― Margaret Atwood
Wary
I can't put myself into the mindset of a stalker―it seems so monstrous to terrorize another human being.
My conversation with Gillian convinced me unless this creep lost interest and moved on to other targets, Autumn and I were on our own and had to be hyper vigilant to catch him.
Fortunately, we had security systems installed in both premises, so if the perp prowled about or trespassed we could notify police and hopefully catch him.
All these thoughts were playing in the background of my mind as we drove to my place for dinner.
Both of us were tired from the day so we ordered Chinese food from Mandarin and relaxed before the fire awaiting the delivery.
The mild fall weather was gradually getting chillier―each night the temperature dipped into the low fifties and occasionally the forties. Any day now there'd be a killing frost and the cold fall days would become permanent.
Neither of us minded the cool weather because we loved to relax next to the fireplace―the only drawback was the days getting shorter and the need to curtail long hikes on the nearby trail for fear of being caught out on the trail in darkness.
The food arrived and I poured two glasses of YellowTail Cab sav and looked forward to a pleasant evening.
About an hour later when the dishes were cleared and we were sipping coffee I got a push notification on my cell.
The backyard camera detected a person. I immediately scanned the playback and saw the same man who stalked Autumn outside Hart House.
"Phone Gillian!" I whispered to Autumn and began monitoring the intruder's movements.
It was dark by now and the trespasser seemed aware of the motion lights. He stayed well back in a row of cedars that formed a natural boundary between my property and the Bruce Trail beyond.
The bamboo blinds in the den window had not been drawn and afforded a view into the room with Autumn clearly visible on the couch.
I was in the kitchen, effectively shielded from sight, and could track the intruder's movements on my cameras.
Autumn sent me a text. Gillian says a patrol unit is nearby―ETA about 10 minutes.
Ten minutes was a long time for a perp to loiter out in the cold.
I got an idea. I noticed Autumn was wearing a gold mohair sweater over a blouse.
Slowly take off your sweater and stand up and pour another glass of wine. Then, brush your hair and apply makeup. Take your time―do everything slowly and deliberately.
She caught my eye and arched an eyebrow as if to object, but she complied.
I was certain the stalker's obsession with her would keep his gaze glued to the lighted window square.
A few minutes later the yard was flooded with light and two police officers surprised the man who surrendered without a struggle.
Autumn peered out the window and gave a slight shiver. "That's the creep, " she hissed, "he's the same perv who's been shadowing me all this time."
"Well, it looks like his stalking career is ended for a good long time, " I consoled her.
It was the outcome I was hoping for and now perhaps our lives could return to some semblance of normal.