Chapter Twenty-Four

The month of January passed quickly for the residents of Llanview, and before anyone knew it February had approached them. John and Natalie had returned from the cabin back together and happy, something which surprised no one. Since almost no one in Llanview had known about the Cristian thing, getting back together hadn't been too much for a hassle, and most people seemed genuinely happy for them, except for Rex. After finding out his sister and John were starting over, Rex took it upon himself to have a talk with John, one that left John with another black eye and the promise of more to come if he ever hurt Natalie again.

A few weeks into the New Year, John and Natalie moved into the cottage together, a move which although sudden and a slight shock to their friends and family, thrilled them both. Natalie had begun her final semester at Llanview University and spent almost all her spare time working on plans for the Love Center. Though Natalie had originally been hesitant to accept the job from her Grandfather, she was really getting into it and could not wait until they officially opened in May. John was just as busy, as the New Year had brought a slight increase in crime to the usually tame city. As for the stalker… there was still nothing, nothing that is until the morning before Valentines Day.

Monday morning had been slow and John had spent most of it in his office working on paperwork. He had planned to get it all done and then leave early in order to get some shopping done. Though he was far from the romantic type, John wanted to make Valentines Day special for Natalie. Tuesdays were the one day Natalie didn't have class and John had managed to get it off, so whatever plans he was going to make he needed to do it soon.

Just as he was putting on his jacket and getting ready to leave, there was a knock on the door and Shelia peeked in. "I just wanted to drop off this card that came for you Lieutenant in case it was from Natalie." John smiled. "Thanks," he said as he took the card from her. After she closed the door behind her, John looked down at the card, his smile vanishing as he saw "Lieutenant McBain," written in the familiar script. Shrugging off his jacket, John sat back down at his desk. His face now grim, John slipped on a pair of latex gloves and carefully opened the fire engine red envelope, then reached inside and pulled out a red and white card which read, "A Valentines card for my special friend…." Trying to contain his anger, John took a deep breath and opened the card.

Dear Lieutenant,

First off let me start by wishing you a Happy Valentines Day. I had really been hoping that you would have a chance to enjoy this overly commercialized holiday celebrating love and friendship, but I fear my news will put a damper on whatever celebration plans you have in mind. See, a while ago I made reference to a secret being kept from you by the beautiful Natalie and feel that since she appears to have let you back in her life you deserve to know the truth behind her abrupt departure from town. You see John, the real reason she left town all those months ago wasn't because she was upset over the fight you had, or you inability to commit, it was because YOU killed your unborn child. Yes, I hate to admit it but it is true… the two of you were about to become parents – oh, you should have seen her face the day she came out of the hospital with her wonderful news, she looked so happy and excited. It really was a wonderful sight to see. But, then you had a ruin it by telling her that same day you still were unable to commit, unable to love her. What horrible pain she must have suffered hearing that… in fact it was enough that I found myself almost feeling sorry for her.

I really don't understand Lieutenant, why everything you seem to touch dies? First your father, then Caitlyn, then Kathryn, and now your own child. It really makes me wonder how much longer until Natalie is added to that list, especially now that she actually decided to take you back despite the loss you've caused her.

Once again, I do wish you a Happy Valentines day.

Letting the card drop from his hands John leaned back in his chair, and waited for his heart to stop pounding. He knew he had to call Natalie in, make sure she was aware of this new development, but before he did that there was someone else he wanted to talk to.

John leaned back in his chair and watched quietly as Dr. David Ryan studied the file on the stalker. Dr. Ryan was a renowned criminal psychologist with the FBI, and one of the few psychologists John trusted. After spending all morning on the phone, John called in dozens of personal favors and managed to get an appointment with the doctor that afternoon. The most recent card had shaken him more than he would like to admit because it made him realize this guy had an intimate knowledge of Natalie, one that went back much longer then he had ever imagined.

After Dr. Ryan finished looking over the file John took the card he had just received and extended it toward him. "I haven't logged this as evidence because it involves something incredibly personal between Natalie and I, something I know she would prefer not to be made public."

