The Paradise Box Set

by Leslie Pike

  An evil smile lights his face.

  “That was inspired, I have to say. I just taped that whole thing when I went to Vegas. Then, when the time was right, I sent it to you. I knew you’d be too stupid to detect any differences.”

  “No, really Kevin. I was going to call you and ask if we could get back together. If you’d give me another chance.”

  “Get up,” he commands.

  I try, but I’m weak. I don’t move fast enough for him. So he grabs me by the arms and brings me within inches of his face.

  “I’ll take you back right here. Now.”

  He moves me like a doll, without effort or care. He turns my back to him and shoves me against the wooden table in the center of the room. He reaches around to the front of my pants, roughly unzips them and pulls them and my underwear down. He bends me over, so my face is pressed against the rough tabletop. I know what’s coming. I try to go inside myself, be apart from what’s going to happen. Just like I always did. But my mind’s not right. I can’t disassociate. I’m going to feel it all.

  I watch as he goes to his backpack, lying on the floor. He takes out the thing he loves to threaten me with. The custom made rubber monster he uses whenever I’ve done something that displeases him. It’s too big to be anything but a device meant to inflict pain. The raised bumps on the surface have made me bleed more than once. When he gets this way, this angry way, I know it’s going to happen.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” Kevin says.

  He goes back to the backpack and brings out his hunting knife, what is he going to do? I’m starting to shake.

  “You’re pretty proud of that braid aren’t you?”

  “No.”

  “Don’t lie to me. I saw that guy playing with it. He pulled you to him for a kiss. With everybody watching. Like you were his property. Well, you’re my property. Don’t you ever forget it again. I may cut something else off next time.”

  He picks up my braid and roughly severs it off. He dangles it in front of me. The tears won’t stop, now.

  “Get ready, baby. You’re about to feel the burn. And after I give it to you in the ass, I’m going to fuck you raw. If you decide to scream, I’m going to tape you back up. Just a warning. It’s your choice. No one can hear you here.”

  * * *

  I’m bleeding. I can feel the river of blood streaming down the back of my leg. He lifts my head from the table and stands me up. But I collapse. I don’t have the strength to stand. Then I’m aware he’s dragging me toward a closed door. My mouth is taped. He made good on his threat to shut me up. But he needn’t have worried. I wasn’t going to scream any more. My throat is raw from the terror of the last hour. I wanted him to put his penis in my mouth. I’d have bitten it off. I had decided to do that. But it was the one place he didn’t violate.

  And suddenly I know why this place is so familiar. I’m inside the cabin we filmed at. He’s taking me to the closet where the electricians and the set decorators stored their supplies. Right before I’m pushed inside, I take a look around the room. What can I use for a weapon?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Finn

  I’m staring into my open closet. What am I going to wear tonight? Pick something man, it’s not rocket science. Ok. I take out my grey pants, a white shirt, and black belt and hang them on the bathroom door. I’ll grab my new cashmere jacket later. That was a gift from my Director. The guy’s got great taste. Now I can pack everything else for tomorrow’s trip. I take out what I’ll wear on the road. My jeans and a T-shirt get tossed to the chair, and my tennis shoes kicked to the corner. I hate this feckin’ packing crap. Can’t I hire someone to do this? I grab my two empty suitcases, which have stood waiting in the corner for the last two months and open them on top of the bed. I wish Esme were here right now. Not to help me, but to fuck me. It could be my reward for packing. I’d throw those suitcases on the floor, and use the bed for what it’s intended for. Stop it. Pack.

