by Adler
I explain to the operator that it is not a life-threatening emergency, but that I need the police here right away. I quickly gave the operator a brief rundown of what happened, and she said she would dispatch a local officer. I fear it will not be right away though. Not wanting to be alone, I look down at the phone in my hand. Relieved that I had added some of my contacts, I call Bradley, without hesitation. At first, I get his voicemail, so I leave him a message to call me on my new number.
Next, I call Simone. She does not answer either, Damn! Where are my people when I need them? I leave Simone a quick voicemail, repeating the message I left for Bradley.
I stare at my phone for what felt like an eternity, debating whether or not I should contact Harrison. I pull up his number in my contacts, hold my breath, and hit send. It is miraculous that his number is even in my phone, considering that just hours ago, I vowed that I would never see him again. When I did decide to add him to the contacts in my new phone, I chastised myself the entire time. Good thing I didn’t listen to my inner critic this one time.
His phone rings and rings, and just when I prepare myself to leave him a voicemail, he answers. “ Harrison Towers.” He clearly does not recognize my new phone number.
Relieved and freaked out at the same time, my voice cracks into the phone, “Oh Harrison, it’s Danielle.”
“Danielle? Are you okay? You sound weird.”
The tears start flowing and I blurt out, “Yes, uh no, I’m not okay. The police are on their way. Oh Harrison, it was so scary, I …”
He cuts me off, “Wait, the police? What was scary? I’m on my way!”
“NO! Don’t come Harrison, it will only complicate things.” I choke out.
“What the fuck has happened? Tell me now, or I am heading over.”
I try to catch my breath and still my body, which is still quaking with pent-up fear.
“After you left, I decided to take a shower before bed. While I was washing, the lights went out. When I went to investigate, I could hear that someone was in my condo, so I locked myself in my bathroom.”
“Someone was in your condo while you were showering and then the lights went out? Dear God, Danielle, then what? Wait, where are you now? I really should come over.”
“No the police are on their way. I am locked in my bedroom. The lights are back on, and I haven’t left the bedroom.”
He grunts, and I can tell he is upset. “Danielle, how do you know that they have left? Could someone still be there?”
I shake my head, even though he can’t see me, “I am fairly certain they left in a dark SUV right after the lights came back on.”
“So you locked yourself in the bathroom. Did they try to get in the bathroom? What else occurred?”
Instead of telling the whole story, I summarize the rest. “All I could see from under the bathroom door was a pair of black tennis shoes. Nothing else.”
“Not a lot to go on Danielle. Shit! This is probably Marion’s doing.”
“What??” I am horror-stricken. I know the woman is a conniving bitch, but would she go to the effort to terrorize me in my own home? “Do you really think she would be behind something like this?” As the words come out of my mouth, it dawns on me that all of the strange things I have been experiencing began from the first moment I met Harrison. Maybe not such a coincidence, after all.
Harrison interrupts my musing, “Were you not listening to me earlier Danielle? Yes, I do believe she is behind this and all of the other incidents. I just wonder where she is going to stop.” Before he can continue, I get a click through on my phone, and I look at the screen to see Simone’s number. “Harrison, can you hang on a second, Simone is calling, and I need to speak with her real quick.”
He clears his throat, “Actually I am going to call Garrin and Philippe. I’ll call you back in a few minutes myself.”
“Ok. Bye.”
I hit answer to take Simone’s call.
“Hello?”
“Danners? What is going on? That was a cryptic message…you okay?”
“Oh, Simone no, I’m not okay... can you come over?”
“Right now? Um… I am entertaining this evening. Can this wait until tomorrow?”
“Clarke, someone broke into my condo tonight, while I was in the shower. I need you!”
“Oh shit, Dani! Are you okay? Did you call the police?”
“Yeah, I called the police and someone should be here soon, but I am freaked beyond belief.”
“I’m on my way, hun. Give me about 20 minutes.”
“Hurry Clarke!” I worry that she will take the time to touch up her makeup or select the perfect outfit for the arrival of the police.
Chapter 7
It occurs to me that I should have called Detective Burke directly. I had not put his number in my phone, so I don’t have it in the bedroom with me. I suppose I could call the precinct and have them patch me through to him. As I take a moment to ponder my options, my phone rings. It’s Harrison.
“Harrison!”
“Has a squad car arrived yet?”
“No! I am still sitting here, locked in my bedroom. I just got off the phone with Simone, and she is heading over to be with me.”
“Ok, that’s good. I have Garrin contacting Detective Burke as we speak. Not sure if he will come to your condo, but I gave them the number I called you on for a contact number.”
“Oh, ok, yes, that’s fine. I just don’t know what is taking the police so long to get here!”
“Do you have an intercom in your bedroom for the front door?”
Shit! I didn’t even think of that! “No, there isn’t one in here. I guess that means I have to wait in the entryway, by the front door. I have not been out there since they left. I am petrified to leave my bedroom, Harrison!”
“Listen, take a deep breath. Stay on the phone with me and walk out to entry way.” He pauses. “Danielle?”
