The Neighbor

Videotapes

Ben seethed with anger as he watched the footage in front of him. He didn't know how many tapes he's watched so far, but it seemed endless. Some of these dated back to three months ago, which disturbed Ben very much because that means Chuck's been watching them both for that long. He's been living in Cassie's attic for that amount of time. 

He's been videotaping her getting undressed, her and Ben having sex, for three months. That final tape was of them making out in the attic just twenty-four hours ago. They weren't sure how Chuck knew Cassie was going to be up there, but they predicted it was because he was watching her search for something and got a hint the first time they met that she would continue looking. All for that damned scrapbook. 

When one of the detectives (oddly enough, Detective Foster and Detective Wilson from James' case), turned to Ben, they asked, "Can you verbally confirm that this is you and Ms. Hansen?" Ben let out a shakey breath and said, "Yes." Both Foster and Wilson weren't the hardasses that had come to the door that morning, but they were more sympathetic this time. 

"Mr. Carlton," Foster started, "we predict that Mr. O'Connell had stalked you and your wife to learn about you, strike your weaknesses. We don't think he was expecting you home so early, either." That sent an uneasy wave through Ben. They were saying that she would have died if he hadn't been there with her. "We also think," he continued, "that he has a massive grudge on you from when you were kids. But from what I've pulled from his records, it says he went after your parents while you were away at Summer camp? Do you any idea of why he'd come back for you twenty years later?"

Yes, Ben thought. "No," he told them. "Maybe...finish me off? End my blood line? I don't know." Foster and Wilson were jotting down notes when he blurted out, "Can I go now? I imagine Cassie will be waking up soon and I want to be there." Not to mention, he wanted as far away from those tapes as possible. 

Foster looked over some papers, before saying, "Of course. We'll be in touch." Ben curtly nodded, before springing up and quickly leaving the room. He made his way down the white halls and to the room he was informed Cassie was in. 

When he entered, there were several people surrounding her. He couldn't see her yet because there were so many damn people! "What are you all doing in here?" He harshly asked. "Family only!" Sarah came out from the crowd and said, "They are her family." Ben rolled his eyes and angrily told her, "They're work collegues, not family! Everyone get out...now!" 

Everyone looked a bit freaked out, but they left with grumbling and glares to Ben. Did they really think he'd give a shit? 

When the last person left, all who was in the room was Brian, Patricia, Michael, Marshall, and Sarah. Ben made his way to Cassie and sat on the bed, holding her hand. She was attached to all sorts of tubes and machines, but he tried not to focus on that. He tried to focus on how he was going to tell her about the baby. She's going to be devistated. 

A few moments later, and to Ben's annoyance, there was a knock on the door. Brian opened it to Detective Wilson. Ben looked curiously at the man, and then saw the handcuffs he was holding along with a file. That can't be the file, could it? His breathing became a bit heavy and he squeezed on to Cassie's hand a bit tighter. 

"Mr. Carlton, may I see you for a moment? I apologize, I know we just ended our conversation, but...we found something." Ben let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes. This was it. He's been made. He'll be in jail by morning and they probably have all the evidence to convict him for life. 

With tears in his eyes, he left a lingering kiss on Cassie's cold lips, and then got up and took Michael from Patricia. He kissed his son's cheeks and head, whispering how much he loves him and how sorry he is. Once he handed Michael back, he walked to Foster and went out into the hall with him. 

"Mr. Carlton," Foster started, "what's in this file, has all the answers we need. Unfortunately, we need to make a very serious arrest out of it." Ben looked down at the file and sighed. He needn't ask what was in it because he already knew. He already knew it was the end. 

Foster cleared his throat and opened the file. He looked to Ben and told him, "Sarah Hansen hired Mr. O'Connell to spy on you."