PRECARIOUS by Robert F. Clifton (knowledgeable books to read txt) 📕

“Then what the hell am I paying you for? I told you I wanted her watched, watched for her own protection. Not only is she not protected, but you don’t even know what she’s up to or doing.”

“Hey, Mr. Sayer. Calm down. It’s not me. It’s the security company that’s supposed to be watching her. They haven’t told me anything about her not being at the diner, “ said Hogan.

“Is that right? Well you unload the incompetent bastards and find someone who knows what the hell they’re doing. Understand?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good. I want to know where she is and how she is. Call me as soon as you hear something.”

“Yes sir, I sure will.”

Three days later James Hogan called. “Mr. Sayer, Janet Campbell quit her job, gave up apartment and left New Jersey.”

“What? When? Where did she go?”

“ To answer when, it was approximately a month ago. Where? I appears that she was heading for Florida.”

“Florida? Alright, find her. I want to know where she is, understand?”

“Of course.”

**********************

A week later Robert Sayer sat once again in the quiet, office of Doctor Mano. “So, you have reconsidered and wish to resume therapy I take it,” said the psychiatrist.

Not really. I came here today to ask you some questions. I need to know about the mental condition of a dear friend of mine.”

“I see, and I assume the friend will remain anonymous.”

“Of course.”

“Alright, let me hear it.”

“A woman who I was friends with several years ago changed from a well educated, dedicated wife and mother into a promiscuous female who has had several sexual partners. At the same time her personality has changed. She no longer seems to recognize anyone from her past.”

“ When you say anyone, you mean you of course.”

“Yes, can you tell me what’s wrong with her mentally?”

“Well, what we do know today is that these type of females let’s refer to them as patients, have one thing in common, they use sex as a means to escape anxieties. They use it like a drug to allay their economic insecurity, to lull the fear that they are unwanted, despised and unlovable to hop them up to the point where they can trap and dominate men.”

“I see, but what causes it to happen?”, asked Robert.

“Off hand, I’d say your friend was in a bad marriage. Did she have children?”

“Yes, three boys.”

“Well, it’s possible that the love she wanted from her husband was instead given to the children. Men usually accept this in women relating it to the motherly instinct. Every once in a while it appears in women resenting the husbands attention to the offspring and not to her.”

“What about the fact of not remembering people?”

“All of the symptoms that you have told me can be labeled under the term, schizophrenia. For me to tell you what else is involved I’d have to see her professionally.”

“I understand. I assume your bill will be the same.”

“Oh yes. Incidentally, I suggest that you return and continue our sessions,” said Doctor Mano.

“When I have time Doctor. When I have time.”

****************

Six months went quickly by and in that time Hogan was unable to ascertain a definite address for Janet Campbell living in Florida. Then, he was able to gain information by reading the obituaries. Leroy Campbell, her older brother age sixty seven died. The obituary listed his relatives, one was Janet Campbell of Saint Petersburg, Florida. Then, with information from a friend of his in the telephone company he was able to get not only her telephone number, but her address as well. He quickly notified Robert.

After listening carefully Robert said, “ Alright, I want the same arrangement. I want to make sure that she is alright, if she needs anything and that’s she safe. Is she living alone.” he asked.

“Right now I don’t know. What I do know is that she’s living in a small condo. Actually the place was an apartment building on Thirty Fourth Street. The owners refurbished, then called the units condominiums. She paid thirty thousand dollars for the place.”

“Thirty thousand? Where did she get the money?”

“Who knows. It could be part of an alimony and divorce settlement.”

“OK. I want to know if she’s living with someone. If it’s a man I want to know who he is.”

“No problem.”

“Good by.”

Robert Sayer sat at his desk thinking. “I want to see her. I want to know where she is, where she’s living. I need to know that she is alright and not in any danger. For that matter I have to know that she is not dangerous to anyone else. Time to go. Time to fly down there and see for myself. At the same time I’ll take Hogan with me. I want to see first hand the security set up I’ll be paying for. The last bunch didn’t even know that she had moved and left the state. I’ll have Ann call and make the arrangements. Two first class seats from Philadelphia to Tampa.”

When he arrived home he saw Barbara sitting in the living room. His daughter, Henrietta was also there. Both appeared to be melancholy. “What’s wrong?”, he asked.

Barbara just turned her head and looked at him,but said nothing. Henrietta said, “Mother has just come from the doctor.

According to him she has a bad heart. It’s weak, she will need a pacemaker.”

“When?”, Robert asked.

“As soon as possible. Tomorrow,” said Henrietta.

“Alright, then tomorrow it is. What else did he say?”

“He said she has to take it easy and not exert herself in any way.”

