Artist's Rendering Part 6

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Becca?" Shelly moaned sleepily.
"I'm here, Shelly. It's okay. You're safe now."
"I'm so sorry, Becca." She broke down into tears.
"Shh. It's alright Shelly. You did nothing wrong." She stroked the one part of Shelly's arm that wasn't purple. When Shelly stopped sobbing, Rebecca asked her if she was ready to talk. Shelly nodded.
Rebecca stood up and left the room to tell the nurse Shelly was awake. Josh took the opportunity to leave.
"I'll be back in a little bit," he whispered as the nurse placed the call to Detective Rothko. Rebecca nodded and he left. The nurse then went into Shelly's room and Rebecca followed.
"How are you feeling dear?" the nurse asked her.
"I've had better days," she groaned.
"A detective is coming to talk to you, okay?" She asked as she checked Shelly's vitals. It was difficult to tell through the swelling, but Shelly bit her lip, then nodded slowly. The nurse excused herself when Detective Rothko entered the room. He must not have gone very far. Rebecca guessed he had been in the cafeteria. She made to leave the room, but Shelly protested painfully.
"Don't go, Becca." A tear rolled out of her black eye.
"You should probably stay," Detective Rothko said reluctantly. Clearly, Shelly wasn't going to talk without her there. Rebecca returned to her chair and held Shelly's battered hand.
"Shelly, do you remember me?" Shelly nodded. "Can you tell me what happened tonight?"
"He was waiting for me when I got home."
"Who was waiting for you?"
"I don't know." Another tear rolled down her cheek. "I got home and went inside. After I closed the door and locked it, he grabbed me from behind. He had been waiting inside. Hiding somewhere... I don't know where." Another tear fell and Rebecca squeezed her hand gently.
"What did he look like?"
"I don't know. He put a pillowcase over my head and told me if I made a sound I was dead."
"Did he say anything else to you?" She nodded.
"He said I should mind my own business. Said I shouldn't have done it. Said I had no right." Shelly sobbed.
"What did he do to you?" Rebecca glared at him for the cold way he said this.
"He dragged me to my bedroom and threw me on the bed. He hit me over and over like I was a punching bag."
"Then what?"
"I'm not really sure. Everything went a bit fuzzy. I just remember finding the phone in my hands and Becca answering it."
"Why did you call her? Why didn't you call 911?"
"I didn't call her. She just answered."
"You didn't dial the phone?" Shelly shook her head. "He did before he left. He wanted me to pay for what I did. Wanted me to beg for forgiveness. I'm so sorry, Becca."
"What did he want you forgiven for?" he probed.
"I threw away your picture, Becca. I shouldn't have. It was yours. I just knew it would upset you. I thought, if you never saw it... I'm so sorry."
"What picture, Shelly?" Rebecca asked softly.
"It came for you at work today. I didn't bother looking at it. I just tossed it in the trash and left." At this, she broke into hysterical sobs. The nurse came in and asked them to leave her alone so she could rest. Rebecca reluctantly followed Detective Rothko out of the room and to a small waiting area.
"There was no sign of break in at her house," he said suddenly.
"What does that mean?"
"I thought maybe he followed her in, but from what she said, he was already inside when she got there."
"Which means?"
"I don't know. Either he's got a key or he can pick locks. Do you have any idea who might have done this to her?" She shook her head.
"You can't think of anyone?"
"Well, we saw someone at the library. But there's no way he could have done this."
"Who was he?"
"I don't know. He was small and frail looking though. He couldn't possibly have done all that to her."
"Anybody else I should know about?"
"She's got this new boyfriend..."
"What's his name? I'll need to speak to him."
"Eduardo. She never told me his last name."
"Hispanic?"
"Yes."
"Know where I might find him?" She shook her head again.
"Rebecca, I think we both know that whoever did this is also behind all those pictures you've been getting. Have you given any thought to what I told you on the phone?" She nodded, unwilling to argue Josh's innocence in that setting.
"Good. You can't be too careful right now. Look, I'm going to go back to her house and see if I can find anything. Then I'm going to try and hunt down that picture. Do you need a ride home or anything?"
