Uncorked

by Rebecca Rohman

  She folded her arms across her body, feeling completely violated. Someone had been in her condo, in her personal space. Someone had been on her computer. Someone had put hands on her body and God alone knew what else. She realized why she had been knocked out the day before—she had been drugged.

  Falling onto her couch, she bawled. She didn’t know what to do or who to call. She wondered if this person had been through her things or sat on her couch. Everything around her felt dirty, and all she could think to do was to tear away her clothes, sit on her shower floor and cry.

  Two hours later, she called Kacy, Craig and Detective Carter. He arrived first with six uniformed officers.

  Chella had never felt so humiliated in her life. It took everything within her to open her laptop screen, and to show them with she found. She felt like she was going insane. This person was determined to torture her and hurt the people she cared about. When she had calmed down a bit, the police questioned her about what happened two nights earlier.

  A female officer from the cyber-crimes unit of the SDPD worked on her computer. Chella wondered who took the pictures. Were there anymore? What did they intend to do with the pictures? Would they publicize them? The thought overwhelmed her again. Moments later, some of the very questions she had were answered when the female officer called Detective Carter to the computer.

  There were hundreds of pictures of her, some clearly showing her face. Some of the body positions were crude, others risqué, and some she was sure they took to amuse themselves.

  She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. She excused herself to her bedroom. The last time she moved, she promised herself she’d stop running. But everywhere she turned was a reminder she had been violated in that space.

  Someone knocked on the door.

  Chella opened it a crack. A woman in her late forties to early fifties stood on the other side.

  “Hi Chella, I’m Dr. Torres. I work closely with that SDPD. Can I come in?”

  Chella hesitated, then eventually said, “Sure, come in,” opening the door to let her enter.

  At first Chella thought she might have been a psychiatrist, but she had an aluminum briefcase in her hand.

  “I know this is difficult, but I’m here to help you the best way I can.”

  “Sure. Tell me what you need.”

  “We can start with a urine sample.” The doctor handed her a specimen cup.

  Chella provided a sample.

  “Chella, the morning after, did you feel like you had sex? Or do you have any vague images in your mind of you having sex?”

  “No.”

  “Would you like me to examine you?”

  “I guess that’s what I need to do to know for sure, right?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.”

  “I took a really long shower a while ago.”

  “Don’t worry about it. We’ll work with what we have. This happened two days ago, correct?”

  “I guess. A day and a half to two days…”

  “I’ll need you to remove your clothes.”

  As the doctor examined her, Chella’s chest tightened and sadness overcame her once more.

  When she had completed the exam, the doctor smiled and said, “I think it’s safe to say you were not raped, but you were definitely drugged.”

  “How can you tell so quickly?”

  Holding up colored paper strips in her hand, she replied, “This is like litmus paper. Once it comes into contact with the drug, it changes color.”

  “Thank you for doing this.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll take this to the lab for further testing.”

  “I just remembered—the glass of wine I drank from might still be on the patio. And there was a little wine left in the bottle in the refrigerator.”

  “I’ll be sure to let Detective Carter know. Ms. Noon, I’m sure you’re feeling violated. Please feel free to contact this doctor if you wish.” She handed Chella a business card.

  “Thank you.” Chella replied. “There’s a bathroom next to the foyer door if you’d like to wash your hands.” She escorted the doctor to the living room.

  “Ms. Noon, who else has a key to this place?” asked Detective Carter.

  “Just Mitch.”

  “Do you know if he still has them?”

  “Yes. When he couldn’t reach me yesterday, he came in with his key. He’s the one who woke me.”

  “Do you leave an extra copy of the key anywhere? Your concierge, maybe?”

  “No, but for Mitch’s birthday party I did. They let Jade in here, but I got the key back that very night.”

  “Someone could have easily stolen the key, made a copy and return it undetected or made an impression of the key within seconds. Whoever got in here had a key. There are no signs of forced entry. I’d change the locks—today.”

  “I’m not staying here another day.”

  “Chella, where is Mitch?” Kacy asked.

  “We were involved in a car crash last night. Emily was injured. I assume he’s with her at the hospital.”

  “Ms. Noon, we’re done here for now. We swept the place and didn’t find any bugs or anything suspicious. Your computer has been thoroughly checked for any spyware software. I’ll be in touch after I review the surveillance cameras from this building.”

  “Thanks, Detective.”

  “Darling, I’d like you to come stay with Maggie and me,” said Craig. “You shouldn’t be alone at a time like this.”

  “I really appreciate it. No offense, but I need to be alone. I can’t handle being around people much longer.”

  “Chella, he’s right.” Kacy said.

  “I love you two, but I need to get out of this condo. There are ugly reminders everywhere I turn.”

  “Chella, I insist you stay with me. If you don’t want to see us that’s fine. You can have the pool house all to yourself.”

  “Only for a few days until I decide what to do next. Maybe I need to take a leave of absence from work. If those pictures get out, it will negatively affect the company.”

