My mobile phone rang just as I was closing the car door. I fumbled in my bag on the passenger seat to find it, rummaging through all the crap I'd managed to accumulate over the years. I pressed 'Receive' and placed it against my ear. Through the layers of static I could just about make out a male voice, '..get back out of the car, and wait for my next instructions.'
'Who the hell is this?' I shouted back.
'Don't get emotional Emma, just do as I say. You know who this is.'
'Who? Where are you?'
'Don't worry about me. Just do as I say.'
The signal had become stronger and I could recognise the voice. 'John, stop scaring me - where are you?' It was a colleague from work.
'I didn't think it would take you long to guess who it was. Now listen carefully - I've got evidence that you've been stealing from the firm. If you don't do as I say, I'll hand it all over to Simon.'
I couldn't believe anyone had managed to find out - I'd only been taking a bit every month to help pay for my mum's care home fees. They were mounting up and I didn't have the income to pay for them myself, what with my own apartment and expenses. My mind raced as it digested the information. If John told Simon, my boss, I'd be fired, and maybe even prosecuted. I couldn't survive with no job and a black mark on my reference like that. Jobs weren't easy to come by. I came to the quick decision that I'd go along with John's instructions.
As I got out of the car I asked, 'What do you want me to do now?'
'Take off your panties and leave them in the car.'
I shouted back, 'Get lost - no way!'
Calmly he replied, 'Do as I say, or the evidence gets handed over.'
I knew John had always had a bit of a crush on me, but I didn't realise he was such a pervert. Should I go along with him, or risk the exposure of my theft? I looked around the empty car park, trying to see where he was. Maybe if I could confront him face to face he'd be more reasonable. The dim light didn't help, and I couldn't see anyone around. He became more insistent, his voice cracking a little with stress, 'Take off your panties within ten seconds, or I'm going to hand the evidence over to Simon. This is your last chance.'
Reluctantly I decided to play along, resting the phone on the roof of my car as I tugged at the elastic of my panties and pulled them down. Why did I have to be wearing a mini skirt today? What was he going to get me to do next? As I picked up the phone again he instructed me to lock the car and walk over to the elevator. I kept looking round, still trying to spot him.
'Now take the elevator back up to the shops. Wait by the flower stand until I give you my next instructions.' At least I'd be safer in the mall than in the quiet of the car park. Surely I'd be able to spot him out in the open.