"No. I'm going to stay here a while."
"Good idea. Shelly needs you right now."
"Did they... find anything... on her?"
"I'm afraid not. There was tearing and evidence of penetration, but no fluids or hairs were found. And nothing under her fingernails either. I'm afraid we've got nothing on this guy." With that, he shook his head and rushed off down the hall.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Rebecca sat uncomfortably in the chair beside Shelly's sleeping form. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought of how scarred her beautiful face would be. Shelly would never fully recover. No matter what anyone told her, Rebecca knew this was all her fault. She was the one this guy wanted and Shelly merely got in the way.
Josh returned an hour later with sandwiches.
"Thought you might be hungry," he whispered as he handed her one and sat down.
"How is she?" he asked.
"The nurse gave her some medication and she's been like this ever since."
"Was she able to tell you what happened?"
"As clearly as she can remember it."
"Does she know who did it?" Rebecca shook her head sadly. "Did they find anything?" Rebecca shook her head again.
"He was in her home waiting for her," Rebecca managed to say.
"How?"
"We don't know."
They ate in silence. She wasn't sure she'd be able to manage more than a few bites, but once she started her stomach seemed to wake up and she found that she was famished.
"How are you holding up?" Josh asked her after they had finished. Rebecca merely shrugged.
"Come one. Let me take you home."
Rebecca looked at Shelly, not willing to leave her side. Then remembered the nurse had told her she would be out for hours. She finally, slowly, nodded. Josh helped her up. She bent over Shelly and kissed her forehead before following him out of the room. They walked to his car in mournful silence and he helped her inside.
"A cop was asking me questions," he finally spoke up.
"Why?" she asked.
"Probably trying to pin this on me."
"But you were with me all day."
"That's what I told them. Somehow, I don't think they believed me." He parked the car and pulled up the handbrake a little harder than usual.
"I'm sorry, Josh," she said softly.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I can't say I'm not used to it. They've never forgiven me for being innocent." He scowled, then looked at her and smiled. "As long as you believe me, I'll be okay."
He got out of the car and walked around to help her out. They went in side and rode the elevator in silence. They froze when they saw her apartment door ajar.
"Wait here," he told her and crept inside. She waited anxiously as he searched her apartment. Finally he came back out.
"There's no one inside, but they left another picture." She followed him in and saw the familiar envelope on her kitchen table. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply.
"Did you lock the door when you left?"
"I... I don't know. I was in such a hurry. It's all kind of a blur."
He picked up the envelope.
"Do you want to open it? Or should I?"
"You go ahead. I'm not sure I want to see it."
He slid out the paper and instantly turned a brilliant shade of red and stuffed the paper back inside.
"What was it?" she asked with a shaky voice.
"You don't want to know."
"Let me see it," she said reluctantly. He handed her the envelope and she pulled out the crumpled paper.
She stood naked against a tile wall. Water pelted off of her as her hand slid between her legs, a look of ecstasy on her face. Rebecca dropped it and ran to the bathroom and vomited.
Staggering from the bathroom a few minutes later, Josh helped her to the couch.
"Was that..."
"Real?" He nodded, embarrassed that he had asked. She nodded.
"When?"
"This afternoon." She swallowed hard, willing herself not to be sick again.
"You didn't... see anyone, did you?"
"Of course not. But I can't say I was looking either."
Josh chose not to probe further and held her trembling form in his arms. When she had calmed down, he stood up and went into the bathroom. She heard him banging around and got up to see what was going on.
"What are you doing?" she asked as her legs shook beneath her.
"Searching your bathroom," he answered as he opened a cabinet.
"For what?"
"I don't know. Somebody saw you in here. Either they were in here with you, or there's another way."
"You think they put a camera in my bathroom?" She felt like she would be sick again.
"It doesn't hurt to look."
He continued searching, even going as far as lifting up the ceiling panel to look for a hidden camera. Finding nothing, he followed her back to the living room.
"I don't like the idea of someone being here without you knowing," he muttered.
