The Scripted Stalker Chapter's 15 & 16

A Psychological Thriller

Chapter 15

Detective Douglass Reed shook his head, as he left Barney’s apartment complex. That landlady Ms. Hixon was a piece of work! She kind of reminded him of Mrs. Roper from that old tv show, Three’s Company. She was in her early 70’s with shocking red hair, wore low-cut shirts and smoked like a chimney.

The old lady was practically throwing herself at him. He knew he was a nice guy, but he really had to work to thwart her advances. He was too nice to be a detective. Too nice for everything. Too nice to women (even the unattractive ones) and they all got the wrong idea. He was never the assertive, confident type that women seemed to be drawn to. At least the old ladies found him attractive.

Douglass got into his car and headed back towards the Cedars Mental Hospital to meet with Barney Blevins.

Ms. Hixson did have some interesting footage, Douglass discovered. According to Ms. Hixon, Barney left his apartment every Monday at 4:30 p.m. and would return at 6:15 p.m. Where was he going? Detective Reed wondered. There was also some footage of Barney walking out of his apartment, and it looked like he was talking to someone, only no one was there!

He also noticed a woman who appeared wearing a business suit walking around the building several times. She looked out of place there, maybe she was a solicitor. Something felt off about her, Douglass thought. He made a mental note to rewatch that video footage later.

Douglass pulled his black Honda into the hospital parking lot and sighed. Now to see what Barney Blevins had to say.

Douglass entered the lobby of the hospital and was buzzed up to Barney’s room.

When he entered his room, he noticed that Barney was sitting at a table in his room and staring at the corner.

“Mr. Blevins. Someone is here to speak with you,” a nurse with short gray hair said.

Barney looked at them, as if he was waking up from a trance.

“Natalia! Is she OK?” Barney asked.

Douglass and the nurse exchanged looks.

“He’s been asking for her all day,” the nurse told him under her breath.

“Thank you.” Douglas said dismissing the nurse. He sat down at the table across from Barney.

“Who is Natalia?” Douglass asked.

“Natalia is my woman. My soulmate. She didn’t come home last night. "Barney answered.

“Oh, she didn’t come home?” Douglass asked and made a note to do a more thorough search of his apartment.

“Nope! She was probably out whoring around. That bitch!” Barney said, his face growing red with anger.

“When did you see her last?” Douglas asked.

Barney looked at him blankly. “I…I can’t remember.”

“Do you have a recent photo of her.” The detective asked.

Barney went to his belongings on the table and picked up a piece of paper, “This is her.”

He handed Douglass the photo. It was a magazine clipping of an attractive woman with spiky, dark hair.

“Her?” Douglass asked.

“Yes, my angel that fell from grace.” Barney said with tears in his eyes.

“Do you have any other photos?” Douglass asked.

Barney shook his head and then shrugged. “Maybe back at my apartment. I have photos of her in my closet.”

Douglass nodded. “Can I make a copy of this? Then you can have this back.”

Barney wrinkled his brow. “I don’t want to lose her again. Promise to give it back.”

“Of course. Barney. I promise”. Douglass took a picture of it with his phone and handed it back to him.

Barney grasped the photo from the detective and held it against his chest.

“She’s very pretty,” Douglass said. “Thanks for the information”

Douglass turned and walked out of the room. He saw everything. This Barney was having a fantasy of a woman he saw in a magazine! There was still something vaguely familiar about that woman. Was she a celebrity? He wasn’t sure who was popular these days. His teenage daughter, Sophie might know. He was willing to bet the younger guys at the police station would know too. Maybe she was on a reality show or a Netflix series? He would send the photo to be scanned in the system as well.

The next step was a search warrant. He also sent the photo to his daughter. Maybe she would recognize her. He wouldn’t tell her it was for a case though; he would ask her out of curiosity.

---

Barney walked back to his chair in the activities room where he knew he would sit until dinner. He didn’t want to participate today. All he could think about was his Natalia and that beautiful woman on the ocean. Look what they made him do! Those damn women! “Jezebels!” He said to the room.

He would find them and make them understand their ways. For now, there was nothing to do but read his Bible. He would read it to Natalia to remind her of her sins.

“You will both learn,” he whispered as he put Natalia’s photo in his black notebook, titled “The Book of Barnabas.”

Chapter 16

Marissa was tired of waiting for Tad. She was tired of the guessing. Something was up with him. He was always sneaking around with his phone.

She had a run today and was getting ready to post the activity on her fitness app. She was feeling better already, but it was only her second jog in a week.

