Jackie's Week Read Free

attacked me six months ago found me
this morning. I am here because my sister said you could help me.
Not just with my emotions, but also help me with safety issues. She
said you had a group or something. That you teach women how to
fight back"
    "You said the man found you," Black replied.
"You saw him?"
    "No. He left me a message. When I opened my
door this morning, there was an envelope on the doormat with my
charm bracelet in it. The one I was wearing the night I was
attacked. When I saw that bracelet, I guess I kind of fell
completely apart."
    Black leaned forward, the gesture pregnant
with concern. "The random attack you experienced six months ago has
gone to a whole new level. You're worst fears have been realized.
You're being stalked," she said.
    "Yes."
    "By the same man who attacked you."
    Jackie nodded.
    "Did you notify the police?"
    "Oh yes. In fact, the cop who has been
handling my case is sort a friend of mine. He came and stayed with
me this morning until my sister could bring me here. But there is
nothing he can do. Not really. You know how the police are."
    "Your sister was right to bring you here,"
Black said. "I do assist with safety issues as well as emotional
healing. Right now, we have to arrange for your safety. You
shouldn't be alone."
    "I do have my sister with me," Jackie
said.
    "You need more than that. In fact, you need
protection." Black got up and walked over to her desk and
speed-dialed someone on her Blackberry.
    Good Lord, thought Jackie. What is this? She
could hear Black speaking softly to someone, just a few words,
before ending the call. Black came over and sat back down in the
opposite chair. "A few years ago," Black said, "I started a group
for ladies just like yourself. It became to me apparent that women
facing the threat of a stalker need more than therapy. They also
need personal protection."
    "You mean like a bodyguard?"
    "For the moment," Black said, "yes. Until we
can get a better handle on things."
    They sat in silence for a minute or two.
    Black checked a fresh text message on her
Blackberry. "There's someone outside I want you to meet," she said.
"With your permission, of course."
    "Who is it?" Jackie asked. This was all
getting a little too crazy, and she was starting to feel way out of
control.
    "My brother, Bobby," Black said. "He and I
work together, in a manner of speaking. The group pays for his
services. I want to bring him in on this. That is, if you are okay
with it. It is up to you."
    Jackie nodded, her tongue for the moment
being stuck to the roof of her mouth.
    Black opened a private door at one end of the
room, and in walked a tall, slender man, obviously Dr. Black's
brother, but perhaps older, his long black hair in a braid down his
back. Despite the summer heat, he wore a loose fitting, dark
windbreaker. Jackie remained in her chair, not sure what the
protocol was. There was no handshake, and he kept a respectful
distance. Dr. Black stood between them. "Jackie, this is my brother
Bobby. What we are going to do is just have Bobby keep an eye on
you for a few days until we can sort this thing out further."
    "I don't know about this," Jackie said.
    "You have a stalker," Bobby said simply.
    "Yes. But I am going to my sister's house.
She has a gun in her purse."
    Bobby looked into her eyes. She could read
nothing in his face, but the man's eyes had an aura of absolute
confidence. He was probably in his mid-40's but his eyes were a
thousand years old. "You'll never even know I'm around," Bobby
said. "You just go about your business and don't worry about a
thing."
    Jackie began to cry, leaning forward and
covering her face with her hands. The sobs became great heaves. Oh
great, she thought. A great time to prove to everybody what a
basket case I am. When she looked up, Dr. Black handed her a
tissue. Bobby was gone. She never heard him leave.
    "That's enough for today," Black said.
"Tomorrow, same time. Call me sooner if you need to."
    "Should I stay at my sister's house