Pretty Girls Die Last

by Lisa Mancini

  Staying another week in Montreal. Helping settle family business affairs. Talk to you soon.

  Hmmm. Well, maybe it’s better this way. Erik didn’t like Duke. And from the way things were going, she would be spending more time with him from now on. Actually, she was looking forward to it.

  She walked to her vehicle. Instead of texting Erik back, she texted Ben. She still hadn’t heard from him regarding the mysterious woman named Ivy. Since today was Saturday, she decided to drive back home and work on her book. She had six chapters completed and she was quite proud of herself. Enid had read them and offered some slight constructive criticism about format and structure. As an established author, Enid was the perfect mentor.

  So, home it is, she decided as she drove though the city. As she parked her Ford Escape in her garage, her cell phone pinged. It was Ben. He had a name for her – Mrs. Ivy Nixon of Killington. Divorced and not even a parking ticket to her name. Why did that name sound familiar to Freya? She’d must have heard it somewhere before. Oh well, that’s what Google is for, she thought as she locked her garage door. She went straight to her office, typed in the name Ivy Nixon on her laptop, and waited. Seconds later, a dozen articles appeared along with images of the woman. Freya read the information that populated the screen. Then it hit her – she remembered the woman after all and then it all made sense. She texted a thank you back to Ben and then quickly texted Duke.

  I know who took Hannah Baker.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  After leaving the Yellow Deli, the girls rode their bikes back to Arielle’s house. With her father out of town and only an elderly housekeeper as an adult stand in, the house was theirs. And what they needed right now was to talk, in private, with no adults around.

  Arielle led them into her huge open-floor plan kitchen. The house was large, Danish-modern and often empty. Arielle’s dad was a busy man who focused on expanding his business. Raising a daughter was not his priority.

  Growing up without a mother was no longer a thought in Arielle’s mind. She kept herself occupied with her gymnastics and schoolwork. Her mom left a few years back and saw Arielle only occasionally. She relocated to Utah and remarried. Arielle didn’t miss her mom anymore. What would be the point? Since Arielle had moved to Agatha Falls, her mother became a distant memory.

  Anya’s Aunt Ursula and Uncle Larry also led lives without Anya. But Anya was very independent. After her parent’s death, she’d moved to town and never looked back. Her life consisted of school and her TV show. Anya never worried about money because her aunt and uncle were very well off. But she was generous with her friends and not a snob. She was known for her bluntness and her relentlessness. When she wanted something, she went for it. Anya didn’t take no for an answer. Her strong personality attracted some but repelled others. But Anya couldn’t care less.

  Anya, Arielle, and Sydney were best friends until last year when Megan transferred to St. Bernadette’s School. A scholarship student, Megan didn’t come from money. But she was famous at the private school for being so smart and skipping a grade. Rumor had it her IQ was over 155. Excelling at math and science but socially and athletically awkward, Megan had few close friends. So, Arielle, Anya, and Sydney had adopted her. She was the little sister they never had.

  The clique was complete until Molly Raju showed up. A recent transplant from Michigan, her dad was a computer genius and her mom an eye doctor. Molly was beautiful, well-liked and had a lovely singing voice. Her dad was born in Pakistan and was very traditional. His wife was an American, Roman Catholic with Irish heritage so Molly was raised Catholic and attended St. Bernadette’s School.

  Molly was one of five non-white students at St. Bernadette’s but everyone treated her well, to her face. Sometimes, sarcastic comments would be made or ethnic jokes whispered. She ignored all of it. Too young to date, she was flattered when Brandon Cambridge, a junior at Wainsbridge Academy asked her to a movie. She explained her dad’s rules of no dating until you were sixteen. He didn’t take her rejection well. After that, everything changed.

  First, the emails started; negative, racist and all unsigned. She deleted them. But they kept coming. Then the rumors at school began. Someone had heard from someone else that she slept around. Molly was horrified. She finally turned to her older sister Katie for help. Katie traced the rumors back to Mike Chancellor, best friend of Brandon. It made sense now. It was payback time. Sydney confronted Brandon and he never forgot it.

