brought Liisa with them. Ellen had packed two changes of clothes and all that Liisa would need to stay with them for a few days. Liisa had taken a shower and dressed in slacks and a sweater and boots before they left her apartment. It was a troubled and subdued group that met at the Johnson house at seven thirty that evening.
James had put Jerome to bed so that he could be present for the discussion. Everyone was sad thinking of Arnold. Liisa tried to control her emotions, but thinking of Arnold’s injuries and the love and caring of the people with her made her tears flow freely.
Ben looked slowly around the group and proceeded to tell them what had happened to Arnold. He reminded the group of all Liisa had experienced the last few weeks. There was complete silence as each person absorbed the information.
“What do we do now?” James asked.
Paul spoke quickly. “We individually go over all that we know from the time of that dinner here at the house when we first discovered that Liisa could not remember what had happened in her life and then to each occurrence since then. Fortunately Liisa has been keeping notes on the phone calls and anything of importance. The police are going to be very angry with us for not bringing this to their attention earlier. I won’t say that it might have saved Arnold; we’ll never know. We do need to get our thoughts in order so that we don’t leave something important out.”
Ben left the room and returned with a legal pad and two pens. “Gloria, would you mind doing the honors?” he smiled at her. “Let’s try to list our thoughts in chronological order of occurrence. Let’s start with when we first were aware that Liisa couldn’t remember events. What date was that?” Among the eight of them, the events slowly unfolded.
“I think we’d do well to meet again and make sure we have all the facts straight,” Cory informed them.
“That’s an excellent idea,” Paul agreed.
It was then ten o’clock, so everyone went their own way and agreed to meet again the next evening at six. Ellen offered to cook dinner and help all that she could.
Paul and Cory had come together so they left still discussing what they should do. “There’s no need to be afraid because we didn’t bring the police in on this earlier. They’ll understand that we had very little to go on until now.” Paul was thinking out loud.
“You’re right,” Cory agreed, “but they might feel that Arnold would not have been hurt if we had spoken earlier.”
“We’ll just have to take our chances and tell the absolute truth when we give our depositions. We have to admit we do need them now. Dear Lord, I hope and pray Arnold will live and be all right. Liisa is so attached to him. It would kill her if he didn’t live. She would really feel she was at fault then,” Paul mused.
Liisa insisted on going to the hospital first thing the next morning.” I need to go and see for myself what condition he’s in.”
Ben and Ellen went with Liisa. At first she was not permitted to see Arnold, but Ben knew Dr. Mitchell Lukem who was in charge. Ben talked to hi
m and explained that Arnold had no family and Liisa was like a daughter to him. Liisa was elated when she was given a mask and was told that she had three minutes to visit him.
Arnold was still unconscious, but she talked to him anyway. She had always heard that a person in a coma or unconscious state could hear. She first told him how much she loved him and was truly sorry that he had been hurt because of her. She then assured him that she would keep the Gallery open for him. She would call Martha to help. Liisa reluctantly left with Ben and Ellen, but insisted that she go to the Gallery.
Ben called Paul and told him what Liisa wanted to do. Paul asked Ben to stay with Liisa until a friend of his could get there. Paul then called Bernard, Bernie, Wickem, a private detective and asked him to stay with Liisa for the day. He promised to talk to Bernie later and make better arrangements.
Bernie was happy to do a favor for Paul because Paul had kept Bernie’s twelve-year-old son from being taken away and placed in a foster home. Bernie’s wife had died in a car accident and left Bernie to take care of three children. The twelve-year-old had become confused and angry and had acted out in the wrong manner. Paul had testified for Bernie and the boy and helped them find a housekeeper who would live at the house and help keep the children together. Paul had not charged for his work.
Bernie himself met Liisa at the Gallery and explained that he would be her shadow until further notice. She didn’t like the idea but recognized the necessity. Liisa called Martha and they cried together over the phone. Martha agreed to come in the next day and work as long as she could if her mother-in-law would keep the baby during the day.
Bernie walked home with Liisa and cautioned her to keep the door locked until he came the next morning to pick her up. She hoped the stalker would call so she could tell him off and, at the same time, she hoped he wouldn’t bother her. She was angry at herself for crying so much, but she couldn’t seem to help it.
Liisa was dressed and nearly jumped out of her skin at the loud knock on her door. “Wh-wh- who is it?” she asked in a trembling voice.