by Mari Madison
I sucked in a shaky breath, trying desperately to quell my nerves. My stomach twisted, and I was this close to puking on the spot. Who was this guy? What was he talking about? What did I do to him? And why couldn’t I remember it? I stared at him through tear-blurred eyes, trying to identify his face.
“Please,” I whimpered. “Just tell me what I did.”
I could feel my cell phone vibrating in my purse. But he had my arms pinned so I couldn’t reach for it. I should have never agreed to have come here alone. I’d been so determined to get this story—to get justice for these whales and closure for me—once and for all. I’d knowingly put myself at risk.
Don’t go into the basement, girl . . .
This princess saves herself.
But how could I save myself when I was pinned against a wall? The man outweighed me by at least a hundred pounds. And he looked plenty eager to have an excuse to bring on the hurt.
No. I wasn’t going to be able to fight my way out of this. But maybe—if I kept my head—I might have a chance to argue my case. But what case was I arguing? Why was he doing this? I needed to know that, at least, if I was going to have a chance.
My captor stepped forward, invading my space. He pulled off his baseball cap. “Come on,” he cajoled. “You don’t recognize this face? And here you told me it was so handsome, too, once upon a time. So handsome you could barely keep your hands off me. Or . . .” He sneered. “Was it those passwords you really wanted your hands on?”
I stared at him. Oh my God.
Suddenly everything clicked into horrifying place. And I realized exactly who this man was. Who he must be. And, all at once, it all came full circle.
“You’re that IT guy,” I whispered. “The one that gave me the passwords.”
My mind raced as I connected the dots. He looked totally different than he had back then. Which I guess is why I didn’t recognize him when I scanned Troy’s interview. His hair was shorter. He’d lost his gut. And he no longer had a mustache.
But it was him. It couldn’t be anyone but him. My mind flashed back to that fateful day when I’d gone into his office five years before and given him a pretty smile. Batted my eyes and thrown some compliments around as Troy and Ryan had instructed me to do. A simple flirtation, but enough to flatter him into doing something very stupid. Handing over the keys to the kingdom to the usurper. So Ryan could work his magic.
Or his crimes, as it turned out to be.
“The name’s Johnny,” he reminded me, spit flying at my face as he talked. “Not that you would bother to remember that. And why would you? I was just a fucking pawn to you and your little rich friends. Just some poor slob you walked over to get what you wanted.”
The cold, hard hatred in his eyes chilled me to the bone. I didn’t even know what to say. Mostly because he wasn’t wrong. That was exactly what we had done. And after that, when trying to deal with the fallout, I’d pretty much forgotten he even existed. At the time I’d been too worried about Troy to think of anyone else.
“I was fired,” he informed me. “In case you were wondering. Fired by your dear old dad. No severance. No COBRA. Just a big black mark on my record and the threat of jail time if I didn’t walk away without making a fuss.” He scowled. “Do you know any corporations who would hire someone like me after that? An IT guy who allowed his entire network to be hacked by thieves?” He shook his head.
“I tried for years to get a new job. My wife left me. She took the kids. The bank foreclosed on my house. For a while I was homeless—my credit was shot, my debts were through the roof. I tried doing menial jobs—construction, fast food. When that didn’t work, I turned to petty theft. Ended up in prison.” He scowled. “Where I spent the last three years thinking all about you.”
I swallowed heavily, emotions swirling through me, too hard and fast to catalog. While I knew I should be very frightened—and I was—I couldn’t also help but feel this weird sense of guilt at the same time. What had we done to this man? We’d destroyed his life without a second thought. Even if Ryan had been nobler in his intentions—the fallout for Johnny would have been the same.
All these years I’d put blame on Ryan and Troy for tricking me and using me for their own personal gain. But hadn’t I, in the end, done the very same thing to Johnny? Yes, I’d had a noble purpose: I’d clearly wanted to save the animals. But at what cost to my fellow human being?
Construction workers on the Death Star.
Because Jedis don’t have 401(k)s.
This man standing before me hadn’t abused any animals. He probably hadn’t even known Water World was part of the corporate conglomerate at the time. He just wanted to do his job. Make a living. Feed his family—get by. And then I walked in with a low-cut dress and a smile and tore it all away.
“I’m so sorry,” I blurted out, though I was pretty sure the statute of limitations for apologies had long run out. “I was wrong. I was totally wrong. And I’m so sorry you were hurt by my stupid mistakes. I will make it up to you now—I promise. No matter what I have to do. We’ll get you a new job. Or I’ll get you money. Whatever you need—or want—I promise I will—“
“No. It’s too late for that now,” he snapped back. “I don’t want your apology or your pity. I just want to see justice served. You and your father destroyed my life. Now it’s my turn to destroy yours.”
He laughed at this, as if it were some crazy joke, his cockeyed glare sending fear spinning down my spine. Once he might have been sane, but that had clearly ended long ago. And now he was hell-bent on revenge. And no smooth talking was going to get him to change his mind.
“What are you going to do?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. But it cracked on the last words, betraying my fear.
He smiled, evidently enjoying the terrified look on my face. “Isn’t it obvious?” he asked. “I’m going to give you exactly what you asked for. An up-close and personal look at those goddamned whales.”
