Obsession (23 page)

“Matthews and Matthews. May I help you?”

“Toni Matthews?”

Toni frowned. She didn't recognize the somewhat muffled male voice, but there was something vaguely, even eerily familiar about it. “Yes, this is Toni Matthews. How may I help you?”

“Don't worry about helping me. You'd better think about helping yourself.”

“Excuse me?”

“Just mind your own business and everything will be OK.”

Toni was getting angry now. “Is this some kind of joke? Who is this?”

“This is definitely not a joke, and it doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that you remember what I said. Mind your own business. Don't start poking your nose in where it doesn't belong. Understand?”

“Look, I don't know who you are, but—”

The caller hung up before she could finish her sentence. Fighting the creeping sense of fear that had become the recurrent aftereffect of her recent nightmares, she jumped up from her desk and walked to the water cooler in the front office. Her hands shaking slightly, she filled a paper cup to the brim and drank it, then tossed the crumpled cup in the trash.

Just some crank call
, she told herself.
Probably some kid who's getting bored with summer vacation and has nothing better to do.
Yet, whoever it was knew her by name—and he had certainly not sounded like a young kid, or even a teenager. If only her dad had not been so old fashioned, so prone to hang on to anything that still worked, rather than trade it in on a newer model. A caller I.D. would have been a big help right now, although she imagined the caller, whoever he was, hadn't been stupid enough to call from home.

She returned to the inner office, stopping in front of her desk with her back to the door.
Oh, Lord,
she prayed, closing her eyes,
is this something I should be concerned about, or am I making a big deal out of
nothing? Could this possibly have anything to do with the evil I've sensed lately?

She felt a hand on her shoulder as a low voice spoke her name. With a frightened yelp, she turned to find herself staring up into Abe Matthews's stunned face. His dark eyes were wide with concern as he took her by the arms.

“Are you all right? I'm sorry I scared you. What's wrong? You look so… frightened. Has something happened?”

Her heart was pounding so hard that she thought it would burst as she fought the impulse to fall into his arms, to beg him to hold her and to forgive her for lying to him, to confess what she truly felt. How she longed for the strength and safety she knew she would feel in his embrace, the release she knew would come if she could just tell him the truth. But, of course, she couldn't.

“I'm fine,” she said, cringing as she lied to him once again. “You just… startled me, that's all. Really.”

“I'm sorry. I know I'm the last person you expected to show up in your office—or anywhere in your life. I called you at home, and when you weren't there, I decided to take a chance and come by here.”

For a brief moment, Toni considered closing her eyes, relaxing, and allowing him to pull her close—which she was sure he would do with just the slightest encouragement. The moment passed, however, and she knew she had better change the subject quickly, before it was too late.

“I… assume you're here for a specific purpose?”

The look of concern faded a bit from Abe's face, and she could tell he was making a concerted effort to be businesslike. “Actually, yes, I am. Can we sit down?”

Tearing her eyes away from his, she turned and walked toward the chair behind her desk. Abe pulled an extra chair over near hers, then waited until she sat down. Her legs were still shaking as she lowered herself into her seat. What was this about? She had clearly told him that she intended to marry Brad and that they should not see each
other anymore. Yet, he had come. Did he intend to try again, to tell her of his love for her, to beg her to reconsider? If so, would she be strong enough to reject him twice? She doubted it, and found herself hoping—as futile as it would be—that he would do just that. However, he didn't. As he sat mere inches away from her, his eyes locked into hers, she had to summon all her strength to focus on his words.

“Toni, something has happened. I heard about it this morning. A fisherman found a body… late yesterday evening, tangled in some reeds on the north side of Eagle Lake. Apparently it had been in the water a while, several weeks anyway. They haven't been able to identify her yet, but—”

Toni interrupted him. “‘Her’?” Fear gripped her heart as she felt herself slipping to the edge once again. Instinctively she grabbed Abe's hand and clung to it with every ounce of strength she had. “What do you mean, ‘her’? It's a woman's body?”

Abe nodded. “A young woman—a girl, really, at least as far as they can tell at this point. There'll be an autopsy, of course, and… if no one steps forward to identify her right away, they'll have to try to identify her through dental records or DNA or… Toni, it's going to be on the local news, so I wanted to tell you about it before you heard about it somewhere else.”

Toni's head was spinning. “Do you think… ? Could it possibly be…?”

“Julie?” Abe's jaw twitched. “I hope not, but… we have to consider the possibility.”

“Oh, Abe.” Hot tears sprang to her eyes as she thought of April Lippincott. “What are we going to tell April?”

“That's why I'm here. Even though we don't know it's Julie, I really should have called the sheriff's office as soon as I heard about it and told them what we know about her, including the information about your dad's investigation—not that they can't identify her without our help. If it's Julie, she's already listed as missing in the nationwide
computer system, and they'll have her dental records on file. I still need to notify the county right away, but I thought it might be easier for April if you called before the authorities contact her or Julie's parents, or I can call her if you'd rather. I don't mind doing that if you don't feel up to it.”

Toni was suddenly aware that she was clinging to Abe's hand. Embarrassed, she released him and reached for the phone. “No, that's all right. Really. I'll do it. I just…”

As visions of the attractive blonde-haired girl flashed through her mind—first the picture of the smiling teenager in Julie's file, then the image of the terrified girl in Toni's dreams, running for her life—Toni's resolve crumpled, and she buried her face in her hands and began to weep. She was vaguely aware that Abe was kneeling beside her, his arms enfolding her, as he rocked her gently and stroked her hair, assuring her that everything was going to be all right. How she longed to believe him. But even now, in the arms of this man she was so fiercely drawn to that she could scarcely breathe, this strong yet gentle one to whom she could never speak of love, she doubted that anything would ever be right again.

