Chapter Twenty Seven

I looked at Matt, he gave me a look to say "What?" maybe I was wrong about the glisten in her eye, but I was cautious and sure the hell trusted no one other than close family and friends.

"So, what do you think your daughters next move will be?" I was eager to hear how she could predict her daughters next actions, if at all, one thing I had learnt, Antonia was anything but predictable, totally the opposite in fact.

Marianna, gave me a cold look, not to dissimilar to the stare of her daughter in the photo I had seen earlier.
"Mmm, Given what you have told me, I would hazard a guess that she is going to get into your bedroom suite at the hotel, the decision you make with her will determine your fate Mr Bongiovi."
"Wait a minute, your telling me after dragging me here, what possibly I could have deducted myself?, lady, you like your daughter a total waste of space, and more importantly my time." getting up from the couch, Matt and Richie followed, I made my goodbye and we all left.

She followed down the hall to the front door, shouting in protest to make me stay to hear more of her crap, but something just was not right, and I was uncomfortable in her company as I was in her daughters. The saying like mother, like daughter, sprung to mind, and an argument in my head raged, could they both be wacko's?. In the car Richie and Matt looked from one to the other, both of them studying me.
"What? you can't tell me you didn't think she was wacko too right?"
rich smiled and held his hand up, "Hey, not judging, listening party only."
"And?"
"some of what she said made sense Jon, sure we could have predicted her next more between us, but she has warned you that you are in danger, man you are delusional to just think you need security to rid her out of ya room,  fact is; we don't know what's going on in her head right?, no one does Jon, not even her mom. We have to talk much better precautions"
"So your saying I'm wrong in how I see her then?, cause the similarities are scary man. I'm no chicken, but did you not feel apprehensive in her company, like everything is not all.... " I was struggling to find the words a first for me, Matt hit the nail on the head, "She wasn't firing on all pistons."
"Yeah, she is as much of a fruit cake as her wacko daughter, and me visiting her mom has just stepped up the problem in my eyes... don't ya  think.?"
rich tilted his head to the side, then straight, his eye's registering what I had said,  "Maybe", Matt nodded.
I was on a roll and let everything mounting in my head thoughts all crazy, making no real sense, come tumbling outta my mouth.
"When I said her daughter had caught me coming out of the shower and had ripped the towel from my waist, I swear I saw a glisten in her eye's, and when she had said about what her daughter may be planning, I saw blackness in her eye's too, just the same as the picture of her daughter I saw on the wall when we arrived. I'm telling ya guy's that women has a black heart."

 

The rain had started to fall as for the rest of the drive we sat quiet, with the rain lashing on the windows. Just before we arrived, Rich spoke, "Jon, I'm really anxious about everything, do me a favour ok, swap rooms with me, down grade yourself, I have a plan." I nodded my head in agreement, puzzled as to what Rich was up to.

 

Back at the hotel, I moved my stuff from My room to Richie's. I asked him his plan, but he refused to tell me. All he would let on was, it would be an asset for me. I hated him keeping me in the dark, this was my life,  and I wanted to know, and Second, I did not want Rich to put his own life in danger for me, and something was telling me that was exactly what he was doing.

 

Richie's room was still plush, just lacked the space I was used too, but he was hoping it would be for a short time only.

 

Unpacking I sat on the bed, then swung my feet up, and laid back, closing my eye's I thought about Marianne. what was it about her that un nerved me so much, the answer was there, but would not show itself. It was like having a niggling doubt that kept poking ya in the ribs, and no matter how hard you tried to stop it, it remained..

 

I laid thinking and replaying the visit over and over in my head, each time the blackness and coldness in her eyes was the forefront of the replay.

 

Restless, and irked with myself I sat up, after a visit to the bathroom, I decided to get some fresh air. Sunglasses and cap, I grabbed my jacket and took too the streets. No sooner had I started walking my cell rang, I looked at caller Id but nothing showed. Stopping I hesitated before answering.

"Hello"
"Good afternoon, is that Mr Bongiovi?"
"who wants to know"
" St Jerome's Hospital."
"yes speaking"
"you are the husband to Dorothea Bongiovi?"
"Yeah, what's wrong?" my heart was racing, and got worse as I listened. 
" your wife has died."
"What? What you mean my wife has died, she was fine yesterday? How could she be dead?"

