Stranded (24 page)

“For one thing, you’re going to get into bed and get some sleep,” Johnny said firmly as he pulled down the covers, and then he waited for Kendall to lie down. “I still have some work I have to get done, but I’ll listen for anything and come to bed in a few hours. In the morning I’m going to go down and talk to Mrs. Miller on the first floor. That woman knows everything going on everywhere. I swear, she never sleeps. I’ll find out if she saw anything. Don’t worry. No one is going to get to you on my watch.” Johnny pulled up the covers. Kendall half expected a kiss on the forehead and for Johnny to ruffle his hair, but instead Johnny kissed him hard. “I love you very much, and I’ll be up all night if it means you’ll sleep better, so get some rest.”

“Okay,” Kendall sighed, and Johnny left the room after giving him another kiss. Kendall heard him typing a few moments later and he closed his eyes. He tossed, dozed, and listened for any strange sounds, but all he heard was the soft clicking of Johnny’s computer keys as he typed. After a while, he heard Johnny’s footsteps. The lights switched off, and Johnny cleaned up before joining him in bed. Kendall curled close to him and was finally able to relax. Kendall must have fallen asleep eventually, because the next thing he knew sunlight was streaming through the windows. Johnny was still asleep next to him, and Kendall rolled over and went back to sleep.

When he woke again, Johnny was gone and the apartment was quiet. Kendall got up and pulled on his robe before peering out of the bedroom. The apartment seemed empty. The door was closed, and he made sure it was locked before making coffee and looked out the front windows. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, maybe to see someone familiar standing on the sidewalk across the street watching the place. Of course there was no one there, and Kendall wasn’t sure if that reassured him or not.

He didn’t like being alone, but he couldn’t expect Johnny to be with him every second, so he poured his cup of coffee and set about finding something for breakfast. He needed something to do. Before he could open the refrigerator, he heard footsteps on the stairs and tensed. The knob on their door rattled and then a knock sounded. “Kendall, it’s me.”

He hurried over and unlocked the door, letting Johnny in. “Sorry.”

“Me too,” Johnny said as he shut the door. “I talked to Mrs. Miller, and she saw a man hanging around the front of the building last night. She saw him pace up and down the sidewalk. She said he tried to get in behind someone else, but she put a stop to that.” Johnny smiled. “She told me she gave him a good tongue-lashing, and he went away. She didn’t see him leave anything.”

“Did she get a good look at him?”

“Well, she said he was tall, a bit broad, and paunchy, which describes a quarter of the men in the city. She did say he seemed to be walking with a bit of a stiff leg, though. Do you know anyone like that?”

Kendall thought for a few minutes and then shook his head. “Not that I can think of.” Kendall poured Johnny a mug of coffee and handed it to him. “I guess we’re back to square one.”

“Not exactly. She saw him, and she said she’d be able to recognize him again. I told her if she saw him to call the police. Mrs. Miller said she would and that she’d be very vocal about it.”

That made Kendall chuckle. He couldn’t imagine Mrs. Miller being quiet about anything. She was very sweet, but persnickety, and liked things just the way she wanted them. She also made sure no one left a mess in the entryway, and the hallways were always spotless, even though he never saw her clean them. “If you say so,” Kendall said.

“I know you’re worried, but we’ll get to the bottom of this whole mess. I can promise you that. I also called Sal, and he’s going to contact a friend of his in the security business and have them call you today.”

“I don’t want a stranger around,” Kendall said.

“Yes, you do,” Johnny said firmly, taking Kendall by surprise. “Look, I know you’re scared, and I don’t blame you. I know this guy took you and stranded you in the desert, but I won’t allow you to strand yourself inside this apartment. We need to make sure we can keep you safe, and then we need to find out who this guy is and stop him. You’re sure it’s a guy, right?”

Kendall huffed. “It was a man’s voice I heard when I was taken, so I’m assuming it’s a guy.”

“Okay, so we’re getting you some protection,” Johnny said. “Now let me make some breakfast.” Johnny got to work, attacking the pans like they were weapons. Kendall went back into the bedroom. He got his clothes and went into the bathroom, where he showered and then dressed before joining Johnny in the kitchen. Kendall’s stomach had started to rumble at the scent of bacon and eggs when his phone rang. It was Sal.

“The security man should be calling you this morning,” Sal began as soon as Kendall answered the phone. “He’s very good.”

“Thanks,” Kendall said softly.

“Have you looked at those scores?” Sal asked.