"You don't like it? How do you think I feel?"
"I'm not leaving you alone again." He looked in her eyes and she knew he meant it.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Rebecca woke in Josh's arms. As far as she knew, he had never left her side. She kissed him on the cheek and slid out of bed. She found the phone and called the hospital.
"I'm calling to see how Shelly Rodgers is doing." She waited on hold while the appropriate nurse was found.
"Rebecca McIntyre?" the nurse asked.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Shelly's doing just fine," she said in a friendly tone. "She said to tell you not to worry about her. She finishing up her breakfast now."
"Sounds like she's doing great compared to last night."
"You'd be surprised what medicated sleep can do for a hurting body. She'll have to stay for a few more days, but she's doing better than we expected."
Rebecca smiled as she hung up the phone, grateful for a bit of good news. She jumped in the shower to prepare for a long day at work.
"Rebecca?" she heard a voice call. The door burst open and Josh rushed in.
"What is it?"
"Sorry," he turned his back to her. "I just woke up and you were gone. Didn't know what to think. Don't do that to me," he scolded her.
"I was only in the next room. Calm down."
He apologized a few more times before leaving the room. He averted his eyes when she came out of the bathroom in a towel. She told him it was alright, but he was clearly embarrassed. She got ready for work while he sat in the living room deep in thought. She wondered how much sleep he actually got.
"Ready to go?" he asked as she picked up her purse.
"Yeah."
"I still don't understand why you insist on going to work today. Surely they'll understand?"
"And who's going to cover for me? Shelly obviously can't. Someone's got to be there, and it might as well be me." He looked as if he wanted to protest, but decided against it. They walked out the door and she was careful to lock it.
The walk to the library was quiet. Josh remained deep in thought and Rebecca didn't know what to say.
"Going to visit Shelly today?"
"I thought I'd swing by there around lunchtime."
"I'll take you."
"I thought you might," she offered him a smile and he grinned sheepishly back at her.
He walked her into the library this time and searched the aisles before kissing her goodbye and promising to return at noon. Clearly he wasn't taking any chances today.
The library was eerily silent that morning. It was normally slow toward the end of the week, but without Shelly there it was even more quiet. Every sound seemed to echo back at her as she sat behind the circulation desk.
"Does he follow you everywhere?" Lisa asked as she walked in the door.
"Who?"
"Josh."
"What?"
"Josh. He's sitting on the steps outside. Kind of creepy if you ask me."
"He's just a little on edge after what happened."
"I guess that's understandable."
"So what are you doing here?" Rebecca asked her.
"I came to ask you about Shelly. I heard she got hurt."
"Who'd you hear that from?"
"That detective guy came and talked to me. Wanted to know if I'd seen anyone around your apartment."
"Have you?"
"Just you and Josh," she tried to hide the contempt in her voice. "So what happened?"
"Someone broke into her apartment and attacked her."
"What's that got to do with you?"
"They think it was the same guy sending me pictures."
"Do you think it was?"
"Yes."
"Is she going to be okay?"
"They say she will. Won't look the same, that's for sure."
"Pity. Listen, why don't you come over for dinner. You shouldn't be alone right now and it's been awhile since we've been able to talk."
"I was going to go see Shelly tonight."
"Oh. Right. She probably needs you, anyway," she replied solemnly.
"I'll try to come by afterward," Rebecca added quickly. Lisa smiled weakly.
"Don't worry about it. We can chat some other time. Well, I gotta get going." She turned and walked out the door.

Chapter Twenty-Six

"How're you doing?" Rebecca asked as she entered the room and sat down beside the bed.
"Much better," Shelly answered trying to hide the pain it caused her to talk.
"The nurse said you've been eating."
"Drinking is more like it. I can't chew worth a damn."
"Sorry."
"Don't be. Listen, you don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine. It's you I'm worried about."
"Don't go stressing yourself out about me. I feel guilty enough as it is."
"I'm serious, Becca. This guy is a complete psychopath and he's obsessed with you. Promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise."
"Eduardo left me." Shelly said suddenly.
"What? Why?"
