“My plan was simple, but time-consuming to execute. I had three objectives: One was to locate a plastic surgeon out of the country who was not only really good, but who could also be bribed. Secrecy is the key, Ann. As they say, ‘loose lips sink ships.’ It was my intention to have reconstructive surgery performed on my entire face. In other words, turn my ugly face into a handsome one. It was not my intention, though, for anyone to find out about it. Thus, who ever performed this transition was going to have to keep silent as well.
“My second objective was to assume an entirely new identify. Ironically, that was probably the easiest of all to execute-just a matter of checking out court records and locating the right name of the right person, then obtaining a birth certificate.
“My third objective, having gotten my new face and name, was to actually make myself become this new person. This was not easy, to say the least, but I was quite determined. I stayed in Europe after the surgery because I realized that the most effective way to dramatically change my speech, mannerisms and personality was to get saturated in a totally different environment other than the one I’d been accustomed to. Europe is so wonderful, Ann-so different from the States. The people there have a lot of class and impeccable manners for the most part, unlike we Americans. I assumed a sort of aristocratic demeanor, a rich American who knew how to live the good life. I traveled extensively around the continent, carefully observing the people and absorbing their more appealing qualities and making them my own. I got pretty good at it, as you already know.
“By now, you’re probably asking yourself why I did all of this. What was the purpose? The answer is simple. Besides the fact that I hated being Stanley Jenkins and wanted to eliminate him, I also wanted something else. Or more precisely, someone else. I still wanted you, Ann. I figured that if I change myself that you would accept me and that I could finally realize my dreams.”
Jenkins stared at Ann expectantly, studied her reaction. Ann squirmed on the stool and looked away.
“I had heard that you’d married Sam not long after graduation and I almost hated you for that. But I didn’t. I decided that I’d follow through with my plan and let fate take its course. I am a fatalist, you see. I came back to the States in January and did some surveillance, discovered that you were still with Sam Middleton and had a daughter. So I decided to buy this place and ride out the tide. Then fate entered the picture this spring. You and Sam got divorced. I sat around and waited to see what you were going to do, and to my surprise and delight you moved to Columbus. My course was suddenly set: I would eliminate everyone who had ever stood in my way of getting to you. Then, I’d make my ultimate move.”
Ann started sobbing hysterically. Jenkins walked over and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to flinch.
“Don’t cry, Ann. It’s only going to make things worse.”
He stroked her hair, still damp from the hot tub, and said,” I truly am sorry that it had to turn out this way, Ann. But I half suspected it would and as a result am going to have to resort to my backup plan. I should have known better than to think you were any different than the others anyway, and it only goes to show that I am not infallible. But all is not lost, by any means. I’ll be able to say goodbye to Stanley Jenkins for good after tonight. And believe me, that will be quite a weight off my shoulders.”
He stepped back and looked her over, then said, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to kill you, Ann. I’ll have a plane to catch in a few hours and I’ve already wasted enough time telling you my life story. But I felt you had a right to know what I’ve just told you, and besides that, I’ve not been particularly looking forward to putting an end to your existence. But life goes on, Ann. I have no choice in the matter. Unfortunately, I can’t let you live and still walk out of here a free man. I do hope you understand.”
His directness caught Ann off guard and sobered her thoughts. Suddenly, her will for survival superseded everything else.
She had to get away. At least stall him somehow for now. At least give him a goddamn fight!
“Please let me live, Stanley. I promise that…”
“The name is Jerry Rankin, Ann, remember? We’re through with Stanley now.”
“I beg you, Jerry,” Ann pleaded. “Please don’t kill me. I promise that I won’t tell a soul any of this. You can leave the country, or go wherever you’re going, and I’ll pretend that this never happened!”
He laughed heartily and Ann knew that she’d said the wrong thing. “It’s not going to work, Ann. You’re going to have to give me a better offer than that.”
Ann knew what he was implying. “I’ll do anything, Jerry! Please, just let me go-Amy needs me!”
He grinned, then replied, “You should have thought of that before, Ann. You had your chance but you blew it.”
He removed the bloodied towel and looked at it, tossed it to the floor and stared directly into Ann’ s eyes. “And look at what you did to me! Cut my fucking face with that wine glass! Yet here you are, standing there half naked and all blurry eyed, begging me to spare your fucking life. After you fucking cut me? Do you know how many goddamn stitches it’s going to take to fix my face? Christ, Ann-sorry to say it but you’re not in a very good negotiating position right now.”
Suddenly, Dr. Jeckyl turned into Mr. Hyde.
He grabbed her by the arm, flung her down on the floor and was on top of her in a flash. He started yanking down her swimsuit bottoms as Ann pummeled his chest with her fists, her legs thrashing wildly.
“No more time to negotiate, Ann. I’m going to fuck you, then I’m going to kill you.”
Ann fought back fiercely. She managed to rake her fingernails over the fresh wound on his face, causing him to let out a blood-curdling howl. He stopped dead for a second, stared at her with eyes that wanted to kill, and ripped off her bathing suit in one quick, effortless motion. Ann screamed in terror and struck him in the face again. He gaped at her maniacally, as though he couldn’t believe what had just happened, then brought back his hand to strike her They both heard the voices at the same time. They were coming from downstairs-muffled and unintelligible, but getting louder. A look of absolute horror came over Stanley’s face as he froze in his tracks and cocked his head, listening, covering Ann’s mouth in his hand. Ann could hear her heart beating wildly and watched as drops of blood ran down Stanley’s cheeks and plopped onto one of her breasts.
The loft floor vibrated from where the steel staircase was attached to it as someone climbed up and apparently stopped on the second floor.
Ann tried to scream but all that came out was a muffled whimper into Stanley Jenkin’s hand. His face was chalk white as he glanced first at the hatch, then over to the balcony door, apparently trying to decide what to do next. All of a sudden, the floor started vibrating again and they heard footsteps coming closer. Stanley flinched as his eyes darted all around the room. Total panic.
The footsteps ceased and they heard someone shove hard against the door. Stanley leered at Ann threateningly, tightening his grip over her mouth, daring her to utter a sound. Someone banged on the door a couple of times and tried to force it open.
There was a moment of silence, then the sound of more footsteps coming up the stairs.
“This is the sheriff’s department, Rankin. We know you’re in there-open this door immediately!” a muffled voice commanded.
Ann felt a huge wave of relief sweep over her. She tried to scream again but Stanley’s hand stifled her. He glared at her defiantly. Jenkins eyes darted over toward the balcony again and he made a gesture for Ann to stand up.