― Mark Z. Danielewski
It was complicated
If my stalker were intent on embarrassing and humiliating me it was working.
Thankfully, there were only three people I had to warn directly―Breton, Quinn and Jana, my student. The first two were my peers and I could handle the situation with a phone call, but trying to explain to Jana why she had been targeted was another matter.
It was a delicate situation that called for honest disclosure but also needed to be handled with a great deal of tact. I mean, I scarcely knew the girl and yet had to explain her life might be in danger simply because she opted to take my Victorian Novel Course.
It was an absurd predicament and made me wish I had just quietly submitted my resignation.
Breton took the news in stride since it turned out he had already been alerted by Tszi Bieler, his friend, who was Canadian ambassador to Israel. Apparently any domestic threat with terrorist implications went through his office and an appropriate response would involve the RCMP liaising with local police forces.
"I'm protected both ways," he assured over the phone, "so don't worry about me. Phone Quinn and notify your student tomorrow―and Liam, take care of yourself."
"You seem to be no stranger to danger, Father."
The old priest chuckled. "Some day I'll tell you about some of the powerful people I've sheltered, many of whom spent nights sleeping on the floor of my office. If you help the troubled there's always a risk. I accept that."
My phone call to Quinn was equally anti-climactic. Clio Carmichael had been notified by police about a threat of possible violence on campus and she had reached out to Quinn to appraise her of the situation.
"I'm not concerned at all, Liam," she told me, "the police informed me that in addition to 24/7 monitoring there would be an undercover policeman in my lectures. So, please don't worry about me―it's not your fault you're being stalked by some crazy and the moment they try anything, they'll be apprehended."
"Thanks for taking it so well, Quinn. I still feel guilty I'm the cause of this upset and you're collateral damage. If you have any questions or observations don't hesitate to call regardless of time."
"I will do that, Liam, and be careful."
I was left with the most challenging task of all―having to explain to a student, whom I barely knew, why she'd be targeted in the first place.
I sat there before the fire running various scenarios through my mind of how I could break the news to her but none of them seemed adequate.
Finally, after midnight, exhausted from the struggle, I climbed the stairs and fell into bed.
I'd just have to play it by ear when I notified Jana and hope for the best―mind you, if she were dressed in a tight sweater and micro mini skirt, the situation could get a lot more complicated.
But I had no idea how complicated things could become, or that my nightmare had just begun.