"Didn't like the cops hanging around. Seems he's not exactly here legally and doesn't want any attention from authorities. He called earlier to say goodbye. Who knows where he is now."
"I'm so sorry Shelly."
"Don't be. I'm used to it. It was only a matter of time." A tear rolled down her cheek. "Speaking of guys, where's Josh?" She asked after a minute.
"He's down the hall waiting. Didn't want to intrude."
"Things still going okay with him?"
"Yeah. He's a little worried and doesn't want to leave me alone though."
"Understandable. You stick with him. You could use a bodyguard right now."
"Don't talk like that."
"Tell me I'm wrong! Don't lie to me Rebecca. I can see in your eyes how scared you are. I bet you've even gotten more pictures." Rebecca said nothing.
"See! He's after you, Becca! He won't stop till he's got you, too!" Shelly began raising her voice and winced with every word. The nurse came in to see what the commotion was about.
"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave. She can't get this worked up right now," she said as she escorted Rebecca from the room.
"Tell her I'm sorry."
The nurse nodded and returned to the crying Shelly. Rebecca found Josh and he walked her back to his car.
"I take it that didn't go well?" he asked as he drove back to the library.
"No. She's really upset. And scared."
"I meant to ask you earlier, did you get any of those pictures while you were at work?"
Rebecca shook her head.
"I was keeping an eye on everyone who went in. Hoped I might be able to figure out who's doing this."
"Lisa said she saw you out there."
"Yeah. She didn't seem to appreciate what I was doing."
"I think she thinks you're the one doing all this."
"Shows what she knows."
"Give her a break, she's just as worried as you are. You'd suspect you too."
"Maybe."
Again, Josh searched the library before kissing her goodbye. She assured him she would be okay and he could go home and get some rest. He reluctantly agreed to do a couple of errands but promised to return before five.
Rebecca took Shelly's place at the circulation desk a checked in the few items that had been dropped off while she was gone. Then she sat and listened to the wall clock tick away the time. She thought of browsing the books, but didn't like the idea of getting lost in the maze when she was all alone. Instead she filled her mind with thoughts of Josh in hopes that he might drive away the more unpleasant thoughts that threatened to consume her.
As the clock struck three, Detective Rothko walked in the door.
"Detective, is everything okay?" she asked him cautiously, grateful she had convinced Josh to go home.
"I've just been to see Shelly. Her memory is still a little fuzzy. I doubt we'll get much more out of her. I came to see about the picture. She said she threw it in the staff room trash."
"Oh. I thought you'd already checked on that."
"I would have liked to last night, but it seemed no one was available to unlock the doors for me." He scowled as if he detested the idea of needing permission to go anywhere.
"Well, the staff room is back here," she walked out from behind the desk and led the way. Why hadn't she thought of looking before? She certainly didn't want to see the picture with Detective Rothko looking over her shoulder. Especially if it was anything like the others she had gotten recently.
She opened the door and he followed her in. He immediately went to the trash can and pulled out the battered yellow envelope. Without even glancing her way, he opened it and pulled out the paper inside. Not knowing what crude image was drawn of her, she hated watching him examine every inch of it.
"Um, Detective? Do you mind?" She held out her hand expectantly.
"Here. It's much like the others."
He thrust the paper and envelope at her and waited. After the previous picture she had seen, this one didn't seem so bad. Again she wore the lacy nightgown. This time she strolled through the campus, a big shadow figure walking along beside her.
"When was this?" he asked.
"Yesterday around lunchtime."
"And this figure," he pointed at the shadow on the paper. "Is that Mr. Stevenson?"
"Yes," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I thought we discussed this. I thought you weren't going to spend time with him anymore."
"I believe he's innocent," she protested.
"You're blind. If you're not going to take my advice, I don't know if I can help you." He glared at her before turning and storming out of the room. She sighed, put the paper and the envelope in her purse, and returned to the circulation desk. Josh was waiting for her.
"He didn't look very happy," Josh said with a smile.
"He's not. He knows that I believe you and that I'm not going to stop seeing you. Did he see you?"
