Marked

by Skylar West

  I laughed at her imitation of the two of them. "Okay, go and get dressed."

  Maggie left, and I breathed a sigh. What was I getting myself into? Not only did I know nothing about kids, but I'd never planned a party in my life. What could I possibly offer the Falcone princess? When she came back, we headed for the second garage, adjacent to the one we'd used last night. I was shocked when she opened the door. She'd said seven cars; she'd never said what kind. "Uh, Maggie, are you sure your dad is okay with me driving one of these?"

  "Of course," she answered.

  I was hesitant about what to choose, and then finally decided on what I felt was the least showy of the seven and took the Range Rover. Fifteen minutes later, we were laughing as I told her story after story about her dad and myself as kids.

  "Theresa, did you like him?"

  "Yes, he was my best friend, of course, I liked him." She was after something; I couldn't put my finger on.

  "I mean, like him, like him, you know what I mean?"

  "Who do you like, Maggie?" She opened Instagram and showed me a profile of a cute guy who supposedly attends the school I went to. I looked at the profile, scrolling down. I could tell it was fake. "Do you know him?" I asked casually.

  "Just from talking online. He asked me to meet him later today, but I haven't answered him yet. I want to invite him to my birthday party, though. What do you think my dad would say?"

  A plan was forming in my mind at rapid speed, a way I could get her to see this guy was fake without me looking like an overbearing adult, and maybe catch a shithead pedophile in the process. "Tell you what, message him and invite him to meet up with you at the athletic park at the soccer field in an hour. If he's a nice guy, I'll make sure he gets an invite."

  She excitedly started texting and received an immediate reply. "Great, so listen, Maggie, this guy, this profile, it isn't real; it's a fake profile."

  "What?"

  "I make my living on the internet, trust me when I say I know a fake profile when I see it. If he'd answered that he couldn't meet, then this person could be harmless. But the fact he wants to meet you means he wants something."

  She looked like she didn't believe a word I was saying.

  "Look, don't take my word for it. He may not even show up. You know that pedophiles troll the internet looking for victims? Looking for young beautiful girls and boys, like you, Mags, you're the perfect fit. I don't want to see you get hurt by a cyber creep."

  She sat back and accessed me like her dad. I felt my face flush. "I don't believe you, but let's say I did, what happens if this guy shows up and he's not who he says he is, then what?"

  "Here's what I'm thinking. Let me dress in your clothing; we're almost the same height. I should be able to fit into something of yours. If your perfect boy shows, then you can get out of the car and tell him it was a good-natured prank, nothing more. But if anyone other than that boy comes, then you stay in the car, doors locked, and let me handle it, okay?"

  She finally agreed, and we left the restaurant and headed back to the mansion.

  Chapter Seven

  Jimmy

  I hadn't been completely honest with the girls. I did have to spend a few hours at a new job site with the safety inspector, but other than that, there was nothing pressing that couldn't have waited until Monday. My main motivation was to go and have coffee with Robert, to extend a dinner invite to him and Josh for tonight. I texted Robert after I'd wrapped up with the safety inspector and caught up on a little paperwork and asked if I could pop by.

  He texted back their address, so I headed over to their trendy neighborhood, in Washington Park West. I arrived at a three-story brownstone and was buzzed in. I climbed the single flight of stairs to their apartment and Robert opened the door, beckoning me in.

  I'm not typically a décor guy, but their apartment was stunning. I expected cold, modern furniture which seemed stereo typical of what I knew about gay décor. This apartment was filled with texture and colour, and everything spoke expensive, boho chic, which was totally in. Being here, I could see some of Robert's influence in Theresa's house.

  "Wow, Robert, this is some place you have."

  "Thanks, please, call me Bobby. This is more my style than Josh's, well, truth be told, Josh doesn't have style. He's almost militant in his desire for bare essentials living. I prefer bold colours and textures."

  I sat down on a bar stool in their 70s retro kitchen, while he made us coffee. "Jimmy, espresso, mochaccino, latte, what's your poison?"

  "Straight up coffee, black."