“Yes.” I whisper into the phone. I have been holding my breath, so I feel a bit lightheaded. “I’m here, I am just so scared to open the door. What if someone is waiting out there?” I feel chills running all up and down my spine. I am almost frozen in my position, with one hand reaching for the door lock and the other hand holding the phone to my ear.”
“It’s okay Danielle. If you are too scared, just stay put. Can you hear the intercom from your bedroom when it buzzes?”
I had to think back for a second. “Yes, I can.”
“Then just stay in your room until you hear the buzzer, and we will go from there.”
“Harrison?” I whisper.
“Yes, Danielle?”
“Will you stay on the phone with me until someone gets here?”
“Of course I will! You know that I would normally be there, but under the circumstances, I need to lay low on this one. You understand right?”
It had not occurred to me that he should be here. I don’t exactly view him as my protector. I really haven’t a clue as to what I view him as at this point. It angers me even further that because of the Wine Bitch, I am the one paying the price. Not to mention, that there is a chance she intends to physically harm me, or worse.
“I get it Harrison. I don’t like it, but I do understand. I wish things were different though. How long do you think it is going to take to get to the bottom of just how deep her plot runs?”
“I wish I knew, Danielle. I want this to be over probably more than you do. I don’t want to get into it right now. We have enough to consider at this moment. I am just glad you are unharmed.”
I grunt. “Well unharmed physically, but what am I supposed to do now? My condo has been entered at least three times now, without force of entry. I don’t know how I can feel safe anymore.”
“I know, and I can’t have you stay at my penthouse this time around. Can you stay with your friend, or would you let me put you up in one of my hotels?”
“I don’t think I would feel all that safe at a hotel either. I’ll see if Simone will let me stay wit
h her for a while, until I figure out what I want to do.”
“Listen, if Simone can put you up for a few days, I think I may have an idea. Just let me do some checking first.”
“Ok.”
“Danielle, what did you mean there were at least three times you condo was entered? I only recall two.”
“There were the red roses that were left in my kitchen, the night before the Towers grand opening. Then there was the time when the pictures were left, and tonight. Wait, I guess technically there were four, if you want to count the single red rose that was left by the elevator in your penthouse the morning of the opening.”
“Ah yes. I will ask Garrin if they ever retrieved any video footage. Apparently the footage at your building was missing when Frank went to retrieve it.”
“Oh of course it was! Why am I not surprised?!”
Just as he starts to respond, I hear the buzzer.
“Harrison” I breath, “Someone is at the door!”
“Ok, stay on the phone with me and answer it.”
I unlock the door with my right hand, as I grip the phone with my left. I briskly walk through the dimly lit main room to the entryway. I notice that all the locks are engaged. How strange that the intruder would actually go as far as to relock them.
BUZZZZZZZZZZ
Argh! I hit answer, “Hello?”
“Dani, it’s me! I’m freezing, let me in!”
I hit the button to let Simone in.
“Harrison, its Simone, she’s here!”
“Ok, good. Once she is in there, I will hang up and follow up with you in a little while. I had hoped the police would be there by now.”
“Yeah me too!”
There’s a knock at the door.
“She’s at my door. I am letting her in.” I don’t listen for his response. I gingerly open the door, so as to not smudge any possible prints. It is probably a long shot, but one never knows.
I open the door to Clarke, and to my surprise, Detective Burke is standing behind her. “Look, I come bearing law enforcement.” She smiles brightly as she motions with her head toward the Detective.
“Ok, so she is here as well as the detective. I will hang up now, and maybe I can text you when he leaves?”
“Alright, Danielle. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Chapter 8
The detective and Clarke enter my condo, and I attempt a smile but find one hard to conjure up. I take one look at Clarke and fight the tears welling up in my eyes. I swallow hard and fall into her arms. She gives me a big bear hug, then releases me to face Detective Burke.
“Miss Austen. I am surprised to be back here. Tell me what happened this time?”
Oh, how annoying! This time?
I do not show them into the other room. Instead, we stand in the entryway, as I retell the story. I start with the time that Harrison had left my condo and move on to the lights going out while I was in the shower. I tell the detective about the black high-top tennis shoes that reminded me of the ones that guys used to wear back in the 50’s. I describe the black SUV and the three guys to the best of my ability, since it was already dark. I also point out that the locks were all engaged when I came out here to let Simone in.
“So what you are telling me is that there was no forced entry, nothing has been taken and nothing was left?”
“No, I did not say that. What I said was the front door was fully locked when I got out here a few minutes ago. I have not looked around for things missing or to see if something was left. I was too scared to leave my room.”
Nervously, I look at Clarke, and she seems to be at a loss for words, as she has not said a thing. Not speaking is something that usually takes all of her energy to master.
The detective scratches his head and turns in a circle in the spot he is standing. “Well, once the squad car gets here, we can see if there are any prints to pull. We have your prints on file already. Has anyone else been here recently whose prints we should get? My mouth is incredibly dry. As I begin to answer him, I walk toward the kitchen. I stop in my tracks, as I see the purpose this time for the invasion. With Detective Burke and Simone close behind me, they too stop where they are standing to take in the scene.
