“Insecure security system and dumb Smart Devices.” was my entire explanation, causing him to chuckle. “I have to admit, though ... I’m getting anxious. What if he sells the videos for quick cash because Logan keeps avoiding him?”
“Doubtful.” he discounted my worries, but continued when he noticed my questioning look. “Remember what I told you at the meeting with your folks? He dabbles in producing porn with women he or his associates forced into prostitution. I didn’t want to mention this with your family here, to keep them from totally losing it, but if he doesn’t get his money, he will probably take those four to his studio. Maybe even Logan too. Selling or publishing the videos beforehand would only take away his leverage to force them into compliance.”
My entire body tensed up while he spoke. As far as I knew, nobody ever told him what those videos actually showed, only that they were compromising material they could blackmail the family with. Without even outright saying it, he just offhandedly confirmed that he already had guessed what kind of videos they had of my ‘loving’ family. Did he also guess those videos showed incestuous intercourse? The remark for Logan possibly being put in front of a camera with Ava, Claire, Maggie, and Danielle could hint at that. I decided not to ask him, though. I really didn’t want to have that discussion with him. Also, if I was wrong, and he didn’t already know or maybe only suspected, me nervously asking about it would all but confirm it.
“Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I’m not exactly well versed in rape. How would he use the threat of publishing their compromising videos, to get them to make even more compromising videos for him?” I asked instead.
He nodded sagely while thinking his words over carefully.
“It’s hard to make rational decisions when you’re scared and feel like you’re with your back to the wall.” Bill recounted soberly, “Even if they somehow keep their heads straight, he doesn’t need to tell them. He could use the videos to force them into sex without them knowing he’s filming. Or, more likely, he could use the videos to make them simply agree to a meeting with him. Then they are drugged and dragged into the studio for an extensive shoot with his entire crew.”
I stared at him wide eyed for a good ten seconds.
“Yeah ... let’s move the plan forward!” I commented eagerly, “Let’s get this over with before he gets any ideas.”
“You heard what I
“Yes! I’m actually very confident I can get all the copies. I’m in every computer, drive, phone, and cloud storage he, his goons, and all of his employees have access to.”
He watched me for a moment, and only responded when I gave him a confident nod.
“All right. Then let’s get you home first. Get dressed, get your gear and the USB drive with your evidence. I’ll put it in the safe here, just in case anybody has quick ideas.”
“I’ll need to visit my GP first. Getting my stitches out today.” I remembered.
“Reschedule for tomorrow. If this goes sideways, you’ll appreciate the extra support on those incisions.” he said, as he opened the door for me. “I’ll call Paul to get ready when you are.”
He followed me home with his own car. When we entered the house together, we saw all six adult members of the family gathered in the living room. Logan should be on his way back to college, and Ava and Maggie should be back in school, so their absence wasn’t unusual. What was unusual were their expressions and demeanor. It told us, at a single glance, that all my careful planning had gone to shit!
“What happened?” I asked into the room in a defeated voice.
“Logan’s message in the group chat.” Aaron explained, like I should know what he’s talking about.
“What group chat?” I asked.
“The family cha...” Grandpa started, but stopped when he remembered I wasn’t a member of that. Just then, he realized it wasn’t because I disliked Facebook and WhatsApp. So, he got his phone out and showed me.
“The fuck does he mean by ‘fixing it himself’? How!?” I shouted at this point.
The idiot just had to ruin everything! He didn’t have the money, he didn’t have the evidence, what the hell was he trying to do? Then it dawned on me, and I ran to my bedroom to look through my drawer. I seriously asked myself why I even went through all this shit for these people. Especially since I, after further thinking, realized I probably wouldn’t be sent to a group home anyway, but rather a halfway house. If I was sent anywhere in the first place, since I had a job and an apartment I already paid rent for.
“What?” Bill asked. He and the family had followed me into my room.
“The drive’s gone. He took the evidence I gathered about their operation.” I answered in a resigned tone.
I started my laptop, ignoring the family’s looks. When it was ready, I immediately logged into their surveillance camera overseeing the main office in the sports bar, presenting us with a great view of Logan, looking like he took a few good ones to the face.
