The Evil Inside

13. The Blonde Bombshell

     John's relationship with Felicia seemed to blossom faster than anyone could have anticipated. Rather than try to get John to remember his past, Felicia preferred to create new memories with John and look forward to happy days ahead. It was an attitude that John appreciated and one that he also adopted. Rather than trying to look back, look towards the future which looked rather bright. It wasn't six months later that John moved into Felicia's condo and shacked up. While Wilson and the FBI were a little concerned about the development, Max did his best to keep them all at bay. Felicia didn't actually match the preferences that Reaper used to look for in his victims, so that was cause for the feds to believe that John was still moving forward without his memories and that nothing was coming back to him. Max also alleviated fears by setting up double dates with John and Felicia. Max's wife loved the idea as she was desperate to have more friends, and she got along with Felicia quite well. Pretty soon the women were planning all their social meetings, which was Max's plan from the beginning. Once they women kicked their social calendar into cruise control, the less suspicious it looked for Max to keep his eye on John. Wilson himself was very impressed with that angle but still cautioned the lawyer and his wife to be careful. Things were never perfect between the couples, and there were times that Max even acted weird which was only noticed by his wife. There was one day when she did something unexpected for a double date, but Max's reaction what anything but normal. When Max walked into the kitchen when returning from work, he was so stunned by what he saw that he jumped as if he had seen a ghost.

     "Jesus Christ!" Max screamed, also dropping everything he was carrying at the same time.

     "What?" Janet said, with a face that showed genuine disappointment, "All I did was color my hair. I know you're surprised but do you have to act like that?"

     Max took a deep breath and attempted to compose himself. What Janet had done was completely out of left field for her. Not only had his wife dyed her hair at the saloon that day, but it was also a bright and very intense blonde. She looked stunning in it, almost like a young Marilyn Munroe. Max checked his watch and then back up at Janet.

     "We're supposed to meet John and Felicia for dinner," Max informed her.

     "I know that," Janet confirmed, "That's why I did my hair!"

     "This is a disaster," Max said pulling out his cell phone. "I'll call John and cancel, tell him that I'm being held up at work."

     "Excuse me?" Janet said, as she became hostile, "Did you say we're going to cancel?"

     Max turned off his phone and looked back at her. "I'm sorry, but unless you plan to change your hair back, we can't go."

     "So, now you're telling me what to do?" Janet asked, as it was clear to hear that someone might be sleeping in the guest room or on the couch tonight.

     "I asked you not to do this last year," Max reminded her, "I told you not to change your hair unless passing it by me first."

     "I remember you telling me," Janet replied, "But I also remember thinking what a sexist, controlling, chauvinistic asshole you were for even making the suggestion."

     "I had a reason for saying that!" Max snapped back at her, raising his tone to her. "That was for your safety!"

     "Excuse me?" Janet said again, "What the hell are you babbling on about here, Max?"

     "I can't tell you," Max said, remembering his oath. "That case is sealed, and I'm not allowed to discuss it with anyone."

     "Oh, that's rich," Janet said as she didn't seem impressed. "I am leaving to meet with John and Felicia for Sushi tonight. You can come with me or stay home; your choice councilor."