Blackmail (3 page)

“You're happy together?”

“Very. We love each other deeply.”

“Does the force accept it?”

“For the most part. We don't advertise it but we're not in the closet either. It's mainly the old boys club who don't like it but as they retire, attitudes are changing.”

“I'm glad for your sake.”

“You have a lovely apartment. I love the view.”

“Probably not for much longer.”

“You’ll have to move? Why?”

“I can’t afford the rent here. My parents took out the lease and paid for it. I’ll have to look for somewhere cheaper.”

“I’m sorry.”

The girl's chatted for the next couple of hours. Avery was careful not to give Kylie any information which would lead her to the strip club. It was late when they called a halt to the evening. Kylie walked Avery home, ensured all was fine and then called a cab to take her home.

Avery's hand trembled as she handed over the keys to her much loved apartment. The three month's rent her parents had paid before they died had been used and she was now forced to vacate. She had only a suitcase of clothing and a few personal items which the lawyers had allowed her to keep. She had surrendered her car, under protest, when demanded. Although it had been a gift, the papers were in her father’s name. It was now held as part of the estate.

Why the fuck didn't mother and daddy have a will? This was the question she had asked herself over and over again.

Avery had been warned it could take a year or more before investigations were completed and the proceeds of her parents' estate released. She would then be comfortable but for now, she had a flat she wouldn't put her worst enemy in, no car and next to no money.

At least she had been able to organize a decent funeral for them both. The lawyers had no hesitation in releasing funds for that – thank God. She had feared her beloved parents were to be buried at taxpayer's expense, in an unmarked grave and in some obscure corner of a graveyard.

Officer Montrose had proven to be a godsend. She had held her when she cried, helped organize the burials and forced her to go out so she would eat. She had yelled, stomped her feet and even asked her partner, Glenda to try talking to Avery when she saw the apartment the distraught girl planned to live in. Glenda cajoled, pleaded and swore when Avery refused to move in with them. She stood firm, she would not be a burden to the girls and would live, or die, her own way.

Avery couldn't begin to tell Kylie how grateful she was for her support. Words didn't seem enough. She would love the officer as a friend to the end of her days.

She knew the deposit check she had written for the flat would be returned but it would give her some time to work out what to do next. Every cent she had saved was in bank accounts managed by her father and in his name. They had been deemed to be part of the estate and frozen. No amount of pleading had worked to get them released.

The only money she would receive in the foreseeable future would come from her job as a PA and her job at the club. She wasn’t due to be paid for almost a month.

The Agent's voice startled her back to the present. “I'm so sorry about your parents and everything else, Avery. I wish I could let you keep the apartment until the will is sorted but the owner is a greedy bastard and won't hear of it. I even tried to get the lawyers to at least let you stay at your parents’ house until the estate is settled, but they refused.”

“It's okay Mr. Groen. I can't afford the apartment anyway. Maybe when I am awarded the estate and sell the house, I'll come and see you about another one which is similar.” She kissed the elderly man's cheek. “Don't worry, I'll be fine. Thank you for everything.”

She headed for the part of town where the new flat awaited her. A generous way to describe the area was 'unsafe and seedy'.

Avery’s eyes opened and for a moment she didn’t know where she was. The warm fuzzy feeling was gone and she was staring at dingy walls with blistered, peeling paint work.

****

Present Day

Tegan raced down the hallway toward the safety of the dressing room. She was naked, her dance lingerie clutched against her slight frame.

She threw the door open, Marty was waiting. A deadly expression marred his otherwise handsome face.

The terrified girl dropped her clothing and darted toward the rear door of the club. Crashing through, she raced for the nearest house as fast as she could. It was no use. Before she had taken more than a few strides, Marty was upon her. He grabbed her from behind, lifting her into the air and holding her close against his body. She didn't have an opportunity to scream, not that anyone would have heard her over the noise of the club. And, the nearest house was more than five hundred meters away. Marty clamped his hand over her mouth. She smelled weed, alcohol and tobacco. She retched from the effects of the sickly sweet smell.

