Most of that late night over dinner and even into the next day, when Carrie elected to stay with Sarah, the discussion revolved around whether or not Sarah would press formal charges against Jess. Naturally Carrie, due to her Lara Croft persona and position with the FBI, had been coaxing her to proceed, explaining she had the resources to make sure it did not get overlooked or hung up in the legal pipeline.

"But Carrie! You just don't understand my fears here. I don't want this to go anywhere. Not even to my parents."

The two of them were now out on Sarah's secluded balcony in their pajamas with a sunny view of the blue Pacific in the distance.

"OK, hon. I understand that. But you have an obligation now to stop this predator before he victimizes other girls . . . just the way he did you. I mean, my God, Sarah . . . how many others are out there already?"

"I know. But I just can't face this anymore. I just want to get beyond it. I just can't imagine being dragged into court to face him . . . or have to ever watch that video again. And you know that's what I'd have to do to . . .just to admit I am the victim in it. And all in front of lawyers and a jury. My mother and father! No way, Carrie!"

"Alright Sarah. Let's not get ahead of ourselves on this. You're assuming Jess will still be alive once you tell me where I can find him." She smiled a devilish smile.

"Please, Carrie. No jokes about this."

"OK. Maybe just a couple of broken legs?"

"Carrie! And besides I really don't know where he lives. He told me Paris. But now who can believe anything he told dumb little Sarah? I really don't even know what business he's in. Just that he must be pretty good at it . . . to have that kind of money."

"This is all information I can find out. Don't worry."

"I'm so confused right now, Carrie. I've gone from believing I was in love with someone to suddenly . . . hating him so much. And now I have this feeling he's . . ."

"He's what?"

"That he's going to hurt me . . . if I tell anyone."

"Come on Sarah. You have to be strong in this. Don't you want to see him burn for abusing you and your trust like that? For not caring that he planned to put your body out there for God knows how many people to see? He's an animal. Plain and simple. He has to be taken out. Believe me, people do time in prison for what he did to you. And we can put him there, Sarah. Just give me the word to proceed."

"I don't know. I'm really . . . afraid of him now. I keep expecting him to show up like a shadow. To call or message me. And it's actually worse that he hasn't yet. I just don't know what he's thinking . . . Where he is. He says he comes to California often. He could be here in San Diego right now. And that really terrifies me!"

"Alright, listen. From what I know about these things he'll definitely contact you. You see by letting him know on that tablet that you saw the clips . . . he'll want to take your temperature now. To see what you're planning to do about it. He knows he has a hell of a lot to lose and a difficult battle if you pursue this, Sarah."

"But. . . what if he threatens me. To not go to the authorities?"

"You already have, sweetie. Me."  Her friend smiled again.

"OK Carrie. But that doesn't mean you have to . . . do anything about it."

"That's true. I don't. It really does have to come from you. And if you're not prepared to go the distance on this, there isn't any point for me to start stirring the shit. Personally . . . I think you should. To prevent you and those others from making their own debut in the movies."

"Carrie!"

"Well that's what it's really all about. This guy is either in this just for his own sick game with that creep . . . whats-his name?"

"Derek."

"Yeah. Or . . . he's involved in some network with others in this. . . on a big time basis. As a victim, Sarah, I can tell you, you're not alone. Little sister, this stuff is going on under everyone's noses night and day, twenty-four seven."

"God! But please, Carrie. Don't do anything with this yet. How do we know he or Derek even put those sex tapes up on the Net yet?"

"Well we don't. And there's a good chance he . . . or this other Derek will just use it to blackmail either you or your parents. I'm sort of waiting for you to get that message, actually. Jess knows your parents are pretty well off. He's met them, right?"

"Yeah . . . I guess. He met them on Santorini."

"Well, it's only been a day or so you've returned. I'm guessing he'll call you or text you to take your temperature . . . very soon."

"Right. Either that, or he'll break into my house and kill me."

Carrie took on a serious expression.

"Don't laugh. I was working on a case where that happened last year."

"Shit. Carrie. Don't tell me these things!"

"Jealous husband. Crossed state lines to find his ex in San Jose. Broke into her house at night . . . Then strangled her with a lamp chord."

"Jesus Carrie!"

"We got him though. I helped with the stake out. I just loved seeing him wrestled to the ground and cuffed."

"Well . . . Now I feel much better . . . thank you very much."

Carrie smiled a little sadistically.

"That's it.  I'm just not going to give Jess any reason to come after me."

"He may anyway, hon. He could be . . . obsessed with you."

"God. Really? You think?"

"If he starts stalking you . . .  you'll know."

"Carrie . . . you really aren't helping me here, one bit! I used to be just . . . angry . . . Now I'm totally scared shitless!

"I just wanted you to know the possibilities, that's all, Sarah. So let's go get him before he has a chance to do any of those things . . . Just give me the word and I'll request a formal investigation. Today!"

Sarah leaned back in her deck chair and closed her eyes. It was obvious to Carrie she was truly in a state of paralysis as to what to do.

"OK," she finally said. "Let's just wait and see what he says  . . . or does over these next days. I know he's going to contact me. He has to have some feelings for me. He was so convincing . . . That I was so special to him. I can't believe I really bought all that, Carrie."

"Yeah well we're dealing with a sociopath here, hon. They're very convincing . . . But zero  true feelings."

"This is just not the Jess I knew. And it's really hard for me . . . to not want that . . . illusion back."

Tears were welling up in her eyes again.

"Well don't. I deal with these types a lot, Sarah. Predators. They're out there. Trust me."

"That is so scary."

Alright, so look. I won't get involved in this . . . as you're requesting. But.  The first I hear he's up to anything . . . even if he never calls you again . . . I'm on the case. Big time! OK?"

"I'll let you know when I hear or see anything, Carrie . . . I promise."

"Deal.  But I'm holding you to that, Sister." 

Sarah nodded in satisfaction.

"Now I have to be getting back to my own circus of weirdos . . . And those are just the people on the force I work with." Carrie smiled as if suddenly lost in her own thoughts.

Sarah managed a smile too and got up, signaling to her friend that she would be strong enough to let her get back to the airport and her home territory of San Francisco.

"I have to get back to my own reality of work too," she said quietly. "Try to put on a face like . . . Yes. I had a great time in England. Those women at the clinic are going to ask a thousand questions."

"Just lie your ass off, sweetie. But seriously. Best no one knows any of this for now. OK?"

"Totally agree."

After showering and dressing, Carrie said her farewell, giving Sarah a long hug. She then handed her a business card with her department cell phone and office number on it. It read: Carrie Ann Stuvenson, Estate Planning and Personal Investments—obviously a cover she used in her line of investigations. After she left, Sarah went out onto the balcony and looked at the thick expanse of shady pine trees between her apartment and the beach. 

She wondered how long it might be before she would be giving Carrie that call.

* * *   

Text and e-book copyright © 2015 Califia Montalvo

All Rights Reserved