Page 58 of The Library on Plum Island
“That’s hogwash!” Daniella’s eyes sparked angrily. “But sadly true as I lived through his last round of torment and manipulation.” She paused as her eyes held his. “The thing that scared me was how easily Ron presented himself in a favorable light to others and how skillfully he was able to manipulate their perceptions of me in a not-so-favorable one.”
“That’s what narcissists do,” Alex pointed out, lowering his voice so only she could hear him. “You also have to remember that not only do you have someone in your life, but Doctor Jackson is now on the run from the law. So this time, there’s no charming his way into a favorable light.”
“I don’t know about that,” Daniella told him. “He managed to get someone to break into my house.”
“You said all you were able to see were the burglar’s eyes,” Alex’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Did you notice their build or height?”
“They had a slight build and were about Harriet’s height,” Daniella explained, and her eyes widened. “I don’t think it was a man.” Her eyes dropped to the warning written on her nightstand.
“Or a slender man?” Alex suggested, and alarm bells started to ring in his head.
“No.” Daniella shook her head. “They had a very distinct perfume, and that’s not a shade of lipstick I wear.” She examined it. “Nor would I wear it.”
“Would you be able to recognize the perfume again if you smelled it?” Alex asked her, and Daniella nodded. “And whoever it is may have to go to an emergency room to get a dog bite treated.”
“Or a tetanus shot,” Daniella added. “I could find out if any have been administered in the area.”
“Good idea,” Alex said. “We need to check with vets as well.”
“Would a woman go to a vet, though?” Daniella looked at him skeptically and shuddered. “Whoever she was, she hated me.” Her eyes met his. “The look in her eyes before she rammed me into the wall…”
“Maybe she’s in love with Doctor Jackson or a family member who thinks you’re hurting him,” Alex suggested.
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” Daniella told him. “While he’s a creep on the inside, he’s a handsome man on the outside and, like I said, very charming.”
“That’s another reason why he’ll get even madder and probably make his move sooner than he’d planned to,” Alex reasoned. “The man’s used to having his pick of women, but he couldn’t have you, so he had to try and manipulate you into having a relationship with him.”
“Just to feed his narcissistic ego.” Daniella’s eyes flashed angrily and signed.I hope the creep can hear this. There’s something else I didn’t tell you and Harley. I was called by a journalist, Meg Parks.
Alex’s brows shot up as he signed back that Meg had called him as well. Daniella told Alex about her conversation with Meg through sign language and the plan she’d formulated.
I think that’s a brilliant idea, Alex signed. “I think we’d better go find your cousin before he thinks we’ve deserted him.”
“I hope Jennifer has called him back, as I don’t want to delay our wedding now,” Daniella told him, and Alex smiled, seeing her courage and resolve to face Doctor Creepo’s return.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Alex told her, his heart pounding like a jackhammer. His soul ached for her words to be true and said out of love rather than necessity to escape a narcissistic stalker.
“Was anything taken?” Harley asked, pointing to the bugs he’d found in the lounge.
“No, but they broke my photo frame, which contained my favorite picture of Tom,” Daniella told him. “They also left a threatening note in lipstick on my nightstand.
“Daniella is sure the burglar is a woman,” Alex filled Harley in.
“So Doctor Creepo has once again recruited some lovestruck woman to do his dirty work.” Harley’s jaw clenched, and his eyes darkened with anger. “What a coward.”
Plans have changed.Alex signed to Harley.We’ll discuss it in the car.
“Are you ready to move into your new home?” Alex asked Daniella.
“Yes, I have most of my bags packed,” Daniella told him. “And I know Emily will finish packing when she’s home.”
“Do you want to show us what bags you are taking?” Alex asked. “Harley and I will load the car.”
The next twenty minutes had them packing the car, setting the alarm at Sam’s house, and making sure the security cameras, which had been knocked out, were turned back on. For added security, Harley set the motion detectors on the lawn back on. They had to turn them off because of Hicks.
As they drove towards their destination, Daniella updated Harley on their new plan. Alex messaged Harriet and Dawn to update the rest of their loved ones. When they got to his house, Harriet was waiting for them outside.
“Hi,” Harriet called as Alex, Harley, and Daniella climbed out of the Harley’s pickup. “Everything is set and ready.”
