The Greener Field

Facing the Music

Returning to Sarah's parent's home on the exclusive Fairbanks Ranch, Carrie helped with the articles Sarah brought with her for the indefinite stay. In an upper story room of the Victorian home was an area her parents had always kept as a spacious guest quarters. Her mother liked to think that her daughter would come to stay there at least several times a year, just to be closer and maintain the pattern begun when Sarah was in college and did return periodically.

"Hello girls!" her mother expressed cheerfully, as the two stepped into the entryway with the bags of clothes, toiletries and shoes.

"Hi, Mrs. Bertram," Carrie responded, pausing to give the friendly woman a hug of affection.

"Well, I just think it's so great, Carrie, that you're down from the City to support Sarah, these days."

"I'm glad to help," she said, fully aware Sarah's mother was clueless about any of what had actually transpired while her daughter was in England and more critically since she returned.

"And I'm sure she'll open up to you, Carrie. You two were always so close in high school. She just doesn't want to discuss anything with me, but I know she'll be fine. Oh, men can be so difficult."

"Mother. Carrie's kind of tired. Can we just go upstairs? She's still working these days you know."

"I'm sorry, Carrie. But we really are grateful for your support."

"Mother . . . Come on Carrie . . . let's go up."

Carrie just nodded and gave the woman a somewhat secret and reassuring wink. The two entered the spacious room and Sarah went directly into the bathroom to stock it with her personal soaps and articles. The two then worked together silently folding her clothes and putting her dresses and blouses on hangers in the walk-in closet.

"OK. So here's the plan," Carrie said, looking out through the Pricilla curtains and sitting on the queen-sized bed with a matching yellow covering. "I want you to send a text message back to Jess' phone. It will be directly to this Derek character . . . his ghost, that is."

"Carrie, no jokes about this!"

"Sorry. But I'm serious about the message. We're going to get him to meet you somewhere."

"Are you kidding!  I could never face that creep again! He took those videos of me, Carrie. He's watched me doing . . . things totally naked! It's so sick. He's so sick! And what's going to stop him from . . . killing me?"

"First of all, Sis, you won't be alone. I'm going to be somewhere in the room. Incognito. Even if he sees me, he would never guess that I'm with the Bureau."

"OK . . . I guess."

"Secondly, he won't do anything to you. We'll be in a crowded, public place.  And let's not forget, my beautiful friend, I'm always armed."

"My God, Carrie. This all sounds like some kind of bad action film! Why do you want me to do this?"

"We have to take his temperature, Sarah. See where he's at with you . . . and with Jess. Are they still together? Have they split up over this? Why is Derek using Jess' phone? We need those answers. Not to just wait for his or Jess' next ugly move against you. Besides, don't you want to know what's up with Mr. Smoothie?"

"Yes. But . . . How can we trust anything Derek says? He just doesn't want me to go to the authorities . . . and I already have, Carrie . . . You."

"He doesn't know that. But, trust me. We need to see just how crazy he is. You'll leave all that to me."

"What? How?"

"We're going to be recording everything he says. Especially any threats he's making. You'll have a hidden mic on you. It's going to be damning evidence against him when we need it."

"I don't know, Carrie. I'm just so scared of this guy!  I really thought he was dead!"

"Well we're going to find that out for sure. You're going to set the trap, sweetie. Right now, with your return message. These guys are into sex but also money, obviously. Didn't you say Jess' story about the video was . . . something about money he owed Derek?"

"Yes."

"Well OK. That's going to be our bait for catching a really smelly fish. Now get out your phone. Get ready to write, Sarah. I'll tell you exactly what to say."

"Oh my gosh. I really don't want to do this, Carrie!"

"Just relax and write what I tell you . . .You ready?"

"Yes. Wait."

Sarah got out her smartphone and sat next to Carrie on the bed. She searched for Derek's message and prepared the return message field.

"OK. Tell me . . ."

"Text this . . . Derek . . . Got your message . . . And no, I don't want the sheets back. . . Especially since you've used them. . .

Sarah shook her head slowly in disgust.

"As you know, I just want those video clips to never surface . . . Ever. . . I'm asking to meet you to discuss this. . . I think you'll be interested, as my father is prepared to settle the whole affair discretely and financially ."

Sarah looked up from her phone again at Carrie incredulously.

"Keep writing," she told her, pointing at her phone.

"Come to the Cove Bar and Restaurant in La Jolla . . . Tomorrow night at 9:00PM . . . I'll be alone. And diner will be on me."

"Is that it?"

"Yes. Sign it, Sarah. And send it now."

Without hesitating, Sarah activated the return message to be instantly released.

"You are really crazy, Carrie! Do you think this will work?"

"To kill your video forever? . . . No. But it will help us put these guys away. And that's what you really want. Isn't it?"

"Yes it is."

"Alright. Then it's a date. Tomorrow at nine. With creepy Derek."

"Oh, Yuck!"

"You'll be wearing a hidden microphone, and I'll have you in my sights . . . the whole lovely time."

"Major Yuck!"

"This afternoon over lunch we'll discuss the contents of your conversation with whoever shows up."

"What?

"Are you prepared to face Jess again?"

"Wow. I really don't know, Carrie." I suppose I must if it turns out to be him."

"Just prepare yourself for that possibility. For this is no longer a matter of love or lust or revenge. It's a matter of war!"

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