beyond the boundaries*
chapter 04
1:30pm, the next week.
Amanda opened the folder. She took the picture out from underneath the paper clip. She looked at the picture, then to the paper to see who it was.
"Bobbie Thomas?...God what did Josh see in her?...She doesn't look like his type." She said talking to herself outloud. She thought back at what she said.
"What?...not his type? How would I know?...God Amanda where's your mind today?"
Her eyes scanned over the information.
"Editor of J-14? Huh?" Her eyebrows raised.
"Smoker?...Gross, his poor precious lips...OMG! Amanda SHUT UP!"
Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
"It's open come in!" She looked back seeing who it was. It was Josh.
"Hey what's up?" She said
"Nothin' much, what ya doin'?"
"Just working a little."
"Oh." He sat on the bed.
"You guys back from shopping?"
"No, they're still shopping with Marcie. She really likes to shop. Her and Justin were having fun."
Amanda laughed. "Yeah she does like to shop...a lot."
"How long have you known Marcie? You two seem close."
"Yeah we are. We've been best friends for a long time. We met through our jobs."
"How'd you get a job as a security guard?"
'Wow. He's getting personal.' She thought to herself.
"Went to college for criminal law and justice. Had a few jobs as a security guard before here." She stretching the truth a little.
"Oh, cool. You like this job?"
"Yeah it's kind of different cause we have to watch you guys constantly, but nothing too different."
He smiled.
"So...can you spare an afternoon and come with me?"
"And what might we be doing all afternoon?" She asked
"I don't know? Whatever you want to do." He said looking straight at her.
"Since you asked, you've got to have a plan. What is it?"
"Have you had lunch yet?"
"Yes I have, you?"
"At the mall, but we can go do something else like...a walk or something. Get to know each other."
"Oh yeah...so is this the next get together?"
"You can call it that...or a date."
"Let's just call it another get together...that fair?"
"Good for me."
"Ok, want to leave now?"
"Sure."
She put her stuff away and got her purse and coat and they left.
Everything was going smoothly so far. Amanda was glad. It was a Thursday afternoon. The guys had off and they went shopping. Marcie volunteered to go with them. Amanda was stuck at the hotel looking over some more background records.
"So where are we going for our walk?" Amanda asked
"I know this nice park a few miles away. You'll like it." He said
"Okay."
They were on the car for 10 minutes or so. They arrived at the big park. Lots of sidewalks, a pond, people walking, running, or riding bikes. Amanda spotted a beautiful large water fountain in the middle of the large park.
"That's beautuful." She said to Josh pointing out the fountain.
"Yeah it is. You should see it at night. It's gorgeous. It has all these different colored lights and the water looks cool. I'll show you later tonight."
"Ok." She smiled.
They started to walk and talk. 30 minutes passed and they had walked the park at least 3 times around and they were laughing up a storm. Their fun was interrupted by Amanda's cell phone ringing.
"Hello?" She said
"Amanda it's John. The stalker sent one of the guys a letter. They know now. Johnny wants us to tell them. You need to get here right away. They're freaking out."
"Ok I'll be there right away."
"Alright. Oh is Josh with you they don't know where he went and they're worried."
"He's with me."
"Ok...guys Josh is with Amanda." He told the guys.
"Good." They all said
"Ok we'll get here soon. See you, bye."
"Bye, bye." She hung up the phone.
"What's the matter?" Josh asked
"You'll know when we get there. We have to go."
They walked back to the car. Josh drove them back to the hotel.
"Is everyone ok?" Josh asked
"Yeah, everyone is fine."
Josh parked the car and the 2 got out walking inot the hotel lobby and taking the elevator up to their floor. They exited the elevators seeing people around Joey and Lance's room.
"What's going on?" Josh asked
Johnny saw him and took him into his and Justin's room where the rest of the guys were.
"What happened?" Josh whispered to Justin.
"I don't know? Joey found some letter in his room when he got back." Justin whispered back shrugging.