The next words out of the callers mouth made my world spin,
"because, I slit her throat."

Chapter Twenty Six

A week later and Matt, Richie and me were heading to Minnesota, I was taking the guys as back up;  if nothing else, this whole thing had taught me to be cautious, for all I knew this could be Antonia playing games, although the letter seemed genuine enough.
Checking the address that Matt had gotten and wrote down, I folded the piece of paper and put it back into my pocket. Richie watched me.

"What ya gonna say Jon?"
"it aint me that's gonna be saying much really, she wants to meet to give me advice, she wants her daughter back, so I can have my life back."
"But ya gotta talk about her too right?"
"I guess," I looked out of the window "but I'm gonna listen first, enough of my life has become public, I don't want anymore of it too."
"so no -one knows we are seeing this women right?"
"No, just us three."
The driver pulled up at the gate and address we had been given.
I lad the way walking down the pathway to the front door. The house was a typical suburban property complete with picket fence. It was in good repair so my optimism was high for going inside.
All three of us reached the front door, and we looked from one to the other as I rang the bell.

We waited, eventually, the door was answered. A women in her late years, but still striking in looks, grey flecks ran through her shoulder length hair that was braided with kiss curls falling around her temple and cheeks, dressed in a straight skirt with a red sweater and high patent shoes, my optimism grew further.
With a wide smile she greeted us, "Welcome Mr Bongiovi, Please do come inside." walking away she asked, "Can I get you coffee, tea or something harder to drink?"
I answered for us all, "Coffee please."
Marianne led us to her sitting room, "Please have a seat gentlemen, I will be back, how do you take your coffee, light, sugar, cream?"
Richie gave me a look and got up and offered to go help, he did not trust anyone. "its ok, we are all different, let me come and help you."
there was no resistance and that inspired a little trust. While Rich went into the kitchen to make coffee's with Antonia's mom, Matt and I looked around the room.

On the wall were family pictures, Marianne in her younger days with a handsome man at her side, I assumed her husband, then group pictures, more family shots I guessed, but what stopped me in my tracks was the photograph of a young girl, with a smiling face holding a cuddly toy. Looking into the picture I studied the eye's and felt really cold at the lack of life that was missing, even though she was only young in the photo, the darkness showed through.

Richie and Marianne re entered the room and I spun round and went and took a seat next to Matt as Rich handed me my coffee.
 Rich then took a seat opposite and diagonal to where Marianne had seated herself.
Immediately she broke the ice, and the tension that had grown in minutes.
"thank you for coming Mr Bongiovi, I guess you were a little perturbed by my letter to you?, let me say I had tried to make contact by phone but your assistant Diane was having none of it and refused point blank to put me through or get you to call me. And that's fine, and I understand, but due to the serious nature of my daughter I had to get your attention somehow."
We listened, Richie spoke before I could reply. "Your daughter is some piece of work, what bothers me though, is the time its took for you to make contact with Jon?, why is that?"
"It's just as I said, from the moment I realised what my daughter was up to I tried to make contact, but the Bongiovi camp is tight, the letter was the last resort I had. there's nothing sinister I can assure you."
"Thanks but, we trust no-one but us."
"that's fine, I understand."
this time I took control, "Ok, so what is it you can do to help me Mrs Fisher."
"Please call me Marianne."
"If you don't mind I'd like to keep it professional, I don't feel I know you well enough to relate to you on first name terms." My face was hard, and she looked at me, with a hurt expression.
"Ok, if that's how you wish to be, I understand, but I only want to try to help you get your life back and stop anything serious occurring."
Matt, interrupted, "So you keep saying, but we aint heard nothing yet that's gonna help my bro, and honestly lady time is moving and we have a gig tonight, so can we move this along."

Placing her cup on the dresser, she looked back at us seriously, "Alright, Antonia, tell me what she has done so far?"
"everything she can, fake pictures, constant harassment, video's, and just last week she injured my wife. Please understand that is just an outline, and the stress I am going though is unbelievable."
"how did it start, I need to understand her mind right now, so I can tell you what her next move will be."
"It started when she found her way backstage and got into my private dresser while I was showering after a show."
"What did she do?, were you injured when she met you?"
"not exactly injured, as compromised."
"in what way?"
"she ripped the towel from my body, which meant I was standing naked before her." I was feeling irked, "sorry, can I ask in what way is this helping you?" I thought I saw a glisten in her eye's when she knew I had been naked before her daughter.

