The Greener Field

Deadly Confusion

Sarah took a deep breath. And while remaining on the floor in the dark, she opened her phone to receive Jess' call.

"Hello?"

"Hello angel . . . I know you are furious with me. But you must let me explain. . ."

"There's nothing to explain, Jess. There can be no excuse for what you did!"

"Sarah. Those video clips didn't go anywhere. I arranged for Derek to destroy them. They'll not be seen by anyone."

"Right. Where are you Jess? And please . . . don't say anywhere near San Diego. I don't want to ever see you again!"

"Actually I'm on the freeway. I just left LA. I'm coming south on the 405."

A cold chill ran up Sara's back. She knew that if he was being truthful it meant he could be at her doorstep between one and two hours.

"Jess. Seriously! Don't try to see me! Because I'll call the police if you're anywhere near here."

"Hey . . . angel . . . Relax! I told you. I took care of that misunderstanding. Look. Are you going to ever let me explain what actually happened? See, I had no idea Derek would do that to us. And I seriously confronted him about it. Trust me . . . my relationship with him has ended. And Those videos will never surface. Anywhere. You have my word, Sarah."

"Yeah?  Your word?  From Derek's email I read . . . it sure looked like you were involved. Sorry, Jess. . . I just can't trust anything you're telling me right now. Any of it!"

"Sarah, look . . ."

"I did look, Jess. On your tablet. And I saw what those videos show. I've never been more shocked or betrayed in my life. I really don't know if I'll ever get over this. What you did was criminal. And i was the victim!"

"No. You can trust me, angel. Come on . . . Don't you know the world is like this now? People are being filmed all the time. They even film themselves, baby. Didn't you ever do that for a boyfriend? Send him nude pictures of you?"

"Of course not, Jess! I'm not some porn queen or sex model. And what kind of a man are you? Who would allow this to happen to . . . some girl . . .  who really thought you cared? It's just sick what you did!  Totally perverted, along with Derek! End of story, Jess. And the end of us ever seeing each other again! I'm serious. I'm just so humiliated and disgusted by this whole thing!"

"Sarah. Why won't you let me explain? There was a reason for what happened. Believe me!"

"No! I won't . . . I can't believe you! And don't you dare come near me again!"

"Derek did that to me . . . to us . . . himself. . . to blackmail me, Sarah. I was just as surprised as you were. Don't you see? It was all about money! And I just got through paying him last night. Trust me. And I paid him a lot to kill those videos. To not let them ever be seen online."

Sarah paused a moment. She thought of how implausible and ridiculous his story was.

"See Sarah, I actually owed this guy a large amount of money. It's just the type business we're in. Money moves fast . . . and hard. It's a rough world. He just got tired of waiting. Didn't think I was a good for my word . . . So he put the heat on me with that . . . hidden camera."

"God, Jess. What about the heat on me? Did I deserve that? I was in those movies!. And god knows who's seen them by now. Or who he's sold them to."

"No one Sarah!" I paid him heavily to destroy them. The money I owed him . . . and a lot more to be sure he did destroy them. All to protect you!"

"Well I can't be bought Jess. And who's to say he . . . or you . . .or anyone else still doesn't have those pictures in their computer or phone?"

"Sarah . . ."

"Just don't come near me. Ever! I don't know what kind of business you're in. And I really don't want to know. But just understand that there are people I've already been in contact with over this."

"What? Who? Sarah? Who have you contacted?"

"Just know they're already asking if I want to press charges. I haven't told them yet. But be sure. I certainly will, Jess. . . If I ever hear from or see you anywhere near me again. Now just stay away! I'm hanging up now."

She closed her phone and realized her heart was pounding and her hands still shaking.

Remaining on the floor, with the darkness enveloping her and her entire apartment, Sarah waited for that dreaded call back. But there was none--only the sound of trees brushing up against the wall of her building outside. 

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Text and e-book copyright © 2015 Califia Montalvo

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