Loverboy (11 page)

- 7 -

Charlie

The one thing I am terrified of and have been trying to avoid has happened. My worst nightmare has come true. My picture is plastered on the news, with the heading, “The One Who Found Safety” printed at the top. Not only is it advertised to everyone that I know and love, including those who didn’t, but I am once again thrown out there for the killers. Though, I’m sure the media doesn’t know that little tidbit. My story of “courage, survival, and hope,” as it’s being advertised, is being blasted on every outlet of the news. I feel myself lean into Nick a little more without being able to help myself. I feel a headache coming on and nausea filling my stomach. He doesn’t seem to mind as he tightens his arm around me a bit as we both stare at the screen.

“Charlotte Murphy, a twenty-one year old college student was attacked while leaving a party. Being kidnapped by the notorious
Loverboy, the city’s serial rapist and killer, it was sure Charlotte had her fate sealed. After being raped, beaten, and tortured for days, Charlotte was lucky and brave enough to not only fight back, but also survive. She’s currently believed to be under police protection, though Deputy Chief Abhrams hasn’t made an official statement.”
She pauses.
“He’s only stated that on behalf of Charlotte and her family it’s in her best interest to keep quiet as she takes this time to recover.”

I finally move and a look up at Nick, whose eyes are still glued to the screen.
,
“Why would someone do this?”

He shrugs. “Money is almost always involved; they pay top dollar for a story like this.”

“So glad to know that I’m just some story,” I say. “I’d like to see how she feels after being ‘beaten, raped, and tortured for days’ and then thrown to the press.”

“No one can even imagine what you feel. Which is just one more reason why I hate the press.”

I smile. “Thank you for this and for Jason, and thank you for last night; I really needed that,” I tell him as I sit up and push my hair behind my ears.

He nods. “Well, don’t make too many plans tonight, we’ll do the same.”

“Maybe this time I can dig up Police Academy.” I grin.

“Now I know you’re just doing this to make fun of me.” He laughs.

I shrug. “Maybe a little all in good fun, of course.”

“And, for what it’s worth,” he begins. “I’m sorry about that jerk. Kind of looked like a douche bag to me anyway.”
             

I can’t help but to laugh. “Yeah, I just found out the hard way,” I say. “Too bad I can’t pick ‘
em.”

He smiles wide, exposing his perfect white teeth. “Well, it’s definitely his loss.”

I smile again; he definitely is sweet and, make no mistake, sincere. “Thank you.”

3 Days Later

“Oh, my God,” I swallow hard, ringing my hands together. “I feel like I’m going to throw up.” I feel my head spin for a moment as I try to take a few deep breaths to relax myself. I look down at the ground and fight off another wave of panic that makes me want to curl up and hide in the nearest hole.

Nick steps in front of me and places his hands tenderly on my shoulders. “You do not have to do this.”

“I know,” I say. “But I want to.”

I take another set of breaths, breathing in deep and releasing them slowly like I had learned in my earlier dance courses. After much debate, and barely three weeks since escaping, I have made the decision to talk to the media. To ask the city of New York for help on anything leading to the arrest of the city’s killers. Though I came to the decision myself, with no help from the police, I couldn’t help but to feel sick about it. I couldn’t help but to wonder if they would be out there. It seems that the two
Loverboy killers didn’t mind the attention, so wouldn’t it make sense for them to be at an event where they are the central focus. The thought alone made the nausea crawl back up into my throat. I swallow hard and close my eyes as I wrap my arms around me.

“Are you okay?” Nick asks, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

I take a minute to think. “I think so. I mean, I could be better. But, I have to do this. Asking for help directly from the people may be the smartest thing that I have ever done.”

“And, you’re perfectly okay with doing this?” He asks.

“I think so,” I say. “I am terrified,” I finally admit.

“Why?” He questions, moving both hands to my shoulders and rubbing slowly.
             

“These guys love the attention, right?” I ask.

Nick only nods.

“Wouldn’t it only seem right that a public event based on them would drag them out of the woodwork?” I ask. “Couldn’t they very well be standing with all those hundreds of people?”

He hesitates, but nods. “But you have the protection of the New York City Police department. Do you realize how many of us are here; not to mention civilians?”

I nod.

“You’re safe, Charlie; I’ll make sure of that personally.”

“I just want to get this done and over with,” I tell him.

He nods, and I feel him gently lead me toward the room where the press is waiting. I grab onto his hand before he opens the door, and I feel him give it a soothing squeeze.

“I just need one more second,” I say, taking the time to compose myself. I run the words over in my head. I know what I’m saying. Somewhat anyway. I’m going in with a plan. I’ll say what I have to, answer a few questions, and get out of there.

I finally give Nick the nod, who opens the door, and I’m ushered into a bright sea of lights, cameras, recorders, and people. Behind the podium are New York’s top police officials, including Nick and the officer who picked up my computer; everyone else, to me, is just a uniform. I see a burst of camera flashes as I make my way up to the podium. I begin to hear my name coming from all directions, everyone wanting to ask their questions. Everyone not caring about me; just their story.

I take a long deep breath. “If you’ll excuse me, I
won’t answer any questions at this time,” I tell them. “But I will say this; ladies of New York, never think that this can’t happen to you. Trust me, I thought just like that. I thought that surely something of this magnitude would never happen to me. That it couldn’t. Take my word for it that it can. Protect yourselves, go out in groups, and don’t stay out late. Loverboy is out there, and he will take his victims; don’t let yourself become one.”

“Excuse me, Charlotte,” I hear one female reporter say. “Out of all his victims, how did you manage to get away so easily?”

