A/N: A reminder that characters who are no longer on the canvas will make occasional appearances.
~ Chapter 10 ~
John picked up the phone and dialled a familiar number. After a few rings, a professional voice answered.
"Detective Kramer here. How may I help you?"
"Tek, it's John Black."
"Hey, John. What can I do for you?"
"You remember that surveillance we discussed the other day? I'd like it put into place immediately."
"No problem. I'll assign an officer to tail Dr. North right away."
"Thanks, Tek. You have no idea how that eases my mind."
"Sure thing. Talk to you later."
After hanging up, John exhaled gratefully. Tracking Alex's comings and goings would surely provide evidence of some shady dealings that would convince Marlena her doctor wasn't acting in her best interests. He rubbed his hands together exultantly. At that precise moment, the man in question descended the stairs.
"Good morning, Mr. Black."
John resisted the urge to snarl an impolite response. Since he would soon be tossing the bum out on his ear, a little patience now couldn't hurt. It wouldn't do to tip his hand, given that his nemesis had managed to very effectively cover his tracks so far.
"Mornin', North."
"Where's Marlena?"
Alex made a point of looking around, deliberately not letting on that he knew Marlena had already left the penthouse.
None of your damn business.
"She's gone out," was the curt reply.
"By herself? Was that wise? I'm surprised you didn't go with her," Alex added, casually twisting the knife in the wound left by Marlena's earlier refusal.
"She wanted to be alone and, as her husband, I didn't see any harm in it," John stated, his tone defensive.
"I'm sure she'll be perfectly fine, Mr. Black. Will I have the pleasure of your company today, then?"
John struggled to ignore the sarcasm in Alex's voice.
"No. I have work to do, so it looks like you'll have to rattle around here on your own."
"Well, since there's some research I've been putting off, it'll be nice to have the place quiet."
With that unmistakable brushoff, Alex poured himself a cup of coffee and headed back to his room. John fought the urge to set the security system, thus guaranteeing that his unwelcome houseguest would be trapped for hours. It was tempting, but North would tell Marlena, and she would be furious. Besides, now that Tek had assured him there'd be a tail on Alex, John was actually curious to see where the man ended up, should he happen to leave the building. This could prove to be a very illuminating day and he, for one, was looking forward to it.
It was unclear to Marlena how she had found the place. She'd pictured it in her mind's eye, and had felt compelled to seek it out. Following her instincts, she'd driven to the outskirts of Salem, then followed a winding mountain road. The scenery had been spectacular, and she had delighted in breathing in the fall air as she glimpsed the panoply of bright colours that streamed by outside her windows.
Reaching the end of the gravel road, she parked the car and stepped out, wrapping her jacket tightly around her shoulders. The breeze was stronger here, but she welcomed its briskness.
Just the thing to clear out the cobwebs.
Taking note of her surroundings, she spied a well-worn path leading into the forest. Feeling a sense of familiarity, she headed in its direction, eager to see if something along the way might jog her memory.
As the trees closed in around her, she began to relax. The calls of various birds as they flitted lightly from branch to branch, and the whisper of the wind through the leaves were the only sounds to break the silence. After walking quite some distance, the trail widened, and she emerged in a clearing. Spotting a bench carved out of a fallen log, she eased herself on to it, grateful for the chance to rest. The sun's rays warmed her, and she let her eyelids drift shut…
She was in the very same spot, sitting on the log bench. Tears were streaming down her face, and ragged sobs shook her body. She couldn't remember what had caused her such grief. All she knew was that she felt as if her entire world had fallen apart, and she was more desolate than she had ever been.
Overcome with emotion, Marlena remained stock-still. Before long, another flashback overtook her.
This was wrong. She shouldn't be here alone. Her heart yearned for him, but he wasn't with her. It frustrated her that her memories of him were so fuzzy, as if her brain were enveloped in some kind of fog that she couldn't penetrate. Hard as she tried, his face refused to come into focus and his name… well, that eluded her too. In spite of all this, she was certain of one thing – she still loved this man with every fibre of her being, and her life was an empty shell without him.
She'd accepted a job offer to practice psychiatry in Salem, hoping that a change of scenery would help heal her broken heart. So far, it hadn't worked. Oh, the people were friendly, and they'd gone out of their way to include her in social gatherings, but she was merely going through the motions. She needed to grieve her loss – which is why she kept returning to the beautiful forest clearing that she'd discovered just outside of town. Its peacefulness served as a balm for her bruised and battered soul.
"I have been here before," she whispered in amazement. "No wonder I felt drawn here. I have to share this breakthrough with Alex!"
Reaching for her phone, she dialled her psychiatrist's number.