"How much are you going to tell them?" Amanda asked Murphy. She was still in the hallway with Eve, Brad, Johnny, and Rick Anderson (JIVE president).
"Not everything. We are just going to tell them that they are being stalked. But we won't tell them that we're with the FBI. They can only handle so much." Murphy said
Johnny, Rick Anderson, Amanda, Marcie, Brad, and Murphy walked into the room.
"Guys we have something to tell you..." Johnny started, he looked at Murphy then back at the 5 guys, "...for the past 3 or 4 weeks someone has been staking you guys." All their jaws dropped.
"Why didn't anyone tell us?" Justin asked the first to speak up.
"Justin let me finish...the stalker had been sending myself and Mr. Anderson threat letters to kill you guys if he doesn't get what he wanted. He has finally sent one of you guys a letter personally. So now we have to be more cautious. This is why we hired more security. Marice, Amanda and Brad. To keep you guys safe. We didn't want to tell you guys because we knew it would worry you and you guys would get distracted from your work. But now that you know you need to be aware of your surroundings. Amanda, Marcie, Brad, Lonnie and Wes will be sticking with you guys a lot. Just to make sure your safe....Do you have any questions now?" He said finally finishing.
They sat there silently still registering what they just heard.
"Why is this person doing this? What did he...or she want?"
"We don't know? It must be jealousy or something of that sort. They won't say. But the person seems to want to be in the spotlight. They want to be the one known for stalking and killing NSYNC. But we won't let that happen." John Murphy said
"Who are you?" Chris asked
"I'm officer John Murphy. I'm the one who requested Amanda, Marcie and Brad to Mr. Wright."
"Oh."
"Are you guys ok? You don't need to be all crazy worried. You have tons of protection. Many people watching your back. You'll be safe." Rick Anderson said
"More than they know." Amanda whispered to Marcie. She nodded and smiled.
"Damn right." She said back
"We're fine." They said, all except Josh.
"JC you alright? You haven't said anything." Johnny asked
"I'm ok." He said softly. He looked up at Amanda. She smiled at him.
"Well ok then...We'll leave you guys alone now...Joey and Lance your room is safe. You can go back in there." Johnny said then everyone left back to their own rooms.
Justin went over and sat across from Josh on the other bed.
"You alright C?" He asked concerned.
"Of course..." He turned around and layed down on his bed, his bac turned to Justin.
Justin sighed. Getting up and leaving the room.
Meanwhile...Murphy and Johnny were in the hall talking to Amanda and Eve.
"Amanda if you don't mind...can you talk to Josh?...you seem to be the one closest to them." Johnny asked
"Yeah, sure I will."
"Okay thank you. I'm worried about him. He seems to be hiding his feelings. Maybe he'll open up to you."
"Maybe...I'll try."
"Thanks. You two are doing great." He told them.
"Yes you are." Murphy added
"Well I'm going to go. See you later."
"I'm off too." Murphy said
Eve and Amanda went into thier room.
"You think Josh is ok?" Eve asked
"I think so. He seemed quiet. I'll talk to him later."
"Where were you two eariler?"
"He took me to some park and we talked."
Eve smiled at her.
"What are you smiling at?"
"Nothing."
"What are you thinking Eve?"
"You like him don't you?"
"I don't know...He nice."
Eve still smiled.
"You do."
Amanda laughed, "Ok...maybe a little. But I'm not getting into anything."
There was a loud knock on the door. Amanda sat up from her bed. She looked around. Eve wasn't in the room. She got up and answered the door. Justin was standing there looking paninced.
"What's the matter?" She said
"JC! I can't find him. He was in there eariler sleeping, but now he's gone and none of the guys or anyone knows where he is!" Justin said
"It's ok Justin. Calm down ok. Well find him. I think I know where he might be. Just stay in your room and I'll call when I find him."
"Okay."
She grabbed her coat and purse and began to walk down the hall.
"Amanda!" Justin said
"Yeah?"
"Please find him...I trust you."
"I will Justin. I will." She stepped onto the elevator. Going to find Josh.