Chapter twenty five

After a long and trying night spent at the hospital with D and the cops, my whole body was drained, I ached all over and in places I never thought I could ache.

The cops had met me at the hospital and had a listened to the recording of the call to 911, with the operator Marissa.

I spent half the time checking on D with doctors and the other time talking to the cops.
Now with a show to do in ten  hours I needed to get some sleep.

As the cab stopped outside my hotel, paying the fare, I walked through the hotel entrance,  but instead of heading straight to the elevator and heading to my room, I took a detour and walked into the bar instead. Taking a seat at the bar I waited for the bar tender to come over, I could see his back as he was lent down stocking the refrigerator with bottles. Right now I could wait as I needed something to take the edge off so I could switch off my brain to sleep and be ready for the show.

Finished his chores the bar tender came over, bar towel on his arm, "Good Morning, what can I get for you sir?"
"Whisky, and make it a double."
"Coming right up." he turned away to get my drink, and I scanned around the bar, hoping and praying that my stalker wasn't there. it was dark in the bar, with low level atmosphere lighting, but after checking twice I was sure I was ok, and I felt relieved, somehow she had managed to find my new hotel. I had to find out how she seemed to be one step ahead all the time. Who was she working with and who was giving her the information?.

My drink was placed on a mat in front of me. "What's your room number sir?"
"the penthouse"
"Ok thank you Mr Bongiovi."
the bar tender then walked away to carry on what he was doing before I arrived. I could hear faint chatter in the background as there were some business men, with briefcases waiting on cabs, or for their meetings, either having coffee's and drinks until their time came to leave. Part of me was interested in the normality of their lives and part of me wanted there to be total silence.

My gaze and attention brought back to the drink in front of me, I picked the glass up to my lips, and drank straight back the amber liquid and swallowed, the warmth and burn followed as the liquid slid down my throat, causing me to cough a little. shaking my head a little, with the drink gone I placed the glass on the bar, Raised my hand in salute to the bar tender and walked out and stood at the elevator. 
With the whiskey warming me inside,  next stop was my floor, I needed sleep, I was pretty sure sleep would arrive quickly after my head hitting the pillow.

Off the elevator and walking along the passage, I was stopped in my tracks, as it was obvious my nightmare was not going to end, there waiting for me was Antonia.

"For the love of god, don't you ever quit?"
moving to the door I unlocked it, the pressed the handle and walked inside. Antonia tried to follow, putting my hand up, I blocked her and managed to close the door.  She was talking, but I had switched off from her, after double locking and bolting the door, I walked straight to my sleeping area, undressed and climbed into bed, the knocking from the door slipping into my unconscious as I fell asleep.

When my eyes opened I checked the time, six thirty, although I has slept well, I was still tired. Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I sat for a few minutes allowing my body to catch up with my eyes.

Standing I walked to the bathroom to relieve my bladder, and grabbing some shorts on the way back through I went out into my main living area and poured myself a cup of coffee. Sitting back on the sofa I switched on the TV and watched the news.
with nothing new or anything of interest I switched it off again, and sat thinking with my head back.
A knock came at the door, instinctively I called out, "Who's There?"
"Richie, man, you ready, car will be here in half an hour man, we need to do sound check and run through of the set list.."
"You alone Rich?"
"Yeah man, what's with the questions?"
I got up and walked over and opened the door.
"Shit bro you look rough, you sickening for something?"
"No, just been a real shit night."
"I told Rich about D and Antonia. "Why the hell didn't you call me?, where is the bitch now?"
"I have no idea, she was waiting here when I came back from the hospital, and i'm hoping the cops have her."
"So she stab D then?"
"No proof bro, she kinda admitted it, but then didn't"
"Man, you need some serious security Jon. This is way more than just stalking... man this is attempted murder. You could be next if she don't get what she wants."
"Yeah I know, but the shows have to go on Rich, Doctors said D would be fine too, just take a little time to heal."
" Ahha and who is watching over D in hospital?"
I looked at Rich, and my blood ran cold, it never entered my head to have security on hand to keep a check on her."
"Shit, I never thought about security for D, I thought she would be safe."
"Hey bro, I'm sure she will be, but as this bitch is one step ahead, I think hedging your bets and covering all the bases is best right now, until you hear she's locked up anyway."
"Your right."
I went and grabbed my cell from the bedroom and rang Matt.
"Yo Jon, where the fuck are you?, everyone's waiting."
"I'm on my way, listen Matt I don't have time to go into the details right now, but I need you to arrange security for D at St Jerome's Hospital ok?, do it now. I'll see you when I get there."

