Blind Witness (4 page)

“Hello, Miss Harris.” The female voice came from the side.

“Just a moment, please.” She closed the door and removed the chain, opening it back up. “Come in, please.” She moved to the side, motioning them to be seated and followed them over.

“Were you notified of our coming?”

“Yes.”

“Then you agreed to talk to us?”

“Yes, but I don’t know what help I can be. I put everything he said to me in the transcript.”

“Yes, we have a copy of that,” Dr. Lewis said. “What we’d like to do is have you try to tell us how it was said to you the best you can. Roll playing it, if you will. Give us your feelings and impressions. Do you think you can do that?”

“Yes, I think so, if you read the transcript to me, I’ll try to repeat it as close as I can to how he said it. Do you really think it will help?”

“It may help me get a feel for what we’re dealing with,” the psychologist answered.

“He’s serious. He really wants to hurt Mr. Clairbourne.”

“I agree, and we’re taking the threats seriously, but we’ve got to find some clues to figure out who it is,” the detective said.

Rachelle nodded. “Would you like anything or we can start now?”

“Let’s start.”

They were just finishing the transcript when there was another knock on the door. “Would you like me to get that?” Todd asked.

“Please,” Rachelle answered.

She was surprised when she heard Britt’s voice at the door.

****

Britt was surprised when a man opened the door until he looked up and recognized Detective Todd. “Detective,” he greeted the man.

“Mr.
Clairbourne, this is a surprise.”

“I wanted to be here while you talked to Miss Harris. I just got caught up. How is it going?” He walked into the room.

“We’re just finishing the transcript. Mr. Clairbourne, this is Dr. Lewis.”

“Doctor,” he greeted then turned to Rachelle, who was sitting on the couch. He moved forward, taking in her too pale face. “Rachelle, how are you?”

“Fine, thank you.”

“Are you comfortable with Mr.
Clairbourne here, or does he make you nervous?” Dr. Lewis asked.

Britt looked at Rachelle for signs that he might make her feel nervous, wondering if the psychologist picked up something. He didn’t want to think that Rachelle might feel uncomfortable around him. What he saw was color warming her cheeks, and her face turned shyly to the side.

“It’s fine. He doesn’t make me nervous.”

“Well, we’re almost finished here.”

Britt listened as they went over a few more lines then waited while the doctor wrote down the observations in her notebook.

It was the detective that broke the silence. “Well?” he asked the doctor.

“The man will not stop. He’s filled with jealousy and wants revenge. He believes Mr. Clairbourne has done or is responsible for something done to him. So he has heaped every bad thing onto him. For him to win or to prove his importance, Mr. Clairbourne must ‘pay.’” She made the motion of quote with her fingers.

“Who have you dated recently?” Todd turned to him.

“No one really. The last woman I dated even semi-seriously was a year ago, and our parting was mutual. How do we stop him?” Britt asked the doctor.

“Actually, he may have already given us the key.”

The detective slid forward in his seat. “What?”

“Miss Harris,” Dr. Lewis said simply. “I think that it’s possible he blames Mr.
Clairbourne for the loss of a woman he was obsessed with. I think he has shifted that obsession to Miss Harris.”

Britt felt as if he had been punched.

“But I’d recognize the voice if I had met him,” Rachelle objected.

“I doubt you have met him. It’s your voice, or maybe that you were just pleasant when you first answered. And then, when he realized he frightened you, it brought out the protective instincts in him. It could be your voice reminds him of the woman he loved. Whatever it is, he has focused on you, and I think we can use it.”

“How?” Todd asked.

“When he calls, and he will call again, Rachelle, you will need to keep him talking. Try to get him to give information about himself, maybe even set up a meeting.”

“No,” Britt cut her off. “No way, I don’t want Rachelle, Miss Harris, anywhere near this guy.”

“Don’t worry,” Todd came back. “We’d have it covered.”

“No, I don’t want her exposed to him. I don’t even like the idea of her talking to him.”

“I don’t think we have a choice,” Dr. Lamb spoke up, shifting toward him. “He has chosen her.”

“I still don’t want Rachelle put in contact with him. We can have someone else answering the phones.”

“No,” Rachelle exclaimed. “I can do this.”

“It’s not that I think you can’t do it. I don’t want you in danger from this psycho.” Britt took a step toward her.

“He won’t know who I am.”

