The Scripted Stalker - Chapter 29

A Psychological Thriller

Marissa could feel her heart pounding loudly as she waited outside of Detective Reed’s office. It was 9am and time for her consultation with him. Twice she had almost decided to cancel, but her friend Connie encouraged her to go.

Taking a deep breath, Marissa opened the door and entered his office. It was quiet. There were sounds of noise machines to drown out any private conversations. She took note that there was also a separate exit to leave.

At 7:05 pm the office door opened. A man with graying brown hair and tired blue eyes walked out of the office and greeted her.

“Marissa?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said.

“I’m Douglass Reed,” he said and shook her hand. “Please come in.” He had a low quiet voice, but there was something about his demeanor that showed authority.

He did not look like a detective. Not that she knew what a detective looked like.

Marissa took a seat opposite his desk.

“How can I help?” He asked.

She hesitated to speak, but his face showed a sympathetic kindness.

Marissa took a few seconds to collect her thoughts and then began telling Detective Reed about Tad and the events of the past few months. Their relationship. Their marriage. His past infidelity and his suspected infidelity now with his therapist.

Detective Reed sat back and seemed to study her, then he rubbed his brow like it was a habit. Marissa regretted saying so much so soon.

“I’m sorry,” Marissa blurted out, suddenly ashamed. She was here for a consult and now she ran her mouth and felt like a fool.

Detected Reed’s eyes softened, and his serious face seemed to want to break a smile. Was he laughing at her? Marissa could feel her cheeks burn and she hoped he didn’t notice.

“No reason to be sorry at all. The more information you can share with me the better, so I can send you in the right direction. I have a friend who is a private investigator, Margot Sawyer, that can probably help you.” He handed her a business card.

“Thank you.” Marissa replied meekly, taking the card and feeling grateful. Then added, “I don’t want to be a bother, I realize that your time is valuable.”

Detective Reed seemed to smile for real this time. “Never a bother! Is there anything else you can tell me, anything at all that I can pass on to Margot?”

“I saw my husband with her” Marissa said her voice wavering. She felt like the pathetic wife. The one that was last to know.

“How recent was this?” Douglass asked as he began to take notes.

“Last week. I saw them near her office on Burbank Street, and she was a passenger in my husband’s car.” Marissa told him, unsure if she was ready to reveal more.

Douglass sat back and sighed. “Can you tell me what caused the suspicion? Did you see her getting into his car?”

Marissa could tell where this was heading. He did not believe her. Why should he?

She fought back tears. “I didn’t, but I have other suspicions,” she pulled out her phone and showed a photo of the notes between him and Amanda.

Douglass nodded. “Well, we have something to go on. Something about the photos looked familiar to him, “May I?” he asked, motioning to Marissa’s phone.

Douglas studied the messages and noticed the name in the corner. Tad Gibbens. He was texting a woman named Amanda. He zoomed in on the faces closer and couldn’t believe it. It was the lawyer Tad Gibbens, and the therapist Dr. Amanda Greer! He tried not to show too much emotion.

“He’s a well-known, lawyer,” Marissa said noting Detective Reed’s expression.

She took a deep breath and continued. “My husband is Tad Gibbens, and I think he’s having an affair with his therapist.”

Douglass seemed to be listening very intently now. “Thanks for the information. With your consent, I will pass this information onto Margot and let her know that you will contact her to set up an appointment to meet with her. I would recommend getting any phone records if you have them. Camera footage too, if you have a surveillance system, that also definitely will help with the investigation.”

Marissa nodded as she stood up. “Thank you, detective.”

“Anytime, glad to help. Tell Connie I said hello,” Douglass said as he walked her to the door.

Douglass closed his office door and shook his head. He couldn’t believe that Marissa’s husband was potentially having an affair with Dr. Amanda Greer, and with Tad Gibbons, the defense attorney in the Natalia Novita case.

What were the chances of that? You can’t make this stuff up.

There was so much to find out and he couldn’t help but wonder how much of the case was related. Amanda was a person of interest in the Natalia Novita case. At the very least, she seemed capable of manipulating clients. Especially Barney, and now, possibly Tad Gibbens.

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Written and created by: Jane Deegan

Edited by: Mike Deegan

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