Chapter 21

The next morning Deja decided to go back home and get some loose ends tied together. She didn't have to be at work for three more days, but she could clean out her desk at the insurance agency and start her packing. Mort offered to come along, but she figured he'd be too much of a distraction. With him there she definitely wouldn't get anything done.

The normally boring drive back wasn't so bad because she had a lot on her mind. She was a little hesitant about telling her mother that she was moving in with another man, but Janice was out of town so Deja didn't have to worry about that for at least another week.

She pulled into her driveway, got out her suitcase and walked through her front door. Even though she enjoyed the last week, it was nice to be home again. Even if it wouldn't be for long.

After unpacking, she headed to her primary job, cleaned out her things and said her good-byes. Everyone there seemed genuinely happy for her and she was reassured that she'd made the right choice by moving to Tashmore Lake.

The rest of her day was spent packing up most of the clothing that she wouldn't need over the next week and a half. Mort had called her during one of his work breaks and the conversation lasted about two hours. That gave her even more motivation to go on packing. The night ended with Deja sprawled out on her living room couch with the television on and masking tape in her hand.

It was two days before Deja's final return to Tashmore Lake and she was working a double shift at the diner. She loved working there, but couldn't wait to leave. She'd spoken with Stanley about four days ago, and he was more than happy to list her home with his real estate company. He figured he could get it sold within two months and for a pretty good price too. Most of her things were packed up into boxes and Mort would be on his way with a U-Haul truck in a little less than 48 hours.

The diner had been busy for most of the day, but it was an hour before closing and things had slowed drastically. Deja and two other waitresses were there that night. Mike didn't need all three of them to close up, so he told Deja she could go home early. It was her last night and Mike figured she'd need some extra time at home to finish things up. He'd found a replacement for her in no time, and although he was sad to see her leave, he was glad to she'd waited until he found an alternate.

After a very teary good-bye, Deja made her way out to her car. She cranked up the car and made her way home. After leaving the parking lot, she spotted a car with it's high beam lights drive up behind her. The car seemed to come out of nowhere. She decided to speed up, but the car following did the same. The high beams were distracting her. She figured if she slowed down to a good 15 miles per hour the driver would become frustrated and pass her. No such luck. Suddenly she feels a jolt from behind. The car was rear-ending her. Deja had never been in a situation like this and it really scared her. She wasn't sure if she should lead this 'psycho' straight to her house.

Remembering she had her cell phone with her, she instinctively reached for it and dialed Mort's number. Hearing Mort's voice on the machine let her know he was either asleep or busy working. She hoped her voice on the machine would make him answer.

"Mort? Mort...please answer, it's an emergency!" The car was still following and had slightly rear-ended her at least once more.

"Mort! Please!"

"Hello! Deja, what's wrong?" He sounded fully alert and out of breath. He must've run to get the phone.

"Mort, some idiot is tailgating me and I'm really scared!" Her nerves were completely shot.

"Calm down, hon. Tell me exactly what's happening, but keep your eyes on the road." Mort wanted to remain as calm as possible. He needed to the strong one in this instance.

Taking a few deep breaths, Deja began, "I was leaving from work early, when this car comes out of nowhere. They've got their high beams on, totally distracting me. Well I sped up hoping I could out drive them, but then they sped up too! Then I slowed down, wanting them to pass, and they slowed. Then I felt a sudden jerk and it was because they rear-ended me! I'm basically driving around aimlessly because I'm scared to go home. I don't want whoever it is to follow me home," he could hear her voice begin to quiver. She was on the verge of crying.

"You should've called the police," Mort said.

"I know," she said, full on crying now, "but you're the first person that came into mind. I only feel 100 safe with you."

"Okay, just do me a favor?"

"MmmHmmm," she replied.

"Calm down, take a few deep breaths and pull over onto the side of the road," he instructed.

"Do what!"

"Just listen to me." He waited for her to let him know that she'd followed his directions. "What is the other car doing?"

Deja looked into her rearview mirror and saw the other car begin to slowly creep by her. She was so happy she had tinted windows on her car. She could see out perfectly, but at this time of night it was nearly impossible for anyone else to see in. "The car is driving past me very slowly," she whispered into the phone.

"Can you see the driver?" he asked.

"It's really dark out, but it looks like a woman."

"I've got a pen and pad, as she drives by call out the license plate number."

"Okay, it looks like...655...ZRA," she waited to hear a response from Mort.

"Okay, now get back on the road, and head in whichever direction the police station is in," he said. "Let the police know what happened and give them this number."

"Mort?"

"Yeah?" he answered.