Knowing that Matt would have a hundred and one questions I hung up before he could ask, and I knew he would arrange the security as I asked for D. Making my way out back I washed, brushed my teeth and dressed and was back standing with Rich waiting for the car. When the call came we left. Grateful still that the press and paps still had not found my hotel.

The ride to the venue was quiet,  but every now and then Rich looked at me. I still had a hard time figuring how my life had ended up so complicated and stressed.

A short ride later and the driver pulled up and allowed us to get out, walking round the hallways of the venue was like a maze, but having played there so many times before I knew where I was going.  Arriving at a turning, Rich slapped me on the back as he went to his room and I went into mine.

He was gonna get the guys out on stage for the check, and it was gonna be a quick one tonight for sure. I prayed it would be good and that my own arrogance would not let us down, but with the stress of the last few day's time had run away on me. I felt bad but there was nothing apart from cancelling that I could do. And cancelling was not in Bon Jovi options list.

With my vocal warm up complete, and the honey drink consumed I headed to the stage, on stage we ran through the set list for the night, fate was on my side and the sound check was good.  the guys left me alone and knew my routine before a show was to leave me be. I had my own way of psyching  myself ready for the show, they too had their own. but we all would meet prior to stepping on stage, all hands together, a unity for the band.

Having changed ready for the show, I sat and looked through the well wishes and cards that always found there way to the venue. I started to read one letter, and my heart started to race.

"Dear Mr Bongiovi,

Please forgive my writing to you, but I want you to understand what you are dealing with. Antonia is my daughter, so I understand the illness she has suffered since being a child.

I am so sorry for the stress and anxiety she is causing to you.

Let me share some of the information about my daughter that may help you and save your life. Antonia suffers from an illness called schizophrenia, and with medication it is well controlled, unfortunately my daughter has stopped taking her meds, but before I could get her sanctioned and seconded to a secure unit she left home, destination unknown.

As a little girl your music always helped her, and got her through the black periods she suffered. She would always tell me you touched her soul and it was like you were writing the lyrics just for her, to make her feel better.

I love my daughter Mr Bongiovi, but having watched the news I can see how out of control she has become, and honestly I am afraid. Afraid for you and your family, without her medication she is a ticking time bomb. If she does not get what she wants she will stop at nothing until she does.

Worryingly, Her cat Beechy, was her soul companion, prior to her leaving home, but while playing together, the cat accidently scratched her, and I'll not give the graphic details but she killed the animal in a rage. there was no remorse, no nothing, as far as she was concerned the cat had served its purpose, but had hurt her, so in her mind to kill it was the only option.

I hope you can see, why I am concerned, for you and your family, and I urge you seriously to take every precaution you can to stay safe.

Should you wish to talk to me, or meet me, I am more than willing to help you, I want my daughter home, safe and on her medication and you want your life back.

Please call me on 555-717-2185, I'll help all I can.

Kindest Regards

Marianne Fisher"

I read the letter twice, taking in everything that had been written. I made a decision to get matt to call her and arrange a meeting, she lived in Minnesota, we would be passing through that way next week and I wanted to meet Antonia's mom.

as I stepped out on stage for the show, it was with a heavy heart, for the first time in my life I wished I was not performing and that I could cancel the shows until the nightmare was over.

Chapter twenty four

Clicking the TV on, I flicked through channels to find something to watch, something where I could escape from the nightmare that had become my reality, channel after channel flicked by, eventually my eye caught a movie about JFK, always interested in what the man was about and looking to achieve for a better tomorrow for not just America, but the rest of the world too., I settled back after getting a glass of wine to watch.