"No. I was over there," he pointed behind one of the bookshelves. "When he stormed out. Not very professional if you ask me."
They passed the time until five deliberately discussing nothing. She didn't want to talk anymore of the pictures or even think about what had happened to Shelly. So they whittled away the time discussing the fading summer and unavoidable approach of winter. He joked about how they only had two seasons and seemed to always skip over spring and fall.
When the clock finally chimed five times, Josh followed her to the staff room to retrieve her purse and they left the building hand in hand. She was in much better spirits and told Josh she wanted to visit Shelly again before the day was over.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

They found Shelly asleep when they entered room 319. The nurse told them that she had been very upset after talking with the detective and had to be sedated again. Rebecca sat by her bed and held her hand for a few minutes before reluctantly leaving again. She could hardly imagine the pain Shelly was going through and couldn't shake the guilt she felt for having caused it.
"Let me take you out tonight. You need it," Josh declared as they drove back to the apartments.
"Alright. Just nothing as fancy as last time."
"Darn. I'll have to go to plan B," he winked at her and she smiled.
As she expected, Josh insisted on escorting her to her apartment. As before, he left her in the hall while he went inside to check that the apartment was safe. As before, he found nothing except for another envelope on her kitchen table. He offered it to her and she opened it.
She looked out of place in her nightgown as she sat in a chair beside a beaten and battered figure lying on a bed. Instead of looking at the figure, she seemed to look straight into the artist's eyes with a wicked grin on her face.
Rebecca tossed it on the table carelessly.
"He's a little obsessed with that nightgown," Josh observed.
"That's the least of my concerns." Josh agreed and she went to her bedroom to change. With a smile, she slipped into the red lingerie Shelly helped her pick out and threw on a little black dress. She just wanted to forget all the nonsense and have a decent evening.
When she returned to the living room, she found Josh using her phone with his back to her.
"Yes... As soon as possible... Uh huh... Thank you." He hung up.
"What was that about?" she asked him.
"I was just calling the..." He had turned around as he spoke. He froze giving her a long look. "Wow," he finally managed.
"You were saying?" She beamed at him.
"What?"
"You were calling the..." she began again for him.
"Oh yeah. I was calling the super. He's going to change your locks for you tomorrow."
"Good idea."
"Well, obviously, somebody's getting in here and if they have a key changing the locks will stop it."
"Let's hope it works."
Josh took her to a nearby steakhouse. It was dimly lit and they sat in a secluded booth. Josh couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"What?" she asked for the sixth time.
"You're stunning."
"I really appreciate what you've done for me the last few days."
"I'd do anything for you."
"You spoil me."
"You deserve better."
"Are you two ready to order?" an annoyed waitress interrupted them. Josh ordered for both of them and Rebecca giggled when the waitress had left.
"What?" he asked her.
"I don't think she likes us much."
"Nah. She's just jealous of your good looks."
"Oh stop it."
Josh continued to pepper her with compliments throughout their meal, making it difficult for her to eat. After he ordered a bowl of ice cream for them to share, she moved to the other side of the table to sit beside him. Soon they were kissing in the shadows as the ice cream melted forgotten in front of them.
"Will there be anything else?" The annoyed waitress looked furious at their lack of control.
"No. I think we'll be leaving now." Josh stood up and placed two bills on the table. Then he helped Rebecca to her feet. She saw the waitress look at the bills as they left and a smile spread across her face.
"How much of a tip did you leave her?" she asked as they got in the car.
"Enough."
"You sure made her day." Josh merely grinned.
"Where to now?" he asked her.
"Home." Josh raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask questions. Rebecca waited until the elevator door closed on them before showing him her intentions. She pushed him against the wall and kissed him, pressing herself against him. He returned her kisses with just as much passion. They continued as much as they could as they stumbled down the hall. She fumbled with her keys and eventually was able to get the door open. They found their way to the couch and collapsed on it. After a few minutes, Josh stood up breathless.
"Wait," he said. "We need to slow down or I need to leave."