“Not yet,” Kendall said with a sigh. “I will, I just….”

“It’s okay. If you aren’t interested, just say so, but there are some great shows in there. Some I think will become legendary.”

“I’m not up to it right now,” Kendall admitted.

“I know all this stalker stuff has you unnerved, and I can understand it, but you know people will only wait so long. You can’t let this lock you in fear,” Sal said.

“You sound like Johnny,” Kendall said with a light scoff.

“I always knew Johnny was brilliant,” Sal retorted, and Kendall chuckled. “But we’re right and you know it.” Kendall did know it, but he wasn’t ready to admit it, at least not yet. “I also got a phone call from Lyman Davidson this morning. He’s in New York and wants to meet with both of us to talk about a deal for a future project he’s working on. He loved working with you and he said the part he has in mind is perfect for you. Can I go ahead and set it up?”

Kendall didn’t answer. He’d gone cold and was shaking like a leaf. “Yeah, okay,” he said automatically.

“I’ll set it up, then, and let you know the details,” Sal said. “Take care, my boy, and try not to worry.” Sal disconnected, and Kendall stared at the walls.

“What is it?” Johnny asked, but Kendall barely heard him. It took a few seconds before he realized Johnny was talking to him.

“Lyman is in town and wants to meet about a movie deal,” Kendall said.

“That’s great,” Johnny said, setting the plates on the table.

“You don’t understand. Lyman is in New York,” Kendall said. “He shows up and suddenly I’m getting flowers and the stalker shows up. I think that’s maybe too much of a coincidence. Don’t you?”

Johnny paused. “You think Lyman is behind all this? No way. He helped me find you. The man was relentless and refused to stop. He….”

“Think about it. He kidnapped me and left me in the desert, and then helps you find me. He gets to be the hero.” Kendall sat down, but the food didn’t look good anymore. “He also got a better movie out of it.” Johnny sat as well, but he didn’t touch his food either. “I’m not saying this is rational, because clearly whoever is doing this isn’t rational.”

“Could Lyman have trashed your dressing room?” Johnny asked, and Kendall shook his head slowly. He had to admit that wasn’t possible. “He could have had someone do it, though.”

“I don’t want it to be him. I like him. He’s a pain in the ass, but he’s also an upstanding guy and I like him. But he shows up in New York and suddenly so does the stalker. It’s too coincidental to ignore. I don’t know what to think, except we have to accept that Lyman is a possibility.”

“If it’s him, and I’m not saying it is,” Johnny began, “then he’s one sick, twisted guy, and I’d like to think I’d recognize that kind of person. But then again, he’s also an actor.”

Kendall held his head in his hands. “I don’t know what to think. Sal wants me to meet with Lyman, and I don’t want to go anywhere near him. I don’t want to step foot outside the apartment.” Kendall groaned and felt about two seconds from crying. He’d just begun to think he could leave some of what had happened behind him. They’d done familiar things, and he’d been comfortable. Now the crap was starting all over again. “I know that’s not possible and I know you’re right, I can’t let him strand me here, but I don’t know what to do.” Kendall breathed deeply to calm himself, but it wasn’t working, not one bit.

“I don’t know either, but if you decide to go to the meeting with Sal and Lyman, I’m going too,” Johnny said.

“You don’t have to,” Kendall said. “This is my problem, and it isn’t as though I’m going to be alone. Sal will be there. This can’t affect your life too.”

Johnny got up and walked over to where Kendall sat. “It already does, because it affects you.” He lightly stroked Kendall’s shoulders. “I almost lost you once because of this guy.” Kendall turned around when Johnny’s voice broke. “I nearly lost you because I wasn’t there for you. That won’t happen again.” Johnny closed his eyes and held Kendall close. “I know that sometimes it takes nearly losing someone to realize what they mean to you, and I’m sorry that had to happen to you. I took you for granted for a long time, and I won’t do that again.”

“You weren’t the only one. I did the same thing,” Kendall whispered. He closed his eyes and leaned back into Johnny’s embrace. “Have been for a while, so maybe that’s the one good thing to come out of this.”

Eventually they returned to their food. It was mostly cold, but Kendall wasn’t hungry anyway. He nibbled a bit at his bacon and ate a few bites of egg before giving up. He carried his plate into the kitchen and took care of the dishes. His phone rang, and Johnny answered it before handing it to Kendall.

“Hello,” Kendall said hesitantly.

