by J J Harper
"Where did he keep this box? Did it move after you found it?"
"No, he never knew I'd opened it and it wasn't long after that we started falling out and arguing. That was about girls I knew and why I never brought any of them home."
"Why didn't you?" Ginny looks surprised.
"Because our parents were fucking weird, they were always over familiar with any girl I ever spoke to, and wanted to know if they were my girlfriend and what I liked to do to them. Seriously fucking weird!"
"Back to the box Theo, where could we find it now?"
"I'll bet it's still in the back of the garage behind an old tea chest full of mum's old dance costumes, he's probably discovered much simpler ways to blackmail girls now, especially with Rohypnol available, if you know where to find it."
Ginny's head shoots up. "Jake used it on me, sometimes just enough to make my recollection hazy but other times to completely wipe my memories.
Well I think it was just once, but shit what do I know any more. But if the others believed it was consensual, wouldn't they question why he had to drug me first?"
"Okay, I'll chase that up too. Right I'll get the police to search his garage and find that box. It gives us proof that your parents’ actions were premeditated and it wasn't coercion. But as for your work contract we need to dig a bit deeper over that one, because I'm sure one of the pages you signed would have been his consent form.
I'll get Lucas looking for any employees who left soon after you started and he can take it from there. Don't worry Ginny, you keep letting us do that and you keep growing that baby of yours."
But then Theo threw an enormous spanner in the works. "Have you talked to Melanie, I mean Maddie. I will get used to it I promise Ginny. She used to spend a lot of time with our parents even when Ginny was out at dance practice or whatever pathetic idea my mother had for that month. She may have seen things, she was pretty close to dad wasn't she."
"I'm sure she doesn't know anything Theo, she just liked being away from her awful family."
"It doesn't hurt to ask babe, let Lake talk to her."
"Fine, but she would have said something by now if she had wouldn't she, I mean she's been with me through all of this."
I know I didn't have to say anything and so did Lake because Ginny said it. "Apart from when she opened the door."
The silence is broken by Lake's phone ringing and we all jump. "Come on let's get away and grab some coffee, not you Imogen you can have herbal tea." I see her face perk up at the thought of coffee and then drop quickly again.
"I hate herbal bloody tea, it tastes like piss and I hate you Mason Reynolds." She grumbles alongside us as we walk to the elevator.
"No you don't you love me." Giving her the little half smile I know gets her going.
Maddie walks ups as we are waiting. "Hi Theo, it's good to see you here. Checking up on your baby sister again, you always did watch out for her when you were still at home, I'd see you hanging outside the dance studio or the gym, not so much after though, but hey it's good to see you with her now."
"Well that was strange." Ginny whispers. "I've never heard her mention you before at all, strange she brings that up now."
"And in such a bitchy way too." Theo replies.
My stomach falls and I think I'm going to ask Lucas to do some digging on her past too.
I ask Theo to take Imogen back to our place, she looks exhausted and need to sleep. I go up to Lucas' office and see if he can do some digging on Maddie as a sixteen year old, unfortunately he's out for the day.
Heading back down to my office I call in to Lake again.
"How bad is it looking Lake, don't sugar coat it for me, it's just you and me now mate." I run my hands through my hair and lace my fingers together behind my head.
"I know, and it's a serious clusterfuck. Ginny was right about Peter Jenkins being the kindest to her. He has a daughter from a previous relationship and Williams and Ginny's parents blackmailed him into employing Ginny and then leading her to Williams by threatening to introduce his fifteen year old daughter to some of their other friends.
He has admitted taking part in the rape but he believes his drink was spiked that night also. The other three are being strung up by their balls, photographs and videos on their personal computers have shown them with Jake raping Ginny and other young women. They are a bunch of seriously sick bastards."
"I've just tried to get hold of Lucas but he's out, I'm interested if he can find any wronged ex-employees, I'm sure he will. But on a more personal level, do you think Maddie is more deeply involved in this? You know her better than any of us, what's your gut instinct?"
"Shit Mase, I think she has something she's hiding from us. She had a very troubled childhood, and maybe she has seen or heard things, but unless I just ask her outright I don't see what more I can find out. She has become so separate and self-contained lately, we hardly have a relationship going anymore."
"Are the two of you still together?
It's been strange since the night we announced the baby, Ginny rarely sees her now especially since she moved out."
"I honestly don't know, we spend a few nights together through the week and she may stay one of the weekend nights, I love being with her but I don't think I am in love with her. She's got a great sense of humor and fucks like a demon, but neither of us seem to be prepared to push ourselves that extra inch to commit fully."
"You can't say fairer than that man. I've got shit loads of work on my desk so I'm going to plough through that and then head home, I sent Ginny back with her brother, he's a good guy.
Did you know he now owns and runs therapy centers for children and young adults who have been abused? He's actually thinking of opening another in this area, I think he feels guilty for leaving Imogen and wants to reconnect with her."
"He's lucky she's as forgiving as she is. Anyway, I hear you bought yourself a house on Saturday. How did you get away with that?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Managing a laugh I walk away my head spinning at the depths of evil Ginny's parents have stooped.
