Shattered 20
Sandy Chandler was not amused.
Laney O'Donnell was her business partner, client and friend. They'd been through the gauntlet together, and had achieved real success after years of hard work. Laney was a household name- in some households- her books popular enough to be considered for a series of animated films. She was at the top of her game, the peak of success, and now it looked like she was throwing it all away for some childhood friend who was a psychopathic killer.
"There's a book deal in there, somewhere." Sandy thought aloud. She had in the meantime only thinly disguised her anger and concern, while changing their 'appearance' schedule and seeing to the travel arrangements. Fortunately, she was neither needed or wanted on this latest flight of fancy. Laney was going alone, would talk to the police, rescue her nutcase paramour and return the next day to resume her book-signing responsibilities- if she had any left once the story hit the news
"Don't get your panties in a bunch." Laney had cautioned her. "I'm doing the right thing, and if the world wants to condemn me for it, that's their problem. Norman's being falsely accused of murder, and I'm his alibi. Whether or not we spent the night together is nobody's business. If we'd only had supper and went separate ways, I'd still be his alibi and I'd still be doing this."
She was right, of course, and no matter what Sandy's personal opinion was of Norman Bates, she had to admit to a certain amount of pride in knowing her. Laney would have done as much for a total stranger- that was just the way it was- the way she was. It was left to Ms Chandler to fend off the rumors, smooth things over with the inconvenienced parties and make grand and glorious promises for future events. Who could say that this sudden unexpected publicity wouldn't benefit them all in the long run? If anyone could manufacture a positive twist to things, it was Sandra Chandler.
Like Oscar Wilde once wisely observed- the only thing worse than being talked about was not being talked about.
Laney was a nervous wreck and not, as most people would be, from worrying about her future. It was Norman, returned from the misty past of childhood shadows with no word of warning, who occupied her thoughts.
How was it that this could mean so much, now? It was a lifetime ago, without a single word between us in all that time. I thought my letters were ignored; he thought I never wrote. That's a lot of hurt and disappointment for a child to bear, but children being what they are, they heal eventually. Well, usually.
There was no doubt, in Laney's mind, that she wanted to be with this man for the rest of her life. She had loved the shy, gangly boy, in innocence and with complete trust, and he had loved her much the same. Now there was even the greater need for that simple, honest affection, and with the addition of physical- and sexual- attraction, it was as if the years had never interrupted.
She realized that all her life she had been looking for Norman- some trait, some similarity in every boy or man she'd been attracted to. Her husband had been tall and thin, with dark hair and eyes; the pattern had been set years before by the skinny boy from the motel. She had accepted that she'd never see Norman again, but the memory of that special smile made its way into a book for the world to share. Time had blurred the edges, softened the disappointment, and helped her survive. Now they were together at last, and there was no way she would let him slip away again.
There were too many delays already, and a problem at the airport added to it. Car rental, traffic, every moment of inconvenience made her anxious. She'd promised the police she would be there by early afternoon, but it was Norman she was more concerned about. She finally had the chance to call ahead to the station and let them know she was running late. That was how she learned that he'd left for home.
He was heading there from the hospital when she called the house. No one picked up and she was reluctant to leave a message. After a moment's pause following the beep, she threw caution to the wind.
"Norman? Are you there? It's Laney. The police told that you went home." No one picked up, and by now even his wife was aware of the incident with the authorities. But that didn't necessarily mean the wife knew anything about her. "I'm on my way to the station but running behind- damn airport delays. I just wanted you to know. I'll see you soon." That was enough. No endearments, not on an answering machine! It would be a terribly awkward way to break the news to Connie Bates that her husband had another 'interest'.
The machine clicked off, but had not played to an empty house. Idly a finger moved to delete, but thought instead to play it back once more.
Shortly before noon, Sandy put her cell phone on. She'd opted for a few hours quiet, and was now resigned to looking through her messages and answering those she could. Before she had gotten past the third, the phone rang. With a resigned sigh, she answered.
"Sandra Chandler." she announced in her best businesslike voice.
"Hello-" a feminine voice quickly replied. "Have I reached Ms O'Donnell's representative?"
"Yes. How can I help you?"
"This is Tracy Venable. I'm a reporter for Coastal Reports, among other publications."
Great. It's starting already. Unless it's about the appearance schedule.
"Yes, Ms. Venable. What can I do for you?"
"I understand Ms O'Donnell has left LA briefly for personal reasons?"
"And will be resuming her book-signing appearances as soon as she returns. The up dates are posted on her website-"
"Yes, I've seen them. Can you tell me, how does she know Norman Bates?"
