"Ah yes, well I didn't think she would be. She's such a nice girl. You should really try to get to know her a little better," she said with a suggestive smile and a twinkle in her eye.
I had to try to keep a straight face. "Oh uh, I couldn't agree with you more, Mrs. Dobbins."
"You really should. You never know – good things might happen!"
I chuckled. "Oh they might, they sure might. Look, sorry, I just need to ask when exactly it was that you saw this guy hanging around."
"Oh yes, well, he's been around here three times actually. Twice on Friday, and once yesterday."
"And what was he doing?"
"First he drove up and down the street a few times in his car. Real nice car – black, Mercedes, I think. On two occasions he simply parked the car a little up the street and sat watching Vivienne's house, he was there for at least two hours one time, and an hour and a half the other time. The other time he was actually out of the car, and he walked all around her house, having a very good look at it. I called the police department, but they told me if he didn't do anything, he was probably just a friend. What do you think he wants with her? Oh my, do you think that disgusting pervert wants to prey on the poor little children in her daycare?"
"Hopefully he's not thinking of anything that depraved. I don't know what he wants with Vivienne, but I intend to find out. I'll let her know that he's been looking at her place."
"You'd better. I do hope she's safe. I worry about her, you know, a single woman in that house all by herself without a good man to take care of her. You really should go and spend some time with her, I think..."
"I, uh, I'll make an effort to do that. Well, listen, Mrs. Dobbins, it's been great talking with you. I'll chat with you again soon. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday."
"Oh, I will, Mr. James. It was very nice chatting with you. I do hope that we can visit longer next time. Perhaps you'd like to come over for some tea and cake? And bring your lovely little girl; I do enjoy having children around the house every now and then. Reminds me of my own grandchildren, who unfortunately live out east."
"I'll bring her around sometime. Have a good day, Mrs. Dobbins."
"You too, Mr. James."
She closed her door, and I hurried back across the street to my place. I was greeted by the enticing aroma of freshly cooked omelets, but as hungry as I was, I needed to tell Vivienne the news first.
"Omelets are ready, and I hope you're hungry," she said, flashing me one of her gorgeous smiles as I walked in. It was a sight a guy could get used to.
"Great. But before we eat, I have to tell you what happened with Mrs. Dobbins."
"Go ahead then. What did she end up telling you?"
I had taken a deep breath before I spoke, gathering my thoughts. I knew Vivienne wasn't going to like what I was about to say, but it had to be said nonetheless.
"She recognized him alright."
"She did?" Worry laced her words.
"Apparently, he's been staking out your house – three times in the last two days."
The expression on her face instantly changed; the smile she had been wearing before was replaced instead by a look that was part terror, part disgust, and part anger.
"That... that evil, psychotic bastard," she muttered.
"I'm sorry, Viv. But you had to know the truth. And know this too: I will not let this creep harm a single hair on your beautiful head," I said as I stepped closer and placed a hand on each side of her face. "And I will not stop until he's behind bars and out of your life forever. I promise you that."
"Thank you, Everett. I appreciate that; I really do."
I hugged her tightly, but our moment was interrupted when my phone rang. It was the hospital.
"I'd better take this," I said.
"Sure."
"Hello?" I said as I answered the call.
"Hi, Mr. James. We're just calling to inform you about your daughter," the voice on the line said.