Eileen Slovak

Chapter Forty-nine: Vandalism and Seeing Red

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and locales are products of the author’s imagination. They are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is coincidental. Copyright © 2024 by Eileen Slovak.

Scarlet

The family crisis has subsided, but my workweek is off to a bang. The first message of the day is from Darren Duhamel. He wants to know when he can expect a contract offer on his new improved survivalist urine purification invention. I hit the delete button. I’m not about to explain to him again that the company is passing on his invention. Emilie said he called earlier demanding to speak with Frank. She informed him that Frank was unavailable and hung up to a slew of expletives. She says he has been calling on a regular basis. I let her know I’d handle it. Maybe we do need a restraining order. This is new information. I had no idea he’s been harassing Emilie too. On the upside, I haven’t had a single call from the breather in days. As if on cue, I jump when my cell phone rings, but it’s only Maggie.

     “Christopher is doing fantastic!  He was chatting up the nurses all morning, quizzing them on their dinosaur knowledge. He’s adorable. Catherine just took him home.”

     “Thanks Maggie! I talked to her earlier. I’m heading over there at lunchtime. Why are you still at work?”

      “I was scheduled to clock out at 6 a.m., but I stayed to help out on a case. I’m making a run for it before anything else goes wrong.”

      “Hey, I didn’t want to make a big deal of this but I saw Gary talking to a nurse. It was like she knew him really well. She had her hand on his arm. He stopped talking to her when he saw me watching. Can you find out who she is? I’ve seen her in the hospital cafeteria, tall, brunette, maybe in her late twenties with big blue eyes, syrupy voice. I thought it was about Christopher, but we had a different nurse. Can you see what you can find out?”

      “If it’s the girl I’m thinking of, her name is Kirsten. She works in Oncology with me. What are you thinking?”

      “I don’t know. They seemed…intimate.”

      “She’s dating a male ER nurse right now. Gary’s the ultimate family man.”

      “I’m sure I’m being paranoid.”

      “Probably.”

      “I’m sure you’re right. But if you find anything out, let me know. Thank you for watching out for Christopher. Go home, get some sleep, you must be exhausted.”

      “I am,” Maggie says, yawning. “Later girlfriend.”

      I plan a long lunch with a stop in to see Gary first. I want to know if there’s any progress revealing the identity of the prank caller and graffiti artist. I’m thinking a visit to the police station will give me an opportunity to talk with Gary alone. I call ahead. He’s available, wanting me to review the footage from the hotel parking lot. There are some figures on the tape that he hopes I can identify. Finally, a break in this stalker incident. I was beginning to lose faith.

      In my haste to leave the office, I forget to bring my lunch. Fortunately, the snacks in Catherine’s van are enough to sustain a family of five on a week long camp out. I piece together a makeshift meal of bear shaped Graham crackers, a granola bar, with two fruit punch juice boxes. The van is still badly in need of a cleaning out. When I park at the police station, I quickly gathered all the trash. There are numerous wrappers, stale French fries, bits of cereal, and a few sticky unidentifiable items. After depositing the lot in a trash can by the station, I clean my hands with a baby wipe.

      Maggie texts me. Spoke to Kirsten. She said, oh, that poor family, with everything they’ve been going through lately.

      I text back. Maybe he’s sick?

      She replies. You should ask him. Your family & secrets! Ugh!

      When I walk into the station a young uniformed officer is manning the front desk. I ask for Gary while standing in the lobby patiently waiting.

      “McKnight there’s a woman here to see you. Should I hold your calls?”

      “Don’t get your panties in a twist Bryant. That’s my sister-in-law. Send her in,” he says over the telephone intercom.

      “It was Miss Scarlet in the hotel room with a smoking gun.” Gary kisses my cheek hello. His coworkers are now peering through the glass walls of his office. He closes the blinds.

      “Very funny. Don’t you guys do any serious work around here?”

      “There’s a lull on crime for the time being. It’s Rhode Island in the winter. The criminals prefer the summer months. Except in your case.”

      “How’s my nephew?”

      “He’s a little trooper. Catherine says he’s already running around like a holy terror. He’s like some sort of celebrity with the cast. He had ten signatures before we left the hospital.”

      “That sounds like Christopher. I’m glad he’s back to his old self.”

      “Thanks for leaving me to explain the graffiti by the way. Just as well, Catherine isn’t going anywhere today. I covered it with a plastic bag and duct tape for you.”

      I’m more concerned about when I’ll ever have time to get the car repainted.

      “I looked at the footage but it’s grainy. I’m hoping something stands out for you.”

      “Thanks. Before we look at it, I wanted to ask you about something.”

      “Oh, here it comes. What did I do now?”

      “I don’t think you did anything but I do think something’s wrong. Catherine has this crazy idea, so I’m worried.”