  I heard Bobby mumbling about tough guys and black coffee. I grinned in amusement. He was such a wonderfully harmless sort of person. I could see why Theresa liked him so much. Stylish, smart, amusing, many great attributes, and I found myself relaxing in his presence in a way I usually didn't with guys.

  We moved to the living room when our coffee was ready. I really liked what he'd done with the exposed brick. "Bobby, can I ask, did the apartment come with the exposed brick or did you add that in?"

  "Oh, well, when Josh and I were apartment hunting, I had exposed brick down as a must have. And, of course, one must have duct work exposed to lend to the feel of industrial, but I don't like the coldness of the look when it's decorated with only basics, hence the bohemian décor. Josh wanted to buy every apartment we walked into, just to get the process over with."

  He laughed and went on, "But I said no way, our apartment is here somewhere. Three months and thirty apartments later, I found this gem. Josh didn't even see it; he said, if it fit my qualifications, to buy it. So, yes, the brick was already exposed. Thankfully, because faux brick is so not what I wanted."

  "You have quite an eye. Have you ever thought of doing it professionally?"

  He took a sip of his espresso. "Yes, when I get sick of diagnosing hips and knees. Honestly, I am tired of the hospital politics. Why, are you looking for a premier designer?" He batted his eyes, and I couldn't help but laugh at his overt response.

  "Yes, this is a very in look right now. Would you be interested in decorating a few apartments for display purposes, if you have the time?"

  He sat up straighter. "Really? Why, I'd love to. Now stop chatting me up and tell me why you wanted to meet, other than wanting to spend time with me, of course." He winked.

  I laughed again. "Originally, to confirm Steve's identity, so I could exact some revenge, but I'm sure you follow Twitter and have seen the video?"

  He responded with a huge grin. "I certainly have, and Theresa texted this morning to say he got his walking papers. With his lack of popularity, I can't see any universities taking him on. She was spectacular, wasn't she?"

  He took a sip of his coffee. Then he added, "You're fixing all the wrongs in her life; good for you."

  "That is my intention," I answered and took a sip of my coffee. "But I think she nailed that one on her own."

  He nodded. "But she couldn't have done it without you, I think, and for that, I'm grateful, Jimmy Falcone."

  I accepted the compliment and stood to leave. "Oh, I wanted to invite you and Josh over for an authentic Italian dinner tonight. Can you guys make it?"

  "Ooo, a look at the mansion I've been hearing about. Of course, we'd love to."

  "It's a surprise for T."

  "Speaking of," Bobby said, picking up his phone. "She's asking if Josh is at work. That's odd. I wonder what she's up to."

  I pulled out my phone, nothing. "It can't be good."

  He looked up, puzzled. "How do you know?"

  "Because, she hasn't texted me. So, whatever she is up to, she doesn't want me to know."

  Robert's phone beeped. "Oh dear, not good at all."

  What is it?"

  "She said she's going after a pedophile. Could this have something to do with your daughter?"

  "Shit! What the? Robert, find out from Josh where they're going and text me the location, please."

  I texted T from my car. No response. Then my phone beeped with a text
from Bobby, telling me the athletic park, soccer field.

  I was across town; it would take half an hour to get to her. I hoped that whatever crazy trouble she'd gotten herself into, Josh would ensure her safety. I used my Bluetooth to call Maggie. No response. Damn those two. I pressed on the gas pedal, cursing in Italian at the Sunday traffic.

  Theresa

  I prayed I was doing the right thing. Jimmy would lose it if anything happened to Maggie. I had texted Robert and connected with Josh.

  "Theresa, what's going on?" Josh asked.

  I explained what was going on, and he promised to do an IP search and meet us at the park. Now, for the tough part, looking like Maggie. She dressed me in a mini skirt, full length over the knee socks, white sneakers, a glitter top, and a sparkly baseball cap. We were almost the same height, but my feet were bigger, so the shoes were killer. I put on no makeup, except bright pink lip gloss, and chewed on bubble gum. Taking stock in the mirror, I thought, from a distance, this may work.

  We arrived at the field ahead of time. I parked by the bleachers but not so close that he would see Maggie in the car. It was important for her to see him, not the other way around. I strutted over to the bleachers with my phone, looking busy and channeling my inner tween.