  “Let’s cross that bridge when we get to it. Come on. We’ll help you pack your things and get you out of here.”

  Minutes after the air ambulance landed in L.A., Emily was taken to the children’s hospital where she would start her recovery process. Mitch did not want to take the chance and leave her in San Diego. Who knew what this mad person was capable of?

  Mitch sat at the bedside waiting for Emily to wake while Charlotte spoke outside with her son and husband. His phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, but did not answer. It was Craig. He was probably calling to check on Emily, anyway. Seeing Craig’s number appear on the phone reminded him of Chella. He was still so angry with her, but he knew she cared about Emily. It must have been agonizing for her not knowing what was happening. Perhaps he would send her an email or text massage later. For now, all he cared about was Emily.

  Fifteen minutes later, Charlotte returned to the room. “Did she wake yet?”

  “No.”

  “You look exhausted. Why don’t you get a nap? You didn’t even sleep on the plane.”

  “I have a lot on my mind.”

  “Call her.”

  “Charlotte, let’s not have this conversation, please. All I want to do is focus on my daughter.”

  Chella sat on the chaise by Craig’s pool gazing at ripples from the wind. She wondered how Emily was. She was afraid to open her laptop and see more images staring at her, afraid to check her email. She was close to losing her mind. Many things she could prepare for—to fight back if she was physically attacked, to make sure her living quarters were safe. No one could have prepared her for how violated she felt. If the images were publicized, she’d feel that way over and over again.

  Craig sat beside her. “Darling, why won’t you call him? What’s wrong? Everything was perfect last night. What happened between you two?”

  “Remember that noise we heard last night at dinner?”

  “Y
es.”

  “I think that might have been someone tampering with our vehicle. Craig, last night wasn’t an accident. Someone cut the brake line. Mitch is so angry with me. He blames me for Emily getting hurt, and he’s right. It’s my fault.”

  “Why would he blame you?”

  “He brought Emily here thinking it was safe. In his mind, the attacks and the threats were over. I never told him about the threats, or the rat incident. It happened during that crazy period. His father was sick, there was the whole bone marrow transplant then his father died. There was always something. If he had known about these incidents, he wouldn’t have brought Emily here. He told me last night that he couldn’t trust me. Liability was the word he used to describe me.”

  “As a father, I can tell you most of that talk comes from fear. From what you told me, he found out about this at a time when he didn’t even know his daughter’s condition.”

  “He told me it was over.”

  “You two will work this out. People say things they don’t mean when they fight.”

  “You didn’t see the fury in his eyes.”

  “I have no doubt he was furious with you. He needs some time to get past this. Right now the two of you need each other a lot more than you realize.”

  “This should have never happened. I feel like I need to leave, get a fresh start somewhere else. This person has managed to infiltrate every aspect of my life, hurting the people that I love in the process. They have the potential to cost you millions of dollars, not to mention more in PR to fix things. I can’t allow that to happen. I need to stop the bleeding somewhere.”

  “You let me worry about that.”

  Mitch was relieved as he watched Emily open her eyes.

  “Daddy…”

  “Hi, Sweetie. How do you feel?”

  “My head hurts.”

  “We had a little accident, Sweetie, but you’re going to be just fine,” he said, enclosing her hand in his.

  “What’s that on my arm?”

  “It’s called a cast. You have a broken arm. We can get different color markers and get all your friends to sign it.”

  “Like Megan did?”

  “Yes, exactly like that.”

  “Daddy, where’s Chella? Was she hurt in the accident, too?”

  “No, Sweetheart, she’s fine. She’s back in San Diego.”

  “I thought we were in San Diego.”

  “Not any more. We flew you to L.A. this afternoon. You were asleep the whole time.”

  “Is Mommy here?”

  “Yes, she’s with Micky and Uncle George right now. I’ll go get her.”

  “Daddy, what’s wrong? You look sad.”

  “I’m fine. I was a little worried about you. I wanted you to wake up.”

  “Once my headache goes away, I’ll be perfect. Can you get Mom and Micky?”

  “Sure, Sweetie. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Daddy.”

  Mitch got Charlotte and Micky. His phone vibrated. He realized it was Craig calling again.

  “Hi, Craig.”

  “Hi, Mitch. How are you?”

  “Been better. I’m sure you know what happened last night.”

  “I do. How’s the little one?”

  “She’s better. She had a fractured skull and a broken arm. Both required surgery. She’s awake now, though.”

  “What’s the prognosis?”

  “The doctors see no reason why she shouldn’t make a full recovery. She’ll be in the hospital for a few days for observation.”

  “Kerry’s still here. Maybe if I bring her over for a visit it might cheer her up.”

  “We’re not in San Diego anymore. We brought her on the air ambulance back to L.A. I didn’t want to take any chances leaving her there.”

  “I understand. Do you have any idea how long you’re going to be gone?”

  “A few days, maybe a week. I’m not leaving until she’s been released from the hospital.”

  “I think there’s something you need to know.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’m really worried about Chella.”