What the hell! It's already out?
"Excuse me? How did you hear-"
"I was close to the last case that sent Bates away a few years ago. I helped break it."
Please don't tell me you're part of his fan club!
"What makes you think she's got anything to do with a murderer?"
"Look, anything that happens with Norman is news. Whenever his name pops up on police reports, I hear about it."
"That doesn't tell me why you think Ms O'Donnell's involved-"
"I've got a friend with the PD. And word has it Ms Donnell is headed that way, to provide a statement- an alibi."
"Then maybe you should check at the police station-" Oh, that was dumb! "Look, we're hoping to keep this low key. I shouldn't be talking to anyone about it."
"I'd appreciate it if you make an exception in my case. I'd hate to rely on the impressions of a few cops or detectives. Thought I would go to the source and get the facts before rumors start flying."
Nice ploy, Venable. Talking to reporters sniffing for dirt is never a good idea! Still, it might help to keep a friendly spin on this. No sense aggravating someone who could retaliate in the press.
"Laney O'Donnell and Norman Bates were childhood friends."
"I see. Long before he went…. bad, I take it?"
"They were kids. And this week, when he found out she was making a personal appearance in Oakland, he decided to look her up. They had dinner and spent the evening reminiscing. Bates was nowhere near home when that woman was killed, and Laney's his witness. This time, he's innocent." I can't believe I'm defending that geeky psycho.
"I take it you had the pleasure of meeting him?"
"I wouldn't call it a pleasure, exactly. He gave me the creeps, to be honest. And that was before I looked up his history on line."
"And Ms O'Donnell knows about his past?"
"He told her. And I made sure to fill in any other blanks. Out of curiosity, were you surprised that he made the news again?"
"I was more surprised when I heard that he'd gotten married man and has a baby on the way. But if Ms O'Donnell can place him in Oakland at the time of this recent murder, guess he's only made the news by default."
"So since I've answered your questions, would you mind telling me your 'experience' with him?"
Tracy Venable was only too happy to oblige. The incident that landed her some public acclaim had been forgotten as soon as the next new headline came along. She recounted her detective work, concerning the missing Miss Spool, and the unfortunate Maureen Coyle. It seemed a particular point of delight for her to express the opinion that any woman involved with Norman romantically seemed to come to a bad end. Again, mention of his doctor wife, and how interesting it was that she had lasted so long. The implication was not lost on Sandy.
Then followed her attempted rescue of Coyle, too late as it turned out, and her own terrifying experience, being faced with Norman's murderous alter ego, Mrs. Bates. It was clearly pointed out that she survived only by talking Norman 'out' of his mother- hitting him with the truth just in time.
"My God." Sandy gasped into the phone. She hastily scrawled Venable's name down on a piece of scrap paper, to look it up later and verify what was said. "And they still released him?"
"Wonders of modern psychiatric medicine, I suppose. And the woman he married was his doctor. You'd have to assume she knew what she was doing."
"Or she's just as crazy." Sandy twisted uncomfortably, more afraid for Laney now then she had been when she'd discovered the truth about Bates. "I suppose I don't have to tell you, it's all pretty upsetting."
"Well, I doubt Ms O'Donnell has anything to worry about. I mean, Norman's a family man now, as ridiculous as it sounds. He's not looking for love anymore. And the fact that this is one killing he can't be blamed for."
"I think you can appreciate our desire to keep her name out of the papers." As if any reporter with a history like yours is going to be careful on our behalf! "I suppose it will be a matter of record in the police reports, and something will eventually leak out-"
"I understand your concern, but I don't think any of Ms O'Donnell's loyal readers ever pick up a newspaper."
Maybe not, but the parents who buy the books for those loyal readers certainly do!
"So you'll be following the story?"
"Like I said, Norman Bates is always news. I'll get over to the police station, see if he'll talk to me, or maybe talk to the detectives working the case. It might make good copy if Norman wasn't the killer for once."
They ended the call cordially enough, Sandy being that much more disgusted with the situation. She'd spoken to someone who had encountered the devil and survived. There wasn't much sympathy for Norman in the retelling- clearly he was just as frightening as an innocent man as he was a knife wielding maniac. She had reason to distrust this Venable woman- after all, she was a reporter and quite dedicated apparently. If Laney made 'good copy', she'd be all over the news.
Tracy Venable was particularly pleased; not that Norman had an alibi and was off the hook, but because Sandra Chandler had explained away some questions. Maybe interviewing Laney O'Donnell about something other than her books would make some interesting reading after all….