Giving a slight nod of understanding, Dr. Ryan took the card from John and took a moment to study it before handing it back. "So I take it you already knew about the miscarriage?"

John shifted in his chair and cleared his throat. "Yeah, Natalie's brother let it slip last month – she and I talked about it and were able to move past it. But the weird thing is everything else in there isn't true. The break-up was over something a lot more serious and the whole bit about me being unable to commit was only what Natalie fed to her family and friends."

The doctor's brow furrowed in concern, and he took another minute to skim through the file. "That is weird because right away I can tell you this guy is meticulous. It is obvious that before making any move he carefully thinks it over and weighs every possible outcome just as if he is playing a game of chess."

"And Natalie and I are the pawns?"

The doctor nodded. "But, obviously he miscalculated here. First off, he is obviously getting his facts about your relationship from someone close to Natalie, because it is very unlikely that he himself is close to her. The way he talks about he suggests this is someone watching her from a distance and not someone currently involved with her everyday life. It is likely that whoever the source is, he or she is close to either you or Natalie because otherwise he wouldn't have any use for them, as this is a guy who would normally work alone."

"So then this is about Natalie?"

"Not necessarily. The notes to you about watching her and the way he speaks of her show that he is definitely fixated on her, and in my opinion, she is his endgame. However, the anger directed at you leads me to believe this has something to do with you as well, almost killing two birds with one stone type of thing." Dr. Ryan paused for a few moments, before something occurred to him.

Quickly he took out the first note which had been sent with the photographs of an unsuspecting Natalie and read it aloud. "I see her when she's sleeping. I know when she's awake. I know if she's been bad or good… I've got my eyes on her John and not even you can stop me."

"Tell me John, what did you do when you got this note?" The doctor asked meeting John's eyes.

"I tracked Natalie down to Atlantic City and told her about the note and pictures."

"And she came back to Llanview with you?"

John nodded. "She had been planning on coming back anyway."

"And then he started to send her stuff as well and managed to gain access to her home correct?"

"Yes."

"How long after New Years Eve did you and Natalie get back together?"

The question threw John and he felt himself grow defensive, "It was New Years Eve, but I don't see how this is relevant."

"It is quite relevant John." Dr. Ryan flipped through the file until he pulled out a copy of the note John had received on New Years Eve and read that one aloud.

"I have a feeling that ours are of a similar nature – possibly involving a beautiful red head? Well, whatever yours are, I am fully aware of mine and intend to make them come true. New Years Eve is always a wonderful night for new beginnings."

"That note was worded in a way suggesting he was planning on taking Natalie that night wasn't it? At least that's what you thought. Tell me John, do you still tend to hole up with a bottle of Jack Daniels and grow angry at the world when things don't go your way?"

"This isn't about me," he snapped angrily.

"But it is. Three months after Natalie leaves town he sends you pictures of her. He had already tracked her down and could have gone after her right then and there, but he didn't – he sent you pictures and a note. Your first response – get Natalie and head back to Llanview. Then he starts sending stuff to both of you, steals from her, and leaves the body for you – all of which kept bringing you together. Then he sends you a note on New Years Eve, which suggests he is planning on going after her that night. You watch her like a hawk, the closeness gets to you both and you manage to get over whatever problems you were having. Then you don't hear from him again until the morning before Valentines Day when he sends you a card which drops the bomb about the miscarriage."

"Wait a second; are you trying to suggest that the whole time this guy was trying to get us back together? No offense Dr. Ryan, but I find it unlikely the psychopath we're dealing with is a romantic at heart," John responded dryly.

"He wasn't getting you back together in order to play matchmaker John. It was all part of his plan to make you both suffer. Everything he has done so far has been well thought out, every move carefully planned, every reaction anticipated – until now. The one thing he can't control is the unpredictable nature of human beings – he never once considered the possibility of you finding out about the miscarriage."

John took a few minutes and thought about what the Doctor was saying. As much as he hated to admit it, it actually made sense. Alarmed he blurted out the first thing that came to mind, "Do you think I should pull away from Natalie?"