“OK. That means no more tennis and you should cut back on these charities that you go around chairing. I’ve seen you fret over table settings, flower arrangements and how much money was raised for charity. According to you it is never enough. All of that, dear wife places stress on you, whether you believe it or not.”

The next day Robert and Henrietta waited at the hospital as Barbara Sayer underwent the procedure of installing a pacemaker. The doctor suggested that Barbara stay in the hospital for twenty four hours to insure that she was alright and that the pacemaker was working properly.

On the drive home, Robert looked over at his daughter. For the first time he realized how much she and her brother meant to him. His son, John had become an architect, had his own business and was doing well. Henrietta, like her mother got a degree from Temple, then married well. Her husband Tom Bennett was away with the Pennsylvania, National Guard.

Robert then realized just how much Barbara meant to him.

He loved her. True, the heat of passion was never there with her.

He found passion with other women and when he did it would result in one kind of problem or another. Problems that he and he alone caused and brought into their lives. It didn’t completely destroy their marriage, but it certainly damaged it. Still, Barbara who had every right to leave and divorce him stayed with him. For the first time in his now fifty four years of life realized what love and loyalty was. Now, she was ill. He didn’t want to lose her. Not now. Not ever. At the same time he still found himself committed to helping Janet. She had been his first love. He had not only loved her, but had been obsessed with her. Although over time and circumstances his love for her had cooled he knew that she was troubled. In all probability mental illness had changed her life. She needed help. As far as he knew there was no one else available to look after her. He could afford to do it and would. He sent for Hogan.

James Hogan listened intently to what Robert Sayer had to say. “I want you to fly down to Florida. When you land in Tampa rent a car, drive into Saint Petersburg and photograph the building she’s living in on Thirty fourth Street. If possible get a picture of her. I want to be able to see how she looks. Next, I want you to meet with Bryon Smothers. He is my legal representative if Florida. Originally, I wanted the same arrangement I had in New Jersey, in that I’d be the advocate or guardian of Janet should it need be. However, Florida law is different. In short, Florida requires that one must take a training course before becoming an advocate or guardian. Naturally, I can’t or won’t do that. Therefore, I want you along with Smothers to interview and select someone, a woman or women naturally, that can and will fill that position. Smothers is aware of my desires in this matter and he also knows the financial arrangement. On your way out stop and talk to Ann. She’ll make all the arrangements for your airfare, car rental, lodging meals and anything else you’ll need. If you run into any problems down there and I mean real problems call me either here at the office or at my home number.”

When he arrived home late in the day he went to Barbara who stood looking out of the condo window. “How do you feel?”, he asked.

“A bit tired”, she answered.

“Then rest. What did you do today?”

“Not too much. I did a little dusting.”

“Then, why do I pay for a cleaning service?”

“I have to do something Robert. I can’t just sit all day.”

“ I want you to take it easy. I don’t want to lose you. In case you don’t know it. I love you,” he said taking her in his arms.

A week later Robert opened a small, manila envelope. From it he removed three color photographs. The first was of a white, stucco two story building with the numbers 2121. He turned it over and read what Hogan had written on the back. “ Condo Units.” The next two photo’s were of Janet. He studied them closely, even using a magnifying glass in order to get a better look at her face. She looked the same. For some reason, to him she wasn’t aging. “Maybe, it’s possible that I don’t want her to age, to change. Maybe I want to remember how she was back then, back when we first met, back when I thought that she loved me,”

he thought to himself. He stacked the photographs then slid them back into the envelope. After that he opened the middle drawer of his desk and placed them inside.

Ten days later James Hogan met Robert for lunch. As they sat waiting for their meal to be brought to them, Hogan said,

“It’s my understanding that Mr. Smothers has been in touch with you.”

“He has,” Robert replied.

“Then you know that the Florida advocate is in place.”

“Yes. What I want to know now is did you check into her background?”

“Certainly. Her name is Mildred Parsons. She’s a Registered Nurse and coincidentally has experience as a psychiatric nurse. At the same time two, women from the security firm I hired on your behalf will keep an eye on Janet. Their orders are to notify the nurse if they see or suspect any abnormal behavior. In essence, if you want my opinion your friend is being well looked after.”

“Good. Did you bring your bill?”

“Yes sir,” said Hogan as he removed a white envelope from his inside coat pocket.

Robert took the envelope, removed the bill, read it, then took out his checkbook, wrote the amount and signed it.

As the months went by the reports that came to him from Florida were positive. There were no signs of stress. Janet continued to live alone and when men showed up at her condo they didn’t stay long. The women assigned to Janet reported that they followed her to a pharmacy. It was found, when she threw away an empty container that she is taking Molindone.

Robert looked up the medication the Physicians Desk Reference and found, “ Molindone is used to treat certain mental or mood disorders, such as schizophrenia. This medicine helps one to think clearly, feel less apprehensive and able to take part in everyday