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.