Jane didn’t say anything for a moment. Addison began to fear she was about to get the same treatment that she had at the police station. Misery and anxiety began creep in as she remembered the way they had talked to her. One particularly slimy cop had even suggested she just enjoy the attention of an admirer, like a blind woman couldn’t possibly get action any other way. She had been so disgusted she’d wanted to fling her glass of water into his smirking face.
Jane opened the notebook in front of her and started taking notes as Addison described her situation. She was hesitant at first, but when Jane didn’t say anything to interrupt her, Addison continued.
"I'm First Chair in the city orchestra, I play the cello. Whoever the stalker is seems to be a fan as they always mention in the phone calls and letters that they love my music. It was fine for a while… I was a little creeped out that they somehow knew my phone number and address, but they were harmless. This has been going on for over six months, but it’s been so gradual I barely noticed it escalate. Then they started saying things like how much they loved me and how my music would live forever even when I'm not alive."
"Well that's a red flag," Jane said frowning. Addison could feel Claudia nodding emphatically from beside her. "You said the police didn't help?"
Addison flushed. "They said there wasn't enough evidence and maybe I was making it up for attention or misunderstanding something that was said to me by an over zealous admirer."
"On account of you being blind.” Jane snapped in annoyance
"Yes, exactly," Addison said, relief flooding her. Jane was going to be on her side!
"Because not being able to see makes you stupid," Jane said harshly. "Well that certainly sounds like some of the idiots I used to work with. Stalking cases are notoriously sticky when it comes to the legal ground of cops checking into suspects who haven't actually done anything illegal yet. So they like to just leave things alone until they escalate or go away."
"That's pretty much what they said in not so many words," Addison said twisting her fingers in her lap.
Jane leaned forward in her chair and spoke in stern tones. "Stalkers don't go away Ms. Sterling, they escalate until they're jailed or something really bad happens."
"Oh," said Addison, the air rushing out of her lungs.
"That's what I said," interjected Claudia.
Addison sat up straighter and shook her hair back a little. "So let me get this straight. Nothing can be done until the stalker gets what they want? God only knows what that is!”
"Not exactly," said Jane. "You have me, and I'm not legally bound the way the cops are. I have resources they don't have access to."
Addison thought about this and then said hopefully, "So you'll take my case?"
Jane paused and then said in a professional voice. "If you can pay my fees, then yes, I'm all yours, Ms. Sterling."
"Money isn't an issue," Claudia interjected quickly.
Addison sent a glare toward her friend, and turned to Jane. "I can pay whatever your fees are. I just want this person found and stopped. I hate feeling so helpless all the time."
"Then I'm happy to accept you as a client, Ms. Sterling. Ms. Cantore," Jane said, sounding entirely too pleased with herself. ”If you'll please step outside, there are a few things I’ll need to discuss with Ms. Sterling in private."
"Of course!" Claudia said, jumping to her feet. She bent to give Addison's hand a squeeze. "I'll be right outside with Laney when you're ready to go. Take your time.”
Addison knew Jane was going to ask her some personal questions with Claudia out of the room. She thought it would be along the lines of sexual history, so she was completely unprepared when Jane said, "Which of your parents abused you? My money’s on the mother. In cases like yours its usually the mother that wants a perfect child."
Addison felt the blood drain from her face and she gasped.
"I don't mean that they necessarily hit you, although it seems likely, given your mannerisms. Every time Claudia Cantore touches you, you freeze a little before forcing yourself to relax and accept a friendly overture." Jane kept talking to fill the silence while Addison gathered her thoughts. "I'm nearly certain someone during your formative years made you feel unworthy and unaccepted because of your handicap. Most likely a parent or guardian as the person's judgment would have meant something to you."
Addison sat stiffly listening. "What exactly does this have to do with my stalker?" she asked in a chilly voice, her stubborn chin gradually hardening.
"Could it be possible that the person who mistreated you is now stalking you? I've seen cases like that before, where the child’s parent or guardian tries to drive a person with a disability back home by scaring them until they comply."
"That's disgusting," Addison said vehemently.
"I agree. But it’s not implausible," Jane replied.
Addison thought about it for a moment and tried to picture her stately parents doing such a thing. They were not good people, in fact they were awful people, but there was no way they would stoop to stalking their only daughter.
"Not in my case,” she said firmly. “My parents don't care enough about me to want me back home. I was never anything but a burden to them, something they were always very clear about. In fact, they were completely disgusted by my move here and washed their hands of me after I struck out on my own. If they were going to try something as convoluted as you’re suggesting, they would’ve done it a long time ago. In order to stalk a person you have to care about them on some level, and I haven’t spoken to them in years,” she said bitterly.
Addison continued thoughtfully, "That's why I'm so confused about who the stalker can be. I mean I know a lot of people, but not anyone that would want to hurt me. I don’t understand this at all. I’m surrounded by people all the time, but I rarely spend any real time with them. I see Maestro more often than anyone because he needs me to be the best so his orchestra is the best, but I know he’s not my stalker. And I’m seeing Claudia fairly often now, but she doesn’t strike me as a stalker. Although, her bodyguard is a little intense. Maybe you should check into Laney.”