“Miss Harris,” Todd interrupted. “I must point out, this man has been able to get into a couple of places in the company with very high security, plus gain access to specialized instruments. It’s not unlikely he could find out who you are.”

“Well, if he is obsessed with me, and has access, then it’s more than likely he already knows who I am.”

Britt didn’t like what she said, but looking at the officer, it was obvious Todd agreed.

“I’ll have a tap put on your phone immediately, if that’s all right with you?” Todd asked.

“I’ll move you to a hotel,” Britt said at the same time.

It was Britt she chose to answer. “No, I’m not moving. This is my home.”

“I won’t have your safety jeopardized,” he said it so forceful it made her jump.

“I’m not helpless.”

“I don’t think you are, but we know this man is dangerous. He’s going to hurt someone, and I don’t want it to be you.”

“I don’t want it to be me either, but if you read what he says, he wants to protect me, not hurt me.”

Britt got her point, but it didn’t change how he felt. “What if that changes? You could become a target.”

“Mr.
Clairbourne is right,” Dr. Lewis agreed coming back into the conversation. “He could change in a minute, and it might not take much to agitate the change. You never know.”

“Then we handle that when it comes, but as Mr.
Clairbourne also said, someone is going to get hurt. So the sooner we catch this man the better.”

“Someone else can do it.” Britt didn’t like being so stubborn with her, but unfortunately she could be just as stubborn.

She turned to the doctor. “Do you honestly think he will talk to another person and open up?”

They all waited for the doctor to answer. It was slow in coming, but after a moment she did. “No, no I don’t.” It was said softly. “But I must concur with Mr.
Clairbourne. It could be dangerous. This man is highly volatile.”

“But, if she’s our only way to get him to talk.” Todd joined Rachelle’s side on the argument.

“First, we try it without her,” Britt said firmly. “Monday we’ll have someone else screening executive calls.”

“But,” Rachelle started to object, he cut her off. “We’ll trade you to take the other messages.”

“What about Lois, if he comes after her?”

“I don’t think that will happen, but if I have to, I’ll assign security to watch over you both.” There was finality in his voice.

He had done it. She was so mad. She would have kicked him in the shins if she could’ve found them. When she got to work, Lois was assigned to accept the executive lines and she was to monitor the others.

Actually, she didn’t mind monitoring the other calls, but she did mind Britton
Clairbourne’s high-handedness. Rachelle steamed again. One of the things she liked about him was the fact that he treated her like a competent person, not an invalid. It was amazing some of the stupid things people did when you couldn’t see. One of the secretaries still hadn’t gotten over talking loudly to her. Usually the thought made her smile, but not right now. Not today, she sat and stewed about the change in assignment.

“Rachelle,” Lois’ voice pulled her out of her thoughts. “I need to go to the ladies room. Can you cover me?”

“Sure.”

“You okay?” Lois had already heard about it several times, and tried to point out Mr.
Clairbourne was being wise and protective, and she thought it was kind of sweet.

“I’m fine.”

“All right, I’ll be right back.” Lois stepped out the door while Rachelle turned to field a call for Mr. Douglas’ office. Five minutes and three calls had passed when the next call came in.

“
Clairbourne executive answering. May I help you?”

There was a pause on the line, she was about to repeat when the low voice came. “Angel Voice, I’ve been trying to call, but you haven’t answered.” Anxiety was heavy in the tone.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been handling other calls.” Her heart pounded. It was him. “Have you called often?”

“Several times, I wanted to talk to you.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t answer.” Rachelle did what Dr. Lewis suggested, giving sympathy, and trying to get him to talk. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

There was a pause. Her fingers waited over the keyboard. She quickly checked for her home position, and then almost lost it when he finally spoke.

“I saw you Friday night. You’re so beautiful, innocent, and helpless. I want to take care of you.”

“Where did you see me?” She fought to keep down the stab of fear she felt coming through in her voice.

“I watched you waiting at the bus stop. I drove around the block. I was going to offer you a ride. But, when I got back, you were already gone. Your bus must have come.”

Not her bus. Britton had. If he hadn’t, Rachelle shivered. “I’m sorry. I probably wouldn’t have gotten in with you. I don’t take rides from strangers. Do I know you? Have we met?” She tried to think of questions that would help her identify him.

“No. I want to meet you, but I can’t right now.” The voice seemed to drift.

“Why not?” she pressed, her fingers trembled slightly on the keys.

