Identity (5 page)

"So, you're all alone?"

"I have some cousins, but I haven't seen them in quite some time.  My father's drinking isolated us from the rest of the family."

"That's a sad story." Rodney reached over and placed his hand on hers.  Hailey blushed.   He thought, “Perfect.”

They continued their dinner engaging in small talk.  As they finished, Rodney asked, "I'd like to see you again.  Would you like that?"

"That would be wonderful."

On their way back, Rodney confirmed with Hailey that he would pick her up Friday night at 7:00 for dinner. 

They pulled up in front of Hailey's apartment door.  Rodney placed the vehicle in idle and got out.  He walked around the back of the vehicle. He opened the passenger door assisting her out.  He pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm looking forward to Friday."

"Me, too."

***

Friday couldn't come soon enough for Hailey.  She took off early from work to prepare for the dinner engagement. She took special care when she bathed with her various lotions.  She went to her closet and found the new black dress with the low neckline that she had saved for a special day.  Hailey wanted Rodney to be wowed by her appearance so he would see that she would be a perfect mate for a millionaire.

Rodney pulled in front of Hailey's apartment and called her to come down.  She didn't question his actions, but hurriedly went down to meet with him. He knew his identity had to be kept secret from the eyes of nearby residents.

They drove down the highway, this time heading south on 55.  Rodney had chosen another restaurant where he was familiar with but was unknown.  Hailey, again, pressed her body as closed to Rodney signaling she was ready for more intimate contact with him.  Rodney smiled at her.  He knew what his plans were, and they weren't going to be what she expected.  There was a light snow on the drive back to the city.  Instead of taking Hailey back her apartment after diner, Rodney pulled the SUV in front of his house.  He got out and then assisted Hailey out of the vehicle.  Once inside he brought Hailey to the library.

"I'll put on some music.  Would you like to dance?"  She didn't have to be asked twice as she stepped into his waiting arms.

As the music play, Hailey could feel his body press closer to him making his growing penis press against her.  She didn't back away, but snuggled closer to him.  He whispered into her ear, "Let's go upstairs." She didn't resist as he took her hand and led her upstairs to the master bedroom. Hailey looked around the contemplating the thought of being the next Mrs. Williams.

Once inside the bedroom, Rodney took off his suit jacket while Hailey started slipping out of her dress.  Rodney stood there for a moment as he admired her breast that had not been bound by a bra.  He grasped her waist with his hands pulling her close.  He bent his head down and began sucking on her right breast.  Hailey hips started gyrating back and forth to Rodney's body.  He stopped, picked her up and laid her on the bed.

Hailey slipped off her panties as Rodney stepped out of his shirt and pants.  He returned to a waiting Hailey.  Her red hair spread on the pillow giving an impression of a halo.  Smiling, Rodney straddled her body.  His 6' 2" body covered her body.

"Are you sure?" He asked Hailey.

"Oh, yes, yes," she breathed her answer. She knew what her plans were—make herself indispensable to Rodney.

Rodney returned to sucking on the right breast until the nipple hardened. Using his left hand he pulled and pinched the left nipple.  Hailey breathing deepened.  Slowly, Rodney's left hand moved down her body reaching her pubic area.  He inserted two fingers in her vagina moving them in and out.

"Want more?" His rasping voices asked.

Taking another breath, she replied, "Yes."

Rodney stopped for a moment and reached over to the nightstand were he had earlier placed a condom.  Hailey heard him open the package and said, "You don't have to."  He didn't reply but sipped the condom on his penis.  He returned to straddling Hailey simultaneously grasping her breasts and squeezing them, his nails digging into the flesh.  Hailey arched her back anticipating Rodney's entry.  There was no gentleness as he inserted his penis in her.  She gave a small gasp. He kept pumping, and Hailey matched his rhythm.  At last, Rodney released himself in the condom, collapsing on top of her.

"Was it good?"

Hailey smiled giving her approval.  Rodney got up and went to the bathroom.  She heard the toilet flush. 

When he returned, she said, "Next time, no condom."

Rodney knew that she had sufficient experience in the mating game.  Her intent was obvious.  If she got pregnant, he'd have to share his wealth. If she didn't get pregnant, she'd claim rape and sexual harassment. That wasn't going to happen.

"Why don't you turn over?  I'll give you a back rub."

"That would be wonderful."

This time Rodney straddled her body and began messaging her back.  After a short while she could feel his penis starting to grow again as it moved up and down on her body.

"Are you ready for more?"