      “What does Catherine think and why are you talking to me about this instead of my wife?  Since when do we need a go-between? Spill it.”

      “She’s concerned you’re losing interest.”

      “What the heck? Why?”

      “Well, you’ve been working extra hours, acting aloof…”

      “Oh, Christ! I have a family to support, and now medical bills. I knew this thing would blow up in my face!”

      “What thing?”

      “Scarlet, I know you’re as much my sister as you are Catherine’s. But all the same, there are some things I’m not comfortable talking to you about. This is over the line.”

      “I understand. Truthfully, I don’t even want to know. I don’t like to see my sister unhappy. Then when I see you chatting up some cute nurse, I start to wonder.”

      “Oh, for crying out loud! Did you tell Catherine that too? Thanks a lot.”

      “No, I did not, because I don’t think you’re having an affair. I do think you’re hiding something important though.”

      “Okay, you know what? You two drive me crazy,” he lowers his voice continuing, “I had a prostate issue. I didn’t want Catherine to know about anything until I knew what was going on. Turns out, I’m fine. End of story.”

      “Gary, you have to tell her! You know the history there.”

      “No kidding. Why do you think I didn’t say anything? Scarlet, I appreciate your concern, but I will handle it. This is between me and my wife. Please keep this to yourself. If any of these jerks find out, I’ll be ruined. They make a joke out of everything.”

      “Cancer is no joke.”

      “Tell me about it.”

      “I’m sorry. I thought…”

      “Yeah, I know what you thought. Thanks for thinking I’m a dirt bag.”

      “Hey, down boy, I defended you. I told Catherine it was her imagination. I was almost right.”

      “I know how you two are. It’s a good thing I like you, Scarlet.”

      “I promise to stay out of it. Mum’s the word. But you’ll tell her?”

      “Are you nagging me now?”

      “No.”

      “Good. Come on, you need to look at this film. I set it up in the conference room.”

      “Are you nagging me now?”

      “Yes, you’re a royal pain in my derriere.”

      On our way to the conference room, I think I see someone who looks like Scott leaving the precinct.

      “Who was that?”

      “Don’t know. Didn’t see him come in. Must have been talking to another detective.”

      “Scarlet, this is what I wanted you to see. There are two figures on the tape in the vicinity of your car. One’s a man. The other’s a woman.”

      “A woman?”

      He pulls the footage up on a computer that’s linked to a flat screen TV for better viewing. The quality of the recording is poor. I can make out the shape of a person and can see that he’s right. The body shape looks like a female or youth. I can’t determine who it is. There’s nothing familiar about the figure. She’s wearing dark clothes and a hoodie.

      “It’s hard to say. Plus, we can’t see the damage being done. She could be just passing by.”

      “Right. I’ll see if we can have the images enlarged, sometimes you lose clarity but it’s worth a try.”

      Moments later, a man appears on the screen walking toward my car. His shuffling gait and lanky shape, reminds me of someone. Is it Darren Duhamel or do I have him on the brain? I can’t be certain. He’s also in dark clothing, wearing a hat. Since its winter this isn’t unusual. Apparently, both people were near the car. As luck would have it, only the back end of the vehicle is visible on the tape. The vandalism is on the side panel, out of view.

      “Wait for it. This is what I wanted you to see,” Gary says.

      The man on the tape stops, backs up, facing the right back tire. With his back to the camera, I can see the ratty ponytail trailing down his back from under the hat.

      “Is he?”

      He appears to be relieving himself on the back tire of my car.

      “Yup.”

      “That’s got to be him! That has to be Duhamel. Who else would do that?”

      I explain the invention, how I’d dubbed Duhamel “The Urinator”. Gary’s convinced enough to bring him in for questioning.

      “It’s a relief in a way. I don’t think he’s dangerous, maybe a little bit nutso. He’s been harassing our receptionist as well, calling incessantly and swearing.”

      “We can get a restraining order or threaten to get one. That may be enough. Up to you. I’m sorry it took so long to flush him out. Pardon the pun.”

      “Punny. Thank you.”

      Before I leave, Gary gives me the names of a few body shops that he trusts to take care of the paint job. It’s next on my hit list, but right now, I’m late getting back to work.

      The visit to the police station took longer than expected. I still need to switch cars with Catherine but don’t have time for a long visit. Catherine says she’s fine with the change in plans. Christopher is napping anyway, worn out from his ordeal, so waiting is better. We swap keys, then I go back to the office The plastic bag flaps in the wind as I drive. Once I return, Emilie lets me know Frank is looking for me. I go into his office to explain that I was at the police station. He seems upset.

      “Scarlet, what is going on with you? I think your personal life is infringing on your work lately,” he snaps.

      “Frank, I can’t help the fact that I’m being harassed at work. Furthermore, the police think that nutty inventor, Darren Duhamel is the one harassing me.”