“I have to get Clairbourne first.”

“Why?”

“Because he has to pay.”

“For what?
What did he do?”

“Only I can make him pay.”

Rachelle knew she was losing him to his ramblings.

“He thinks he’s so powerful. Mr. Almighty, in control, everything he touches comes out good. He doesn’t care what he leaves, who he walks over.”

“No, I don’t believe that’s true. Please listen.” She tried but the voice kept coming.

“I’m going to take it all. Then he’ll die.”

“Please don’t do this.” Rachelle pleaded into the phone. “Someone might get hurt.”

“Yes, they will, but don’t worry, Angel Voice, you’ll be safe.” His tone dropped reverently.

“But what about other people? You just can’t hurt innocent people?” She fought to keep her voice smooth, so she could reason with him.

“They’re not innocent if they’re around him. They deserve to be hurt.”

“Why, why do they deserve to be hurt? I don’t understand.”

There was silence on the line. She waited for almost a full minute, knowing he was there. “Please, talk to me,” she said softly.

“No one will get hurt today, but everyone will know I’m in control. I’m more powerful than Clairbourne.”

This time the line went dead.

Rachelle slumped in her chair. She felt an arm slide around her and the familiar scent of Britton Clairbourne reached her as she was pressed into his shoulder. “It’s all right.” His words were low and rumbling. She didn’t realize she was crying until she felt the roughened tips of his fingers tenderly brush the moisture from her cheeks.

A shaky sigh escaped her as she relaxed back against his shoulder. “How?” she managed to get out.

“Lois called when she got back and realized who you were talking to.”

She nodded, straightening up slightly. “He’s been calling all day but wouldn’t talk to her.”

“Shh.” One hand ran comfortingly up and down her arm. “Just a minute, wait until you feel better.”

“I’m fine. He’s going to do something again.”

“Did he say what?” The gruff voice of Laslow startled her. She hadn’t realized he was in the room.

“No.” She pulled back, straightening her shoulders. “He said it would be noticeable.” Rachelle forced herself back to the computer, typing to call back the recording and trace. As soon as the now familiar mechanical hum sounded, she requested the printed transcript. She sent it to the printer then to the file Britton had set up for them. By the time she’d finished, she had herself more in control.

****

Britton watched Rachelle pull back, conscious of the older woman’s eyes on him. He hadn’t meant to take Rachelle in his arms. But from the moment he’d received the call then ran into the room and saw her at the terminal, he’d felt the need to hold her. When she slumped in the chair, it was instinct to reach for her.

It was also instinct to lift her into his arms, and carry her out of there, away from the world. Like a caveman back to his den. He wondered if Rachelle would be impressed if he did a little chest beating. He felt like beating something.

With calmness he didn’t feel, he reached over taking the first page from the printer. His stomach tightened. The psycho knew who Rachelle was. He had watched her and would have approached her and picked Rachelle up Friday night if she hadn’t gone with him. Now he really
wanted to snatch Rachelle up and hide her away in his cave, where the psycho would never get near her.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t get any more information.” Rachelle called his attention back.

“You did wonderfully, but I thought it was agreed you weren’t going to be answering the executive lines today.”

“Lois needed a break,” she said simply with a shrug.

Britton knew glaring at her wasn’t doing any good, though he suspected she knew he was doing it. “It looks like it was necessary, but we have a new problem.”

“What’s that?” Rachelle turned to him.

“He knows who you are. That might mean he might know where you live.”

“I’m not going to leave my home,” she said, knowing where he was going.

“I’ll pay for everything.”

“No, I’m not being chased out of my home. If I wouldn’t allow blindness to do it, I’m not going to let phone calls do it.”

“It’s not just phone calls, and it’s only for a couple days.”

“If we’re lucky and get some clues. But what if it turns into a week or two, or longer?”

“I’ll cover it.”

“No, I want my own home. I’m comfortable there. I know my way around.”

“You could learn someplace else. It wouldn’t take long.”

“You’re right I could, but I don’t want to. At least not now, besides you read the message. He doesn’t want to hurt me. He wants to save me from you.”

Britt was torn between wanting to grab her and shake some sense into her or grab her and kiss her senseless. He knew which idea had the most appeal. “I’m not going to win on this, am I?” For the first time since he entered the room, a smile brightened her face.

“No.”

