Blackmail

"What do you mean, destroy the Mitchells?" Rachel asked Richie.

"Just what I said," he said harshly. "We will work together to destroy Mabel Mitchell and her family,"

''No! That wasn't the idea; I just wanted to get them off my back, not destroy anyone."

"Why? They deserve it for what they did to you.

"And I said no. I appreciate your help, Richie, but you have already done what I asked; there is nothing more for you to do.

"There is. Look, Ray, we'll team up and go after them. Take their money and ruin them all, starting with Kingsley Mitchell, Mabel's golden boy."

"Richie! What's up with you?" She cried. "Kingsley is my husband; don't you get it? I love him."

Richie snorted. "He didn't love you when he abandoned you after your miscarriage."

"Stop! He didn't abandon me! He was just upset, like I was. -"

Yet he didn't defend you when you were falsely accused of taking pills to cause your miscarriage. Pills she probably planted," he came nearer and took her hands. "Wake up, Ray! You need to face the truth. That smug jerk doesn't love you."

"What?"

"Don't talk about my husband that way!"

"It's the truth. You have to face it. To them, you'll always be an outsider. But to me, you are everything; my life, my love, my family! Ray, you've always been. So join me; let's pay them back for what they've done to us."

Rachel gaped. " Us? What do you mean by us? You didn't even know the Mitchells till I told you about them, so where is "us" coming from?" Then it hit her. "Is this to do with June 5? What happened on that day? Tell me. You've been acting strangely since you went into Mabel's computer."

"Nothing. It's not important."

"It is, and I need to know; please tell me."

"Look, believe me, it's not. The important thing is for you to join me to make sure we finish off that useless family. Mabel Mitchell will see all she holds dear destroyed."

"No! Enough!" She stood up. "I don't know what is up with you. You've been a big help, but I don't need help anymore. You can leave now. Get in touch if you need anything else from me, but no more talk about the Mitchells, OK?" 

"Ray-"

"No more," she said firmly. She hugged him and left.

Richie glared after her, then angrily slammed his fist on the desk.

Rachel drove home puzzled and worried by Richie's behavior. She still didn't know the significance of June 5, but decided to ask Richie later, once he'd cooled down. She arrived home to see Mabel in the living room, looking drained and defeated.

"I thought you'd left for the bakery," she told her awkwardly.

Mabel walked unsteadily over to her.

"How did you find out about that day?" She demanded. "Were you spying on me?"

"You left me no choice," Rachel defended. "Look, I don't plan to cause any trouble; all I want is peace. Talk to Kingsley, and the rest. And keep Franca away from here; that's all I ask. Your secret will be safe with me, promise."

"You promised not to tell anyone?" Mabel whispered.

The fear in her eyes unnerved Rachel.

"I promise, like I said, I don't want to cause you any problems."

Mabel eyed her, then nodded.

"Relax, let me change and make us lunch."

She went upstairs. Mabel returned to her seat; she was still there when Lucy came back.

"Hey mom, is everything okay? You look sick." 

"I'm fine," Mabel said weakly.

"Sure?"

Her mother nodded.

"OK, so what's for lunch?" She heard noises in the kitchen. "Who's in the kitchen?"

"Gina, she's making us lunch."

"What! Why? What is that snake doing in our kitchen? How did she get the key?" She made for the kitchen, but Mabel restrained her.

"Wait, we need to talk."

"About what? Why is she in our kitchen?"

"I gave her the key. Please sit down."

Confused, Lucy sat beside her. "Look, we have to end this fighting with Gina. Kingsley loves her, so we just have to accept her."

"Mum! What are you saying? What's happened? What has Gina done to make you change your mind?"

"Nothing; Kingsley's happiness made me change my mind; it comes first."

"No, this isn't you talking," she paused. "Mum, have you been drinking?"

Mabel stood up furiously. "Look, I don't want any more problems in this family! This animosity with Gina ends now." She marched unsteadily from the room.

Lucy stared after her. Something was wrong. Her mom had been drinking, something she only did when upset. And now she was starting to like Gina? She went into the kitchen and stood glaring at Rachel, who was by the stove.