  She’s got to get her things ready too. We didn’t plan this very well. I look at my watch. Two fifteen. I expected her to call by now. She said she would when she took a break. But maybe they’re powering through. Now she’ll either have to get her things together before we go to dinner, or after. I vote before. I’ve got plans for the midnight hour. I could do it for her, but I’m too acquainted with the mind of a woman to make that rookie mistake. That would be the stupidest thing I could do. I’d end up packing things she’d need tomorrow, or put things in the suitcase wrong, or a hundred other missteps a man would never consider. No, I’m going to let her take care of her own things. I get to my job, and it goes quicker than I thought it would. Of course I’m not really folding things perfectly, or caring how wrinkled they will be. It was a big time saver. I’ll just wash everything when I get back to California. That’ll get the wrinkles out. I move on to the bathroom. Forget it. I’ll get to this stuff in the morning, after I shower. There. I guess I’m done. Think I’ll call Paul.

  I take out my cell and punch BB’s number. I’m sure that’s where he must be. I let it ring until her message plays.

  “Pick up Paul. Pick up.”

  He answers.

  “What?”

  He sounds a little winded.

  “Hey, what’s happening?” I say.

  “I don’t know. You called me.”

  “Better get your ass over here. We’ve got to be ready to go by seven thirty tomorrow morning. Kizzy wants to leave by eight. Have you packed?

  “Not yet. I’ve been busy,” Paul says.

  I can hear BB giggling in the background. I’m sure I interrupted something kinky.

  “Well tuck your dick back in your pants and get over here. I want the place to myself tonight. I don’t want to hear you banging your suitcases around at one in the morning. I’ve got plans.”

  “Well I’ve got plans right now. I’ll be over in an hour or so. Help a brother out.”

  I hear BB yelling from where I suppose is on top of Paul.

  “A sister too. Quit being a buzz kill! I’m just about to come!”

  I just disconnect. But I’m smiling.

  * * *

  I look at my watch for the tenth time. It’s 6:30. I’m dressed and waiting. I’ve called her twice since I talked to Kizzy earlier. It went directly to voice mail. There’s a slight uneasiness growing in me. At least Paul showed up, and he’s in there now, packing for the trip. My cell sounds. I expect it to be Esme, but I can see on the screen it’s Kizzy.

  “Hi,” I say.

  “Finn, I just went to go out to my car, and your car is still in the parking lot. So I went back inside looking for Esme, but she’s not there.”

  I can hear the panic in her voice. My stomach turns, in a sickening twist.

  “What? What time did she leave?”

  “She never worked today. When she got here, I was already finished with things. I let her have the day off. She was going to get her nails and hair done.”

  “Stay there, I’m coming.”

  I disconnect.

  “Paul!”

  He comes quickly to the room, when he hears my voice.

  “We’ve got to get to the hotel. I think Esme’s in trouble. I’ll tell you in the car.”

  He doesn’t hesitate.

  “Let me call BB and borrow her car.”

  He gets to it, as I try to organize my thoughts. I’m going to call Vinnie right now. He can meet us there. I think that’s the best course of action. He’s more apt to get things moving in the right direction, rather than me calling the police, and having to explain the backstory. He knows Esme’s history. I’m going to let him make the correct moves. Jesus! I hear Paul talking with BB, but things are moving in an almost slowed down speed.

  “Ok. Let’s go get the keys,” Paul says.

  I grab my wallet, and we both make sure we have our cells. Paul puts a hand on my shoulder.

  “It’ll be alright, Finn.”

  But neither one of us knows that’s going to be true. And I
can’t even respond, so great is my fear for my girl. We move quickly out the door. BB’s waiting, keys in hand. She passes them to Paul, and gives me a sympathetic look.

  “Good luck. I’ll be praying,” she says.

  And we’re gone. As the elevator takes us to the underground parking, I’m calling Vinnie.

  * * *

  Vinnie, Paul, Kizzy and I are standing together, waiting for the crime scene investigator. We can’t touch the car, or stand close to it, in case it would compromise any clues. The wind has picked up, and the temperature is dropping. Vinnie was standing by his squad car waiting, by the time we got to the hotel. Another policeman is inside, interviewing the manager.

  “There’s no obvious signs she was taken from her car. Are you sure this is the only method of transportation she’d use? Could she have hitched a ride with one of the other crew members?” says Vinnie.

