"You'd better. I do hope she's safe. I worry about her, you know, a single woman in that house all by herself without a good man to take care of her. You really should go and spend some time with her, I think..."
"I, uh, I'll make an effort to do that. Well, listen, Mrs. Dobbins, it's been great talking with you. I'll chat with you again soon. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday."
"Oh, I will, Mr. James. It was very nice chatting with you. I do hope that we can visit longer next time. Perhaps you'd like to come over for some tea and cake? And bring your lovely little girl; I do enjoy having children around the house every now and then. Reminds me of my own grandchildren, who unfortunately live out east."
"I'll bring her around sometime. Have a good day, Mrs. Dobbins."
"You too, Mr. James."
She closed her door, and I hurried back across the street to my place. I was greeted by the enticing aroma of freshly cooked omelets, but as hungry as I was, I needed to tell Vivienne the news first.
"Omelets are ready, and I hope you're hungry," she said, flashing me one of her gorgeous smiles as I walked in. It was a sight a guy could get used to.
"Great. But before we eat, I have to tell you what happened with Mrs. Dobbins."
"Go ahead then. What did she end up telling you?"
I had taken a deep breath before I spoke, gathering my thoughts. I knew Vivienne wasn't going to like what I was about to say, but it had to be said nonetheless.
"She recognized him alright."
"She did?" Worry laced her words.
"Apparently, he's been staking out your house – three times in the last two days."
The expression on her face instantly changed; the smile she had been wearing before was replaced instead by a look that was part terror, part disgust, and part anger.
"That... that evil, psychotic bastard," she muttered.
"I'm sorry, Viv. But you had to know the truth. And know this too: I will not let this creep harm a single hair on your beautiful head," I said as I stepped closer and placed a hand on each side of her face. "And I will not stop until he's behind bars and out of your life forever. I promise you that."
"Thank you, Everett. I appreciate that; I really do."
I hugged her tightly, but our moment was interrupted when my phone rang. It was the hospital.
"I'd better take this," I said.
"Sure."
"Hello?" I said as I answered the call.
"Hi, Mr. James. We're just calling to inform you about your daughter," the voice on the line said.
"Has her condition changed?" I asked, immediately feeling a shot of worry jolt through me since I’d just talked to one of the nurses on her floor less than 30 minutes prior.
"No, but the doctor came through just now to check her chart and has suggested a specialist from out of town. We’ve already called. She'll be coming to see your daughter later today, and we'd appreciate it if you were here to talk to her."
"I can be there. What kind of specialist and what is the doctor’s name?"
"Her name is Doctor Liza Alvarado."
The name hit me like a heavyweight boxer's uppercut, and I almost dropped the phone in shock and didn’t even hear what she specialized in.
"Dr.... Liza Alvarado?"
"Yes. She'll be here at two o'clock, so please ensure you're here by then."
"Uh... okay. Thanks."