Oh God. Realization hit me with the force of a ten-ton truck. He was going to throw me in the tank. And those whales—the ones I was working so hard to save—would tear me apart.
“You won’t get away with this!” I cried. Mostly because that was what people always said when stuck in situations like this in the movies. Problem was, I wasn’t so sure that was true in real life. The park was empty. He’d turned off all the cameras. Bribed the security guards to stay away. Everything that had been supposedly set up for me to get my undercover video was now turned into a perfect way to end my life.
“Come on, princess,” he sneered. “Everyone knows your history with Water World. How much you love those sweet killer whales. No one’s going to be all that shocked when they find you floating in the tank, your undercover camera in your cold, dead hand. They’ll assume you were out doing an exposé. It’s just so tragic you got too close. That you fell in.” He gave a chilling laugh. “And who knows? Maybe your death will prompt others to start looking into the case? Maybe your death will end up bringing these animals a second chance.
“That’s all you wanted, right? To save the whales? It’s just too bad you can’t save yourself at the same time.”
He grabbed me, ripping off my purse with my cell phone inside and throwing it to the ground before dragging me over to the tank. I screamed, trying to kick myself free, but to no avail. He was just too strong. We reached the tank and I looked down, watching the killer whales swimming beneath the surface of the water. From first appearance they looked like gentle giants. But I knew all too well they could also be killers.
“Any last words?” Donny—Johnny—asked, wagging his eyebrows at me. “Do you want to beg for your life again, perhaps? I’ll be honest; I get a kick out of listening to you grovel. Sweet music to my ears after all this time.”
I shook my head, sucking in a breath, closing my eyes and forcing myself to not panic. I couldn’t lose my head—or I
would quite literally lose my head. There had to be a way out of this, somehow. There had to be.
Don’t go into the basement, girl.
This princess can save herself.
I stopped short.
Oh my God.
She struck him in the throat with her forearm.
That was it.
That was totally it.
I swallowed hard, firming my resolve. Waiting for the right moment. The moment he made himself vulnerable, just as the girl had done in the film. Just as I had demonstrated with Troy during our segment. My heart thudded in my chest and I could barely breathe. But at the same time, determination welled up inside of me. I could do this. I could totally do this.
I could Mary Sue the shit out of this guy.
“What are you waiting for?” I demanded. “Just throw me in!”
I made a move, as if I was trying to struggle. He grabbed me harder, trying to boost me over the wall to push me in. As he shifted position, I made my move, stamping hard on his foot, then slamming my elbow backward and upward, straight into his throat. This time with all the force I could muster.
He let out a cry of bloody murder, loosening his grip. I whirled around, kneeing him in the balls as hard as I could. He doubled over.
I took off running.
“You bitch!” I could hear him scream behind me. “I’m going to gut you, you stupid bitch!”
Not that stupid, I thought, adrenaline rushing through me. In fact, that was pretty goddamned smart.
That said, I was far from out of the woods—or out of the park, as the case might be. I had no idea where I was or where the nearest exit could be. Not to mention whether I could even get out at any of the exits if I found them—or if they’d all be shut and locked like the one I’d come in through. I could try to hide, but he would have all night to find me. And now he was really pissed off.
What to do? What to do? I could hear his footsteps behind me, chasing me, getting closer. Would he catch up to me? Would all my efforts to escape only make it worse in the end?
Suddenly my ears caught the sounds of sirens. Wailing in the distance, then coming closer. I kept running, my lungs burning in my chest, trying to follow the sounds. Were they really coming here? Oh, please let them be coming here. Because he was gaining on me. Because I was running out of breath. Out of options. If those sirens weren’t for me . . .
“Freeze! Put your hands on your head! This is the police!”
Oh thank God. I stopped short, obeying the command. My legs buckled out from under me and I could barely stand, but I held my hands up high, showing them I wasn’t the threat.
“He’s chasing me!” I called out to the officers. “He’s trying to kill me.”
A moment later three officers rushed past me, giving chase. A fourth stayed behind, approaching me. I sank to my knees, no longer able to keep standing. I was shaking so hard I was almost convulsing. Now that I was out of danger, the tears ran from my eyes like rain.
“Are you okay?” the officer, a woman with dark hair, asked me. “Did he hurt you? Do you need medical attention?”
“No. I don’t . . . think so.” My heart was pounding so hard in my chest I felt as if I was going to pass out. The officer studied me for a moment, then helped me to my feet, putting her arm around me to lead me to the exit.
“How about we just make sure of that?” she asked gently. I nodded and she led me out of the gates toward the waiting ambulance.
“How did you know?” I asked, turning to her, puzzlement breaking through my fear. “How did you know to come? That I was here and in danger?”
“I told them.”
I whirled around, my knees buckling again as my eyes fell on the lone figure behind me. Standing tall, strong, without a trace of fear in his eyes.
“Troy . . .” I whispered, my heart exploding.
He gave me a sheepish smile. “Sarah,” he said.