Mid way through there was a knock to the door, my eye's followed to the door but I was not in the mood for anyone, so ignored the gentle knock. A few minutes later the knock came again, this time a little louder, again I ignored it, then seconds later a loud rap on the door, this time with a call out.... "Jon, open up its me Dorethea" Still I remained on the sofa but shouted back, "Go away Dot, I've had enough for one night. I talk with you tomorrow."
"I won't leave Jon, I need to talk with you... please open the door?"
"No Dot, just leave me alone ok?"
"I can't Jon, I love you, please hear me out, I'm sorry"
"I get your sorry, but I have nothing left I want to say right now or can say, Dot go to your room or go home, I'll speak with you in the morning."
sobs were heard from the other side of the door, and then a scraping sound like when someone slides down the door. then more sobs, before it all went deathly quiet.

My interest was lost in the movie, and I kept starring at the door, something did not feel right, why had the sobbing stopped so abruptly?,
I was certain Dot was still on the other side, but knowing her as well as I did, I knew she would not just sit quiet. Dot had a fire in her belly and when she wanted something she would not stop until she was heard. Always strong and independent it was what I loved about her.
Leaning forward I moved to the edge of the sofa, placing my glass on the table I walked over to the door, pressing my ear to the door I strained to listen, there was nothing but an eerie silence. moving back, I unlatched the door and opened it. Dot had been sat with her back to the door and fell into the room as the door opened.

something was wrong, Dot's body was slumped and she was non responsive, as I knelt down I saw blood on her shirt, immediately I felt for a pulse, there was one but it was extremely weak. Grabbing my cell from my pocket I dialled 911.
Seconds later the call connected... "(911 what's your emergency?"
"Erm a stabbing I think?"
"A stabbing? where are you sir?"
my mind was fogged, struggling I answered "the Hilton Hotel..." struggling further I finally managed to give the full address....
"Is the person breathing sir? "
"Yes, but its not much, her pulse is weak, please hurry?"
everything Dot and me had spoke about earlier in the night was forgotten as I looked over the women I loved, praying that she would be ok...
"Sir... Sir...Sir are you still with me?"
I was brought back to reality..." Yes I'm still here sorry, I was checking she was breathing ok?"
"Help is on the way sir, but I need you to stay on the line with me, can you do that?"
"Yes..."
"Can you see where the blood is coming from?"
"Yes, Ok, can you find something to apply pressure to the wound?"
searching round the room frantically I could find nothing..."
"I cant find anything?"
"Can you get a towel sir?"
yeah of course a towel.... I got up and went to the bathroom and returned with a towel, as I knelt beside Dot to apply pressure, I became aware of a pair of feet in the doorway, talking to the operator I was about to close the call when I looked up and saw the cause of my nightmares standing in the room...
"She still alive then?"
"What?"
"is she alive?"
"Yes... just... but what?"
my hand had the towel still not applying pressure, instinctively my hand rested on the wound and I pressed down to stem the blood, the call still connected to the  operator at 911. She was quiet as she listened to the call. she spoke once only to reassure me she was still there....
"You did this?"
My stalker looked down at me with Dot, a smug smile on her over painted red lips...
"maybe.. do you want me to be the bad guy?"
"You are fucking sick in the head"
"am I?, because I love you Jon?"
"how the fuck can you love me?, you don't even know me?"
"Oh but I do know you Jon, I know you very well...."
my attention was again distracted as the medic crew arrived, they pushed past and knelt down and immediately tended to Dot. I stood and moved back to allow them room to work.
My eyes flicking from Dot to the stalker.
with dot stabilised they moved her to the gurney and told me to ride with them, grabbing my room key, I pushed the stalker out of the door and followed the medics down the hall way, on to the lift and out back to the ambulance, the stalker keeping pace just a step behind me at all times.
the whole situation  was surreal, my mind was hurting trying to take in everything that had happened.
As Dot was put in the back of the ambulance I climbed in, still with the phone in my hand, still connected to the emergency services. as the doors closed the stalker waved at me and blew a kiss.

" sir? are you ok?"
"Yes, thanks, I'm in the ambulance.."
"ok sir we will end the call..."
"thank you, thank you so much..."
"Your welcome sir... good night.."
the line now dead, the driver started to move the ambulance, with sirens blaring, he picked up speed indicating the urgency to get to the hospital,  to try to save my wife's life.... now the stalker had taken the game to a new level and it was obvious this was gonna be a fight for life and death....
holding Dots hand, I knew I had to fight, and fight to win...