Sitting on my counter is a bottle of cheap Brut champagne, a bouquet of stinky red carnations, and a greeting card with a cat hanging from a tree branch on the front. The caption on the card front reads: “Hang in there”. I start to reach out to pick up the card, but the detective pushes my hand away. Using his pen, he knocks the card over and opens it. Inside the card one line is scrawled in juvenile handwriting: “Au Revoir Danielle”.
I turn to look at the detective, who is scratching his head again. “Any of this mean anything to you?”
Shaking my head rapidly, I mutter, “No!” My insides are churning, and my heart begins to thump in my chest.
Clarke inches forward to get a better look at the items. “What the hell does Au Revoir Danielle mean? Doesn’t that mean goodbye in French?”
We both turn to look at her. I had almost forgotten that she was even here, she has been so quiet.
In unison, the detective and I respond “Yes.”
The detective asks if he can take a further look around. I nod in response and remain in the kitchen, staring at the odd items on my granite counter top.
Remembering that I am dying of thirst, I open the fridge to retrieve a bottle of water, offering one to Clarke. She accepts the water without a word and proceeds to sip at her water, without taking her eyes off the ugly red carnations.
I throw back my head and guzzle the cool liquid, like a frat boy downing a can of cheap beer.
I open my eyes and see Clarke staring at me with an amused look on her face. “Thirsty?”
Blushing a few shades, I nod in response and replace the lid on the water. I set it down on the small island and follow Clarke’s gaze back on the odd assortment of items. “What do you make of all this Dani? Does any of it make any sense at all?”
“No, not really.”
“Dani, why was Harrison Towers here today? I am really surprised at you!”
“Oh Clarke, it is a really long story. I know that you have a lot of questions, but believe me, so do I. There are so many dimensions to this story that I don’t want to get into just now.”
“Well, I guess I agree that now may not be the time, but let me assure you that you will be spilling every bean while we are on the trip!”
Oh no! The trip! I don’t know if I will be feeling up to a trip now, not with all of this craziness going on. But then again, maybe having another escape will allow me to hit the reset button. Again.
“Ok, I will keep that in mind, Clarke. Speaking of which, is there any chance I can stay with you for a while?”
She squeals, “Oh yes! Of course, it will be so much fun to have you around. Oh wait, I am going to be out of town from mid next week until possibly the end of the month. I have another made-for-TV movie for which I have to oversee wardrobe!”
“Wow! That is great Clarke! I am so proud of you!” I give her a quick side hug.
“I am totally fine with being at your place by myself. I just don’t want to be here alone and staying at Harrison’s is not an option. For that matter, neither is Bradley’s.”
She makes a loud snorting sound. “Yeah I couldn’t agree more!” She crosses her arms as if she is taking a stance, from which she won’t back down.
I hear the detective on the phone in the front room. He is talking in a hushed, official tone, so I can’t make out what he is saying. He rejoins us in the kitchen. “Well ladies, it seems there has been a multi car pile-up on the Terwilliger Curves. So, we have about another hour before one of my uniforms get here. Cranston and his sidekick are off tonight. I don’t suppose you have any coffee?”
Feeling frustrated that this is going to be another late night, I begin to fret. I am so damned tired and emotionally zapped.
“I don’t have any coffee, but I have some tea.”
; He looks to ponder if for a moment, “Well, I guess that will have to do. Is it caffeinated at least?”
“Let me check. Clarke, do you want anything while I am at it?”
She shakes her head and holds up her half-full water bottle.
“Oh, Miss Austen, be sure to be mindful of what you are touching. I am still interested in lifting some prints.”
I nod. I pick up the black Sharpie pen sitting on the top of a notepad, and used it to open the cupboard door. I peer in, “You are in luck detective --I have some Earl Grey tea.”
“Earl what? Oh no matter, as long as it’s leaded, I’ll drink it.”
That comment actually brought a smile to my lips. It reminded me of something my dad might say.
After serving the detective his refreshment, I ask him if I can pack a bag while we wait. He says I can, as long as I am careful to not touch things, especially in the main room and the door knobs. I remind him that I know the drill by now. He looks at me crossly, and then with Clarke in tow, we make work of packing my bags. I decide to dig out a couple flattened boxes, so I can bring everything I will need for the next couple weeks. It is quite possible that I won’t return for that duration. The way I am feeling now, I may never want to return here. My haven has been turned into a place that evokes fear in me. Maybe it’s time to move. The thought of moving sets off a bitter taste in my mouth. The last time I moved, it was on the heels of my divorce. Unfortunately, this time would not be under any happier circumstances.
I grab the last bag, move it out to the main room, and return to my bedroom to look around. I love this room; it is pretty and always felt like a getaway. However, tonight it represents something dark and devious. It saddens me that I feel homeless. Again. It’s the same feeling I had when I drove to my parents home that weekend after my divorce papers were signed. I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. That is how I feel at this precise moment. I wonder if now is the time to buy myself a home and make something more permanent for me. I smile to myself, thinking that maybe I have found one of the answers I was looking for. Now is the time that I need to put down my own roots. “Dani?”