He dragged her into nearby bushes, where he was satisfied she would not be heard or seen, placed her feet on the ground and spun her around.

“Where's the fucking money?”

“I told you this afternoon, Marty. I met them like you told me to. They grabbed the package, jumped into the car and sped off.” Tears cascaded down her cheeks.

“I don't believe you. I called and they said you didn't show. You've sold it to some other motherfucker and I want my money.”

“No, Marty. I swear. I was there. It happened just like I said.”

Her captor was quiet for a few minutes.

Tegan shook and trembled with fear.

“I'll kill the pricks but first I'll take it out of you in pussy. I've been wanting some of your sweet cunt for a while now. I watch you on stage, coming on to those perverts in the audience. You're a real tease aren’t you?”

“Please Marty, don't do this. I promise I'll get the money.”

“How's a school girl like you gonna get fifteen thousand dollars?”

Tegan gasped.
What the hell was in that package to make it worth so much money?
She cringed as the realization hit.
Drugs!

“Nah, I think I'll enjoy having your cunt and ass at my beck and call. Maybe this has worked out for the best.” He pushed Tegan deeper into the thick bush. She yelped when she stepped on a thorn plant and it pierced deep into her bare foot.

Marty lashed out, slapped her hard across the head. She stumbled and landed on her backside. Thorns pierced her naked ass and she screamed.

He grabbed her arm and wrenched her to her feet. She felt her shoulder pop from its joint, the pain was excruciating, her scream was loud enough to break windows if any had been nearby.

Marty snapped and began pummeling her with his fists. The blows came hard and fast, stomach, face then the back of her head. She couldn't move her arms quick enough to minimize the impact. Stars appeared, darkness engulfed her.

He grabbed fistfuls of her hair and dragged her to where he could see her in the dim light. Blood poured from her face. Was she dead? He couldn't risk her being alive. She would be questioned about her injuries and the bitch would run off at the mouth. His business would be ruined and when Vince found out about his 'skimming' and 'business on the side', he would most certainly kill him. Marty couldn't risk it.

He pulled a stiletto from his boot and sliced it across Tegan's neck. She didn't move or make a sound. Blood spurted from the wound. Satisfied she would not survive, he dropped her back on to the ground and disappeared into the night.

The body, a tortured tangle of flesh, was found two days later by a young couple out walking their dog.

****

Avery stepped off the bus and rushed toward the club. She was late. Again. This time Vince couldn't be angry, he had called her late to say Tegan hadn't turned up and she would be covering.

Vince met her at the door, grabbed her arm and dragged her down the hallway to the dressing room. He pushed her inside and slammed the door.

“What do you want, Vince?” Her voice was thick with resignation, defeat. She was exhausted. He had made no allowances for her parents' death. She worked the late set at the club almost every night now. Rachel had been taken sick and was in the hospital. Avery didn't know what was wrong, she hadn't had time to visit and talk with her. When she had asked Vince, he had scowled and said she was an ungrateful slut playing at being ill.

“You're due on the fuckin' stage in ten minutes. This is the third time this week you have turned up fucking late. It's gonna come out of your pay check.”

“I have told you. My car was impounded. I have to get a bus now. I'm at the mercy of their schedules. “

“Get an earlier fucking bus.” Vince slapped her face. The force knocked her sideways. She was convinced her head had almost parted company with her shoulders. She steadied herself before moving closer to the prick.

“I'm done. You can tell whoever you fucking like. I'm past caring.” Avery spun around and stormed from the dressing room.

As she negotiated the hallway, Vince's voice rang in her ears.

“You'll be back. I'll make sure you won't get a job anywhere in this country. It’s work for me here or starve.”

“Go to fucking hell,” she screamed back.

