Acts of Desperation(36)

“Oh my God,” I said.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. “They said she died instantly. It would have been the cab drivers fault, but since I was under the influence, I was charged with involuntary manslaughter.”

I sat with my mouth open in shock then asked, “This is what you’ve been holding back from me?”

“Yes, but there’s a little more to it,” he said.

“The texts?” I asked.

“The texts, the phone calls, sometimes slashed tires…being followed,” he said.

“Ok, but I don’t see how all of it fits together,” I said.

“Her brother has never been able to make peace with what happened. Bernie worked out a plea deal and pulled some strings so I only did a minimum amount of time in prison—four months. He thinks I got off too easy, so he’s devoted his life to making me suffer,” he said.

“He’s been harassing you since then?”

“Yeah.” He sighed.

“For how long?”

“I was twenty when the accident happened. So fifteen years now.”

“That’s a long time.”

“It is, but he’s never been normal. He’s had a long history of mental problems. She said he had a chemical imbalance with obsessive tendencies,” he said.

“Who?”

“Grace. She told me shortly after we started dating. She wanted to warn me a little because she said he was a little different—exceptionally smart—but different. After I got out of prison and finished law school, he started to show up wherever I was: restaurants, events, occasionally outside of courtrooms—always calling. There have been peaks and valleys in his behavior over the years, but he always resurfaces. He was the real reason I decided to come here.”

“The fresh start you mentioned?” I said.

“Yes, I’ve had enough and I’m tired of always looking over my shoulder. Bernie went to New York to file a restraining order and to try to put an end to this once and for all.”

“Why didn’t you ever file charges against him?”

“I think it was guilt for a while. Plus, I could never prove he was responsible for the property damage. And even though he’d be where I was, he never really did anything but lurk. He does call me a murderer a lot though, that’s the most popular message I receive.” He sighed. “I eventually started collecting evidence against him, and I think we’ve finally gathered up enough. The problem we’re having now is finding him.”

“Wow,” I said. “That’s kind of scary.”

“It’s really nothing to worry about. He’s never gotten physical, and Bernie will find him. He always gets his man,” he said. He left his post by my dresser and joined me on the bed. “It’s ironic, you know. I came here to put the past behind me, then I bumped into you at that bar.”

“Well, not to get technical, but I think I bumped into you,” I said.

“You did.” He laughed. “And where would I be if you hadn’t? I couldn’t stop looking at you that night. You were so beautiful.”

“Why didn’t you ever come over and talk to me then?”

“You were too good to be true—I just couldn’t believe my eyes. Then I got to work the following Monday and there you were, staring me in the face,” he said.

“Hmm,” I said.

“I couldn’t escape you, not that I want to. You’re my second chance.” He grabbed my hand. “Sember, I—”

“What the heck happened downstairs?” Jax and I looked up to Liz standing at my door. “And what is he doing here?”

“It’s alright Liz, he’s fine.” I shook my head to reassure her. “What are you doing here? I thought you had a wedding?”

“There was a little incident with the best man and the bride. It was a disaster.” I noticed some stains on her cream blazer and I imagined she had a story to tell. “But, that’s a story for another day. What happened to my kitchen door?” she asked. “He didn’t do that, did he?”

I opened my mouth to tell her everything, but thankfully Jax took over and spared me the agony.

“What! Are you ok? I knew there was something wrong with him. I freaking knew it! I’m going to kill him. You want me to call Michael now?”

“No.” I chuckled a little. It amazed me sometimes that so much energy could be packed into such a tiny frame. I didn’t doubt if given the opportunity she would accompany her brother to rearrange John’s face, but Jax had already taken care of that. John should have considered himself lucky to be sitting in prison. “I’m just sore and shaken up a bit, but I’m fine. He’s in jail, and I’m happy with that,” I said.

“She still needs to make her statement to the police,” Jax said. “We should actually head downtown. I promised my buddy I’d get you there tonight.” He looked at me and gave my hand a light squeeze.

“Actually, now that Liz is here, I think I’d rather she take me,” I said.

“Oh, ok. I’ll just…I’ll call you later then,” he said.

“No, I think I need some time to myself. I can’t hear myself think.” After hearing his explanation, I wasn’t concerned anymore nor was I bothered by anything he said. But, that combined with everything that had happened, I felt suffocated and needed space.