Liisa

by Sioux Dallas

  “Bernie, your bright-eyed boy,” he laughed.

  Liisa asked him to come in while she got her coat and hat. She had packed a lunch to take with her and knew there were supplies for tea or hot chocolate at the store. They quickly walked to the store and found Martha shivering and waiting for them. Liisa introduced Martha and Bernie.

  Liisa was grateful for both Martha and Bernie because a crowd of people kept coming and going looking for gossip. Bernie stayed in the office most of the time, but did come to the front when several people would come in. A few sales were made, but mostly people were curious, which was only natural.

  “I’m more tired than I’ve ever been,” Liisa mourned. “I guess it’s the stress and expecting something else to happen. I wonder if he’ll go after another one of my friends or family.”

  “It’s useless to wonder. Just pray, hope and show the piece of scum that you can’t be bullied,” Martha stated with a nod. “You know a bully is really a coward at heart.”

  Liisa gave a nervous laugh at Martha and then couldn’t stop. She laughed hysterically until it turned to sobs. Martha and Bernie reached to hug her at the same time. Martha firmly took charge. Liisa finally calmed enough to go home.

  It was bitter cold and the wind seemed to be cutting right through them as Bernie walked Liisa home. She was thankful that the streets and sidewalks had been cleared and were not slick. She turned her head, looking away, when they passed the eight by six window covered with plywood. It would be expensive to have a glass made for that size.

  “I guess you’ll tell Paul about my breakdown,” Liisa said timidly.

  “Yes, but there’s nothing for you to be ashamed of. It’s only natural. You’re afraid for Arnold and your friends and you’re afraid for yourself and very angry.”

  “That about covers it. When will this be over? The man must be crazy.”

  “Nothing is solved in the hour that you see in television. Sometimes it takes weeks, months, or even years. In a few rare cases, it is never solved. He’ll trip up somewhere and there’ll be several of us after him. Paul has given me a rundown of everything and I’m alert for him, too.”

  “I do appreciate you, Bernie. It must be boring for you.”

  “I rarely get bored and I’m sure not bored helping you. Paul has been a real friend and I sure do appreciate him. He has told me a lot about you and loves you. I’m ready, willing, and able to do anything I can that will help Paul or you.”

  After Bernie left and her door was locked, Liisa thought over all that had happened and what had been said. Paul loves me?! No. I think he meant as a sister.

  The sales increased as the days passed. Three days after the accident, Arnold woke. He was perplexed. Where am I? What is all this on me? What has happened? He tried to turn and discovered all kinds of wires, tubes and machines hooked up to him. “Hey!” he yelled. “Can anyone hear me?”

  A nurse ran in. “Mr. Watson! You’re awake! How do you feel?”

  “How am I supposed to feel? What’s all this junk on me? Why am I here?”

  Doctor Newsome hurried in the door. “Hey, my good man. You’re awake!”

  “Okay. That’s been established. I assume I’m in a hospital, but why and what’s all this junk on me?”

  Dr. Newsome smiled. “You were in a serious accident and you need all this junk to help keep you alive and to help us keep in touch with your body systems. There’s a lovely young lady out here about to tear the place apart because she can hear you and isn’t permitted to visit with you.”

  “Why can’t she come in? Who is it? Oh, I bet it’s Liisa.”

  “Good. Your memory’s fine. I’ll allow her to visit as soon as the nurse completes her checking and records. You must be hungry. If you are, tell the nurse and she’ll order a plate for you. Soft foods at first, so don’t start complaining.”

  The nurse took the readings from the machines and then went out. The door was slowly pushed in and a head came sneaking around the door.

  “Liisa! Well, come on in. I’ve never known you to be shy.”

  “Arnold. I just didn’t want to disturb you. How do you feel?” She was thrilled that he was awake.

  “How am I supposed to feel? Why am I here?”

  Liisa was surprised. “Don’t you remember what happened to you?”

  “Not really. I do remember seeing a car behind me on the sidewalk. Did it hit me? Is that why I’m here?”