  “No. She’d use my car. I’m sure of it,” I say.

  “She was going to get her nails and hair done for her date with Finn tonight,” Kizzy adds.

  “Let’s get things going. Do you have to wait a certain amount of hours to file a report?” I ask.

  “No. Not when there are suspicious circumstances that warrant an investigation. But I need to ask a few more questions. I have the description of her, but can you tell me if there are any identifying scars or marks?”

  I try to think of one, but she’s almost flawless. Then I remember.

  “The only thing I can think of is she’s got a broken little finger on her left hand. It didn’t heal properly. He did that too. This guy’s not afraid to cause damage. She’s told me some horror stories.”

  “You mentioned her grandmother. I need to speak with her, so I can get this guy’s information. That’s the first thing we have to do. Can you reach her?” Vinnie says.

  “Yes.”

  I walk to the side and make the call. As much as I hate to tell her grandmother, I’m glad I’ve got her number. God, I don’t even know the woman’s name. She answers.

  “Grandma, this is Finn.”

  “Is Esme alright?”

  “I don’t know. I’m sorry to call you like this, but it’s important. Esme’s missing. She didn’t come home from work today, and there are some suspicious signs.”

  Shit, she’s crying.

  “She called me yesterday to tell me things were good. She thought we wouldn’t be hearing from Kevin anymore,” she says through her tears.

  “I’m sure that was what he wanted us to think. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have bought that lie. But now we need to work fast. The policeman wants to speak with you. He needs any information you have about Kevin. Are you ok to do that? It’s really important.”

  “Put him on the phone.”

  By the time Grandma has finished talking with Vinnie, he’s learned Kevin’s legal name, his social security number, credit card information, driver’s license number and the license plate and make of truck he drives. She knew when he served in the military and where he was stationed. All because she and Esme had planned the escape for so long. They thought the information might come in handy, as Esme reestablished her own credit, or if he made fraudulent purchases in her name. I speak to her after Vinnie does, and tell her I’m going to fly her out. I’ll have one of the production girls call her and make the arrangements. She doesn’t hesitate with her agreement. She needs to be here. Esme will need her to be here.

  Vinnie broadcasts a BOLO bulletin, so that law enforcement can be on the lookout for an at risk missing person. Then he entered her name in the Department of Justice’s Missing Person system. Things just got real. We’re all looking like deer in headlights, as the wheels start moving.

  “OK, I need a few things from you Finn,” Vinnie says.

  “Anything.”

  “Do you have a picture of Esme? A head shot or close up showing her face forward?”

  “I’m sure I do. Yeah, I do, right here.”

  I get out my cell, and bring up my pictures. I find the one I’m thinking of. It’s my favorite shot. She’s smiling at me, and she looks so beautiful. I can’t help the tears that fill my eyes.

  I show it to Vinnie.

  “That’s good. Send it to my phone. We’ll create flyers with her picture and related I.D. It’ll go to all the law enforcement sites.”

  Two other police cars pull into the lot, behind us. They come to a stop on either side of where we stand.

  “Ok, CSI’s here. Let’s move back,” Vinnie says.

  We do, and he continues.

  “I’ve got her cell number, but did she use a computer or tablet?”

  “No, nothing. She’s probably the only one who didn’t,” I say.

  “Alright. We’ve got no concrete evidence so far of foul play. She never filed a report of abuse, or pressed charges. But context is everything. It’s not a crime to be missing, but in this case we have reliable witnesses who say this is out of character, and we have multiple people telling us of past abuse. So now we take things step by step. We’re going to interview the staff here and any guests who may have seen her leaving. We’ll see about the hotel cameras, and we’ll check the hospitals. I suggest you go back to your homes, and we’ll call as soon as we make some progress,” Vinnie says.

  I look him straight in the eyes.

  “I’m most definitely not going home. I’m going looking. I have my cell and Paul has his. You can call us.”

