Addison continued, “He definitely didn’t take that break-up well. He followed me around for about two months, singing love ballads and begging me to take him back. It was really embarrassing and it did border on harassment. In fact, he was part of the reason I ended up purchasing a condo in King Tower. I wanted to be in a secure building. You think he’s the stalker?”
“No, it’s not him, he joined the military and was posted overseas seven months ago,” Jane assured her. “Which is too bad because he was my favourite candidate.”
They went through a few more ex-lovers, discussing probabilities and taking some of them off the list. Finally, Jane said, “Which brings me to your two most likely candidates.”
“Who do you think?” Addison asked eagerly, getting into the game of detective.
“Charles Batton.”
“No,” Addison denied immediately.
Jane didn’t say anything while she waited for the possibility to sink in.
“No,” Addison said more firmly, shaking her head. “It’s not him. Maestro wouldn’t do that to me. He’s difficult, artistic and brilliant. Yes, he’s strange, but so are all artists. He’s a freaking genius and he recognizes my talent! He cares about me a great deal, but not like this, not obsessively. He simply wouldn’t do this to me!”
Addison’s voice rose by the time she finished speaking. Her fingers pleated into her long jersey skirt while her mind frantically went over the calls and letters and tried to match them to the Maestro. She shook her head, her long curls swinging forward and covering her face. It couldn’t be him!
“He has plenty of opportunity. He’s around you more often than a boyfriend or lover. Your stalker has proven that they have access to your practice sessions by describing them in detail. They showed up outside of the symphony hall and scared you. He was there that day and the first person to reach you on the street,” Jane said quietly.
“Anyone can access the symphony during practice sessions, the front door is usually unlocked so staff can come and go,” Addison said defensively.
Jane sighed heavily. “I know when we start suspecting actual friends it gets harder, Addison. I’m sorry to do this to you. I need you to just think about it, okay?”
Addison swallowed and then nodded. “I don’t like it, but I guess I understand. Who was the other person?” she asked, but she already knew. Jane was proving herself to be a good investigator. She would have found out who Addison’s most recent lover was.
“Daniel Mercer,” Jane confirmed.
“It’s not him.”
“He’s my number one suspect,” Jane argued.
Addison smiled grimly. “Do you know him? Have you met him yet?”
“Yes!” Jane said with gusto. “And no offence to your choice of boyfriend, lady, but he’s one mean son-of-a-bitch. He helped me out a few weeks ago when my husband was in trouble. Though I find his brand of help painful, infuriating and revenge-inducing.”
“No offence taken,” Addison said with a tight smile. “Sounds like you’ve got a surprisingly good handle on who he is. But if you know him, then you know he’s definitely not my stalker. If Daniel wants something, he goes after it. There’s nothing subtle about that man, no guessing games, no finesse. He is not the type to whisper into phones and write psychotic poetry to musicians.”
“Dammit,” Jane sighed. “I was really hoping it was him. You have no idea how badly I want to arrest that guy. Regardless, I need to show you something… uh… get you to feel something.” She corrected herself.
Jane came around the side of her desk and leaned a hip against it near where Addison sat. She reached down and picked up Addison’s hand where it lay in her lap. She placed three small, long things in Addison’s palm. With her other hand, Addison ran her fingertips down each one, touching them from end to end. They were completely unfamiliar to her. They felt like wires, but with a thicker end. She frowned at Jane questioningly.
“Listening devices. Bugs,” Jane supplied. “I found them yesterday while you were at work, after you gave me permission to check out your condo. I don’t know how long they’ve been there, but judging from the way the dust had settled in each area they’ve been there for at least a month each.”
“Someone’s been listening to me?” Addison whispered, dazed.
“Yes,” Jane confirmed. “And I know exactly who. My occasional partner-in-crime-apprehension, Mack Hudson, knows every piece of security technology in the business and he says this is extremely high end. In fact, this is so high end, it was apparently designed specifically for one person.”
Fury and embarrassment rushed through Addison, brightening her cheeks. “King security,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Mercer has all of his equipment specially designed and patented. It’s top of the line and unmistakeable,” Jane supplied.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Addison stood gracefully and made her way toward the door of the office where she picked up her coat, walking cane and cello. After she buttoned her coat, she tilted her head at Jane and said, “He’s still not my stalker.”
“I know, but it doesn’t make him a good guy,” she said. “If you want help giving him hell, I’d be happy to tie him to a tree and give you my gun. You can just keep shooting until you hit something vital. I know people who can dispose of unnecessary things.”
Sadly, Addison was pretty sure Jane was telling her the truth, and at the moment she was tempted to take her up on the offer. Her lips quirked in a smile and she said, “I think I can handle this conversation on my own.”
Jane sighed in disappointment. “I just really want someone to shoot that guy if it can't be me. Ah well, you take care Addison, I’ll keep looking for your other bad guy.”