She started to turn over to her back.  Rodney body weight held her in place.  She continued to try to turn over when she felt Rodney's hands parting her cheeks.  Suddenly, he rammed his swollen member in her ass.

"Stop!  You're hurting me."

He snickered saying, "You were the one that didn't want to use a condom."

He kept thrusting his penis In and out while she struggled to be free.

"You're an animal!" She shouted.

"Yea, and this is what animals do."  He laughed heartedly.

Hailey became weak as her heart exhausted itself from the fear she was experiencing.  She passed out. 

Rodney ejaculated and removed his limp penis from her.  Once the pain had stopped, Hailey woke up. Rodney turned her over.

"You're a Monster!"

"I'd thought you would like to know what it feels like to be Mrs. Williams."

"Let me up.  I want to go home."

"Sorry, no can do."  He quickly grabbed the spare pillow and covered her face.  With the little remaining strength Hailey could muster she twisted and turned trying to buck Rodney off her.  It didn't take long.  He dismounted her and strode to the window. He looked out into the darkness.  The clouds, as predicted were moving in.  His eyes scanned the woods behind the house.  'No, already got a body back there,' he thought.

Rodney thought...Details, Details.

He went to the bathroom and turned on the water in the tub. As the water filled to the tub, Rodney quickly dressed in a black sweater and black pants.   When the water was about four inches deep, he switched off the water and returned to the bed.  He picked up the lifeless body and placed her in the tub.  Details...details. The water would diminish any DNA.  While Hailey soaked in the tub, he returned to the bedroom to gather up her clothes. He went to the closet and pulled a plastic cleaning bag from his suit.  He wrapped her clothes in the bag.

He returned to Hailey.  He emptied the water in the tub.  He turned on the bathroom fan and heating lamp.  After fifteen minutes her body was dry.  Returning to the closet he chose another plastic cleaning bag and picked Hailey up and carried her down the stairs and out the door to the waiting SUV.  He returned quickly to the bedroom and grabbed the bag of clothing.  The weather was getting more ominous.

He started the vehicle and headed up the interstate.  As he drove, he had a short talk with Hailey.

"You know you shouldn't have called me names. Besides being good looking and charming, I'm wealthy man. People trust me."

He exited the interstate at the Junction 60 and headed west.  When he felt he was away from civilization, he stopped the SUV and dumped Hailey's naked body on the side of the road.  It rolled a short distance down the gully.  As if he had it in his power, the snow started in earnest.  On the way home, he made two stops.  He dumped one of plastic bags containing Hailey’s clothes in one dumpster and the remaining bag in a second dumpster further down the road. 

He returned home in the early hours of Saturday morning.  Before he cleaned the house of any evidence of Hailey, he went to bed.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

For several weeks, Carole and Jenny had been alternating their visits to Samantha.  Although Samantha couldn’t really contribute to their conversations, she knew their concern was from the heart and anticipated their visits.

Tom still hadn't any leads. He also hadn't visited Samantha. He used Jenny to update him on her recovery progress.  Everyday he made a point of reviewing statewide missing reports updated, even taking his personal time to go over the nationwide missing persons reports. It baffled him that no one had reported Samantha missing.  He couldn't understand how any one could be so anonymous. The holidays were drawing near; surely it would be a flag that a family member was missing.

Before Thanksgiving, Carole came to Samantha's room with another doctor.

"Good morning, Samantha," she said cheerfully.

"Hi." The softness of Samantha's voice still demonstrated the trauma she experience.

"Samantha I'd like to introduce you to Dr. Victoria Friedman.  Dr. Friedman is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who works with CWVVC."

Samantha acknowledges the introduction with a slight nod of the head. 

"Samantha, I have reviewed your MRI with my colleagues.  With Carole here, I'd like to go over our plan for your surgeries."

Samantha again acquiesced with a nod.

"It's not going to be easy. We have to repair the facial fractures, realigning the broken parts of the bone and attaching them to plates with fastening devices. The jawbone will be wired shut for a period of time.  You will be placed on a liquid diet. We'll address scar revision for the severe cuts you experience and realign your broken nose. We have to watch for infection. If no problems arise, you will be able to leave the hospital in about 4-6 weeks. However, it will be several months for a complete recovery. Are you okay with this?"

Samantha's eyes widened in the disbelief that all had needed to be done. One could sympathize with her in the realization that she had severely suffered at the hands of a monster.

"When is this going to be done?" She asked in an unsure voice.

"We'd like to start as soon as I can set it up.  I'll leave now to set up an operating room schedule." 

After Dr. Friedman left the room, Carole staying behind to further visit with Samantha.

