Humiliation And Revenge Pt 03

Humiliation and Revenge

Part 3: Aftermath

by G. Lawrence

The avengers are not finished

Several readers have requested more resolution to the previous episodes of Humiliation and Revenge. And I wanted to see our avengers take on another mission. So, this story is a bit of a hybrid that wanders around, wrapping up elements of the previous adventure and introducing a new one. It is not a tightly focused story and it's not intended to be. At least one section is long and a little dull, but I find it necessary. Readers seeking something more exciting may wish to look elsewhere.

There is some sex and nudity, but not a lot. As mentioned before, this is a fantasy. It is not intended to reflect real life. All of the characters are over 18 years old.

* * * * * *

Emma paused on the sidewalk outside the old rundown house on 4th Street. It still belonged to her father for a few more months. Years of fond memories had been replaced by one terrifying night. The night her father had disowned her.

"What are you thinking, honey?" Janet asked, holding her arm. Their nondescript SUV was parked down the block under a willow tree. Half a dozen private security guarded them from a distance, watching the quiet street.

"After graduating college in New York, I came back here for the summer. To spend time with him," Emma recalled. "And my bratty little sister. It was only a stopover to my new life in a big city. Art galleries. Working with artists. Writing for journals. Then my childhood friends tricked me into that nightclub. They arranged for me to be drugged, and raped, and humiliated on stage. Recording everything. And they sent the pictures to everyone I knew, calling me a slut and a whore. My father believed their lies, locking me out of the house naked while Katy's goons were searching for me. I've hated him ever since."

Emma was twenty-five now, 5'5 and 120 pounds, with golden-brown hair and big brown eyes. Her friend was forty-three, tall and graceful, dark blonde hair with Irish green eyes. Both were married to wealthy men, Janet for twenty years. Emma for seven months.

"I know John found you working in that shabby coffee shop making minimum wage," Janet said. "It's so sad you had to go through that. But you have a new life now. A loving husband. Loyal friends. A big estate to manage. Sponsoring art shows. Don't let this terrible town take you down."

"They aren't taking me down, Jan. I'm seeking resolution," Emma answered. "John hates Langsford so much that he bought the factory and closed it. He bought the bank and bankrupted nearly everyone. Including my father. Judy, Tricia, and that rat, Samantha, tried to ruin my life. And many in this town helped them. But not everyone. Did we go too far?"

They looked back toward the deserted downtown filled with struggling shops. An overgrown park. A dilapidated city hall. The hundred-year-old factory loomed in the distance near the river.

"Gregg Jenkins had Mr. Stottlemyer offer everyone ridiculously low interest loans," Janet said. "No one twisted their arms. They thought they were stealing from their new benefactor. Then John and Harry pulled the rug out from under them. And please remember, not one person in this goddamn town lifted a finger to help you that night. I'm sorry, dear, I don't feel sympathy for any of them."

"I know you're right, but I grew up here. Not all of them are evil. And those who hurt me that night are looking at prison sentences. Maybe we can--"

A light went on in the house. And then the porchlight. Someone began to open the door. Emma and Janet retreated as their security provided escort. They couldn't tell if the middle-aged man with gray hair was armed.

"Let's have Jason Longborn look in on this," Janet suggested. "He's Trexadon's lawyer for Oregon affairs. He can give you better answers."

"I don't want to cause trouble. I know John, and Harry, and Jimmy Hopkins worked hard to get justice for me. I'll always be grateful. But we shouldn't hurt innocent people because a few were bad."

"Honey, there were sixty spectators in the bar that night mocking you and cheering the rapists on. At least another hundred knew what was going to happen, none of whom warned you. And hundreds more shared the videos. Don't expect to find too many innocents."

Emma took another look at the house she grew up in before following Janet back to the car.

* * * * * *

The corporate boardroom was filled with managers, accountants, personal assistants, and lawyers. John sat at the head of the table studying the updates. A map of Langsford was on the big video screen, a small factory town on the northern Oregon border.

"We virtually own the damn place," Jason Longborn said, the young lawyer for Trexadon managing the situation. In his early 30s, he was a valued junior officer in the company. "What do you want done with it?"

"Burn it down," John grumbled with a frown. "And then salt the earth."

"As gratifying as that would be, it's not practical," Harry said, sitting to John's right. "Janet tells me that Emma is concerned. She wonders if we've gone too far."

