LETHAL OBSESSION (4 page)

      He
immediately stood up.  "You look great this morning, just like a
princess."

      She
scoffed.  "What have you been smoking?"

      He
laughed.  "I think I'll nickname you Princess."

      "Oh
Yeah, Princess Ellen, nice ring to it."

      "I
think so, and I like seeing you smile."

      Juanita
came in with a steaming platter of fresh blueberry muffins, bacon and scrambled
eggs.  She poured coffee leaving the pot on the table.

      "Well,
Gene, I didn't get a chance last night to thank you properly for
everything."

      "Ellen,
I know there is no way to make what has happened easy, but I'd like to make it
less painful if I can."

      She
looked at him and smiled.  "You've already done that."

      "May
I check your arm when we finish breakfast?"

      "Sure."

      "You
may want to have your doctor look at it today."

      "And
what do you suggest I tell him?"

      "Good
question."

      They
ate breakfast and talked about how's the weather subjects.                                                             

      "That
was delicious, Ellen. Juanita, you are the best cook in the world," he
called to the kitchen.

      "Gracias,
Senor."

      "Let's
look at those cuts, Princess."

      Ellen
shot him a ludicrous stare. "The princess thinks it is fine."  She
had taken the bandage off in the shower.  "It looks to be healing to
me."  She held her arm out to Gene.

      He
held her hand and gently checked the cuts.  Then he looked at Ellen. 

      "The
arm looks better and you look better. And that sure makes me feel better."

      Ellen
pulled away from his touch.  "I'm fine, Gene."  She got up suddenly
feeling uncomfortable.  "You'll have to excuse me.  There's a lot I need
to do today." 

      Ellen
wasn't sure what was bothering her.  Perhaps she was still in shock, or she
needed to be alone, but this man's presence was annoying her. 

      Gene
got up.  "I need to get back to work anyway."

      She
walked him to the door.  "Thank you, Gene, for everything, especially
this."  She held up her left hand as Mark's larger band dangled behind the
others.     

      "You're
welcome, Ellen. May I call you from time to time?"

      She
didn't know how to answer him.  Did she really want Sheriff Stone to stay in
touch with her?  Why would he want to?  It didn't make any sense.  Maybe that
was just the kind of man he was, a very caring one.

      Ellen
shrugged, "If you like."

      "I
would like."  Gene gave her a grin. "Bye, Princess."

      Ellen
shook her head and shut the door.  He was trying to lighten her mood.  It was
obvious.  If only it could be that easy.

CHAPTER FIVE

      The
board room echoed with small talk as the executives of Anderson Enterprises
corporate management helped themselves to coffee, fruit, and sandwiches on the buffet
table. It was early evening and they had just gotten off from work. There was
change in the air.  Uncertainty rumbled through the room. Execs took their
seats, shuffled papers and waited for their new boss to address them.                       

      Sitting
in Mark's private office, Ellen couldn't help but over hear some of the
conversations.  Of course everybody missed Mark.  He was an exemplary boss,
easily approachable and fair.  Having his wife take over did not set well,
especially with some of the senior male managers. 

      This
was the reason Ellen called for an emergency meeting of the board this evening.
The assembly would be broadcast by telecommunications to CEOs in other states.  They
had a right to know as much detail as possible concerning their future at Anderson
Enterprises.

      Ellen's
intention was not to make any major changes.  Mark had tutored her well
concerning the ins and outs of how the various corporations operated. Anderson
Enterprises was a large umbrella under which various smaller companies were viable. 
Mark was very proud of the fact that all products sponsored by his corporation
were manufactured in the United States. He believed in recycling and
sustainable energy, a lover of our planet.

      The
CEOs were hand-picked and everything was running like a well oiled machine. 
For that, Ellen was extremely grateful.  The last thing she wanted to do was
step into her husband's shoes.  Mark always said she had a head for business
but Ellen didn't believe that about herself. 

      She
took a deep breath.  "Well, here goes nothing," she said to herself. 
Just then her cell-phone vibrated making her startle.  She pulled it from her
pocket checking the display. With a slight frown, Ellen took the call.  Where
did he get her number?

      "Hello
Gene," she put the phone to her ear while gathering her paperwork.

      "Hi
Ellen, just checking in to see how you're doing today. I sure did enjoy those
muffins yesterday morning."

      "I'm
glad you did. Actually I'm just getting ready to go into a business meeting." 

      "Well
I won't keep you then.  You sound busy."

      "Good-bye
Gene."

      Ellen
looked at her cell trying to figure out what she was feeling.  She owed Gene
for getting her into the crash site, but her life was shattered.  Ellen wasn't
ready for this man or any man to enter her world. Perhaps this was just a
courtesy call, but she knew better. Sheriff Stone was a busy elected official. One
call to see how she was doing after they visited the site should have been
sufficient.  Daily calls from him seemed weird. It was time to put the sheriff
out of her mind.  There were much more important issues to tackle. Ellen
switched off her cell phone so no call would come in during the meeting.