  Being a blogger, I was very aware of tweens use of language. I glanced at the conversation this guy 'David,' had with Maggie. There were so many signs that this guy wasn't real. I didn't have time to point these out to Maggie, but I would later and show her and Em, the folly of following fake profiles. Assuming Jimmy didn't lose it and decide to never let me near his daughter again.

  I saw I'd missed several texts from Jimmy. How did he know? I opened them up. I flinched when I read the first one, where the fuck are you? Followed by, I just got off the phone with Robert. I quickly exited my messages. I couldn't call him yet. He would interfere, and I was too committed to be stopped now.

  I saw a man walking across the field from the street side of the park. My hair stood on end. It was him; I was sure of it. I texted Jimmy that I was safe and would fill him in later. I stood up and paced back and forth in my 'notice me girl walk' that I'd seen Maggie do. I pretended to be talking on my phone to a girlfriend. I stopped walking and stood with my toes slightly turned in. I felt like I was giving an Oscar winning performance.

  I glanced to the bleachers, only a few feet away. Josh was looking like a professional athlete doing jumps and squats. As the man got closer, and I could see his face, I felt myself freeze. It was him, the same stalker from when I was fourteen. He was still going after young girls. It was all I could do not to throw up.

  Shit, he'd recognize me, I pulled my hat down lower over my face. Thank God I was wearing sunglasses. Back then, he'd been in his thirties, and now looking a little heavier and in his forties, but I was sure it was the same guy. I waited for him to speak to me, still acting unaware of his presence as I was there to meet a kid, not a man.

  "Maggie?"

  "Like, whose asking?" I said, whirling around.

  "I'm David's dad; he asked me to pick you up."

  My peripheral showed me that Josh had moved closer and was now stretching on the grass just a few feet away, within earshot, for sure.

  "Please, as if. Where is he?"

  "Over in my car. Come on; I'll show you." The guy was looking around nervously. He couldn't make a move on me with Josh so close; he needed to separate me. I needed to play along if we were going to catch him in the act.

  "Fine, then, but this is not what he said. He like said that I should meet him here." I started walking across the field, my phone beeping like crazy. I knew it was Jimmy, and by now, he would know where I was. I hoped he didn't show up before we nabbed this guy.

  We were almost halfway across now, and Josh was doing laps around us, staying far enough away to look legitimate. The guy beside me made his move, and he moved a lot quicker than I thought he could. He pulled something from his pocket and was trying to get it over my nose and mouth—chloroform. I felt bile rise in my throat. My hat and glasses came off in the struggle.

  "You're not Maggie; you're that little bitch from years ago, Theresa."

  "That's right, asshole." I pulled out my mace and sprayed him in the eyes. Josh was there in seconds, and he'd gotten the entire episode on video. He brought the guy down onto his stomach and slapped cuffs on him.

  Josh hauled him to his feet, and as he did, pictures fell out of the guy's pocket. Most were of Maggie, some of other girls, and he'd written or drawn the most disgusting things on the photos. I felt ill and was relieved when I heard sirens. Josh's back up was almost here.

  I looked back toward the parking lot and saw that Maggie was out of the car and running in my direction. I held up my hand and shook my head and pointed to the car. She looked and saw her dad squealing into the parking lot. She went back and I saw him wrap his arms around her, but he was looking at me. I held up my hand, with a thumbs-up.

  It was at that precise moment, the stalker chose to speak. "You got away from me years ago, Theresa. Too bad, I really wanted to add you to my collection. Then he laughed, and it was ugly, so ugly. I turned my eyes toward the parking lot. Jimmy had Maggie situated back in the car and was running toward us.

  He slowed down when he passed Josh, who nodded at Jimmy but kept his gun pointed at the stalker.

  I threw myself into his arms.

  "Theresa, I'll get your official statement later. You guys need to go."

  Other cop cars were now driving over the grass to get to Josh and the stalker. Jimmy let me go, and wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he marched us back across the field toward the cars.

  When we got there, Maggie jumped out of the car. "Theresa," she said and threw herself into my arms. "You were incredible, thank you. I was so wrong. I didn't know." Then her eyes filled up with tears.

  "I know, sweetheart, it's okay now. That awful man is going to get what's coming to him, I promise. And look, you're safe now, bella, you're okay."