  “I don’t suggest you do that,” Vinnie says. “We have no idea if he’s still in town, or two states away. Plus, from what you’ve told me, the guy’s most likely armed. Don’t provoke anything. You could make things worse. Let us do our jobs.”

  “I can’t just sit. We’re going to at least see if we can spot the truck.”

  He can see I’m not going to be dissuaded.

  “Come on Paul,” I say.

  We walk to BB’s car and I ask Paul to drive.

  “I’m going to make some calls. Just head for Main Street. We’ll look there first.”

  We get in the car.

  “Look in the parking lots of the hotels we’re going to pass. Maybe that fucker is stupider than we think.”

  I start calling. I call Jack first. After I fill him in, he volunteers to start looking too, which I expected and accept. I ask him to do what he can to expedite the search and give him Vinnie’s cell number. Jack’s star power may be of help. I don’t know; I’m grasping at straws. Then I call BB. I ask her to call production so they can arrange Grandma’s flight. She offers to do it herself, saying she can get it done faster. She’s going to put it on her credit card and told me not to think any more of it. I send her Grandma’s number and ask her to find out her name for me. I don’t like calling her Grandma. It’s odd what goes through your mind in these unfamiliar situations.

  I call the head of the Teamsters who were working on the film. I ask him to keep an eye out when he takes to the road tonight. I caught him just as he and three of the trucks were about to leave. That’s good. They’ll pass the information to all the drivers. The fact that some are already on the road works in our favor. I describe Kevin’s Ram truck and give him the plate numbers. I’d love it if one of these burly take-no-shit guys would find him and tear him apart. When I disconnect I feel a little more hopeful.

  I turn to Paul.

  “Ok, what am I forgetting? Can you think of anything I’m not doing?”

  “I’m already doing it. Pray,” Paul says.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Paul

  The next four hours are spent driving around Park City. We look in every hotel and parking lot, every restaurant and gas station. Finn shows people Esme’s picture, and asks if they’ve seen her. It works against him, that people recognize his face. Some are so stunned by the movie star, they barely register his question. Others want to make small talk. This while he’s asking about a missing person. More than one remarked how much they enjoyed his last film. Fuck. What kind of world is this? That the life of a youn
g woman takes second place to talking with a celebrity. So I took over the job, and he went to make some calls. When I get back to the car, he’s talking with Vinnie. He puts him on speaker.

  “Any news?” Finn asks.

  “Nothing yet. CSI didn’t find anything suspicious. They’re going to run the prints, but they doubt there’s anything there. We’ve got the tapes from the hotel, and we’ll study them. But the camera on that side of the parking lot may not have picked up her car. I’m going back to the station now. My shift ended a few hours ago, but there are some good detectives on the case. I’ve given them your numbers. They’ll look at the tapes. The guy you want to ask for is Dan. I’m going to get a little shut eye, but I’ll be back early tomorrow. You should get some sleep too. Everything’s being done that can be.”

  “I don’t want to stop looking. Maybe she’s hurt,” Finn says.

  “Listen, I know it’s frustrating, but we have officers looking right now. We’re watching the airport. Patrol cars are searching the area. If nothing shows up, we’ll have the dogs looking tomorrow, when it gets light. You need to get me a piece of her clothing, so the dogs will have her scent. Don’t get it from the hamper. It may be mixed with others scents. But find something she recently wore. Bring it tomorrow, packaged in an unused bag,” Vinnie says.

  “Where would you search?” Finn asks.

  “He may have gone into the mountain with her. But there’s nothing you can do tonight. Go home, Finn. Let’s meet back at the hotel at seven.”

  I look over at Finn. He’s as wiped out as I am.

  “Alright. If you want us to be there earlier let us know. And I still want you to call me if you hear anything,” says Finn.

  “I promise.”

  He disconnects, and I see an odd expression on his face.

  “What?” I say.

  “Let me run something past you. As soon as Vinnie said it, something clicked. I bet that fucker took her into the mountain.”