      Even
though she knew these people, her heart was erratically beating.  How does one
talk about a tragedy like this?  She could barely face it herself.

      Ellen
stood in front of a sea of suited, serious faced men and women.  The silence
was deafening as everybody watched her and waited.  For mere seconds Ellen
couldn't think of a single word to say to these loyal employees. The tension in
the room felt like pea soup. Ellen took a deep breath and spoke from her heart.                      

      "I
miss him too.  You can't imagine, or maybe you can. I know very few details of
the crash but I'll tell you what I know."

      "Carl,
are we online?"  She spoke to the telecommunications engineer.

      "Yes,
Mrs. Anderson.  You're good to go."

      "Thank
you Carl.  There was a freak, violent thunderstorm around Asheville, North
Carolina on the day Mark was coming home from a meeting in New York City.  He
called in a May Day after his right engine was struck by lightning and caught
fire.  That's when the Ashville airport tower lost Mark's jet from radar." 
     

      "The
FAA is conducting an investigation.  I don't know how long this is going to
take.  I did go to the crash site.  I didn't get permission but just sort of
crashed the site if you know what I mean.  She could feel the execs relaxing,
looking more human, more emotional.  I needed to see it for myself.  I plan on having
a memorial service at some point. I will let everybody know when."

      "I
guess what's really important here is not how Mark died.  We know he's gone. 
What's important is where do we go from here?  For that I will need your help. 
Mark taught me the workings of Anderson Enterprises, but you have been running
it. I know what my husband would've wanted.  Mark would want you to continue the
exemplary work that has made him so proud of you. Mark Anderson was my life. 
I know how he felt concerning your work and dedication.  For that reason I will
carry on his legacy. There will be no changes at Anderson Enterprises."

      "Like
I said, I will need your help these next few weeks, months and years.  I will
need you because you see I'm not sure how to get on with this business of
living without him."  Ellen's voice was cracking. Her throat was aching
with unshed tears. It was so hard not to break down and sob, but it was
imperative she show strength and be strong for Mark. "I guess that's the
end of my speech."  Ellen wiped at a stray tear. "Does anybody have
questions?"         

      Ellen
noticed the wet cheeks and the hankies.  She hoped she was doing the right
thing. If somehow she managed to endear herself to these people, then her
husband could rest in peace.      Mark's larger wedding band dangled behind her
own.  As her fingers toyed with it, Ellen saw people leave their chairs and
approach her.  Then she found herself swept up in comforting hugs and tears.

      Walking
out to the patio, Ellen sat in her cushioned chaise lounge and looked up at the
inky summer sky.  Trillions of stars blinked back at her. Night creatures
called from the forest. Crickets chirped. A whippoorwill called to his mate.  A
barn owl crooned.  A coyote mourned out his lonely song.  Ellen allowed the sounds
of nature to lull her. 

      She
willed her mind to go blank.  If she didn't get a break from it, the agony in
her life could easily consume her. Ellen swirled amber liquid around in a
crystal tumbler.  The liquor was unlocking things deep inside.  Her body and
mind slowly relaxed. Pain was there but receded. She gazed at the black night
sky.                                                     

      “Are
you up there Mark?” Can you see me?  Do you have any idea how much I miss you,
how I long for you?  I'm not blaming you for what happened.  I know you
promised me we'd live happily ever after.  Well now we know like all fairy
tales, this ever after thing is a myth. So now what am I supposed to do with
the rest of my life?" 

      "You
hired smart executives who could run the business without you. You did it so we
could travel and spend time together, and we have.  I'm filled with wonderful
memories of our adventures. I just wasn't prepared for it all to end. The thing
is Anderson Enterprises doesn't need me either. My life is stretching in front
of me like a lonely highway.  What am I supposed to do now, Mark? Please give
me guidance like you always have.  I need you to help me through this nightmare."
Here's to you my one and only love."  She lifted her glass toward the sky
then drained the contents.  It was time for a refill. Ellen reached down for
the bottle. Alcohol was numbing this horrible pain and Ellen was going to let
it.  

      It
was the blinding summer sun that woke her.  Ellen put a hand and over her eyes
and turned almost falling off the chair. She sat up and looked around wondering
how she got out on the patio.  The beige suit Ellen had worn to the meeting was
crumpled and twisted around her.  A liquor bottle lay empty beside a crystal
tumbler.  