  “Yes, sad but true. It seems my stalker took his anger at me out on you. I’m so sorry. I’d much rather it had been me.” Liisa started to cry.

  “Stop that. What’s done is done. Now tell me all that happened.”

  “The car deliberately hit you in such a way that you flew in the air and sideways through the Niles Jewelry window. You landed inside on the floor. Mr. Niles called the police and EMTs. You were brought here.”

  “Where’s here? And what damage was done to this poor old body?”

  “This is the Waterbury Care Center. You had a lot of cuts and abrasions. You also had a broken finger and two cracked ribs. One leg was bent in such a way that they were afraid it was broken, but thankfully it wasn’t.”

  “Honey, I’m just so thankful that none of this happened to you. How are you doing? What’s happening to my store?”

  “I’m keeping your store open and Martha is helping me. We have made a few sales. At first people were coming in out of curiosity. Now the ones coming in are buyers.”

  “Honey, I know you well enough to know you aren’t telling me everything.”

  “Why, Arnold. Are you accusing me of lying?”

  “No, dear Liisa. Not lying, just withholding.”

  “Okay. Paul got a bodyguard for me. He’s with me all day from the time I leave my door each morning and until I lock my door at night. I feel like a prisoner but I know it’s for my own good.”

  “Smart boy, Paul. I hope he keeps the bodyguard for you until this piece of sh, uh trash is caught.”

  “Arnold, is there anyone you want me to call for you? Is there anything special you want me to do with the store?”

  “No one. I’m doing just fine. I trust you with the store and know you’ll do a great job for me.”

  Liisa left feeling much better about Arnold. Her heart ached that he was in this shape, but he was being taken care of in a good way. Bernie was waiting outside the room for her.

  “How’s the old guy doing? Is he in a lot of pain?”

  “No, they seem to be giving him medicine so that he isn’t dealing with pain or suffering. He says he’s happy that I’m keeping the store open for him and he knows I’ll do a good job for him,” Liisa finished with a satisfied smile.

  A week went by with no word from the stalker. Bernie was still escorting Liisa to and from her house and the store. Martha was being a valuable helper. Liisa began to hope that the stalker hitting Arnold was something that caused him to frighten himself and she would hear the last of him. But then she would always be nervous waiting.

  At the end of ten days, Arnold was sent to rehab for a few days. Liisa went to talk to his housekeeper and make sure she would be willing to care for him when he carne home.

  “Mrs. Warton, you’re going to have your hands full just keeping Arnold from getting up and out too soon. Would it be all right with you if I had a friend of mine to come in during the day and help with the cooking and housecleaning? She’d love to help and I’m sure you could use her.”

  “Miss Liisa, for sure you’re one of God’s angels here on earth. I would love the help. I’m sure I can deal with Mr. Arnold, but I’m not as young as I was when I started working for him.”

  “You might get static from Arnold, but pay no attention to him.”

  “Oh, I won’t Miss Liisa. There’s plenty to do. I been looking at all the silver items and thinking they needed a good cleaning. And these drapes need taking down and cleaning and-”

  “Mrs. Warton! The idea of getting help for you is to keep you from working too hard. Yes,
there’s lots to do around here, but it’ll keep. Please. Take care of yourself. What would we do without you?”

  Liisa hugged her and left feeling much better than she did when she got there. As soon as she got home, Liisa called a widow who attended the same church. Mrs. Alice Morton was thrilled to be able to earn some money and would love visiting with Mrs. Warton.

  There was nothing from the stalker and Liisa was getting careless. She thought maybe he had frightened himself with Arnold’s accident and would disappear. Three weeks after Arnold’s accident the phone rang at the store.

  “I can’t call you at home any more because of the tap, but I can call you at work.” Liisa’s heart went down to the bottom of her stomach and she gasped for breath. Martha frantically waved Bernie to come in from the office. Liisa held the phone so that Bernie could also hear.