Like John, he was a successful businessman in his early 40s. While Harry was tall with bushy red hair, John was stocky with wispy black hair now growing bald. They had been friends since high school, when they both dated Janet. Harry had won that battle.

"What's the status?" John asked.

"The bank is still strong," Gregg Jenkins reported, 50-years old, tall and stout, wearing a finely tailored Giorgio Armani suit with Zelli Roma shoes. "Stottlemyer's daughter, Samantha, is going on trial for accessory to rape, and he's facing charges of malfeasance for pressing those low interest loans on his unsuspecting customers. We haven't foreclosed on anyone yet."

"The factory can be refitted, but it won't be cheap," Jason reported. "It's a hundred years old and the workforce is twenty years out of date. The entire plant needs retooling."

"Not a good investment, but we already knew that," Harry said. "We wanted to punish them for what they did to Emma."

"They've been punished," Jason confirmed. "Between the factory closing and their economy collapsing, it's gotten fairly depressing. There aren't any jobs. Services are shutting down. Now what are we going to do with this clusterfuck?"

"I'm not letting those who hurt Emma walkaway," John swore, clenching a fist. "Jimmy Hopkins has video and eyewitness testimony. And text messages. We know who was in the bar that night. And many who knew what was going to happen did nothing to protect her. They all need to pay. If others are being hurt who weren't complicit, we can look at them on a case-to-case basis."

"That's fair enough," Harry agreed, the staff taking notes.

"What's new on the trials?" John inquired.

"The tavern owner, Donna Livingston, is looking at rape, robbery, and drugging Emma," Jason reported. "She'll be getting twenty years. Her waitress, Belinda, is doing ten years on a plea deal. Emma's former friends, Judy and Tricia, also took pleas. They'll be getting five years each."

"Emma's sister?" John asked.

"Katy Coleman was an active participant. She may not have been involved in the planning," Harry answered. "She has pled not guilty."

"She's guilty," Jason said, standing up. "Everyone in that town talks about the sisters, and how much Katy hates Emma. Nothing that happened on the stage that night was an accident."

"Keep our guys on it," John instructed. "And let's see what we're going to do about this goddamn town."

* * * * * *

Mr. and Mrs. Ellis were escorted into the long conference room, still confused by the strange summons. With them was their 22-year-old daughter Kari, and Kari's sorority sister, Lynda White. The oak table was surrounded by a dozen empty chairs. A wide screen monitor at the end of the hall indicated there would be a presentation. A thick muscular man in his late 30s was waiting for them. He wore a brown suit, a black tie, and a grim expression.

"Thank you for coming," their host said, declining to shake hands. "Please take seats. I am James Hopkins, a security official for Trexadon Industries. You must be curious."

"We are," David Ellis said, a tall man in his late 40s. "I'm due for an important meeting on the 7th floor about my construction projects. They've been delayed too long."

"Those environmental reviews can be a nuisance," Jimmy agreed.

"Lynda and my daughter are supposed to meet with your recruiting officer about corporate positions," Patricia Ellis impatiently said. "They graduated at the top of their class."

Her husband was distinguished in an expensive Brooks Brothers suit. The auburn-haired wife was elegantly attired with a pearl necklace. The young women were in their early 20s, Kari Ellis blonde and athletic. Lynda White's brunette hair was worn short, her dark eyes searching. She did not seem to have Kari's aggressive confidence.

"Interesting that you say that," Jimmy said. "This meeting concerns your daughter's future. And other futures."

A door opened on the far side of the room as two women entered. The guests instantly recognized Janet Rawlings, the celebrity wife of billionaire Harry Rawlings. Why would someone so famous be here? they wondered. They did not recognize the short, brown-haired younger woman. David respectfully stood. But the newcomers weren't smiling. Both took seats on the far end of the table without saying anything.

"Questions have arisen concerning certain financial and personal issues," Jimmy continued without making introductions. "I understand that Kari and Lynda were both members of the Tau Maga Sorority at Dale Valley University. Mrs. Patricia Ellis, and Miss Lynda's mother, Mrs. Erin White, are alumni of the same sorority. Is this true?"

"Of course it's true," Patricia confirmed. "It's the finest sorority for young women in the state, with a national standing. Tau Mega has produced lawyers, doctors, and businesswomen of outstanding character."

"Ah, yes. It's character we've gathered to discuss," Jimmy said, activating the big screen with his remote control. It showed the young women under a Tau Mega logo, along with a third young woman. Their three mothers, all sorority alumni, also appeared on the screen accompanied by detailed biographical information.

