LETHAL OBSESSION (11 page)

      He
nodded and Ellen kept talking.  "My husband died in a plane crash.  This law
officer notified me of Mark's death.  Knowing it was illegal he fixed it so I
could get into the crash site.  After that he started calling and coming over a
lot just to see how I was doing."  Ellen saw a concerned look pass over
the doctor's features but he nodded and said nothing.  "We became friends
and I started getting attached to him. Having a companion felt good. It was so
difficult being alone.  He didn't tell me he was married. I found out.  Now
he's saying he has feelings for me, that he loves me. I told him not to call me
but he does anyway.  I don't have a clue how to handle this."

      "How
did you feel after you found out he was married?"            

      "Betrayed,
like he lied to me."                                

      "He
did lie to you.  A true friend would've included his family in the comforting
process."                       

      "I
know, and I thought that would be the end of it, but it wasn't.  I don't want
to see him, and I do want to see him.  Does that make sense?"                                                

      "Of
course it does.  Loneliness can make one do some very uncharacteristic
things."                               

      Ellen
couldn't help but notice his pensive, faraway look.  It only lasted for an instant
but it was there.  If the photo was any indication, this doctor had a beautiful
family.  What did he know of loneliness?  "Nothing has happened between us
yet but it almost did twice.  The first time I thought he was single.  We were
in a secluded place and we began to make love. I started crying and he stopped.
He said I wasn't ready.  The second time was just a few nights ago.  I had a
burglar trying to break in and I called him.  He came over and we had a drink. 
I fell asleep on the couch and woke up in his arms in an extremely intimate
position. I stopped it but I really feel stupid."  Ellen pointed to
herself.  "This person is not who I am.  Someday I hope to be able to love
again, but not yet and not with a married man.  I'm upset how this man makes me
feel about myself." She looked at Dr. Carrington who was jotting down
notes.

      "You
already know what you need to do, don't you."        

      "Stay
away from him."                                                   

      "That's
right."                                                 

      "That
is easier said than done."                             

      "Why
is that?"                                                      

      "He's
powerful and can do what he chooses.  When he wants to call or come over he
just does it.  I think he is watching my house.  This man waits for me to go
somewhere in my car and then he follows me."                                                    

      Rick
wrinkled his brow.  "I don't understand.  Most men wouldn't do something
like that if the woman discourages it."         

      "Well,
this man just happens to be our elected county sheriff."                   

      Rick's
sudden, shocked paleness was not lost on Ellen.     

      "I
see."                                                             

      The
doctor knew Gene and not in a good way, Ellen thought.     

      "You
know who I'm talking about, don't you."                    

      "Yes."                                                          

      "So
can you still help me?"                                      

      "I
can, but I want you to believe in yourself and to know you and no one else, holds
the power over your life. Quit blaming yourself for what has happened. Guilt is
a very negative, damaging emotion. I sense there is a very strong, determined
woman sitting here in front of me. I believe in you, Mrs. Anderson, and I
believe you can accomplish anything you set out to do."   

      "Thank
you for those words, Dr. Carrington."    

      "You
are welcome, Mrs. Anderson. I'd like to see you back in a week.  Is that
alright with you?"

      "Yes,
that will be fine."  For the first time since she walked in, Ellen was
smiling.        

      She
left the office feeling tons lighter.  Just by allowing her to vent, Dr.
Carrington had done wonders for her.   She was curious to know how he was
connected to Gene.  His reaction was too dramatic to be casual. To keep it all
confidential, no names were mentioned between them and she probably shouldn't
have said the word sheriff.  But still she would like to know their connection. 
Actually it was really none of her business. Gene Stone was out of her life so
it didn't matter.         

      Under
different circumstances Ellen would find Dr. Carrington extremely attractive. 
With his dimpled smile, and green eyes, this man was the hunkiest of hunks. And
on top of that he was one of the kindest men she had ever met. Dr. Carrington
also had a beautiful wife and lovely children. And finally, he was her shrink. 
Enough said.                                                                        

      Muttering
an oath, Rick Carrington slammed his fist down on his desk so hard that pain
shot up his arm.  Gene Stone was a textbook description of a sociopath.  This
man had an uncanny knack for destroying peoples' lives then walking away from
the whole mess like his hands were lily white.                      

      Rick
liked Ellen Anderson and this situation tampered with his objectivity.  The
smell of big money had Stone sniffing around this grieving, vulnerable woman.  From
what Rick could tell she was a decent human being and didn't deserve the misery
Stone could inflict.                

      Rick
remembered reading an article about the owner of Anderson Enterprises crashing
his private jet in the mountains.  At the time, he felt for the man's family
and now he was professionally involved. There had to be some way to protect Ellen
Anderson from the likes of Stone.  Professionally and ethically his hands were
tied.  All he could hope for was Mrs. Anderson's strength.                                         

      Following
a morning of shopping, Ellen opened the front door and walked into the foyer.
The flash of brilliant red caught her eye immediately. There on the dining room
table in a magnificent arrangement were two-dozen scarlet roses.  Her eyebrows
knitted in puzzlement.  She couldn’t imagine who in the world would send her
these.  They were beautiful but it was too late to be sending flowers for
Mark.  She walked over and put her nose to the sweet fragrance.  The card only
had Ellen scrawled across the front of it. Opening the envelope she read.
"Ellen, all I want is for your happiness. Please believe this to be true.
If your happiness means me bowing out of your life, then so be it. I will
accept whatever is your choice. I will always love you, Gene"

      Ellen
felt a tightening in her chest.  She closed the note crushing it with her
fingers.  Touching a tender petal, her mind tumbled with conflict.  Her
happiness was all he wanted.  How she wished he could really give it to her. 
How she wished he could bring Mark back.  But Gene couldn’t do that.  Nobody
could.                                                                    

      Dr.
Carrington said she was a strong person.  Well Ellen didn't feel very strong
when it came to existing in solitude.  She needed the company of other people,
which made it hard when her circle of friends consisted of one married man. 