  “Craig, I’m still angry with her. You don’t need to fight her battles for her.”

  “This isn’t about the fight you two had. Chella called me frantic this morning. Someone was in her condo.”

  “What? Is she okay?”

  “Physically? Yes. Emotionally? She’s a wreck. Mitch, she was drugged, and whoever did it took off her clothes and snapped graphic, nude photos of her.”

  “God. Was she—?”

  “No, thank God,” Craig interjected.

  “She feels hurt and violated, and now she’s scared as hell this person might publicize the pictures.”

  “How many pictures are there?”

  “Hundreds.”

  “Where is she now?”

  “I convinced her to stay with me for now, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she left. San Diego, I mean. She’s been completely humiliated, and she’s afraid of how this will affect my business if those pictures go public.”

  “Thanks for letting me know. And for looking out for her.”

  “You’re welcome. We’ll be thinking about you and the little one.”

  Mitch ended the call, pounding his fist repeatedly on the wall.

  Would this nightmare never end?

  Chella lay on the bed with the laptop opened in front of her, afraid to press the power button. Her phone rang. Mitch’s face was on the screen. Despite wanting to know how Emily was doing, she was torn about saying anything else to him. On the fifth ring, she answered.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  “How’s Emily doing?”

  “She’s going to be fine. She asked for you today.”

  “Really? What were her injuries?”

  “She had a depressed fractured skull, and her arm was broken in two places.”

  “If I could do this over again, I’d do it differently.”

  “Chella, we don’t have to discuss this right now.”

  “Would it be okay if I came by to see her?”

  “We’re not in San Diego, I flew her back to L.A. earlier today.”

  “Can I call her to say hello?”

  “Sure.”

  “Thank you for calling to give me an update. I’ve been worried about her.”

  “Chella, I know what happened to you. Craig called.”

  She stayed silent, not sure how to respond or what to say.

  “I’m so sorry,” said Mitch.

  “I’m sorry, too,” she whispered.

  “When I get back we can talk.”

  “I don’t want your pity. You made it clear last night how you felt.”

  “Some of those things I said in anger.”

  “You were right, Mitch. Everything that’s happening now is exactly what I was afraid of ten months ago. You’re right. I’m a liability to you and anyone I’m close to. I can’t allow that to happen anymore.”

  “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “Why? It’s the truth...”

  “I don’t want to fight with you about this right now.”

  “I’m not fighting with you. I’m stating the obvious. Spend time with Emily. Make sure you send her my love.”

  “Chella, don’t do this.”

  “I have to go. Bye,” she replied then ended the call.

  Mitch was beginning to regret many things he said to Chella the previous night. He should have never blamed her for Emily’s accident. And, although he was torn about how to handle a future with her, he made things more difficult for himself when he told her it has over. Now that he heard her saying it out loud, he realized what a huge mess he created for himself. She was pulling away again, maybe this time for good.

  Chella thought long and hard about what her next move would be. She had to make a plan, so without further hesitation, she switched on her computer and waited for it to boot. She was almost afraid to look but when it came on, a picture of Mitc
h lit up the screen. They had been so happy on the boat that day. The trip to Morro Bay was the highlight of their weekend. She traced the outline of his face with her fingers.

  She decided to resign from her job, effective immediately. That way, they would not be able to use the pictures to embarrass Craig or his company. She would work on a report on how to see her promotion through to completion, including an outline of tasks and responsibilities and a list of team members she thought that would be able to execute them. She would be willing to help and work behind the scenes through Craig, but she did not want to be listed as an employee of the company. When she finished the report, she crafted a resignation letter and printed everything out. She would hand it to Craig first thing in the morning.

  The next day would be the beginning of the rest of the rest of her life. With no job and nothing tying her to San Diego, she looked at her next steps as a process of self-discovery.

  After three hours of sleep, Chella showered, packed the few things she had pulled from her suitcase the day before, and called a cab to pick her up. She went to the main house where Maggie and Craig were fixing breakfast in the kitchen together.

  “Hello, you two. Good morning.”

  “You’re up early,” Maggie said, kissing her on the cheek. “Sit. I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”

  “I thought you’d sleep through the day,” said Craig. “You barely got any sleep last night.”

  “How would you know?”

  “I looked through the window a few times.”

  “Checking up on me?”

  “Yes I was, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.”

  “I was up so late, because I was working on a report for you.”

  “Chella, no report could be so important that you’d have to work through that hour of the night on Thanksgiving weekend.”

  “Actually, there is. Craig, I love you, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. That’s why I’m resigning.”

  “Chella, that’s not necessary.”

  “It is. Whoever took those pictures intends to use them. I have to be proactive, play my cards carefully. Aaron and this other person might be ruining the little life I have left, but that does not mean I will sit around and let him take the people I love down with me.”

  “Chella…”

  “There’s nothing you or anyone else can say to change my mind. I’ve left you a detailed report of how to see this promotion through until the end and the team members I feel are capable of executing each task.”