"You know Izzy Thomas?" Jimmy asked.

"Yes, she's our sorority sister," Kari answered.

"Then you know Izzy was dating Ferris Barnes, the rock star," Jimmy said.

"Our daughters know many celebrities. Even some in the music business," Patricia replied.

"It just so happens that Ferris Barnes is Mrs. Janet Rawling's nephew," Jimmy mentioned. "And from what we have learned from Ferris, Izzy has a very interesting story to share."

The tentative mood in the room grew uncomfortable. Kari started to say something but her mother hushed her.

"You should know the encounter between Izzy and Ferris was not an accident," Jimmy continued. "After being briefed on a certain situation, Ferris generously agreed to help our investigators draw confidential information from Miss Thomas that was not otherwise forthcoming. Pillow talk can be a powerful investigative tool."

Mrs. Ellis suddenly looked worried. The sorority sisters appeared confused. David Ellis glanced at his wife, sharing her concern.

"Do you want to tell us what this is all about?" David demanded.

Jimmy looked to the end of the table, getting a nod from Emma. The guests could not miss the deep frowns of their hosts.

"Six weeks ago, Mrs. Emma Latimer encountered a young woman working as a janitor in her husband's office building. The building we are in now," Jimmy said. "It seems this young woman had been attending Dale Valley University as a freshman when your daughter was a senior. She had earned a scholarship, got good grades, and was pledging the Tau Mega Sorority."

The screen activated with a new image.

"This, as you already know, is Trinity Farber," Jimmy said, showing a 19-year-old woman with sad blue eyes. "One afternoon, three of the Tau Mega sorority sisters, Kari Ellis, Lynda White, and Izzy Thomas, took Trinity aside and said there would be a test of sisterly loyalty. If Trinity failed, she would not be allowed to join the sorority. The sorority her dead mother had belonged to. She was ordered to strip naked, and wearing nothing but a windbreaker, told to join the three sisters on a chartered transport."

More images. A party van owned by Markham Rentals, and the van's gray bearded driver, with the university in the background. It looked like two detectives were pressing the driver hard. The frumpy middle-aged man was nervous.

"As the van drove off, Trinity was given a lecture about sisterhood and the importance of loyalty," Jimmy narrated, his voice growing angry. "She was told that, to prove her dedication to the sorority, she had to remove the windbreaker, leaving herself completely nude in the rear of the van. But that wasn't enough. Her hands were tied behind her back. After all the hard work and dedication Trinity had shown, she desperately hoped this was just a hazing ritual, but it was far more sinister than that. Something she discovered too late."

The video presentation on the big screen continued to expand. It showed the route taken by the van. Personal information on the driver, and the rental company. A list of the company's owners. A copy of the lease agreement. A floorplan showed the layout of the van, large enough for sixteen.

"Once Trinity was in the power of Lynda and your daughter, the windbreaker was cut to pieces, leaving her naked and helpless," Jimmy explained. "Kari, Lynda, and Izzy then berated Trinity about her mother, Amanda Farber, who was also an alumni of Tau Mega. Wasn't she, Mrs. Ellis?"

"Amanda was in our sorority," Patricia acknowledged. "A proud, arrogant, goody two-shoes. She tried to ban alcohol from our parties. Would not allow boys in the sorority house after hours. She frustrated our plans at every turn, holding us back. Everyone hated her."

"It was you who hated her!" Emma said, suddenly jumping from her chair at the end of the room. "You were jealous of her good looks. Jealous that boys liked her more. She was smart and popular. And because Amanda died and was forever beyond your revenge, you decided to destroy her daughter!"

The observers were stunned, not knowing who the furious young woman was. Though small, there was fire in her eyes. Janet Rawlings reached to take her hand. More images appeared on the screen. Six pretty sorority girls, each a year or two younger than Kari and Lynda. Their flighty smiles hid quiet fears. Emma moved to stand near the screen, pointing.

"We know everything," she warned. "After stripping Trinity and humiliating her with your hypocritical bullshit, six of your daughter's accomplices boarded the van with cameras, laughing and mocking their naked victim. They posed her in obscene positions and tagged the photos on the internet. As Trinity cried and begged them to stop, your daughter and her friends showed no mercy."