"I know it seems like a lot.  You are not to worry about any expenses.  We have benefactors that contribute for the medical expenses of crime victims.  One of the things that I'm requesting is that you meet with Dr. Kalisch.  He's a psychiatrist who works with our victims. Is that okay?"

"I guess."

"Good, I'll get things started.  Is there anything I can get for you?"

"I know this sounds silly, but can something be done with my hair?  I know it's not very long, but..."

"How thoughtless of me.  I'll have my hairdresser stop by and work something out.  Anything else?"

"No. I can't think of anything.  There's not much you can do in a hospital gown."

"Well, when I come back, I'll have a robe for you.  That, in itself, should help you feel better."

"Thank you."

Samantha eyes started closing.  Carole silently left the room.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Samantha just finished her morning physical therapy and was sitting by the window.  Carole came in while slipping out of her wet winter coat. 

"You're lucky you don't have to go outside.  The snow is really making travel difficult."

"I wish I could go out.  It looks so pretty.  Everything is so clean and fresh." For Carole, this was the first time Samantha was showed signs of optimism.

"Let's get you in the wheel chair.  Dr. Kalish is here today, and he'd like to meet you."

As Carole pushed her through the corridors toward the elevator, visitors tried not to stare at Samantha.  They whispered to each other once Samantha passed by.  

In the elevator, Samantha looked up at Carole.

"Guess I'm still not presentable."

"Don't worry.  The redness and the swollenness will go away.  You're going to be a new woman."

"I hope so."

Carole wheeled her to the office door where Dr. Kalish sat behind the desk.  He stood up to greet them.

"Carole, so glad you could make it considering the weather."

"Well, I'm only here for Samantha's moral support.  Samantha Dr. Kalish. Dr. Kalish, Samantha."

"Samantha, I'm so glad to meet you. I reviewed your medical history.  You have come a long way to be here today.  You should be proud of yourself." 

He reached down to shake her hand.  Samantha was hesitant as she extended her hand.  She wasn't sure what a psychiatrist could do to help her, but she did trust Carole's judgment.

“Carole, could you excuse us, I'd like to meet with Samantha in private.  It won't be long.”

"Certainly."  Carole wheeled Samantha further in the room, locked the wheels and the excused herself closing the office door behind her.

"Samantha, let's go over the memory therapy plan."

"Are you going to hypnotize me?" She asked with a quivering voice.

"No.  Sigmund Freud used hypnosis to elicit memories of childhood trauma.  Today, we don't use that method unless it's deemed absolutely necessary. It's my opinion you are experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which is a psychological condition arising in response to traumatic events. We have to work together to alleviate your anger, fears and self-worth."

"How long do you think it will take?"

"Samantha, there is no magic bullet.  I will say that your amnesia will not last forever.  As you regain your memory, you will need assistance in dealing with the causes of your trauma and how confront the individual that caused this harm to you."

"Right now, I'd just like to kill the monster."

"I can understand your feelings.  But, you know that is not the logical solution.  From the information Carole has given me, I understand you have a Chicago detective who is working to find out who caused you harm."

"Evidently, there isn't much to find out."

"Let's not get disheartened.  I'm sure that as we work through your therapy, we'll be able identify the culprit.  I think that covers if for today.  Do you have any questions?"

"I guess not."

"Fine. Then, I'll see you next Monday."

He moved to the door and let Carole in.

On the way back to her room Carole asked, "So, how did you like Dr. Kalish?"

"He seems nice."

"Well, I'm sure things will get better for you."

When they reached her room, Tom was standing in the corridor.

"Tom. I’m glad you came."

Samantha sat quietly in her wheel chair.

"Hi ladies. How are you his cold winter day?"

Carole answered for both of them.  "We're fine. Let's get Samantha into her room."

In the room, Carole assisted Samantha out of the wheel chair to the chair by the window. "Samantha had her first visit with Dr. Kalish."

"How'd that go?"

Samantha did not answer, but turned her head to look out the window.

"Samantha, can't you say something to Tom?"

"I don't feel like talking."  Samantha thought, “Why don't they all leave me alone? I don't want to look at anyone.  I look hideous.”

Carole interrupted her thoughts, "Tom, Samantha had her surgery bandages removed yesterday and she's a little self-conscious. Her face is swollen right now."

"I understand.  Samantha, is it okay if I come back next week?"

"I guess so.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHICAGO NEWS                                                                 

February 20, 2013

WINTER HEATWAVE

Records soared from the low twenties to fifty-six degrees the past two days.  The frozen ground is unable to accommodate nearly twenty inches of winter snows causing flooding in low-lying areas.