  Jimmy had been watching our interaction. He stepped in now and wrapped his strong arms around us both and held us. I felt Maggie sigh and relax, feeling the power of his arms. I relaxed, too, and prayed that Jimmy would not hate me for what I'd done.

  "Okay, you two have some explaining to do; let's go home."

  "Home?" Maybe he didn't hate me after all.

  "Theresa, I'm taking Maggie; we'll meet you at the house." I nodded and got in the Range Rover. When I arrived, they had already parked and gone in the house. I parked the Rover and hung up the keys and stepped through the door into the house. I didn't want to face him. I wanted to run away and hide.

  But I heard laughter in the direction of the kitchen and headed toward it. At the threshold, I stopped and watched a very domestic scene in progress. Maggie was sitting on the counter talking to Jimmy, while he was pulling out pots and pans. They acted like nothing was wrong.

  "T, come join us."

  I didn't know what to expect, but this wasn't it. "Um, uh, hey, I should probably go and let you two talk about, ah, I don't know. I just, well. I just feel. Um, sorry, I'm sorry, Jimmy." I turned to flee. I had to get out before he unleased all his fury at me.

  "Stop. Theresa!"

  Jimmy spoke rapidly in Italian to Maggie, something about vegetables. Then he threw me over his shoulder and marched me up the staircase and down the hall to his suite. He delivered me to the bed. "T, you've got to change your clothes. Seeing you dressed as a twelve-year-old is making me horny, which is so wrong, but first, tell me what this is about."

  I didn't know what to say. Why wasn't he mad? Why wasn't he chewing me out? I knew what this was; he would fulfill the dinner obligation and then dump my ass. I couldn't take the rejection.

  "I just think I should go." I made to leave, and Jimmy grabbed me and sat on the bed with me over his lap, all in one smooth move. "Maybe after I give you those ten I promised, your tongue might work." He slid the skirt up. "Jesus, Theresa, you're not even wearing underwear, an
d this thing barely covers anything."

  He slammed his hand down on my ass. "Ouch, Jimmy, I, ouch." He stood up after ten and told me to lean over the end of the bed. The next ten were with his belt. The first stroke landed, and I felt the bite of the leather on my skin and let out a little screech. After ten, my ass was sizzling, and the tears were pouring down my cheeks. It wasn't excruciating; it was me, finally releasing my emotions from the day's events.

  Jimmy sat me up and rubbed my back. "Shh, bella, it's okay now. But you had me scared today. Why did you do it?"

  I was relieved he was asking and not accusing. "It started with Maggie asking me what I did for my thirteenth birthday. Then she asked me what you were like when you were a teenager. I shared lots of stories with her, but I could tell she wasn't asking me what she wanted to ask. So, I asked her who she liked, and she got on her Instagram account and showed me a picture of a kid named David. But, Jimmy, it was a fake profile. I make my money in the cyber world, so I know fake accounts when I see them. Maggie thought she really liked this guy and wanted to invite him to her birthday. He had already tried to get her to meet with him, and I was scared she would, without your knowledge. You didn't know about him, did you?"

  Jimmy shook his head.

  "That's what I thought. Anyway, I told her to set up a meeting because she didn't believe me about the profile being fake. I was scared for her. So, I disguised myself as her and had Josh meet me there. We had to catch the guy doing more than showing up pretending to be the father of the guy online. So, when we were crossing the field, he made his move and tried to put a chloroform-soaked rag over my nose and mouth. I fought him off and sprayed mace in his eyes. Then Josh had him on the ground, and the rest, you know. I made sure she was safe in the car, Jimmy, I never would have let her near any of it. At the end, she got out of the car. She wasn't supposed to, but you came squealing into the parking lot and diverted her, thank goodness. What you didn't see were the photos that fell out of his jacket when Josh was wrestling him back to his feet. Photos of Maggie he'd downloaded from the internet, but he altered them with writing and drawing on them; they were disgusting. I'm hoping Josh has raided his house by now and taken his computer. This is not the guy's first time. I'm sorry, Jimmy, so sorry. I should have asked or told you first, I just went ahead and put your only child in danger."