Smoke & Mirrors

Chapter 10: Seeds of Doubt

He looked down at her with admiration and disgust. The patience he had learned over the last month was impeccable. He held his urges in check as her scent hung in the air. Every bone in his body ached to crush her windpipe, his hands twitched in anticipation. He reminded himself not yet. He imagined his hands around her neck, and his began to race. He didn't stop the fantasy as it ran wild through his mind. Her scent would trail behind her as she ran from him, her long hair trailing behind her would make it too easy to grab her and throw her to the ground. He would let her get away over and over, giving her hope and taking it away. He wondered if she would scream for him before he wrapped his strong hands around her neck. He looked at her pale face and wondered what her last words would be, would her cheeks flush pink while she begged, would she offer herself to him in a pathetic attempt to save her life. Of course, that would not work, by then she would know too much, she would have to die.

"Excuse me sir." The voice came as a shock to him as he was pulled from his fantasy. He hadn't realized how close he had gotten to her. "She won't wake up for a while. She was given a heavy sedative to calm her down in the ambulance. Did you want us to contact you when she wakes up?"

He looked at the nurse and smiled, "No thank you, I'll drop by later." The petite nurse smiled back, and a flush of pink spread across her cheeks. "Maybe I'll see you later." He winked at her, and her face turned from pink to red as he led her out of the room. He turned back one last time to take in Allison's scent. Lavender and vanilla.

***

Allison woke to a strange man sitting in the chair beside her bed. He was tall, well kept, every dark hair held in place, his attention was focused on the notebook he held in his hands. Great FBI she thought. Before she had a chance to take in her surroundings the man began to speak.

"Great you're up! I am Detective Martin, how are you feeling, Allison is it? Or do you prefer Ally?" His tone came off as friendly, but there was something off about the casual tone he had opted to use in the situation.

"You can call me Allison." she smiled politely "I am feeling fine, this is all too much really. I was awake before we even left the office, before that paramedic put me to sleep." she said with less politeness. "Where is Elliot?"

"Elliot, yes, how well do you know Elliot?" he asked.

"I would say we know each other pretty well; we have worked together for a couple years, and we have recently begun dating." Allson explained.

"How recently?" Detective Martin looked at her and cocked his eyebrow.

"Just over a month." She smiled and thought back to this morning, the picture hung above Elliot's bed, his warm hands wrapped around his waist. She should have listened and stayed home today; she would tell him that when she saw him next. Detective Martin noticed the smile that had crept on to Allison's face as the memory filled her with warmth.

"Do you trust him?"

"Yes, I do. Detective Martin, what are these questions about? Shouldn't you be trying to figure out who sent those pictures, not trying to figure out if I trust my boyfriend." She shot back in frustration.

"Oh, I assure you miss Ally, that is what I am trying to do." His tone was condescending, Allison hated the way he called her Ally, and it was not lost on Detective Martin.

"Well, Detective Martin, as I have previously stated I trust Elliot, and I have told you already you can call me Allison." Her tone was pleasant but stern as she corrected him.

"You are aware of his past?" Detective Martin poked.

"You mean the fact that his family died in a fire?" Detective Martin nodded. "Yes, I am aware and how dare you even think about using that to tie him to what is going on here?" Allison's words flew out like venom. She hated this detective for what he was insinuating. "Can I go now? You are clearly not here to help figure out who the hell took pictures of me or killed those girls!" She spit the words out before she could stop herself.

"You are not required to answer any questions, but you do have to stay her until the doctors say you can go home." His tone was a matter of fact.

"Of course." She glared at the detective and pushed the button to call the nurse. "You can leave now Detective Martin." and she motioned toward the door as the nurse entered.

"Alright Miss Dalphine, I'll go. But remember no one is secret less, Allison." He nodded his head and disappeared through the door.

***

It was 8 pm when Allison walked out of the hospital and into the cool night. A fog had settled low on the street as a taxi pulled up and she stepped in. She thought about going home to her mother's but ultimately decided against it. She would feel better at Elliot's, safer. Next to Elliot in the condominium that dawned the entire right side of the top floor, felt like the safest place in the world right now. The driver was quiet, and Allison didn't mind she was not in the mood for small talk as they drove and pulled up outside of the tallest building in this small town. Allison paid the driver and stepped back out into the chilly air.

The buzzer rang twice before Elliot answered, "Hello?" His voice was soft and tired.

"Hey babe, it's me." Allison said, a smile made its way across her face.

"Allison, come up!" His voice was louder and light.

BUZZZZZ!

Allison opened the door and walked down the hallway and into the elevator. She pushed the button to the top floor and waited. The floors beeped over and over until the elevator opened on the top floor. Elliot stood there in front of the elevator wearing the same clothes he had on this morning, his face was tired but beautiful. Before Allison could say anything, she stepped into his open arms. They stood like this for a moment before anyone spoke.

"I love you."