CHAPTER 11

T
he view was breathtaking. Toni only wished she could enjoy it. Brad had phoned ahead and reserved the best table at their favorite restaurant, about thirty minutes northeast of River View. Sitting beside him and gazing out the window at the setting sun, Toni realized that prior to the events of the last few months, nothing would have made her happier than being right where she was, right at this moment. Tonight, however, her heart was heavy, her smile strained, as Brad, sitting very close to her on the booth's cushioned seat, held her hand, occasionally whispering endearments or kissing her cheek. She was relieved when the waiter brought their salads.

After Brad had given thanks for the food, she began to toy with the greens on her plate. She'd had no appetite since Abe had told her of the discovery of the body at Eagle Lake. Even though he had assured
her that the body had not yet been identified, she somehow knew that it was Julie. She had sensed that Abe knew it as well, and she had been grateful for his arms around her as she cried, even though she knew she'd had no right to welcome—nor encourage—his embrace.

Toni's call to April, once she had composed herself enough to make it, had been difficult at best, even with Abe at her side, ready to step in and help if she broke down. She had made it, though, and April had taken the news somewhat stoically, undoubtedly praying that the autopsy would prove that the body was not Julie's. After the call, Toni sat silently, trying to imagine what April and Julie's parents would go through while awaiting the report. Abe had sat next to her, allowing her as much time as she needed to compose herself. When he had finally spoken, there was no mention of his own feelings, only concern for hers and for April and her family. His unselfish support had endeared him to her all the more. When he had gone, leaving her with a gentle kiss on the forehead, she had wavered between admiration for his compassion and disappointment at his restraint.

“Earth to Toni. Come in, please.”

Brad's voice shook her from her reverie, and she turned to find him smiling at her hesitantly. “Are you OK in there? Are you even in there?”

Another forced smile. “I'm fine. Really. I was just thinking about…” She sighed. “Have you listened to the local news today? Did you hear about the body they found at Eagle Lake?”

Brad's smile faded. “Actually, I did have the news on earlier while I was getting ready to pick you up, but I only heard fragments. Have they identified the body?”

“Not that I know of. At least, they hadn't when I heard about it earlier today. I called April Lippincott and told her, just in case.”

Brad frowned. “Just in case what? Why would you call Mrs. Lippincott?”

“In case the body is… Julie's.”

“Julie Greene's? You mean, they think…?”

“I only know they think the body is that of a young woman—possibly a teenage girl—and that she had been in the water for quite a while. We couldn't help but think that it might be Julie because—”

“Wait a minute,” Brad interrupted. “Who's ‘we’? You mean you and April?”

Toni felt her cheeks flush. She had not intended to mention Abe's involvement, but it was too late now. “No. Abe and I. He… came by the office this afternoon to let me know about the body. He didn't want me to hear about it on the news, and he thought I might want to be the one to call April, which I did.”

Brad dropped his head and sat silently for a moment. When he looked at her, there were tears in his eyes. “So he's back. Somehow, I knew that.”

“He's not… back. Not the way you mean. There's nothing, Brad. Nothing between Abe and me. There never was, and there never will be. He just came to let me know. That's all.”

“I want to believe that. I really do, but…”

“Believe it. I'm going to marry you, Brad. Abe has no part in my life.”

His eyes searched hers, as if trying to see below the surface. Why couldn't he just accept her words at face value? Why did he have to look at her that way? Her heart ached as she wondered just how much he could really see. Were her feelings for Abe so evident? Did the longing she felt for him inside show on her face? She prayed not. She did not want to hurt Brad, and she knew there was absolutely no future for her with Abe. The matter was settled. What could she do to convince Brad of that fact?

“I've been thinking,” she began, praying silently for the strength to get through what she was about to say. “Maybe you're right. Maybe we do need to at least pick some sort of target date for our wedding and get started on the plans….”

As the realization of what she was saying began to dawn on Brad, a smile spread slowly across his face, and the tears that had threatened earlier now shone in his eyes. “Toni, do you mean it? Can we finally set a date?”

She nodded. “Yes. It's time. I know that.”

“When? Where? How? You name it. Whenever and whatever you want is fine with me. Just, please, don't let it be too long.”

Her mind was racing. She had come this far; now she had to deliver. When? What would be a realistic date? She thought of spring but sensed that was too far away. Not only would Brad be disappointed at having to wait almost another year, but it would give her too much time to think, to change her mind… too much time to run into Abe, to risk her resistance breaking down. No, it must be sooner.

“How about this fall? November or December? Sometime before Christmas. We could have a small ceremony, either at the church or maybe your parents' home, or… whatever you think is best. But small. I definitely want it to be small… and simple. No big social affair. It's just too soon after… Dad's death.”

Brad slipped his arm around her, pulled her close, and kissed her. Toni returned his kiss, glad they were seated next to each other in a high-backed booth, affording them an element of privacy. She knew their decision would become common knowledge soon enough, but she just wasn't ready to advertise it unnecessarily.

When he released her, his hazel eyes were dancing. “I've got my day-timer in the car. After dinner, let's pick an exact date so we can make the announcement official.”

Toni hesitated. “Do you mind terribly if we put that off, just until after… after the autopsy results? I'd like to have that settled first, to know whether or not the body is Julie's. I know that might sound strange, but it's important to me. Please?”

Brad's look was tender. “Of course.” He smiled. “You've made me the happiest man in the world. Do you know that?”

“I'm glad,” she said and meant it, even as she wondered if she would ever be able to share in that happiness.