"Do you really think they'll do something about it?"

"Well, I'm not sure, but at least they can let you know who it was."

"Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you," she seemed a little more relieved now that this whole ordeal was over. "Mort?"

"Yeah?"

"I've got another call coming in, I'll call you back after I leave the station," she said.

"No problem babe."

"Hello?" Deja said clicking over to the unidentified call.

"I suppose you got a good look at my car, huh?" It was a female voice that Deja didn't recognize. She immediately looked into her rearview mirror, but there was no sign of the car.

"Who is this!"

"Don't you worry about who I am. Just know that if you try to contact the police about this little occurrence that things in your life will become miserable," the voice said matter-of-factly.

"What do you want?" Deja was trying hard not to break down, but it was hard.

"I hear you're leaving town, and that's probably for the best, but I just wanted to have some fun with you before your departure." The woman began to cackle like a witch. It sent shivers down Deja's spine.

"So I won't be seeing you again then?" Deja asked.

"That remains to be seen. You may get a visit from me every now and then, but if you tell anyone about this I promise you it'll be much worse than just a visit."

"Why should I trust you!" Deja screamed into the phone. "If I go to the police right now I can find out who you are and turn you in!"

"That is true...but it would take the police some time to do anything about it, by then I could have already done my dirty work in Tashmore Lake, with your little friend. What's his name?" she paused, "Mort is it?"

Fear shot through Deja like a jolt of lightening. How did this person know about Mort? As if reading her mind, she said, "I bet you're wondering how I know about you and Mort, huh?" Not even waiting for a response she went on, "If you hang around a diner for so long, there's a lot you can find out about the people that work there."

Deja's fear was turning into anger. "If you touch him I swear I'll kill you!"

"Ooohhh, touchy touchy. Well, if you tell the police on me, you can bet that either he or your mom's gonna get it!"

Now this bit.ch was bringing her mother into it. She felt defeated. She was sure she could go to the police, but didn't want to take any chances. This person could've been on their way to Tashmore Lake at that very moment. Deja finally decided to give in.

"Fine," she said, sounding defeated. "I won't go to the police about this, but promise me that you'll leave me and my family alone!"

"A deal? Don't know if I want to work out a deal with you." After a pause that seemed to last forever, the woman agreed to Deja's terms and hung up.

Mort hadn't heard from Deja all day. The incident with the driver was last night, and he figured she just had a long night at the police station. He was up early and decided to call her this morning.

"Hi, hon," Mort said as Deja answered her cell phone. Her land line had been disconnected for about three days now.

"Hi Mort." She was still half asleep, but suddenly remembered she was supposed to call Mort back last night.

"So what happened with the police last night?" he inquired.

"I didn't go." Something in her voice didn't sound quite right to Mort.

"Why not?" Mort was becoming worried.

"I thought about it and it just didn't seem that serious in retrospect," she lied. She didn't want to get Mort upset about what really happened.

"Deja, you know I can tell when you lie. Just be honest with me."

"Well..." She didn't want to tell Mort the truth, but she was a pretty bad liar so she figured she may as well be honest. Deja went on to tell Mort the entire conversation she'd had with the driver. Reliving it was scaring her all over again. She prayed she never had to run into that car again.

"I can't believe she did that to you!" Mort yelled. His heart rate was increasing and sweat was beginning to form above his brow. He could handle himself, but he was worried if this person tried to harm Deja or her mother.

"Mort, I'm okay. I just didn't want this to upset you," she said.

He took a deep breath and began to plot what he needed to do. "Deja?" he asked.

"Yeah?"

"You did the right thing."

"I did?" Deja thought Mort would force her to go to the police, but she thought he must've understood that things would be best if they were kept quiet.

"Yeah, it's best if we let this little matter go away quietly."

Deja was stunned. Mort had really thrown her for loop on this one. He never ceased to amaze and surprise her.

"Look hon, I've gotta get some stuff taken care of. I'll be by in the morning with the U-Haul okay?"

"Okay, see you then...roomie," she let out a giggle. "I love you, Mort."

Just before hanging up he told her, "I love you too."

Mort's mind was in overdrive at the moment. He was barely able to focus on the latter part of his conversation just then. He was becoming Shooter at that very instant. Thankfully, it was still early enough in the day for him to get things taken care of.

This 'driver' was not going to get away with this. Mort figured he could use the license plate number to get more information on who this person was. Nowadays you could get almost anything from the internet. He'd go to the public library and get whatever information he needed and then he'd carry out the rest of his plans. This person, whoever she was, would never speak another word to Deja.