****

Avery clicked on the news feed on her computer as she took a break for lunch. Taking a bite of her sandwich, she almost choked on the roast beef and salad. There, staring back at her was Tegan's smiling face. She was dead! No, it wasn't possible.
Maybe it only looks like Tegan
.

She studied the page closer and read the printing. Tegan had been found early that morning, naked in bushes. She squinted hard. The photo of the bush was opposite the club.

Fucking hell. Marty! He's killed her. That's why she didn't turn up for work last night. I'll go to the police. No, I can't. They’ll kill me too. They can't kill you if they're in jail. What if the police don't believe me? I’m a stripper?
Her thoughts warred back and forth.

Reading more of the attached story she discovered Tegan had been beaten and had her throat slit. No other details were available and the family and police were calling for witnesses.

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

She was trying to figure out what she should do when Mr Ro entered her office. The sandwich was placed down on her plate and she wiped the crumbs from her hands.

“Mr Ro. Do you need me?” she asked.

“Could you come to my office please?”

Chills bolted down Avery's spine. Her boss had spoken quietly, there was an expression on his face which suggested he was angry. But, about what? She always completed her work on time and to a very high standard.

She followed him into his office next door.

“Take a seat.” Mr Ro closed the door behind them before moving to his seat on the other side of the desk.

He sat quietly, fingers tented on the desk in front of him. Avery was becoming tense and more nervous. Her boss was always a jovial, talkative man, never quiet and serious.

He spun his computer screen around, not a word was spoken.

She quickly glanced at the screen then wished she hadn’t. Nausea overcame her, she knew she had paled. There on the screen, on the world's most popular social media site were pictures of her and Tegan. Totally naked, embracing each other. Hands fondling each other's pussy's. Written above was:

Daughter of Glanville’s most respected couple found out. Avery Watson – lesbian slut who strips for a living at the Pennywhistle Strip club. After working her ‘good girl’ job during the day, she strips and sells her body for sex. Would you employ someone like this in a decent family business?

More pictures of Avery and Tegan in various stages of undress, including full frontal nudity, followed. Their names were listed below. Vince had followed through with his threats.

“Mr. Ro,” she began

“I'm sorry Avery but I don't like deceitful sluts and they certainly don't work for me.”

“But….”

“I have had phone calls from all over the country in the past hour demanding you be sacked. We live in more liberal times, but not liberal enough to employ a tramp and a liar.”

Tears flooded Avery's eyes and poured down her cheeks, dripping from her chin. She couldn't afford to lose this job. How would she find another with her pictures plastered all over the internet? Sure, they were fakes, she had never been with Tegan, but how did she prove it?

“I have placed your wages into your account but there will be no severance or holiday pay. I feel any Judge in any court would agree, because of your disgraceful and immoral behavior, I have the right to fire you with no benefits forthcoming.”

Avery's head spun but she heard something about money placed in her account, No, no, no. It can't be. She couldn't access it and she needed it desperately.

“Sir, I need the money in cash. The account I was using has been frozen until the estate is released.”

“Honestly, I don't give a fuck. The money has already gone into the account. Pack your belongings and get out.”

“But…”

“GET OUT.”

Avery knocked the chair to the floor in her hurry to escape her boss’ fury and condemnation. After grabbing her purse, she stumbled from the building.

****

Avery scoured the papers for work. Most jobs these days were advertised online but her personal computer, like everything else, was listed on her father's asset register and had been impounded. Would this nightmare never end?

She had managed to secure a few dollars from the government unemployment department but this emergency grant wouldn't even give her enough to live on. They said she would get more when she proved she had applied for, and attended, job interviews. How the fuck could she do that when, as soon as she gave her name people slammed the phone down in her ear.

Giving a false name had gotten her as far as a couple of interviews but as soon as they clapped eyes on her face, she had been told to leave. Even employers in Talcott, ten miles away, wouldn't have anything to do with her. She was a social pariah.