Flopping on her couch, she decided to put her stats into the fitness app before checking on dinner.

She noticed Tad was on the app too. Should she scope out his profile? She was curious. There were a lot of attractive women on his feed that looked fit. How did he know them?

There was one that seemed to comment more than the others. She was a stunning woman with dark hair in a ponytail. Her body was flawless. Marissa’s heart sank. Who was she?

She clicked on the profile and noticed her name was Amanda Greer. Marissa knew the name. His therapist? No wonder why he looked so happy to go to therapy. She was amused; obviously, he found her very attractive. How could he not? In Amanda’s profile it also mentioned that she was a Ms. California runner up 3 years ago. Really?

It looked like they had several conversations and some bordered on flirtatious. He liked all of her bikini clad photos. Men! It still stung he gave her this attention, and even more so that she was Tad’s therapist. She knew enough to know that there had to be boundaries in therapy. A therapist should not be on social media with a client, but yet they were.

Tad didn’t know Marissa was on the app. She was annoyed at both of them, and she could feel a little part of her break. She was far from being this other woman, at least physically as it was. Were they just being flirtatious online or was there more going on?

Marissa twisted a blonde curl around her finger. Was she just being jealous, or did she have a reason to be? Wait until she texted Connie about this! She would also confront Tad about this when and if he got home from work.

Marissa picked up her phone to text Connie and then felt ashamed, but something in her gut didn’t sit right about Tad and his relationship with Dr. Amanda Greer.

She sent Connie a text and a photo she screenshot of Amanda.

[Marissa’s text]

So, this is Tad’s therapist. I hope she covers up more in therapy!! Lol. No wonder why he likes therapy!!

Marissa watched the dots appear and then disappear and then a message.

[Connie’s text]

Oh wow, but you know how airbrushed they are. Are these from Instagram?

[Marissa’s text]

No from The Fantastic Fitness app I am on to record my runs. I didn't think you could be “friends” with your therapist on social media, but this is a fitness app.

[Connie’s text]

Boundaries are in place for a reason.

Marissa thought about it. It was a blurry line. What got her was that Tad and this Amanda seemed to share the same interest in running and that hurt. Marissa was not athletic, yet Amanda was. Was it an attraction or more?

---

Tad walked up the sidewalk to his house. He was going to meet Amanda later, or at least he hoped, but noticed Marissa’s car was still there! Didn't the kids have soccer tonight?

His day was long enough and now more questions from the wife.

She was waiting for him in the living room. “Where were you?” Marissa asked, hoping not to sound accusing.

Tad gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “You know, working late. The new case.”

Marissa noticed he was acting nervous.

“No soccer?” Tad asked.

“Storms tonight, can you believe that?” Marissa said with a laugh.

Her voice lowered. “The kids are at Julie’s this evening. I have dinner in the oven.”

Tad palmed his forehead. “So sorry babe, I forgot I have a dinner with an important client tonight.”

“On a Friday?” Marissa asked feeling her voice becoming shrill.

“Yep. Crazy, I know.” He was scrolling on his phone again.

“So! I joined a fitness app today. The one you are on,” Marissa said.

He looked her up and down in surprise.

“I saw your profile! Lots of attractive women, of course,” Marissa said trying to keep her voice even.

“Babe. Jealousy does not work for you. It isn't pretty on any woman,” Tad said and headed towards the shower.

Marissa wanted to say, “unless her name is Amanda,” but kept her mouth shut.

Marissa could hear the shower running. Not wasting time, she thought. She could feel tears form in her eyes.

Then she saw a light flash and buzz under Tad’s jacket. Should she? Tad was usually glued to the phone at his hip. It buzzed again. Multiple texts. She could always say to him she just thought maybe one of the kids was calling, or his mother, if he asked why. She slowly moved his jacket.

“Where are you?” A text read. “I can’t wait for tonight” followed by hearts.

Marissa dropped the phone. It was Amanda! His therapist!

Tears filled her eyes, and she could feel rage bubble up. She wanted to scream at Tad and throw the phone in the shower with him. How could he do this to her again?

There was so much to find out. She had to stay calm. She had to think of the kids. All of his promises. There was more to it, she knew.

Tad was whistling now. She quickly put the phone back under his jacket and walked away. He quickly exited the shower and got dressed for his “important client.” He picked up the keys and his phone from the table.

“Don’t wait up babe,” Tad said kissing her on the cheek. He was unaware of the tears streaming down her face as he headed out the door.

Created by Jane Deegan and edited by Mike Deegan

Deegs