Nothing followed.
She sat there for five minutes looking at the professor, ears hearing but failing to give meaning to his words, before she decided to leave class and talk to Bill.
Another five minutes came and went before she worked up the courage to stand and walk out, the attention she knew it would bring her something she didn’t want to face. Naturally, she got her purse caught on the desk as well while trying to leave, which just added to the focus on her. Even the professor stopped talking.
“Sorry,” she muttered, voice so low only those around could probably hear it. “Emergency.”
Shortly after that, she was in the hallway heading to the nearest door so she could call Bill, mind trying its best to shake the embarrassment she had just endured.
“Hello,” Bill said after a single ring.
“Hi,” she replied. “I left class to talk.”
“Oh, okay.”
“So, you found her.”
“Yeah, and believe it or not, it didn’t take long at all. I don’t know why, but she actually sent me a friend request the other day and I accepted it. So while looking at Mr. Moore’s profile I saw we had a mutual friend.”
“You didn’t realize it was her when she friended you?” Kimberly asked. If he hadn’t recognized her then, what made him so sure now?
“I didn’t really look at the picture. I get quite a few friend requests from people who read my stuff, and since I don’t go online that often they stack up.”
“Oh.”
“But this time I checked out the profile, because it seemed quite odd that we would share a friend and sure enough, it’s her.”
“You’re positive?”
“Yep. Sadly, there is no address info.”
“Still, if we know her name we can tell the police and I’m sure they can contact Facebook and find out everything they need to know.” Excitement was coursing through her bloodstream. After everything that had occurred it finally felt like they had made a serious step toward putting a stop to things. Then again, she had felt this way a few times throughout this ordeal and nothing good had ever panned out. For some reason this time around felt more genuine than the previous moments. “Oh, by the way, what is her name?”
“Amy,” he said. “Amy Baker.”
“Amy?” Kimberly questioned, an ‘uh oh’ echoing within her head.
“Yeah.”
“Wasn’t that the same name as Mark’s girlfriend?” Even as she asked this she knew it was, his words at the police station yesterday replaying themselves in her head. The words of the officer followed, the ones where he reminded him to have his girlfriend Amy get in touch with them so she could report upon the harassment she had received as well.
“Um, was it?” Bill asked.
“Yes, it was.”
But if NIU_Nikki was harassing her as well –
The thought ended as she realized that Amy could easily claim harassment. In fact, doing so would help keep suspicion off herself.
But why get involved with Mark?
Was it just another way of keeping tabs on her?
She remembered Mark informing her that he was going to claim the two of them got together -- as if she really were Nikki -- in hopes of somehow throwing NIU_Nikki off track and / or learning more about her. Maybe by doing this Amy had realized she should be close to Mark so she could stay up to date on what was unfolding from their end.
“Wow, I don’t really know what to say,” Bill said.
“Same here,” Kimberly admitted.
“I suppose we should tell him, but – “
Kimberly waited and then, when he never finished, asked, “But what?”
“I don’t think he’ll want to hear this from me, so why don’t you let him know.”
Oh god. She didn’t want to be the one to do this, not after being able to see how happy he was yesterday when talking about her. Mark and she didn’t really know each other all that much, but from the beginning she had been able to tell he was a really sweet guy, one who had been jerked around quite a bit by Nikki (and Bill), so knowing he had found someone he enjoyed being with had been nice.
“You know, by telling him yourself maybe you will be able to patch things up with him a bit,” Kimberly suggested.
“I don’t care about patching things up with him,” Bill said.
This startled her.
Anger appeared.
“You know, you’re kind of a jerk,” she said. Surprise at how easily the statement rolled from her tongue arrived. Normally she wasn’t this direct with people, Kyle having been one of the few exceptions.
Bill didn’t reply.
“I mean, it’s one thing to do what you did. I don’t agree with it, but I understand the money angle. But to be unapologetic about it after seeing the hurt you caused someone; and after learning you were somewhat responsible for a man’s death -- ” she shook her head even though he couldn’t see “ -- I don’t even know what to say about all that.”