      Oh
my God, surely she didn't drink herself into a stupor and spend the night out
here.  Ellen considered herself a very light social drinker.  She had never
done anything like this in her life.  Her parents were constantly drunk.  Did
she inherit the gene?                                             

      Her
head pounded in excruciating agony and her mouth felt like a ball of slimy
cotton. She tried to sit up and the world spun out of control.  With a groan
Ellen fell back down on the lounge chair clutching her churning stomach.  The
last thing she remembered was toasting Mark and pouring herself another drink. 
She was just going to have one more nightcap before going to bed.  That was
some nightcap.            Ellen could hear Juanita in the kitchen.  The aroma
of coffee and frying bacon was making her really queasy. She wanted to take a
shower but she didn't trust her legs to get her up the stairs.

Oh
good grief, Ellen was disgusted with herself.  Get up you weakling and quit
being such a pussy.  With effort she slowly sat up ignoring the dizziness and
nausea.  Standing on wobbly legs, she made her way to the staircase knowing
Juanita watched her closely. 

      “Good
Morning, Juanita.”  She managed a weak smile but even that caused an excruciating
headache.  “Thanks for fixing breakfast but I’m not very hungry.  I’m going to
take a shower.  Maybe I can eat later.”

      Juanita
looked worried.  “Yes Senora.  Just let me know when you’re ready.”

The
phone was ringing just as Ellen reached the bedroom.  She was tempted to let
Juanita take it, but changed her mind and picked up the receiver.

      “Hello?”

      "Hi
there.  This is your friendly sheriff here.  Just wanted to see how you’re
doing this morning.  How did the meeting go?"

      "Oh...
Gene."  Her brow wrinkled.  Why was he still calling?  "Well I... I
sort of had a date with Jack last night, you know, Daniels.  And....well
anyway, I think I slept good.” Why did she tell him that?  Oh hell, let him
think what he wants.  Who cares what anybody thinks.  She's alone now.  She can
do what she damn well pleases and if he doesn't like it, screw him. 

      “Say
no more, my dear.  I have the perfect solution for a major hangover.  I'll be
right over."

      “Gene,
wait.  You don't need to come. I don’t know why I told you that.”  Ellen
massaged her aching head.  “Just forget it, okay?  I’m fine.  Really I
am."  What a lie that was.  She didn’t feel fine.  Her brain felt like it
was stuffed with cotton.  She wasn’t even sure what day it was.  Her touch with
reality was fleeting and it was probably just as well.  All she wanted to do
was crawl into the shower and then into bed for the rest of her life.  Hearing
this man's voice over the phone was making her feel worse.  He didn't deserve
her surly bad mood but she couldn't help herself.

      "Now
look, Princess. I don't want to hear any argument from you.  I have a recipe
that will make you feel like a brand new person. This one was passed down from
my great grand pappy who just happened to be king of the moon shiners back in
his day." 

      “No,
Gene.  Not now.”  She held out her hand as if that would stop him.  “I don’t
feel like it... Gene?... Hello?  Damn.”  Ellen hung the phone up in
exasperation.  To hell with it, let him wait.  She was taking a shower.                    

      An
hour later, snuggled from head to toe in a white fluffy robe, Ellen felt almost
alive again.  With cautious steps she made her way down the winding staircase. A
deep male voice could be heard talking to Juanita in the kitchen.  Ellen looked
down at her attire.  Crap. She turned around to get on some decent clothes.

      On
trembling legs, Ellen made her way to the kitchen trying to fight the wisps of
dizziness that kept assaulting her senses. She could see Gene sitting at the
kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee.

      “Good
morning, Gene.”

      “Ah,
is the princess feeling any better?”

      “The
princess has turned into a royal bitch and would you mind keeping your voice down. 
She clapped her hands to her ears.

      Gene
chuckled. “Well I’m going to make you feel like a princess again.” 

      He
went to the blender mixing up a concoction that would probably choke a mule.  He
poured her an icy drink with the strangest color she had ever seen. 

      “Drink
some of this and you’ll be doing cartwheels down the hall.”

      Ellen
stared dubiously at the glass he had placed in front of her. What’s in this?”                                         

      “Oh
a little of this and a little of that.  Family secret,  can’t divulge.  Come
on.  I know it looks unappetizing but just give it a try.”

      “Have
you tried it?”

      “Of
course I have.”  He pounded his chest.  “That’s why I’m fit as a fiddle today.”

      Ellen
rolled her eyes. “Gimme a break.”  She raised the glass to her lips and took a
tentative sip.  The taste surprised her.  Despite the color, it had a rather
pleasant flavor, tangy and a little fruity but not too sweet.  Actually she was
starting to feel a little better already.

      “So,
Mr. Sheriff Stone, Thank you for the miracle cure. I guess the least I can do
is offer you some breakfast.”

      Gene
bowed gracefully.  “I would be honored to share breakfast with royalty, even a
bitchy one.”