And then we were in each other’s arms. I wasn’t even sure how it happened. I didn’t see him move toward me or feel myself move toward him. It was as if we’d just fast-forwarded to the spot where we were hugging. Kissing. Crying. The part where we were together.
“I’m so sorry, Sarah,” he murmured, his mouth moving against my ear, sending shivers to my toes. “I should have been here. I should have always been there for you.”
I closed my eyes, snuggling against him, feeling warm and safe. “You’re here now,” I told him. “That’s all that matters in the end.”
forty-six
TROY
I led Sarah over to the EMTs, insisting she get a full workup, even though she promised me she was fine. I told her I wasn’t taking any more chances. They did a quick once-over and pronounced her physically sound, though they offered to call her in a prescription for some Xanax to calm her nerves. She declined, saying she just needed to go home and get some sleep. I told them to call in the script anyway. Just in case.
I drove her home and helped her back to her apartment. The cozy little space the two of us had been sharing before I’d taken off like a child. I wondered if she’d go back to her beach house now, once things had shaken out. Her actual stalker behind bars.
The police had caught Johnny at the back of the park where he had angrily confessed to everything—including the prior attacks—and allowed himself to be arrested. If Sarah’s father’s crime bill went through, he would probably be put away for a very long time.
“I still feel a little bad for him,” Sarah said as she settled down on the couch, pulling the afghan over her knees. “All this time, I’ve been thinking about how Ryan ruined my life. And I never stopped to realize I wasn’t completely innocent in the whole matter, either.”
“Your heart was always in the right place,” I reminded her, sitting down on the couch at her side. “You wanted to help those animals.”
“And yet now, once again, we’re back to square one,” she said with a heavy sigh. “No video. No story. No happy ending for anyone.”
My heart ached at the pain I heard in her voice. I turned to her, taking her face in my hands, forcing her to meet my eyes with her own. “That’s not true,” I told her. “The way I see it? This is just a minor setback. I promise you, one way or another, we’re going to save those animals. We’re going to get Water World shut down.”
She gave me a half smile. “We?” she repeated.
“If you’ll have me,” I said simply. Then I sighed, giving her a rueful look. “Look, Sarah, I know I haven’t made things easy for you. Hell, for myself, either, for that matter. And I’m still a long way from ever getting back to being the man I used to be. But I have taken that first step. I have a therapist I like and I’m taking a leave from work so I can concentrate full-time on my recovery. I’ve even, well . . .” I could feel my face flush. “I’ve even filled a prescription for an antidepressant. Just to see how it goes.”
Her face lit up. Joy radiating from her eyes. It made me want to both laugh and cry, all at the same time.
“Oh, Troy, I’m so glad,” she whispered. “I know it couldn’t have been an easy thing to do.”
“Yeah, well, it should have been,” I said with a grimace. “But as you know, I can be a bit pigheaded at times.”
She gave me a shy smile. “I know. That’s one of the things I’ve always loved about you actually.”
I groaned, rolling my eyes. “You always were a glutton for punishment,” I teased. Then I grew serious. “Look, I’m not asking for a second chance,” I told her. “Well, at least not right away. I don’t want to rush into anything until we’re ready. I have a lot to work on, obviously. But I thought, maybe, there might be a way for us to do some of that work together? On us? I mean, I know they have marriage counseling. Maybe there’s something for non-married people as well?”
She laughed, the sound ringing through my ears like Christmas bells. “T
hat’s called couples counseling,” she assured me. “You don’t need a marriage license to apply.”
I met her eyes with my own. “Would you be willing to do that with me? I want to set things right with you. And I don’t want to screw it up again.”
She nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “I would love to do that,” she said. “Trust me, you’re not the only one who needs a little guidance at this point.”
I smiled at her, feeling tears prick at the corners of my own eyes. “You know I love you, right?” I asked her, squeezing her hands in my own.
She nodded, but didn’t reply. And for a moment I panicked that maybe she no longer felt the same love for me. But then I realized it was because she just couldn’t speak. Not without bursting into tears. And so I reached up, tracing her cheek with my hand.
“It’s okay,” I said, gazing into her beautiful eyes. Eyes that once upon a time I thought I’d never see again. “You don’t have to say it. I know. I’ve always known.”
She smiled at this, and I leaned down and kissed her softly on the mouth. And then I kissed her again. Slowly, unhurriedly. Because, I realized, with Sarah there was no need to rush. If all went well—and I was determined that it would this time—we would have the rest of our lives to kiss each other. Because this time, no matter what, I was never, ever letting her go.
And even if I never got back to where I had been, even if I had to work the entertainment beat for the rest of life. Even if we quit the news business altogether and finally ran away to Mexico as we’d once dreamed about, living a simple life on the beach, our children playing in the waves. It wouldn’t be a small life. It wouldn’t be a disappointing life.
It would be the best life ever. Because I would be sharing it with her.
forty-seven
SARAH
six months later
Thank you, Ben, for that illuminating Where Are They Now of all the old Bachelorette contestants. It’s amazing how far some of them have fallen since their appearance on the show.” Beth turned the camera. “And now, stay tuned. After the break we have a very special report from our honorary I-Team members, Sarah Martin and Troy Young. An undercover investigation you won’t want to miss.”