  It was the first get-together of last summer. Brandon was having a party at his house. Sydney, Arielle, and Molly had been invited. The girls decided that they would go together and they would confront Brandon. They even practiced what they would say. So, the night of the party, they cornered Brandon before he got too drunk. Arielle locked the door to the game room and all three girls gave their ultimatum.

  “Look Brandon, the emails have to stop. No matter what you say or do, I’ll never go out with you. If you don’t stop, I’ll tell your teachers and your dad,” said Molly.

  Arielle gave her part. “Brandon, I have a good relationship with my dad. He works with your dad. He will back me up. So, stop the rumors, stop the cyber bullying, and stop the harassment.”

  Sydney was last. “Okay, this is what is going to happen. We have copies of your emails and texts. We gave them to a computer expert and they traced them back to you. According to the rules of your school, bullying in any format represents grounds for expulsion. So, if you don’t lay off Molly, we go to the school administration and the police. Rape is against the law. What would the local authorities think of your rape parties? So, what’s it going to be? ”

  The girls waited for his response. Brandon looked at each girl as if sizing her up. To him, they were children. While he had no problem having sex with girls that young, no way were they going to dictate what he did, especially in his own home. Besides, his dad would never let anyone hurt him. He was the heir to the Cambridge estate and his dad had big plans for him. He laughed.

  “Are you kidding? Seriously, I’m a straight A student. I’m captain of the football team. I volunteer at the food shelter every Thanksgiving. I’m a peer counselor and I tutor the freshmen. I was an altar boy and an Eagle Scout. I attend Mass every Sunday and I even met the President last year. I’m going to be a lawyer and then one day, I’ll be on the Supreme Court. I’m a legacy for Yale, so you bitches can kiss my ass,” he said while checking his watch.

  “Now ladies, I have a fireworks exhibit to oversee. Good night.” He walked past them and out the door, shutting it behind him.

  Sydney turned to Molly and Arielle. She shook her head. “He’s bluffing.”

  “I don’t know,” said Molly. “He is rich and popular. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea,” she said worriedly.

  “No,” interjected Arielle. “We had to confront him. Let’s give him a week. See if he sends anymore threatening emails. This is summer vacation anyway. Let’s enjoy the rest of the party.”

  The sounds of fireworks exploding in the backyard prevented any further conversation and the girls went outside to view the display. They stood together and clapped with the others as the fireworks went off one by one. Brandon stood off to the side, facing the fireworks but watching the girls instead. Five months later, Sydney would be dead, Molly harassed at school and Arielle receiving threatening notes.

  Recalling the party of four months earlier, the girls shared their frustration. Molly was the most vocal. Tomorrow their parents would be meeting with the police to discuss the ongoing harassment and bullying they had endured. They shared their anxiety.

  “I don’t know how I’m going to tell my dad about the attempted rape,” said Molly. “Thank God, you will all be there. I couldn’t do this alone.”

  “We’ll all be there tomorrow. And Freya and Duke will be there. Isn’t he cute? I like him,” giggled Megan.

  Arielle agreed. “Yeah, he’s pretty sexy. I think he likes Freya. You could tell by the way he looks at her.” The girls nodded
in agreement.

  “Guys, we’re not here to gossip. We’re here to prepare ourselves for tomorrow, now let’s get down to work – be serious!” admonished Anya.

  So, the girls worked diligently preparing themselves for the next day. All the while, they were being observed from a secret admirer watching them from the backyard. Hidden in a tree and using binoculars to see better, he watched the girls excitedly. It was the not the first time the peeping tom had watched the girls. Nor, would it be the last.

  “What are they up to now? Anya is talking- she’s always talking. And Molly is crying as usual. Megan is writing in a notebook. Is she taking notes? And Arielle is just sitting there not saying anything. Why, are they having a meeting? Is it about me?”