Clearing my mind I spent the remainder concentrating on the cases on my books, and they need my help and full support as much as Imogen does.
Leaving at five thirty on the dot I try Lucas again but he's not answering his cell.
I hope Imogen is still resting so instead of going straight home I chance knocking on Luc's door. He opens the door and is startled to see me.
"Hi Mase, I'm a bit busy right now can I catch up with you later?" He looks like he's hiding something. He's probably got a girl in there.
"Oh okay sure, have you finally got over your dry spell? I'll speak to you later, it's not urgent, you go and have some fun." I walk away and down to my place, excited to see Imogen.
Imogen
Theo is walking me home and is quietly thinking, and I know that he's working out how to tell me something important. I love that I can still read his emotions even after so long apart.
"What's going on Theo? You look like you've got something on your chest you need tell me about." I worried about how much more crap is going to be thrown at me, how did this ever happen?
"I have, and it's really serious and I want to tell you but we need to go and see Lucas because I believe he already knows about this and is trying to dig a bit deeper. I've text him and he's at home so we need to go there now."
"Theo, you're scaring me. Is this something else I'm going to have to cope with? I think I've reached my overload point. Too much stress is going to affect my baby and I won't let that happen." My hand subconsciously strokes my bump.
"No, I think it's something that will put your mind at ease and explain a lot of missing pieces in this tale."
We've reached Lucas' apartment and he opens the door quickly to let us in.
"Lucas, thanks for meeting us. Did you manage to find anything else out?" Theo reaches his hand out to shake Lucas’
"No worries mate, you look worn out Ginny." He ki
sses my cheek and leads me to a recliner chair.
"Thanks, it's turned into a really shitty day. But I do think I owe you a huge 'Thank you' for finding me such a perfect home." At least my smile is genuine about this one thing.
"It's great isn't it? I knew you'd love it and I'm sure you are bursting with renovation ideas. I think Mason is setting up at meeting with the architect and constructors this week so can I tag along, if you don't mind that is?”
"Hey Imogen, I'd like to see it too." Theo’s smile is so endearing, I never realize how much I missed him after he left, he was never mentioned, they cleared his room and wiped him out of our lives, the feeling of hatred I have for my parents is rapidly getting out of control.
"Hell! Why not, the more the merrier. But can we get down to the real reason we are here." My smile fades at this point.
Theo starts to talk first. "I believe that Maddie has nothing to do with any of the horrendous goings-on that our parents have done. But I do think that she was involved with Dad. I saw a few things when I was still at home and I have been digging deeper since we have reconnected. It looks like she was sleeping with Dad." He holds up his hand to stop my protestations. "Just listen to what Lucas and I have discovered please."
I nod my head but the waterworks behind my eyes have started up again. Lucas takes over talking.
"Ginny, do you know about Maddie's home life? Did you know that she had been raped by one of her parent’s friends?”
Again I nod my head. "It happened in her own home, her parents are chronic alcoholics and drug addicts and always had a house full of equally wasted losers. So when it happened she was ignored and told to not make up lies, it took a lot away from her, and she became very introverted and withdrawn.” Shaking my head at the memory of Maddie’s behavior. But she started spending all her free time with us even though our home was just as poisonous, she just settled in.”
"That's what I have found out as well, but when she started staying at yours a lot more she was craving a normal home life and I believe your parents always welcomed her. The relationship with your father didn't start until you had nearly left school and had started planning going to college. It looks like your father helped her with her studies and paid for most of her tuition fees."
"Whaaat! No way! I always wondered how she afforded to be there. Her parents were always drunk or high or just too plain lazy to fill in the forms to get her the appropriate grants, they were quick enough to get every benefit they could, neither of them were ever sober enough to hold a job down.
Well while my good old daddy was paying for her, I got the bare minimum and had to work in a bar to keep me in books and food. Shit! How can I not have known about this?" I can feel the anger rising in me. "Fuck! That bitch, no wonder she was always hanging round." I spin round to Theo. "How did you work this out? And why the fuck didn't you do anything about it before?"
"Heidi, I didn't know, I just thought they acted a bit too familiar around each other, but hell she virtually lived with us to keep away from her own house." His face has gone red as his voice rises.
"For fuck's sake, Theo! Stop calling me Heidi! She died a long time ago just after she was drugged, raped and beaten by a man who was supposed to love me and his fucking friends, who are now trying to get out of it. Well, all accept the sick piece of shit that started it all and he took the cowardly way out.
“Jesus! What I would give to have five minutes alone with the rest of them and a big fucking stick. So Theo where the fuck were you when all this was going on? You were over here helping abuse victims, well shit! I sure could have done with some of that sympathy and understanding don't you think.
“Theo you left, and by running away you threw me to the sharks! Did you ever think to call or check on me? You must have some serious thick skin covering you to have ignored what you knew was going on and starting a new rose-tinted happy fucking life!" God my temper is seriously out of control and my heart is pounding. A scream is desperately trying to fight its way out of my body right now.
I collapse back down in to the chair and Lucas hands me a glass of water. My hands are shaking so much I can hardly hold the glass. I look at Theo and see that his hands are shaking and he has tears in his eyes.