  “What kind of man are you? That old man was harmless and not a threat to you. It takes a coward to hurt defenseless people or animals that can’t help themselves. Why won’t you be a man and face me?” Liisa demanded

  “I face you every day. I can’t help it that you’re too dumb to recognize me. Why is that man leaning against you?”

  Bernie jerked away from her and ran out to the sidewalk. He looked quickly both directions and across to stores, even on top of the stores. He could not see anyone who looked, or was acting, suspicious.

  The man yelled and laughed in Liisa’s ears. “Look at the dumb cop. He’s too dumb to know where I am. You’ve been warned. One of your friends was hurt. If you don’t want someone else hurt, you’ll take the tap off your phone and stop trying to find me. You’ll keep your mouth shut.”

  “How can I talk about anything when I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

  There was a buzzing noise when the call was cut off. Liisa was trembling so hard that she had to stagger to the office and sit down.

  Martha was white and shaken. She didn’t hear what the man was saying, but she had been told why Liisa had a bodyguard. Liisa had insisted on telling Martha because she had a small child and she wanted Martha to have the opportunity to refuse to work with her if she was afraid for her own safety.

  Bernie was back in, angry and wanting to know what else the man had said.

  Liisa could hardly wait to call Paul and tell him that she had finally heard from the man. Paul was naturally concerned about Liisa. He asked Bernie how Liisa was reacting to this latest contact.

  “Bernie, I’m very concerned about Liisa. Not just her physical safety, but she has been through so much. It’s bound to tell on her nerves and emotions.”

  “Liisa has a lot of intestinal fortitude. She’s persevering even though it is a shock and further anger every time the man calls or makes a contact in any form,” Bernie told Paul.

  Chapter Eight

  “We need to go to the police Station and add this information to our depositions. The more we give them, the better they can work. That doesn’t mean we stop trying to find the man, or protect ourselves. It just means we’re trying to cooperate so that they will be more willing to help us.”

  The eight of them had each given facts of the happenings. Liisa had even told of meeting Professor Roger Burleson at the auction. The police had said they would contact him and record what he knew.

  Arnold was coming home twenty-five days after his accident. The hospital staff had kept him until his heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and all other readings were normal and not showing danger signs. Liisa was excited for him and hoped he wouldn’t be in a hurry to get back to work.

  As she had feared, he came home on a Wednesday and the following Monday insisted that he was fine to return to work. Instead of walking, he had a motor scooter. He could stand and walk a little at work but needed the scooter to get around. He had sold his car the year before.

  Martha was staying a couple of days to make sure Liisa could handle the work with Bernie and Arnold helping. Of course she realized that having Arnold at work would be more stress for Liisa.

  The tap was still on Liisa’s phone at home at the request of the police. Bernie was armed and had an employee walk on the other side of the street to help keep an eye on them but not appear to be with them. Three employees took turns walking with them. He still felt that something ugly would happen soon.

  “Liisa, I’m sorry,” Bernie began, “but experience has taught me that when it’s quiet that trouble is just around the corner. Even the hair on the back of my neck is tingling.”

  Liisa didn’t know what to say. She bit her lower lip and thought of all that had happened and wondered why the stalker was suddenly silent.

  Arnold had been at work two days when the phone ran. “The GALLERY. Liisa speaking. How can I help you?”

  “Oh, lady. You wouldn’t offer that if you knew me better.” Maniacal laughter erupted from the phone and then it was slammed down.

  Liisa motioned for Bernie to come out in the hall to talk to her. She didn’t want to disturb Arnold. Bernie felt anger and helplessness as she told him of the call.

  “We’re going to be shocked when this fellow is caught. He apparently is near you and certainly knows all that’s going on. He hasn’t said anything yet about you giving a statement to the police, so, hopefully he doesn’t know anything about it.”

  Liisa had been too busy and too concerned about her safety and that of her friends to think of the mystery man’s portrait. She stood in the hall and looked at him again trying to remember who he was.