“It is what it is,” Bill said. “Look, if it would make you feel better I will let him know about Amy. I just want it to be clear that I’m not doing it to patch things up with him or so he will forgive me, because I really don’t think I did anything wrong.”
She sighed. “Whatever. Let me know what happens and if you learn anything else.”
“Fine.”
“Bye.” She ended the call.
Dismay at how someone could be so unmoved by their own actions filled her, but then she wondered if he really was unmoved or just was acting unmoved. Maybe deep down inside he really did feel some guilt at what he had done, but just didn’t want anyone to know. Maybe deep down inside he was conflicted by it given how it had helped him along, yet also had caused so many horrible things to occur.
Thinking about this she almost felt bad for the negative thoughts she had projected his way, and shared. Even so, she could not forgive him for what had happened in recent weeks, even if he wasn’t the one behind the harassment. If not for him, none of this would have happened and therefore she couldn’t help but hold him responsible. She also couldn’t help but think he had to understand this himself; had to think about it while sitting up there all alone.
What if it plagues him?
All his statements about how he has no remorse could just be a shield. Inside his mind could be racked with guilt.
But will he ever admit it?
The question stuck with her for a while, but then faded as thoughts on what she should do next arrived. Going back to class was out of the question; she wasn’t about to call attention to herself again. Going back to her place didn’t seem appealing either, however, not when Bill would be right above.
An idea hit, one that she couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought about right away. A second later, after orienting herself and visualizing where she needed to go, she started walking toward the library. Once there she quickly found the nearest computer, which happened to be on the third floor, and logged into Facebook.
5
As was typical, Amy didn’t stop browsing the aisles after she had grabbed a box of heavy-duty garbage bags and a new bundle of paper towels, and soon had a shopping cart nearly filled to the brim with items she didn’t necessarily need, but would use in the coming days.
Unless I’m dead or in jail.
The thought soiled her journey through the candy aisle, yet also made her less worried about adding a few sweet treats to the cart. After all, why worry about the cost or the fat if this was one of her last days being alive or free?
No, just alive, because you won’t allow yourself to be taken.
Thinking this, she wondered if there actually was a risk of being killed by either William or Kimberly. Would the two really be capable of putting up a struggle that could result in her death?
Not if you do things right.
The question was what was the right way? She had been thinking about this quite a bit, yet didn’t really have much of a plan. Instead, she just saw hers
elf subduing William at some point this afternoon and then waiting for Kimberly to come home from work. But how would she subdue him? This was the tricky part. However, once he was subdued she had a feeling everything else would be easy.
And fun.
Just thinking about the things she would do to Kimberly -- and the things she would have William do to her if he was still alive -- put a huge smile on her face.
And maybe, just maybe, it will all be enough to rid your mind of the horrible memories once and for all.
Maybe you will finally be able to get on with your life!
She crossed her fingers and hoped this would be the case.
If not . . .
Well, she just decided to wait and see what would happen. Honestly, there was nothing else she could do.
Wait and see.
Mark’s phone beeped.
She was pushing the cart toward the Target checkout lane, her eyes looking for an open aisle amongst the dozen closed ones, when this occurred, and quickly pulled to the side to see who it was.
WILLIAM CELL.
Hmm. She had been expecting his mother again, who had already called twice this morning, the voicemails growing more and more worried with each unanswered call.
A lady pushing a cart that had even more items than her own passed her. Seeing this and also noting that only one checkout aisle was open -- why did they even bother having so many? -- Amy quickly started pushing the cart toward the register. Once there and her spot was secure she checked the message.
MARK. I HATE TO TELL YOU THIS, BUT YOUR GIRLFRIEND AMY IS NIKKI.
Amy almost dropped the phone.
How?
It didn’t make any sense.
“Miss?” a voice called. “Um, Miss?”
Amy looked up and saw that another register had opened.