  He pondered their activity a while longer until he grew bored, descended the tree, and walked home. He lived nearby. No one thought anything unusual seeing him in the neighborhood this time of night. After all, they knew him and no one would ever expect anything untoward from the boy next door.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  When Dr. Monika Raju learned that she and her husband were invited to a meeting at Anya’s house this afternoon, she grew worried. She suspected something was going on with Molly. Since Sydney’s death, Molly’s personality had changed drastically. The real changes began last summer. Molly started going to parties with her friends, wearing makeup and sexier clothing. Her husband didn’t like seeing his little girl growing up but he accepted it.

  Her husband, Azban, was a traditionalist but he was politically progressive, like her. Both her daughters, Molly and Katie were brought up with a focus on education first and socializing second. Still, she liked knowing both of her daughters were popular girls and excellent well-rounded students.

  They attended St. Bernadette’s School for Girls. A Catholic school, it was known for its tony pedigree and its excellent education. Dr. Raju knew the importance of education. She and Azban were ambitious in their careers and expected their daughters to pursue careers as well. Katie aspired to be a doctor and Molly would probably end up in the science field. She excelled in chemistry but loved music and the arts too. So, this afternoon meeting at her neighbor’s made her anxious. She knocked on her husband’s office door.

  “Come in.”

  “Hi honey. Are you done yet? We’re supposed to be at the Armstrong’s in a half hour.”

  He stood up and turned off his desk lamp.

  “Let me change my shirt and I’ll be ready in ten minutes,” he said.

  A man of his word, fifteen minutes later, the Raju’s walked the short distance to Anya’s house. It was one of the benefits of living in a cul-de-sac. They walked to the back door and knocked. Ursula Armstrong answered the door. Tall, sleek and all in black, she hugged them each and escorted them into the newly renovated family room.

  The walls were grey and a large white sectional sofa occupied the middle of the room. A blue and white geometric rug covered the hard wood floor. A small bar area filled one corner and a jukebox filled the other.

  A huge wide screen TV hung suspended over an electric fireplace. And a pool table stood in front of the double French doors leading out to the pool area and hot tub.

  Shelves lined one wall. They were filled with family photos and exotic souvenirs. Two ceiling lights with chandelier glass balls hovered over the room giving off subtle lighting that added to the cozy atmosphere. Two white leather chairs faced the fireplace and several grey, blue, and white beanbags covered the floor. Sitting on the beanbags, were Anya, Arielle, Megan and their daughter Molly. They were sharing a bowl of popcorn.

  Monika and her husband sat on the sofa with Ursula and her husband, Larry. A woman she’d never seen before introduced herself as Jody Monahan, Megan’s mom. Apparently, Arielle’s dad couldn’t make the meeting so he was the only absent parent.

  The doorbell rang and Larry got up to answer it. He returned shortly with a young girl that Dr. Raju had never seen before. She looked like a college student. The man beside her was tall and well-built with dark wavy hair. She recognized him as the former deputy for Agatha Falls. A very tall exotic woman was standing beside them. She had never seen her before.

  “Hello everyone,” said Ursula excitedly. “I’d like to introduce you to our guests. This is Freya Barrett from the Beacon, Duke Mott from the local police department and Detective Dianna Ramirez. She is our new detective all the way from New York City! Please try the delicious treats from the local bakery. The bathroom is right down the hall on the left. Welcome to our home!”

  Anya rolled her eyes. “Aunt Ursula, get on with it!”

  The woman ignored her niece and continued to talk for another few minutes about the recent renovations in her home. Eventually she turned the floor over to the detective and sat down beside her husband. Detective Ramirez stood up and thanked the Armstrong’s for letting them use their home that afternoon. She then explained as succinctly as she could, the girl’s situation. When she was done, she sat down and Freya took over.

  “So, it’s very important that the girls have your support at this time. They need to tell you what is going on, but in their own words. We’re just here for guidance and to help them, of course.”

  Dr. Raju raised her hand shyly. “Yes I need some clarification. Are you saying that there’s a rapist roaming the streets of Agatha Falls? And he is targeting our daughters?”

