There was an unexplainable sense of uneasethat washed over Jessica, as she decided her next course of action.She did not know what it was, but she knew whatever it was, it wasnot good. She quickly moved to the bedroom window. It was no longerraining, and then, out of the corner of her eye, she detectedmovement.
There, in the shadows across the street, shesaw a shadow, a figure of … a man. She focused her gaze moreintently on the huge elm tree, and there it was, a large, blackmass that did not belong there. And, she knew. She was beingwatched. Her temper flared and her pulse quickened. She spread thecurtains opened wide and looked in the opposite direction insteadfor a few brief moments, trying not to give her discovery away.
“Of all the nerve,” she sputtered and slowlydrew the shade all the way down. “He never ceases to amaze me.”
She threw off her robe, threw on her sweats,and ran down the hallway toward the stairs. When she got to thekitchen, she went down on all fours and crawled to the back.Slowly, she rose to peer carefully out the bow window. She took hertime scanning the area, looking for something out of place, anothershadowy figure hiding in the darkness, and could not see anythingout of the ordinary. She exhaled deeply her relief. She didn’t wantto take any chances, slid back down to the floor, and thoughtbriefly what her next plan of action should be.
She rose and walked to the wall phone,removed it from the receiver, and stopped in mid-air. If Hal had akey to her house, she would not have put it past him to have herhouse phone tapped as well. She had no other option. She could notwait until morning to leave for the airport. She had to get out oftown now.
She quickly exited the kitchen and went backto her bedroom to use her cell phone and dialed the local taxiservice.
After she gave a fictitious name, thedispatcher assured her a driver would pick her up in twenty minutesout in front of the local variety store, which was only a blockaway. She gazed at the alarm clock on the night stand beside herbed. It was almost nine. She hated the thought of sitting up allnight at the airport, but it was clearly better than being spottedleaving in the light of day tomorrow.
Jessica hastened to prepare for her escape.She did not pack any of her belongings as planned, decided to dressherself entirely in black, pulled her hair up into a ponytail tolet it dry naturally, drew the strap of her purse over her neck,and headed for the stairs.
Jessica managed to slip from the housethrough the back yard without being spotted. Quietly, she crossedher neighbor’s yard and the next one over as well. Once she turnedthe corner onto Dover Court, she ran as fast as her legs couldcarry her. She could see the yellow taxi traveling towards her andpull up to the curb beside the Wilton Country Store. Her heartthundered in her chest and she prayed the driver had the good senseto wait.
She was about to scream and flail her armswildly to draw his attention until she noticed, Mr. Peterson, theelderly store manager exiting the store, and locking it up for thenight. His eyes twinkled happily, as he peered over the rim of hiswire spectacles, when she approached.
“How are you, young lady,” he asked kindly,reaching out to tenderly pat the side of her arm. “I was so sorryto hear what happened to you dear and apologize for not attendingthe services,” he admitted embarrassingly. “Mr. Wilton wouldn’t letme close the store, you see and …”
Jessica shook her head in reply. “No. No.Please. I truly understand,” she leaned in and placed a soft kissupon his wrinkled cheek.
Someone touched her shoulder from behindmaking her jump and said, “Going somewhere Mrs. Wilton?”
She could feel the color drain from her faceand her heart skip a beat or two in fear of being found out.
“Land sakes, child! What’s wrong? You’re plumwhite!” Mr. Peterson asked, as he wrapped a protective arm abouther shoulder with fatherly concern.
She slowly turned to face the person behindher and nearly fainted, when she realized it was not who sheexpected it might be, but rather, Mr. Hingle, the mailman.
The postman exclaimed with the deepestconcern, “I truly am sorry, Mrs. Wilton! I didn’t mean to startleyou.”
Jessica emitted a nervous laugh. “I guess I’ma little jittery. It’s been a long, tiring day.”
The gentleman nodded in agreement. “Well, nowonder, after what you’ve been through these past few days. May Iwalk you home? You sure are trembling a might.”
Jessica raised her hands in protest andsmiled. “No, no I’m fine. As a matter of fact, this is my taxi.Thank you though. I’m fine, really.” She reached out and rubbed Mr.Peterson’s arm lightly and smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, I’mrunning late already and must be going.”
Once she relaxed in the comfort of the taxi,she reflected on the numerous times the endearing manager had shownher kindness, when no one else would. Most of the inhabitants ofWilton lived in fear of her father-in-law. Their smiles neverreached their eyes, accept for the dear elderly manager. She usedto love listening to his stories about Maine, especially since hewas the state’s historian for nearly four decades.
She always loved Maine. It was a popularvacation spot when she was a child. That was then. The memoriesthat haunted her dreams now left an entirely different lastingimpression.
***
Jessica was greeted by Captain McKenzie themoment she boarded her Aunt’s private Gulfstream. It was amagnificent performance machine that exuded both excellence andgrace.
He stood proudly before the cockpit and shequickly glimpsed inside and felt wowed by the complex andcutting-edge controls and side-mounted displays that would be atthe Captain’s and co-pilot’s fingertips. His warm welcoming smilemade her feel instantly safe and she was more anxious than ever toget into the air.
He tipped his cap and bowed slightly andwelcomed her. “Good morning to you, Mrs. Wilton …”
“Jessica, please,” she interrupted, as sheaccepted the hand he extended.
He nodded and continued as he released hisgrasp, “Jessica … welcome aboard. We’re ready for takeoff, soplease, make yourself comfortable. As soon as we level off, ourhostess Allison,” he pointed to a sweet, petite female enteringfrom the aft section of the cabin, “will make sure your trip is apleasurable one as well.”
Allison extended her hand in welcome andsmiled warmly. “It’ll be my pleasure to serve you, Jessica.” Sheturned and extended her arm, “please sit wherever you’d like, andas soon as we reach the proper altitude, I’ll be serving a lightbreakfast.”
Jessica moved forward and could not help, butbe both impressed and awed by the opulence of the cabin. It wasapproximately eight feet long and could comfortably sit abouteighteen passengers. Allison let her know the cabin offeredhigh-speed connectivity with a broadband multilink data system,wireless networking, onboard printing, and phone service should sheneed it.