Behind her a guy who was balancing several items in his hands hurried around to the register and dropped everything upon the conveyor belt. Amy slowly followed and began unloading the cart, her mind unable to comprehend how William could possibly know that she was Nikki?
Ask him.
But do it in a way that would sound like Mark.
What way is that?
The question bounced around for nearly a minute, a time during which the guy paid and the young cashier began scanning her items.
Amy watched all this, her hand unconsciously pulling her credit card free so she could swipe it, her other hand still holding onto the phone.
The cashier totaled everything.
Amy silently winced and then scanned her card.
Everything went through.
Two minutes later, she was pushing the cart toward the exit, a realization that she was going to need both hands spurring her into action with a message back to William.
BULLSHIT.
It was all she could think to say when trying to think up an appropriate response from Mark. However, what she really wanted to ask was HOW THE FUCK DID YOU LEARN THIS?
BEEP!
She pushed the cart up alongside the passenger side of her car and pulled out the phone.
BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT, BUT IT’S TRUE. AMY IS NIKKI.
Now you can ask how he knows this, Amy said to herself.
Question sent she began loading the groceries into the car. The phone beeped while she did this, the reply being a single word: FACEBOOK.
Heart racing, Amy asked WHAT DO YOU MEAN FACEBOOK? and then went to put the cart in a cart return slot.
BEEP.
SHE FRIENDED ME AND I RECOGNIZED HER PICTURE.
Amy stared at this reply, anger toward herself growing.
You shouldn’t have done that.
But I wanted to know more about him.
His profile was completely public.
She shook her head.
At the time, it had seemed like such a good idea, but now . . . well, now she couldn’t believe she had been so stupid.
But at least he didn’t send this to Mark the other day. That could have been a disaster.
This isn’t?
Could she use this to her advantage somehow?
She thought long and hard about this while driving back home, the anger and frustration with herself slowly dissipating.
Maybe I can lure him away and then get inside his place?
Getting into the garage even though it was locked had been a piece of cake. Unfortunately, she doubted that getting into his apartment would be the same simply because most tenants wouldn’t tolerate such a thing. She also doubted he would have a key hidden somewhere up there, especially after everything that had happened at the house.
Too bad you can’t somehow get a hold of his key and have a copy made.
The idea was so implausible that she quickly pushed it from her mind so she could focus on other, more realistic possibilities.
6
Having accomplished everything he had set out to do in regards to the Nikki situation, Bill decided to call it quits with the computer for a while and pushed away from his desk.
Hunger guided him into the kitchen.
Nothing within was appealing though so he decided to put his car to good use and headed out, his mind unsure what he had a taste for until he drove by a Qdoba. Not long after that, he was sitting at one of the corner tables, waiting for the burrito insides to cool down, his eyes looking at the latest message on his phone. It was from Mark.
I THINK YOU MAY BE RIGHT. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Bill thought about this for a while and typed, DON’T TELL HER YOU KNOW. JUST CALL THE OFFICER WE TALKED TO AND GIVE THEM HER ADDRESS. Once that was sent he typed up another message that said, OR GIVE ME THE ADDRESS AND I WILL TELL THEM.
DO YOU THINK THAT WILL WORK? Mark asked.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE WILL THE POLICE SIMPLY GO AND CONFRONT HER?
Bill thought about this for a while. THEY PROBABLY WILL GO AND TALK TO HER SINCE IT IS REALLY MY WORD AGAINST HERS. WITH A LITTLE DIGGING THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONNECT ALL THE DOTS. MIGHT TAKE A WHILE.
Mark didn’t reply to this.
Bill took a bite of his burrito, and, while chewing, had a new thought, one that might help cement things a bit.
WHAT KIND OF CAR DOES AMY DRIVE? he asked.
A SILVER HONDA, arrived a few minutes later.
Crap! Then, NOT A DARK BLUE CAR? He wanted to add the make and model, but didn’t really know what it was. All he could do was picture the car from the repeated confrontations, and recognize it if he saw it.