"What have you done to my mom, you snake?" She fumed.

"Welcome back, Lucy; lunch is almost ready."

"I don't need your welcome! You-"

"I'm sure your mom has told you about the changes taking place around here," Rachel said quietly. "I want us to all get along."

"Never! I don't know what you've done, but believe me, I'm going to get to the bottom of it and make you sorry," she stormed out of the house.

Rachel smiled pityingly. Lucy didn't bother her; she was a child throwing a tantrum, and in time she would accept her. Mabel already had, although reluctantly. She hoped, in time, to repair her relationship with Kingsley. They would be a happy couple again and have more kids. She was in high spirits, dreaming of the future, until her cell rang. It was Richie. 

"Hey Richie, what's up? Are you on your way back to Silvertown?"

"Why would I be going back there? I have unfinished business here."

Her heart lurched. "What do you mean?"

"Destroying the Mitchells, of course."

"Look, Richie, we talked about this and agreed."

"We didn't agree to anything, Rachel."

She was shocked to learn that he had never used her full name before. She was always Ray.

"Don't call me that. My name is Gina. You know that. Look, you need to leave."

"Not until we've finished with Mabel Mitchell and her family."

"We are not finishing anyone. The fight is over. Now leave."

"It's just getting started, and you are going to help me."

"No," she said firmly. "Never. Now leave before I get upset with you."

"You are not Mitchell, Ray! Or are you starting to believe your lie? You've become ungrateful and forgotten who you really are, right? You have forgotten all the trouble you'd be in if it weren't for me."

"How dare you! I've always appreciated everything you've done for me, but now you need to back off and get out of my business! Please,"

"What do you think will happen if I send an anonymous tip to the police? About what happened in Silvertown that night in August."

Rachel grew cold. "You won't dare," she whispered hoarsely.

"Won't I? Try me,"

"Richie please,"

"We are going to work as a team if you agree; meet me at 9 a.m. tomorrow; if not, then get ready to be measured for an orange jumpsuit." 

Rachel felt weak and sick, realizing she'd just jumped out of the frying pan and into the blazing fire.

Richie was breathing heavily after he'd hung up. He hadn't meant to threaten Rachel, and he hated himself for it, but he had no choice; she was being damn unreasonable. He wouldn't have wanted to drag her into this, but he needed her help if he was going to make Mabel Mitchell pay for her past evil deeds. He hoped Rachel would come around.

He had no intention of reporting her to the police. For reasons he never understood, he'd been drawn to Rachel so much, and had always felt a need to protect and provide for her. He'd had strong feelings for her and didn't mind that they weren't reciprocated. Rachel had always considered him like a brother, and he was OK with that. But then, he hoped Rachel would come to love him one day. And this seemed to be an opportunity to take out his rivalry, Kingsley. Then he would marry Rachel afterward. She's meant for him. They were like a family, and now they would work together and destroy their enemies.

He opened his laptop and started the first phase of his plan, sending phishing emails to James, Mabel, and Kingsley. They would click on it, and he would have access to their laptops. He chuckled. The "make Mabel pay" operation had begun.

Rachel was badly shaken. Would Richie make good on his threat and rat her out to the police? Before, she'd have said no, but this was a new Richie, dangerous and vengeful, but why? Why did he want to hurt Mabel Mitchell so badly? It had something to do with whatever it was that happened on June 5, and she was sure of that. Right now, she has a bigger problem. She either gave in to Richie or he exposed her. Her head aches. Damn Richie! Why was he putting her through this? She needed to confide in someone, but who? Her only friend and confidant was now her tormentor!

Then she remembered Calisa. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed her number.

"Hey Gina, what's up?"

"Calisa, I need your advice. It's urgent,"

"I go on break in half an hour; where do I meet you?"

"The cafe where I used to work,"

"Okay, I'll be there."

"Thanks,"

She rushed upstairs to change her clothes. Mabel had locked herself in her room, so she didn't need to explain to her where she was going. She got in her car and headed for the café.

When she got there, Calisa was waiting and stood up to give her a hug.

"What's up, Gina? Trouble with Kingsley? Or is it his troublesome mom and sis again?" She was short and plump, her moon face pitted with acne scars.