He wasn’t used to losing, but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad losing to Rachelle. Glancing over at the other woman, she gave him a knowing smile that added to the feeling it wasn’t so terrible losing this round. “I’ll talk to you later. I left a meeting I need to get back to.”

****

Rachelle let out another sigh when Britt and the security chief left. Trembles from the delayed shock ran through her body.

“Are you all right?” She felt Lois’ hand on her arm.

“Yes, of course. It’s just a little scary. What do you think he’ll do?”

“He won’t let it interfere. He’s not the type of man to run scared or back down,” Lois said confidently. “Even if he let you have your way.”

“I didn’t mean Mr. Clairbourne. The caller, I need to come up with something to call him. Just ‘the man’ sounds too eerie.” She shivered.

“I don’t know what he’ll do. He’s crazy, if you ask me. You know, if you’re frightened, you can stay with me,” she volunteered, giving her arm a squeeze.

“Thanks, but you have a houseful with Jody’s family staying with you while their house is under construction. Besides, like I told Mr. Clairbourne, I refuse to be run out of my home. And I would probably kill myself tripping over one of the grandkid’s toys or at least take out a couple of lamps. I still have to be careful of them, I’m at three and holding.”

“Well, if you change your mind, we’ll make room for you. You’re always welcome. I can’t promise about the toys, but I can put the
lamps away.”

Rachelle gave a small laugh. “Thanks, I appreciate that, but I’m okay.”

“Miss Independent,” the woman muttered. “I wonder if you’ve met your match.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, come on. I know you can feel it. Britton Clairbourne.”

“Am I that transparent?” Rachelle groaned.

“A little, but I was talking about him. He likes you.”

“It’s a good thing it’s about time to go home because you’re losing it. Mr.
Clairbourne interested in me.” Rachelle shook her head in disbelief.

“You might not be able to see how he looks at you, but that man has a thing for you.”

“That man could have any woman he wants.”

“And if he wants you?”

“Come on, Lois, that isn’t even funny. I used to see pictures of the women he took out in the society pages, and believe me, there wasn’t a blind virgin among them.” She didn’t bother to keep the sarcasm from her voice.

“Don’t sell yourself short.”

“I’m not, I’m realistic. Even my fiancé, who was supposed to love me, and thought I would be the perfect proper wife before I had my accident, didn’t think so after.”

“Richard was a jerk and not good enough for you.”

“Yeah, well I didn’t get him.”

“Aren’t you lucky?”

“Sure, I got a psycho who likes my voice,” she sighed. “I’m sorry. I know you’re trying to lighten my mood, but teasing me about Britton Clairbourne isn’t the way. Right now it would be better for me to stick to reality.”

****

Reality slipped a little when she got home and tripped over a package as she walked into her apartment. She wasn’t sure what was so ominous about the shoe box sized package, but she was reluctant to pick it up. Shutting the door, she fingered it a minute longer before pulling loose the tape. With shaky fingers, she pushed the packing out of the way until she touched the piece of satin, running her fingertip over it to the delicate porcelain face. Silky hair clung to her finger as she lifted the figure from the box. When she felt the wings of the angel, she almost dropped it.

Her breath caught, panic hit her senses. He’d been there, at her apartment. Had he been there in the hall watching her arrive? Was he still out there watching? Leaving the package on the table, she made her way to the window, stumbling in her haste. She hit the end table. Rachelle reached for the lamp but was too late. It crashed to the floor. “Four lamps,” she groaned. At least this one was brass, so the breaking glass would only be the light bulb. It took her a second to close the curtain. Ignoring the package, she cleaned up the glass, replaced the bulb,
then righted the lamp.

Rachelle longed to call the number Britt had her memorize and place on her speed dial, but she refused, knowing he himself would pack her up and move her to a hotel, no matter what she said. Instead, she called the other number she had added to her speed dial, the police station.

“Detective Todd, please,” she asked when an officer came on line.

“He’s not in right now. Can I take a message?”

“Yes, please. This is Rachelle Harris. I’m involved with the problems at Clairbourne Industries. Detective Todd talked to me on Saturday.” Great, rambling again. “Anyway I received a package from the guy doing it.”

“A package?
What kind of a package?”

“A box with an angel in it.”

“Are you certain it’s from our perpetrator?” She could hear the interest in the officer.

“Yes.”

“Where was it delivered from?”

“It was waiting outside my door.”