“Good morning,” a deep voice said. “I’m Henry Gold with Gold and Marks security, and I wondered if I could speak with you about the problem you’ve been having. Sal gave me this number and said it was urgent I contact you.”

“How do you know Sal?” Kendall asked.

“I’ve helped some of his other clients over the years. I’ve known Sal for quite some time. When I was a kid, we went to the same temple,” Henry said.

“Okay. Tell me something about Sal. What does he look like?”

Henry laughed. “Short, old, Jewish guy. Smokes way too many of those stinky cigars and wears expensive suits and carries a pocket watch.”

“Okay, you know Sal. Where do you want to meet?” Kendall asked.

“I’m outside your building now, and I’d like to come up to meet with you.” Kendall walked toward the front of the apartment. He pulled the curtain slightly and peered down to the sidewalk. He saw no one. “I’ll be up in five minutes. You won’t need to let me in the building.” Henry hung up, and Kendall stared at the phone.

“That was the security guy,” Kendall said.

“I gathered,” Johnny said. “Is he coming over?”

“He’ll be here in five minutes,” Kendall said and wondered what was going to happen next. A soft knock paused Kendall’s train of thought, and Johnny peered through the peephole.

“Who is it?” Johnny asked.

“Henry Gold,” Kendall heard through the door, and he nodded. Johnny unlocked the door and a medium-sized man stepped inside. “Your building is incredibly insecure. I picked the front door lock in a matter of seconds, and I knew exactly which apartment was yours, because as soon as I called, you peered out the front window,” Henry said, taking off his jacket. “Sorry, I tend to get right down to business. I’m Henry.”

“Kendall,” he said, shaking Henry’s hand, “and this is my partner Johnny.”

“Johnny Harker, yes, I know, I love your books,” Henry said with a smile as they shook hands. “So what can I do for you?” Henry asked, and Johnny closed the door and locked it again. Kendall motioned toward a chair, and Henry sat down. He wasn’t at all what Kendall had been expecting. He wasn’t particularly huge, but he had a commanding manner, and deep-set eyes that had obviously seen a lot, if the hint of pain in them was any indication. He was handsome with his short clipped hair and the manicured stubble around his chin.

Kendall sat on the sofa with Johnny next to him and told Henry everything that had happened in California as well as what had prompted the call here in New York. He also told him his suspicions about Lyman. When he got to that part, Henry’s black eyebrows knitted together, but he said nothing until Kendall was done.

“Okay,” Henry began, “let’s start at the beginning from a security standpoint. We’ll make sure your home is secure, and then we’ll move from there. First thing, you aren’t on the ground floor. That’s both good and bad. It’s good because it limits the way anyone can get in, and it’s bad because you have fewer exit strategies.”

“There’s a fire ladder in our bedroom, and there’s a fire escape in back. That door has a fire latch on it and no outside knob or lock,” Kendall said.

“That’s pretty good, then, and in a building as old as this one, there’s only so much that can be done. I do suggest you contact the landlord and ask to have the front door replaced and the locks changed.” Kendall looked at Johnny. “If you give me the contact information, I’ll have an associate make the call. She’s very good at getting even the most reluctant landlord to do what needs to be done.” Kendall wondered how she did that, but kept the question to himself.

“Neither of you should go out alone,” Henry continued.

“We haven’t. The problem we have is that Kendall doesn’t want to leave the apartment at all,” Johnny said, and Kendall colored as Henry turned his attention to him.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of. A lot of my clients feel the same way in this kind of situation.” Henry leaned forward and looked Kendall in the eyes. “But for your own sanity and peace of mind, you mustn’t allow that to happen, and that’s part of why I’m here—to help give you peace of mind so you can live your life.” Henry’s confidence was infectious.

“What do you want us to do?” Johnny asked.

“Live your lives as much as you can, but let me know when you’re planning to go out and where you expect to be going.” Henry handed them each a card.

“Will you be staying here?” Kendall asked, and Henry shook his head. “Then what’s your plan?”

“I’ll be around when you go places. If you go to a coffee shop, I’ll be the guy who walks in a few minutes later and sits at a different table or someone who strolls by the windows. You’ll hardly ever know I’m there, and I can almost guarantee you won’t recognize me. I’ll be looking at faces and people who are looking at you. I’ll also spend time outside the building when you’re home to see who comes and goes. If someone leaves something like flowers or tries to break in, I’ll call the police and stop them. It won’t take long for me to know every person who lives in this building. I already recognize some of them and even know which apartment is theirs.”