      I brief him on the video footage, the harassment and the possible restraining order. Technically, it’s a work issue. He’s incredulous.

      “Why would he do that?”

      “How should I know? He’s a kooky nutcase! He calls the office twenty times a day. You can ask Emilie. He’s been leaving you messages as well.”

      “I don’t know. I have her deal with anything unimportant. Aside from this Scarlet, you seem to have all these family issues. I really need you here. That’s all I’m saying.”

      “I’m sorry Frank, it won’t happen again.”

      How is any of this my fault? In truth, I’m not the least bit sorry, only seriously aggravated. If Darren Duhamel turns out to be my stalker, what then? Frank doesn’t seem remotely concerned about my safety.

      Before I leave his office, Frank adds: “Oh, I gave the go ahead to let that Walsh guy have his unemployment benefits last week. He was making Walter a nervous wreck. I guess I expected you to manage that situation better. I hope I’ll start to see more of the old Scarlet.”

      I’m too exasperated to answer. I continue on to my office, trying not to explode.

      Scott left another message. He’s been trying to reach me for days. He’s left a few messages seeming anxious to hear from me. I saw the missed calls but haven’t had a minute’s peace to answer. I haven’t even been home in the last few days for any more than a change of clothes. After Frank’s lecture, I don’t dare get caught making another personal phone call. At the same time, it’s not fair to leave Scott hanging. I text him: family troubles, crazy busy, will call back after work.

      Then, I call Walter and explain that Curt Walsh basically verbally assaulted me. Furthermore, he scared me to death and I reported him to the authorities. I tell him it’s his call if he wants to pay unemployment benefits. I think he should at least have the full story first. I’m annoyed that Frank not only made me the bad-guy but has also undermined me. I spend the rest of the day glowering while working on the new client files. I’m definitely sending out a few resumes over the weekend.

      It’s six thirty before I leave work. I stop by a gift shop near my office to get a present for Christopher. Not wanting Michael and Charlotte to feel slighted, I look for something for all of them. I find a pile of stuffed animals and candy leftover from Valentine’s Day. After filling my basket with bears and chocolates, I turn down the card aisle running smack into Trish.

      “Oh, found someone new to torture already?” She says, looking into my shopping basket.

“That didn’t take long.”

      “They’re for my niece and nephews,” I say.

      Not knowing why, I answer at all, I think I’m too weary to battle with Trish right now.

      “A little late for Valentines don’t you think?”

      “I’m really not in the mood for your kind of crazy today, Trish.” I say pushing past her.

      “I never understood what Sean saw in you,” she calls after me. “I mean look at you, first of all.”

      After the day I’ve had, I imagine I look a fright. I turn and shrug in reply.

      “You have everyone fooled, but I see through you,” Trish says turning on her heels, sauntering to the register.

      Standing in the middle of the card aisle, basket in hand I watch Trish. She wraps herself snakelike around an older, bearded man, who I assume to be the professor. Right now I want to cry. But I’m not about to give her the satisfaction of knowing she’s upset me. I walk up, stand in line right behind them, and tap the man on the shoulder.

      “Hi, I’m Scarlet. Trish and I are old friends. You must be her dad. So nice to finally meet you,” I say extending my hand to the man Trish has draped herself all over.

      “Nice to meet you, Scarlet.” He turns bright red, but not nearly as red as Trish. “I’m also a friend of Trish’s, Carl Johnson.” He shakes my hand. Trish stares angrily at me, clearly wanting to say something, but too furious to form words.

      “Oh, so nice to meet you. I beg your pardon for the mix up.” Paying for my items, I say, “Have a great night. Bye, Trish!”

      I feel much better now.

      On the drive home, the more I think about Trish, the more I start steaming. Having to endure constant abuse from her on top of everything else is more than I can bear. I hate having to keep seeing her everywhere especially since we live in different states. Rhode Island is simply too small for both of us. I call Corky at the Un Pub since she never answers her cell at work. She picks up on the first ring.

      “Thank you for calling the Un Pub Club, where culture and cuisine collide,” she quips.

      “That’s a new opener.”

      “Ben’s idea. He makes me crazy. I thought you fell off the planet! Where the heck have you been?”

      “Oh, believe me, I have way too much to tell. I’ll have to stop in after work tomorrow to fill you in. Hey, how well do you know Professor Johnson? He’s the one who’s dating Trish.”

      “Not well, but Jake’s taking one of his classes, painting on photos or something. Do you want me to ask him to give the guy a head’s up about that freaky deaky chick?”

      “Would you? I mean, I don’t know how you go about doing it discreetly. But I’m telling you, she’s clinically insane. If Jake has any respect for this professor, he’d be doing him a huge favor.”

      “Relax, Red, I gotcha covered. He’s an awesome teacher, but he’s a dirty pig when it comes to the girls. Catch you later, sister.”

      “Thanks, Corky. I owe you one.”