NO, Mark replied.
Bill didn’t know how to reply.
A new message arrived. DOES THIS MEAN IT ISN’T HER?
I DON’T KNOW, Bill typed. COULD SHE HAVE A SECOND CAR?
NOT A CHANCE.
WOW, OKAY.
He took another bite of the burrito, his mouth savoring the flavor combinations while his mind played with this recent bit of news.
A new message arrived.
MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL MEET, Mark suggested.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN? Bill asked.
YOU ME AND AMY. MAYBE IN PERSON YOU WILL REALIZE IT ISN’T HER. PICTURES CAN SOMETIMES BE MISLEADING.
TRUE. YOU THOUGHT KIMBERLY WAS NIKKI WHEN REALLY THE PICTURES I USED WERE OF MY FRIEND NICOLE. AND IT WAS DARK WHEN I SAW HER.
Still, seeing the picture on Facebook and the fact that she was also friends with Professor Moore had been like a signal flare going off. It all fit together.
And didn’t he just say he thinks I’m right?
HEY, he typed. WHAT MADE YOU THINK AMY WAS NIKKI A LITTLE WHILE AGO?
Mark didn’t reply right away, so Bill set the phone down and focused on the burrito, his mouth methodically taking bites and chewing while his mind played over the idea of meeting Amy.
You’ll need to clean your apartment.
And you should --
His phone beeped.
JUST MY INSECURITY, Mark’s message said. I FIGURE WHY WOULD A GIRL REALLY BE INTERESTED IN ME. IF IT WAS BECAUSE SH
E WAS MESSING WITH ME IT WOULD MAKE SENSE. BUT MAYBE SHE REALLY DID LIKE ME.
Once again, Bill didn’t know what to say.
Another message arrived.
WHY DON’T I BRING HER BY YOUR PLACE TODAY? I WON’T TELL HER WHERE WE ARE GOING AND WILL SEE WHAT SHE SAYS ONCE SHE REALIZES WHERE WE ARE. IF SHE REALLY IS NIKKI SHE WILL PANIC.
Bill considered this while wrapping up the last bites of his burrito, his stomach having protested the final bites. It was an interesting idea Mark had, one that might help them know for sure what Amy’s roll in all this was.
Could be dangerous for him though, he noted.
If it was Amy, she might snap and do something in the car.
But either way we will then know for sure one way or the other if she is Nikki.
OKAY, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA, he typed. BRING HER BY.
A minute later a reply came that simply said, OKAY.
JUST LET ME KNOW WHEN SO I KNOW TO BE HOME.
OKAY.
With that, Bill put his phone away and headed out to his car, his leftover burrito in hand. Once home he would let Kimberly know about the new developments and see what she thought.
7
TRUE. YOU THOUGHT KIMBERLY WAS NIKKI WHEN REALLY THE PICTURES I USED WERE OF MY FRIEND NICOLE. AND IT WAS DARK WHEN I SAW HER.
Amy couldn’t help but stare at the message William had sent in the middle of their text conversation, confusion at what exactly it meant building with each second.
YOU THOUGHT KIMBERLY WAS NIKKI.
PICTURES I USED.
She didn’t like the direction this was pointing.
If the pictures aren’t of Kimberly . . .
Her mind let the thought fade as she pulled up the folder with all the pictures she had downloaded from the blog. Also within were the pictures she had taken a various points. While doing this she had never really made any comparisons between the two, but now she studied them and, after a few minutes, came to the startling realization that the two were not the same girl.
But . . . what does it mean?
She pondered this for several minutes, a growing sense of unease filling her. And then she recalled something Mark had said about Kimberly not being the girl from the site, and how he felt really bad for her due to all the torment being inflicted upon her.
It might not be her in the pictures, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t involved. In fact, she could have requested a really pretty girl be used so that she could lure in even more men.
Nikki's Secret Page 31