My anger leaves me as quickly as it started and I look up at two of the people hell bent on helping me. "Shit, Theo and you Lucas, I'm sorry I didn't want to take this out on you but Mason is always so calm and concerned he doesn't let me scream and shout, and Christ did I need to get that out." A very dry chuckle erupts from me before another painful sob breaks from me.
Lucas sits in front of me and grabs hold of my knees to stop them from shaking. "Imogen you never need to apologize to me, and I'm sure Theo has thought all of those things about himself already. We love you and we will always have your back, so you are always welcome to come over here for a good scream and shout, okay?" I look at him and at my brother and give a small nod.
"Okay so back to the issue with Maddie. Everything I have discovered about her is innocent, yes she had an affair with your father but that was more a cry for help from a person she considered a father figure. Your father just took advantage of a vulnerable young girl. Her only crimes against you are her never telling you about your dad and being stupid enough to open the door to Williams.
She is not and never has been involved with Williams or your parents’ crimes." Lucas sits back on his heels and gives me a small smile. "You need to talk to her about this before Lake or Mason start accusing her of any involvement in this case."
"I know and I will. I need to get hold of her soon before Lake starts to investigate her. He also wants you to check out any ex-employees of Jake's that may have been quickly fired. I will have to think about it too, because something in the back of my mind is niggling away. I will remember it if you can give me a day or two."
Just then there's a knock on the door and Lucas jumps up to answer it. I can hear Mason talking and I give Theo a panicked look.
"Don't worry, Lucas will get rid of him. Why don't you give Maddie a call and arrange to meet? You and she need to clear the air. And Imogen, I'm so sorry I didn't protect you and I don't know how to even begin to apologize properly to you or how to make it up to you."
"It's okay Theo, just stick around for a while and let us catch up and start again. I'm sorry I shouted so much but shit it felt good."
"I think you are amazing, you should come to one of our group therapy sessions, the girls there would love to hear about your survival and how you started to live again."
"I don't know if I'm ready for that yet. I'm still in the process of finding me, or discovering the Imogen who emerged out of the ruined broken body of Heidi. I haven't mourned the loss of her properly yet I think that will take some time. But for now the new me, the Imogen that I'm becoming, is loved by a man I feel lucky to have found, and who I think is worthy of my love too. So I think I'll leave your therapy alone for now."
"That's a real shame, because the words you have just spoken are probably the strongest I have ever heard an abuse survivor use. I have nothing but love and admiration for you Imogen, my sister. I love you." Theo has tears in his eyes and coughs away his emotion as Lucas walks back in.
"I think you'd better get home Ginny love, because he is gonna freak when you are not resting at home. Look I'm going to speak to Maddie and tell her what we have found out, and that you both need to speak about it before Lake acting as your attorney asks her for an interview. I will try and set it up for tomorrow morning if that's okay with you?" He kisses my cheek and hugs me. "It WILL all be okay Imogen I promise you."
Theo walks me down the hall. "Do you want to come in? You are welcome to stay the night, we have a spare room, admittedly full of my clothes but the bed is clean and comfortable."
"Thanks, but I've booked in to a hotel and I want to call Lucy, and I can speak to Charlie before he goes to bed. She is very excited to meet you so we must get together soon. I would like all of this to be over first,
I don't want you to meet your sister-in-law for the first time with all of this hanging over our heads, I'm sure you understand."
"That's fine Theo, I totally understand, I don't want my relationship with her being uncomfortable because of all the drama going on, I would also appreciate your discretion on my private life."
"Of course I would never divulge any secrets Imogen, in my profession I understand the need for privacy..." He starts to say something else but the door behind me bursts open and Mason is stood there on his phone.
"No, no it's okay Mom she's here. Sorry to bother you. Yeah I love you too. Bye"
He looks at me and I shrink back expecting him to be angry but he just looks relieved and pulls me towards him. "Ginny I've been worried I expected you to be sleeping, where've you been babe?" He looks up at Theo. "You should have let her rest Theo, you are a father you should know how important it is for a woman to rest during pregnancy. Ginny has been through a tough day and should have slept, please help me to help her."
"Mason, I'm sorry but something important came up and we needed to act on it immediately. I don't think Imogen is able to tell you about it at the moment but I think by tomorrow evening it should be sorted. I would also like to say that you really need to let Imogen be the person in control of her pregnancy and maybe needs you to step back and let her make some decisions.
I know you don't think I have the right to voice my opinion but I think you should ask her more often than you should tell her. I hope I haven't upset you Imogen but you are not made of glass and you are an intelligent woman capable of knowing if and when you should sleep.
I'll see you tomorrow, call me when you know the details. I love you and I am on your side and that goes for you too Mason. Bye Ginny." He smiles briefly and walks towards the elevator.
"Come on Mason, let's go inside. You're right I should have rested but I found out something today that seemed more important than sleep. Don't let Theo get to you, he is carrying over a decade of guilt and may find it easier to sound off at you than at me." I reach up and stroke his cheek and feel him relax in to my hand.