  She blinked and drew in a quick breath when a picture of two men fighting on a mountain flashed across her mind. Where did it happen and was it a real occurrence or was she just dreaming?

  Nothing came to mind so she went back into the store before Arnold started looking for her. He was pleased that she had accomplished so much in the store and had added a great amount to his bank account. She had even paid the quarterly tax and utility bills for him.

  That night at home, Paul and Cory had paid her a visit. Paul hugged her and asked her to sit so they could talk. Paul made sure she had a hot cup of tea. He was making her nervous even though she realized he was concerned for her.

  “I wanted to be the one to tell you this news and assure you that no one is seriously hurt,” Paul began.

  “For heaven’s sake. Tell me already. You’re making me nervous.”

  “He’s fine now, so don’t worry.”

  “Who’s fine? What happened? If you don’t hurry up and tell me, I’m going to hit you.”

  “Dad was driving home from work this afternoon and someone shot at him. He happened to turn a curve at that time and was only nicked on his shoulder. It flew behind him and scraped the back of his head. If he hadn’t decided to go into the drugstore, instead of coming straight home, he would have probably been shot in the head. He’s fine and mad as a wet hornet. Mom is a wet mess with tears and her anger.”

  Liisa dissolved in tears. “See. No one is safe because of me. Why can’t I remember?”

  “Dad’s fine, honey. He didn’t want me to tell you tonight because he didn’t want you to worry and maybe lose sleep. I told him you’re a strong person and could handle it.”

  “I hope I’m present when that - thing is brought in. I want to punch him in the mouth, pull his hair out and stick something in his eyes,” Liisa declared.

  Cory didn’t win any points with her when he laughed. “I hope I never get on your bad side.”

  Paul sat down and placed an arm around her. “I’ve told Bernie and he’ll be extra alert from now on. Honey, would you be willing to take a vacation for a while? Bernie says he has a female operative who could go with you to somewhere that the man won’t find you.”

  “I can’t leave Arnold. Martha has a small child and can’t give up her whole life to help us. I wouldn’t trust anyone else now. No. Leaving is out of the question.”

  “I can’t make you, but I’m so worried. This unsub (unknown subject) is getting braver and bragging more. He’ll trip himself yet, but,
in the meantime, he has the advantage. He knows all of us and we have no idea who he is.” Paul chewed his lower lip.

  Liisa hated for Paul and Cory to leave, but bravely walked to the door with them and locked it after they had left. She dragged a heavy chair over and tilted it to brace it under the knob.

  The phone rang. She hesitated to answer and then thought of the ID calling that Bernie had added. It was Ben’s number.

  “Uncle Ben,” she answered excitedly.

  “Liisa, I think Paul has been there.”

  “Yes, he has. Uncle Ben I’m so sorry,” she started sobbing. “I’m a jinx to everyone. It’s my fault that you were shot, but I’m so thankful that your guardian angel was with you.”

  “None of that, darling girl. It is not your fault. It’s some evil person who won’t tell you what you’re supposed to know and not tell. It would be funny if he wasn’t so cruel.”

  “Tell Aunt Ellen to not go out alone until this man is caught. How is she doing? I know she was upset.”

  “I’ll have her call you and tell you herself. She’s taking a shower now. Stay sweet.”

  He hung up and Liisa collapsed on the couch. When the phone rang, she grabbed it up without looking, thinking it was Ellen calling.”

  “Hello, darling girl,” the man snickered. “I’m taking a chance on calling you with the tap still on your phone. Besides, I’m using a phone card and it isn’t supposed to be easy to trace, and, too, I’m calling a long way from where I live and work. Just want you to remember that I’m watching and listening to you.”

  She threw the phone, then picked it up and called Paul. She was so upset that he asked her to stop and slow down. She took several deep breaths and then told him about the call.

  “I can be there in a few minutes,” he told her.

  “No. I don’t want you to come. He seems to know what we say. I think he’s had my phone wired in some way so that he can listen to what’s being said. We’ll have to use cell phones from now on. Good night.”