Residents along the Des Plaines River are already preparing sandbags to protect their properties. 

WOMAN'S BODY FOUND

Vernon Hills—Sheriff's policed responded to a call that there was a woman's body along Route 60. The sheriff reported that the melting snow uncovered the body.  The body has been transported to the Kane County Morgue.  No further details are available as to the identity of the victim.

***

"Good morning Samantha."

"Morning, Dr. Kalish."

"I understand that you're going home tomorrow."

"Home?  Well, I'm going to live with Carole for a while, until my memory comes back. Then, I don't know where I'll go.  Certainly, my home wasn't a pleasant place since I ended up here."

"Sam, you have to think more positive. Your reconstructive surgery was very successful.  You are a new you.  Turn around and look at the mirror on the back wall.  Tell me what you see."

Sam turned around and stared into the mirror.

"Well?"

"When I look in the mirror, I see a stranger."

"This is what I see.  I see an attractive young woman who will find the answers to all her questions. It might take some time. She understands her weaknesses, but she recognizes her strengths; she's a survivor."

"You're seeing a lot more than I."

"Sam, you mustn't be impatient.  The old saying, 'time heals all wounds.'" Kalish paused.

"Although you're leaving, I do recommend that we continue our discussion.  Are you okay with that?"

"I guess so."

"Good, I'll get back to you through Carole. In the next few weeks, I'll have an opening for a Saturday morning appointment.  Till then, take care Sam and remember we all want you to recover and get back to your life."

Sam smiled weakly and said good-by.

***

The van pulled up in front of a two flat on the Northwest side of Chicago.  Carole assisted Sam out of the passenger side. With the warmer temperature, the jogging suit Carole provided was sufficient warmth for the short walk to the door.  Once inside Carol welcomed her.

"Well, this is it.  Are you tired?"

"A little."

"Make yourself comfortable.  I'll get something together for lunch and some hot tea."

Sam moved over to the armchair and sat down.  She looked around the room and could see a collection of photographs with smiling people.  She thought how lucky Carole was.

The next day, Carole woke up Sam to let her know that she had to go to her office.  She told her there was some more of her smaller clothes laid out in the living room and there was plenty of food in the frig.  "Mi casa is su casa,” she said as she left the house.

Sam sat at the dining room table sipping tea as she paged through one of the magazines Carole had piled up on a side chair.  As she sat there paging through GLMOUR, she heard scuffling at the front door.  She got up and went to the front window where she pulled back the curtain.  Outside, Jenny was piling up shopping bags on the front stoop. She smiled when she saw Sam peeking out the front window.  When she finished she gave Sam the thumbs up. Sam let her and the bounty in the front door.

"Get ready Sam.  No more borrowed jogging suits!"

"But."

"No, it's time for you to get back in the world.  She stated pulling items out of the bags."

The sight of all the new clothes was overwhelming to Sam.

"I can't accept these.  I can't pay for them."

"I know, but I have decided to adopt you." Jenny smiled. 

After finishing the selection of clothes that best suited her, the two sat down for a light lunch.

"We're not though yet." Jenny continued.  I have my stylist and manicurist coming over this afternoon."

"This must be costing you a fortune."

"Sam, sit down.  Let's have another cup of tea. I'd like to tell you story.

"My father inherited the money from his father who earned it buying farm land in the western suburbs. Then the land was still cheap.  With the western expansion of Chicago, he was able to quadruple his investment.  My father, who was lawyer, decided to go into politics.  While we were growing up, my parents spent more time away from us, relying on housekeepers and nannies to raise us.  That's one of the reasons why Tom doesn't touch the money.  He wanted their love, not their money.

“My parents left each of us a considerable amount of money in a trust fund. I married my husband, Robert, who is a senior partner in his family's law firm and will just give my share to my children when the time comes. Tom hasn't married.  He was engaged, but he found out that the woman really wanted his money.  He got out of that one by the skin of his teeth. He doesn't want anything to do with the money. Ginny, what can I say.  You know she's missing.  In my heart I believe she's alive. Tom's continues to search for her."

Shortly after five, Carole came home carrying take out.

"Jen, I'm glad your here.  Chinese...there is always so much."

Her eyes turned toward Sam.

"Wow!" She gasped.

Sam was wearing a pair of jeans with a pink cashmere sweater.  Her short hair had been dyed black making her green eyes seem larger.  Blush and mascara finished her transformation.

During the evening, Carole and Sam discussed the plans for tomorrow including going to temporary agency to find her work.