“Though my memory is still hazy, I assure you it was not easy,” I tell her.

“Charlotte, how does your family feel about these events?” Someone else shoots.

“How would any family feel?” I ask. “They are devastated, but happy to have me home, safe and sound.” I feel my heart sink slightly at the little white lie. Sooner or later, I would have to call them.

“Do you think you have any personal connection to the killer?” Yet another man shoots out, shoving his
recorder out farther.

I look back at the man who everyone calls the deputy chief for a clearing; he gives me a simple nod signaling the okay. “I have no connection whatsoever to these men,” I say finally.

“Men?” The entire room erupts. Questions come flying from each and every direction. I feel Nick at my right, and the deputy chief at my other side, who takes the microphone from me. “If you will excuse Miss Murphy, she’s answered all of your questions for today,” he says. “I will take over and answer any remaining questions that you may have.”

“You did great,” he tells me softly in my ear. “Better to have it in the open; all of it. People need to know.”

I nod again. “That’s why I did this,” I say. “Better than having everything blown out of proportion on the news when they don’t know half of the real story.”

“Well, you did amazing,” he tells me. “So amazing, in fact, that we should celebrate.”

“How?” I ask, as he takes me into a small green room where I reach for a bottle of water.

“I know that we had made plans to watch a movie like last night,” he says. “So, why don’t we go all out?”
             

“Go all out? Like how?” I ask.

“Like to an honest to goodness theater,” he says. “I know a few; one actually shows these old movies from the fifties and sixties. I figured you might enjoy that.”

“Do you think it would be safe?” I ask, having a swallow of water. “After all of this?”

He nods. “You know that you’re always safe with me. And, while you were up there I didn’t notice anything suspicious.”

“Just those hungry vultures of the press.” I sigh, sinking into a seat.

He laughs. “So, what do you say?”

I have to admit, the idea doesn’t sound half bad. I love going to see movies, especially old ones. And part of me would like to think that getting out of my little apartment is doing me some good. “You really think it’s safe to?” I
ask.

“With me on duty, you know you’re safe.” He smiles, having a seat next to me.
             

“Okay, then,” I say. “I think I can do this. I mean, I did go out for pie, and I even went grocery shopping. This is just a movie.”

“It’s just a movie and some popcorn.”

I laugh. “Okay, it’s just a movie and some popcorn.”

“Well, maybe movie, popcorn, a drink, and Milk Duds,” he says, giving me a bright smile.

I make a sickened face. “Gross. Milk Duds?”

“Oh c’mon,” he teases. “How can you go to a movie without having Milk Duds?”

“That’s easy,” I say. “It’s because they’re gross. I like Snow Caps and
Raisinets.” I smile.

“Fine then. It’s a movie, popcorn, a drink, Milk Duds, Snow Caps, and
Raisinets.”

I laugh. “Better make it two drinks.”

He laughs. “I’m not saying that all again; I’ll never remember.” He smiles. “What do you say? Yes or no?”

“Sure,” I smile. “I trust you; I have no reason to think I’m not safe with you. And, I am a movie nerd.”

“See, I can tell you’re already excited about it,” he tells me. “Have a theater preference?” He asks. “The classic or current?”

I shrug. “Depends on what’s playing really. Any idea?”

He shakes his head. “No, but I can find out on my phone.”             

I smile and nod, but suddenly I feel my heart race. A movie means being in a theater. Being in a theater means being in the dark; in the dark with Nick. Right next to me. I glance over at him while he plinks away at the keys on his smart phone. It is just a movie. I’ve been alone with him in my apartment for so long I lost count, so what would the difference be? It’s a movie night out. Not like a date. I take a gulp of water, as for some reason I feel my heart start to race; only this time I can’t seem to pinpoint the cause of this panic attack.

“The classic theater that I know has
An Affair To Remember
playing,” he says, bringing me back to reality. “Know that one?”

I nod. “Of course, I know it. It’s Cary Grant. How could you not know it?”

He makes a face. “I haven’t seen any movies before the eighties.”

I laugh. “You’re missing out,” I say. “Most of the best movies were made back then. The movies today have trouble keeping up. That’s why they keep remaking the old classics,” I note.

“Point made,” he says. “What about this one,
Ben Hur
?”

I laugh. “Do you realize how long
Ben Hur
is?”

He gives his head a shake as he looks back to his phone.

“It’s over three hours long, Nick.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Okay, so not
Ben Hur
. So tell me, how bad is
An Affair To Remember
?”

I laugh. “It’s not bad at all. Really great, in fact. But, it’s another chick flick.”

“Well, if you say it’s so great, then maybe I need to see it too.”

“They’re both great,
An Affair To Remember
and
Ben Hur
,” I tell him. “But, the first is definitely the chick flick.”

He looks down at his phone. “Well, none of the new releases look worth the money you pay to see them.”

“So,
An Affair To Remember
it is.” I laugh.

He nods. “Looks like it. Unless you want to sit in a theater that long for
Ben Hur
.”

“I have the
Blu Ray at home; I can just torture you with that,” I say.

“Well, first things first,” he tells me. “I should get you back home while the press has something else to concentrate on.”

I nod. “Good idea.”

* * * * * *

The Princess Theater truly is a classic. I’m in awe by it actually. So much in fact, I feel like it’s love at first sight. I feel like I’ve gone back in time as we walk up to it. The history states that it was built in the early thirties. I’m in shock at how very well taken care of it is. It has everything from the crimson carpet to the ticket stand just outside to the magnificent glowing sign. Though it is smaller than the theaters I’m used to, only having two viewing rooms, but it seems so perfect that I don’t even mind.