  Before Freya could answer, Molly stood up and walked over to her parents.

  “I need to tell you both something. Please don’t say anything until I’m done.”

  For the next few minutes, Molly told them about the night last summer when Brandon and Mike attacked her and Sydney. In a strained voice, she recounted that night. When she finished, no one spoke. Finally, Molly’s dad said what they all were thinking.

  “Why isn’t this monster in jail where he belongs? Why haven’t you arrested him?”

  Duke spoke next and his words seemed to calm the growing anger in the room.

  “Mr. Raju, your daughter thankfully was not raped but she was attacked. This happened five months ago, and it was not reported at the time and the only witness is dead. Attempted rape is a misdemeanor in this state. We can arrest Brandon and Mike but they will probably be released without any jail time. We need to build a case against this young man who may be the killer of Sydney Sanders. Please, don’t misunderstand me, I want to get this guy, but we have to do this right.”

  Megan’s mom spoke next. “I understand what you’re saying but these girls are 11 and 12 years old! They’re children! Megan, my God, why didn’t you tell me about this?” she demanded.

  Speaking calmly and slowly, Megan showed maturity beyond her years.

  “Mom, I’m fine. No one has raped me or tried to rape me. I haven’t been bullied yet either. But, I have evidence of cyber bullying from Brandon. I hacked into his personal computer and found the emails he sent to Sydney and Molly. We can get him expelled from Wainsbridge for that. And don’t worry about me getting in trouble for hacking. I didn’t leave any evidence. I’m not sloppy,” she said confidently.

  “As far as attempted rape, that’s only punishable by one year in jail in this state if he gets convicted and that’s a big – IF. So, we take what we can get. We take him down with bullying. Once he’s expelled, it ruins his school record. He won’t get into a good college and he’ll never be on the Supreme Court. That’s his dream, by the way. Brett Kavanaugh got away with it, but Brandon won’t.”

  She finished speaking, walked over to the snack table and picked up a slice of pizza. Following her lead, Anya and Arielle each grabbed a slice too and began to eat. Even Molly grabbed a slice and ate with her friends; still sitting on the floor in beanbag chairs. Eventually, the adults started to eat too and after a half hour, the atmosphere in the room relaxed considerably.

  On one side of the room sat the parents with Ramirez, Duke, and Freya. On the other side, the girls. The adults discussed their next step while the girls sat quietly, eating, and
observing the adults quietly.

  “What now?” Molly whispered to Megan.

  “I gave Duke the evidence of the cyber bullying. So, that parts done. Next, you have to give a statement to the police about the night you were attacked. And then, Brandon will be taken in for questioning and asked to give a DNA sample,” said Megan.

  “How do you know all this?” asked Arielle.

  “I’ve already spoken with Duke and Freya. I did it last night and again this morning. I like to be prepared,” Megan answered. The girls continued to talk and snack while the adults made arrangements of their own.

  “We need to keep this between us. Please don’t share this with anyone else. We don’t want to lose the element of surprise,” explained Freya.

  Duke asked the Raju’s to bring Molly to the police station Monday morning to give her statement. That same afternoon, he would take Brandon in for questioning and ask for the DNA sample. It wouldn’t be easy and he expected Brandon’s dad to fight this all the way. But as soon as Molly’s police report was filed, he had the legal right to act. Plans made, the gathering ended and the guests dispersed. Only Arielle remained at Anya’s and asked if she could sleep over.

  “Of course you can! You know I think of you as my own daughter,” gushed Ursula.

  The girls ran upstairs to Anya’s room and Ursula and Larry straightened the game room. With the girls out of earshot, the adults spoke unguardedly to each other.

  “My God! First Sydney is killed, then Molly almost raped and now Anya and Arielle are being threatened. What can we do?” asked Ursula.

  “Well, I’m not standing around waiting for the Agatha Falls police to solve this thing. I’m hiring a private investigator. I know the perfect person for the job. I’ll call him right now.”