      Did
he mean what he said about bowing out of her life?  Would he still love her if
his wife was invited along?  Ellen liked Martha Stone. If only she could be her
friend rather than the husband.  The situation would be far less complicated. 

      At
least she could thank him for the flowers.  It was a nice gesture. Punching in
the number, Ellen held the phone on her shoulder and unfolded the card.  Then
she hung up abruptly.  What was she doing?  Gene needed little encouragement. 
He would take her call as an invitation, not what she wanted.                                                         

      Gene
gathered his jacket from the closet.  He closed his eyes as if the whining
voice drifting over to him was assaulting him in some way.  God, he couldn’t
wait to get the hell out of here, away from his wife.

      “I
don’t understand why you have to be gone all the time, Gene.  This is the third
night this week.”  Martha wiped her hands on her apron. “You’re the sheriff,
let somebody else go. I fixed a nice dinner for us tonight.  I thought maybe we
could watch TV or talk.  We never talk anymore.  I’m getting tired of being
alone so much.  And everyone is noticing that you haven’t been to church
lately.”                                Gene took a deep breath and tried to
reign in his impatience.  “It’s part of the job, Martha.  Comes with the
territory.  I thought you understood that when I got elected.  I thought you
were proud of the fact that I pretty near run this town single-handed."

      Gene
gave Martha a quick kiss on her closed lips and pulled her to his chest, but
his mind was on Ellen. There had been many women in his life but Ellen was the
first one who made him wish he wasn’t married.

      Driving
down the dark highway Gene was in deep thought.  Always in the past, Martha had
been his safety net.  His marriage did wonders as a defense against possessive
mistresses. But Ellen was different. Her aloofness made him crave her in a way that
was driving him nuts.  Yes, it did help that she was filthy rich but that
wasn't the main attraction or so he told himself.

      Gene
was disappointed he didn't hear from her after the roses.  He thought for sure
she would call but it didn't happen. Gene wanted her so bad he could taste it. 
His mind was filled with her.  He could think of nothing else. The paralyzing
fear that she might turn to another man kept him awake nights.  He had to
possess her and he had to do it soon but how?

      Perhaps
he would just give her a few days to enjoy the roses.  If he didn't call, Ellen
might believe what he said in the note.  Then she would let her guard down. 
Gene wasn't born yesterday when it came to women.  He knew them like the back
of his hand.  They were all very predictable and Ellen was no different.

      Meanwhile,
Gene began to anticipate the coming evening.  Carol Jennings was always hot to
trot.  Since Ellen He hadn't been around much so needless to say, Carol was
thrilled to hear from him.  Divorced, lonely and desperate, she knew how to
show a man a good time.  Gene drove on anticipating a pleasurable evening.

      Carol
greeted him at the door wearing nothing but a smile.  She led Gene to the bed as
he quickly came out of his clothes. Carol started at his throat with her
greedy, mouth and tongue.  As she worked her way down his body, Gene lay on her
bed supine and tried to catch his breath. Carol knew exactly what he liked as hot
flicks from her tongue began to work him into a frenzy.  Gene closed his eyes,
emptying his mind to all but the mounting pleasure.

       Thirty
minutes later he sat on the side of Carol's bed struggling to rein in his
panic. No matter what she did to him, his manhood remained soft and flaccid. 
This was a first and it was damn scary.  What if he was damaged for life and
could never get it up again?  That thought had Gene fighting the urge to run
out her door screaming.

      Carol
knelt behind Gene kissing his neck.  "It's okay, Sweetie. I've heard that
happens to a lot of guys."

      "Not
to me it doesn't."

      "Maybe
you just have a lot on your mind."

      That
was probably more true than he would like to admit.  This obsession with Ellen
was making him impotent and he was furious that she could have that kind of
power over him.

      Gene
started gathering up his clothes.  He hated himself and couldn't stand looking
at Carol.  Failure was not in his vocabulary.  All he wanted to do was flee.

      "Oh
Honey, don't leave."

      "I'm
sorry, Baby.  This isn't your fault.  You've been great."

      "I
hardly ever see you anymore."

      Now
she was beginning to sound like his wife.  It was definitely time to go.

      "I'll
give you a call, Baby.  I just need to get some rest.  I haven't been sleeping
very good. Burning the candle at both ends you might say."

      Gene
got in his car and drove like the bats of hell were pursuing him.  He felt
cursed.

      Martha
wore a satisfied smile as she snuggled against her husband.  Gene looked at the
ceiling and breathed a sigh of relief.  His manhood was not ruined for life.  Thank
you, Jesus and all the assorted saints.  Not being a religious man, Gene knew
when it was time to pray.

      He
would not tempt fate any time soon by straying, unless it was with Ellen.  He
didn't like going to church, but he was superstitious enough to believe that some
higher power or fate could dole out reward or punishment.  Gene pretended to be
religious to please Martha but perhaps he should pay more attention.  Perhaps
the powers that be were telling him something.  A soft penis was a damn frightening
wakeup call.