Rachel returned the hug. "Thanks for coming. No, Kingsley is fine, and his mom has changed; we are on the way to becoming friends even."

"What? Seriously? How did that miracle happen?"

"She just changed; it's a long story," Rachel said evasively.

They sat down and ordered coffee from a passing waitress.

"So what's the issue?" Calisa asked after their coffee had been delivered.

Rachel hedged. On the way, she'd tried to think of how to ask Calisa's advice without divulging the unpleasant details.

She sighed heavily. "Promise this will just be between us."

Calisa promised earnestly.

Rachel bit her lower lip. "Well, I'm in a jam, and... well, you see, my parents died when I was a child, and I was put in foster care. My foster parents were horrible, so I ran away when I was sixteen.

Calisa made a sympathetic noise.

"I lived on the streets and, well, stole to survive before coming here."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, but your life is better now. You can't be feeling guilty about your past; you were a child."

"Yes, but it's kind of catching up with me."

"Calisa frowned. " How?"

"A guy I knew then is here. He's threatening to tell Kingsley,"

"You mean he is blackmailing you?

"Yes. And I don't know what to do."

"He wants money?"

"Yes," Rachel lied.

"Don't pay; simply tell him to go to hell."

"What?"

"Yes, if you give in, he'll never stop. Whatever you did in the past, you are no longer that person. You did what you had to do to survive, and now it's past. It is unlikely he has any evidence after so long. Don't give in. Tell him to get lost. He'll leave you alone; you'll see."

Rachel considered her words: Would Richie have evidence after all this time? Probably not. She felt more confident.

"Kingsley loves you. He's not going to believe whatever a stranger without any evidence tells him," Calisa continued.

"You're probably right,"

"I am right. It'll be your word against his. Don't let him scare you; he's just bluffing," Calisa assured. She looked at her watch and stood up. "You have to get going."

Rachel stood up and hugged her. "Thanks so much. You're a lifesaver."

"Anytime,"

Smiling, she walked Rachel to her car and watched her drive away. Then her smile faded, and a frown furrowed her brow. Before Rachel had gotten halfway through her story, she'd known who the blackmailer was. It was her intent that had brought him to town. She went back into the café and ordered another coffee, then dialed a familiar number.

"What?" Richie barked.

"Uh-oh, someone has a rag on today," she joked. 

"Cut the wise crack, you stupid ball of lard, and get on with it!"

Calisa bristled. "You can't talk to me like that!"

"Out with it! I'm busy,"

"Gina reached out to me; we just had lunch," she said tightly.

"And?"

"She told me about a man from her past blackmailing her. She's planning to tell him to go to hell; she feels that after all this time, he won't have any evidence to do damage. I suppose you are the blackmailer."

He ignored her. "Did she tell you why she was being blackmailed?" 

"For stealing, but I knew she was lying,"

"What did you tell her?"

"I agreed with her, of course; what else?"

"Now listen, stay very close to her, and I mean close. Call her often; I want to know her every move before she makes it."

"Hey! I have a life; I can't be."

"You'll do as you're told! Now shut up and get to it! Keep me informed."

He hung up. Calisa shoved her phone into her purse. She let out an expletive so loudly that a passing waiter looked at her. Then, having slammed her money on the table, she marched out of the café.

Rachel was beaming by the time she reached home. Calisa had made everything seem so simple. Richie didn't have any evidence against her; he was just bluffing. Tomorrow, when she didn't show up, he would call, and she would boldly tell him to go to hell. Then he would snap out of his stupidity and go back to Silvertown. All would be well.

Richie sat on the bed, chewing his lower lip, while he went over Calisa's information. 

So Rachel was planning to call his bluff. He clenched his fist. So she was really going to choose the no-good Mitchells over him; he would let her see just how dumb that was. He grabbed his jacket and headed out to find a pay phone. He found one near the train station. He hesitated before dialing the number. He hated

to do this. He knew it was going to hurt Rachel, but she'd left him no choice. He dialed.

"Hello, Silvertown Police Department, what's your emergency?"

"Hi, I have some information about something that took place in Silvertown a couple of years ago."