Robin Alexander: Murky Waters

Claire wondered.

Sitting on the corner of the table was one of Tristan’s purses. It struck Claire as odd that Tristan would leave a purse in this room.

She picked it up and noticed something strange on the strap. Close inspection revealed something that nearly made Claire’s heart stop. A small digital camera no bigger than a pager was clipped to the strap.

Claire’s heart pounded when she remembered that the purse she held in her hands was the one Tristan carried on their first date to the Mexican restaurant. She dug frantically through the contents on the table. Her hands shook when she found a clear plastic storage box. When she opened the lid, tears of anguish slipped down her cheeks. There inside were the same pictures she had been receiving over the past year. Now, she knew for sure why Tristan kept this room locked.

She nearly fainted when she rounded the corner and came face-to-face with Tristan. The look on Tristan’s face confirmed her worst fears. Claire backed up a step from her stalker

“Claire? What were you doing in that room?”

“All this time, I’ve been living a nightmare, and it was you.”

Claire’s voice was barely a whisper. She watched myriad expressions cross Tristan’s face as she stood in front of her.

“You know what’s really sad? I pushed so hard to make you believe it was Mike that I started to believe it myself.” Tristan could not make herself look Claire in the eyes. “You’re afraid of me. I can feel it.”

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Murky Waters

Fear turned to anger for Claire. She lunged at Tristan, beating her in the chest, sending her backwards down the hallway and into the living room. Claire was hysterically screaming as she backed Tristan nearly into the sunroom.

“Make me understand, Tristan! Make me understand how you could do something like this to someone you profess to love! How the hell could you do this to me?”

Tristan’s voice was low and calm. “Claire, calm down, and just hear me out.”

Anger surged through Claire’s veins, and she shoved Tristan hard into the door facing off the sunroom. Tristan reacted out of shock and pain. She slapped Claire hard enough across the face that the impact of the hit slung Claire’s face to the side. When Claire faced her again, Tristan could see a thin trickle of blood coming from her lip.

Tristan brought shaking hands to her face. “Oh, my God, Claire!

I’m so sorry.” Tristan took a step back in horror. She sat down on one of the wicker chairs in the sunroom and buried her face in her hands.

Claire stood in the doorway, her facial features obscured by her hair clinging to the blood and tears on her face. “Why, Tristan?

Tell me why,” she demanded as she ripped the lobster necklace from around her neck. Tears spilled down Tristan’s cheeks in earnest as she watched the necklace drop to the floor.

“A year ago, Valor sent me to Houston to assist in the renegotiation of our travel contract. Since I would be working so closely with the travel department, I accompanied Ellen to the meetings with Suarez. It was obvious to me when you got here that you didn’t remember me, but I remembered you.

“During our stay at the Suarez home office, I noticed you. From the minute I laid eyes on you, I was consumed. I was too afraid to approach you, so I took every chance I could to just catch a glimpse. When I returned home, I couldn’t get you off my mind.

The following weekend, I returned to Houston. I sat outside your office until you left for the day, and I followed you home.

“I would drive to Houston on my weekends and take pictures. I could look at them when I got home, and I didn’t feel so separated from you. I honestly thought the pictures would be the only things 180

Robin Alexander

I would ever have of you. I never dreamed that someone so beautiful would want to be involved with someone like me.”

Claire was spellbound as Tristan made her confession. It was like a bad dream that she was sure she would wake up from at any moment. She was so overwhelmed that she was afraid she would become sick or pass out.

Tristan continued; her voice was monotone. “I know it seems strange, but I started to send the pictures to you because it made me feel as though I had a connection to you in some way.

“I was so happy when I learned that you lived alone. I felt a glimmer of hope. Then, I saw you go out with that girl and kiss her good night. I was so heartbroken, so jealous. That’s why I sent you the note. I was hoping you wouldn’t see her again.

“During the negotiations at Suarez, I developed a rapport with your superiors. All it took was one call, and they honored my request to have you come to Valor. I tried to force Rhonda out to make a spot for you. As it happened, things worked out perfectly with her getting pregnant.

“We got off to such a rocky start. I felt like I had alienated you, so I continued to take your picture. In some strange way, I felt it bound us together. After our first date went so well, I stopped. I was so afraid you would find out somehow, so I tried to divert suspicion to the travel agents. When Mike started his shit, it all fell into place. I swore to myself I would never do that to you again, but when Mike continued to pursue you, I felt threatened, so I sent you the pictures of us.

“I think the reason I kept all that equipment and the pictures is that subconsciously I wanted you to find them. I wanted to be caught. I wanted an excuse to come clean with you. I was just too afraid to admit what I had done.”

Tristan stood up and walked slowly toward Claire. “I know you’re upset with me, but please believe I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

She reached out to Claire, hoping she would accept her apology.

Something in Claire snapped. Fear and anger boiled up within her.

In a rage, she slammed her hands into Tristan’s chest. The unexpected blow sent Tristan tumbling backwards into the French doors that gave way in a shower of glass.

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Murky Waters

Claire felt numb from head to toe. She walked to the doorway and looked at Tristan’s unconscious form sprawled out across the deck. Tristan’s breath rose up in little puffs of steam above her in the cold air, confirming that she was still alive. Her arm lay at an odd angle; Claire knew it was broken.

Claire stood over Tristan for what seemed like an eternity.

Thoughts ran through her mind like a tape recorder, replaying the conversations from the past year. She remembered what Cam and Lucy had told her about Tristan’s childhood. She remembered the conversation with the silver-headed woman in the kitchen one morning. Sometimes, God puts you in the path of just one person,and you and that person are changed forever .

Claire looked at the woman lying before her and made the decision that would forever change her life. She picked up the phone and dialed 911. Then, she went through the house and made a few adjustments. She went back to sit at Tristan’s side and waited.

As Tristan awoke, she felt a dull aching pain in her head. She felt nauseated when she tried to turn toward the sounds in the room.

Her right arm felt heavy, and it ached even more so than her head.

As her vision came into focus, she noticed Claire standing next to the bed, then realized she was in a hospital room.

Claire looked down at her and spoke quickly. “When they realize you’re awake, the police will want to question you, so listen very carefully to me, Tristan. If you do not agree to what I have to say, I will tell them the truth, and you will go to jail. Are you with me so far?”

Tristan tried to nod her head, but a sharp pain prevented her from doing so. She tried to speak, but her throat was too dry to utter a word. Claire gave her a sip of water.