"No," she answered. She stood up, unzipped her dress, and let it fall to the floor. "Not tonight," she said sternly and he gulped while drinking her in with his eyes. She took him by the hand and led him to her bedroom.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Rebecca woke the next morning and found herself wrapped in Josh's arms. She looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back.
"Been awake long?" she asked him.
"For a little bit. I've been watching you sleep."
"How boring," she kissed him.
"On the contrary, you looked like an angel."
"So, are we still okay?" she asked with a grin.
"Better than okay, I'd say."
"So we haven't ruined this thing we've got going?"
"Let's hope not."
She kissed him again and then slid out of his arms and out of bed.
"Rebecca?" She stopped and looked at him. He stood up and walked over to her.
"I think I'm falling in love with you." She smiled and threw herself in his arms.
After reassuring him she would be fine on her own, Rebecca saw Josh out of her apartment. Then she went to take a shower and get ready for work. Before heading out, she called the hospital to check on Shelly.
"She's doing great. Says she'd like to see you later if you've got time."
Josh met her at the door. They walked hand in hand to the library. Rebecca noticed how springlike it felt. The sun was out. The birds sang. It seemed all was well in the world. She couldn't stop grinning and noticed Josh was having the same problem.
"I'll take you to see Shelly at noon," Josh said as he kissed her goodbye. He turned to leave.
"Josh, wait." He stopped and she ran up to him and kissed him again.
"I love you too," she said and he beamed. She watched as he walked out the door and noticed he seemed to have an added spring in his step.
Rebecca found it hard to concentrate that morning. Her mind was full of memories of their night together. She would occasionally shiver and get goosebumps. Then she would blush. She was grateful nobody was around to see her. She wondered what Shelly would say.
Noon came in a flash and Josh came with it. He strolled into the building and greeted her with a kiss. Few words were said between them as he drove them to the hospital. It seemed nothing more needed to be said. He insisted on remaining in the waiting area while she went in.
"You little slut!" Shelly said with smile as Rebecca walked in the room.
"What are you talking about?" Rebecca gave up trying to hide her smile.
"Oh, don't you dare try to deny it. You slept with him didn't you! You're positively glowing!" Rebecca blushed.
"So things must be better than okay between you two, huh?" Shelly asked.
"Yeah. I couldn't be happier."
"I can tell. He's good for you. Especially now."
"You don't think we're moving too fast?"
"Nah. But, of course, look who you're asking," she laughed.
"You seem to be feeling better."
"Loads better. It hurts if I move too fast though."
"The nurse said you were really upset when Detective Rothko left."
"Yeah. He's a heartless bastard. No tact whatsoever. He keeps asking for details. I mean, really dirty details. I think he's enjoying it."
"He's not exactly happy with me either."
"Why?"
"I refuse to stop seeing Josh," she shrugged.
"I'm telling you, that detective gives me the creeps."
Rebecca said nothing, but thought of the way Detective Rothko looked at the pictures of her with that hungry look in his eye. She shuddered and couldn't help agreeing with Shelly.
"They said I might be able to go home tomorrow," Shelly smiled.
"That's great! But are you okay going back there?"
"I'll be fine. Detective Rothko doesn't believe the creep will come back, and I have to agree. I'm not the one he wants." She gave Rebecca a significant look. "Josh still keeping a close eye on you?"
"Of course."
"Good. Nobody can touch you as long as you're with him."
Rebecca hoped she was right. Josh took her back to the library and kissed her reluctantly goodbye.
"I've got to go to work. Please be careful while I'm gone. I'll never forgive myself if something happens to you," he said with a pained expression.
"I'll be fine," she assured him. "Nothing's going to happen to me in the library."
He opened his mouth to protest, but decided against it. With a final kiss, he turned and walked out the door. She ignored the nagging thoughts at the back of her mind and sat down behind the desk to wait for the afternoon to pass her by.
Josh burst through the doors a few hours later.
"Hey, you're early," she smiled and looked up at him. The smile quickly vanished when she saw the look on Josh's face. "What's wrong?"
"That neighbor of yours..." he panted, "They took her to the hospital. I heard someone say she'd been attacked."