Shocking photos appeared. 18-year-old Trinity Farber was stripped, her hands bound behind her back as eight of her so-called sisters tormented her. They were laughing. Kari and Lynda appeared to be having a joyous time. They were the masterminds, proud of executing their glorious plan to perfection. Just as their vengeful mothers had wanted.

"Not satisfied with devastating that poor girl," Emma continued, "you had the driver drop her off in a school zone where two law enforcement officers were conveniently waiting to arrest her." The photos of the two veteran officers appeared. They did not look happy.

"Here we see the officers you bribed to arrest Trinity," Jimmy said, taking over the presentation.

The two men in shabby blue uniforms frowned at the camera, angrily waving the photographer off. Then the image of a dumpy middle-aged man in a rumpled suit appeared. The eyes were sunken. He was standing before a magistrate looking ready for a heart attack.

"Here is the crooked lawyer you hired to sabotage Trinity's defense," Jimmy continued. "Any good defense attorney would have gotten Trinity acquitted and exposed the whole rotten conspiracy, so you pretended to find her a lawyer. A dishonest lawyer who tricked her into pleading guilty."

An entire string of new images appeared. Men and women looking very professional.

"You know Mrs. Serena Rollins, the Dean of Dale Valley University," Jimmy pressed. "She was also one of your sorority sisters, wasn't she?"

The slender middle-aged woman appeared outside her office under stress. Face drawn. Her head covered by a large bandana. She was under fire, cringing from aggressive reporters. Then she mumbled some excuse and ran.

"And Mr. Dartmoor Ashman, the city attorney," Jimmy concluded, showing a tall older man with white hair. "Your old school chum, Dean Rollins, immediately expelled Trinity without a hearing, declaring her guilty. The city prosecutor, following a substantial business loan, charged her with a sex offense. It was all a carefully crafted plot."

The screen now held photos of the police officers, the dean, the city attorney, and a dozen others, from assistants to messengers. All were in the process of being questioned by grim investigators. The guests noticed James Hopkins taking a prominent role in the proceedings. In several photos, Janet Rawlings and her mysterious young friend were in the background.

"Trinity was sentenced to three months in jail. All because you hated her mother," Emma concluded, arms crossed.

"You can't prove any of this," Kari's mother insisted.

Jimmy, Emma, and Janet exchanged satisfied glances.

"It's already proved," Jimmy said, the big screen adding more video.

"During their pillow talk, Izzy Thomas gave Ferris Barnes everything. Text messages. Photos. Recordings," Jimmy explained.

"That's Izzy's story. It doesn't implicate us," Kari said.

"The party van had a security camera," Jimmy answered, quieting the criticism. "The driver will testify that you paid him to frame Trinity. Markham Party Rentals has agreed to a settlement offer and is fully cooperating."

"They are fools," Patricia mumbled, trying to put it all together.

"Let's take a look at the scorecard, shall we?" Jimmy said, beginning to enjoy himself. "The crooked lawyer you hired to defend Trinity has turned over all of his records. The police officers you bribed have lost their pensions. The Board of Regents has demanded Dean Rollins' resignation. She submitted it this morning in disgrace. Your friend the city prosecutor has been fired by Governor Pickart. He took a midnight flight to the Bahamas.

"Oh, we don't want to forget your little friends do we?" Jimmy added as the images of the six young sorority women were enlarged, all looking scared. "Of the sisters Kari and Lynda brought onto the van to humiliate Trinity that day, five have confessed. The university has suspended them pending an investigation. None of them will ever get the jobs they were hoping for. Your daughter and Miss White are facing more serious charges."

"That's impossible!" Patricia protested, pounding the table. "Even if what you say happened really happened, which it didn't, none of this is actionable."

"I'm afraid that's not true, Mrs. Ellis," Jimmy replied. "Many of the accomplices are already pleading guilty and cooperating."

"And guess who they blame for their misfortunes?" Janet announced, standing at Emma's side. "The van driver. The cops. The sorority sisters. Even Dean Rollins, whose career is now ruined."

"At worst, it was a hazing incident gone bad. Our daughter did not commit any crimes," David defended.

"You are mistaken, sir," Jimmy countered. "They engaged in a conspiracy to frame an innocent young woman who was wrongfully convicted of a sex offense. That makes them complicit in the original indictment. Holding her in the van against her will was unlawful restraint. The police officers you hired forced Trinity to endure a cavity search, even though they knew she had committed no crime. That's rape."