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Chapter 18
February 19, 1999
Emma was uneasy
walking across the Quad in the center of the Tulane campus on
her way to her morning class. She was still mulling over the
events of yesterday and couldn't decide what troubled her more
- the interview with the police officer or Lizzy's anger.
Lost in thought,
she didn't hear her name called at first. She turned and saw
a spiky-haired young man half-running toward her.
"Emma - Emma!
Wait up!"
Emma stopped and
waited for Wickham to reach her. "What is it, Greg?"
"Hey, there.
On your way to class?"
Impatiently, she
frowned. "Yes. Can I help you?"
"Umm…do
you know where I can find Lizzy?"
Emma blinked. "Greg,
Lizzy's a Loyola student." She pointed over his shoulder.
"Loyola's that-a-way."
Greg turned his
head, and when he looked at Emma again, he wore a sheepish grin.
"My bad - I knew that. I've been lookin' for her. Got somethin'
to tell her."
Emma's look brightened.
Maybe he had some information about Tuesday night. "She
usually hangs out at the library." She paused. "Is
it important?"
Greg smiled. "Oh,
yeah."
~*~*~
It took almost a
half-hour for Greg to find the Loyola library. Once inside, it
didn't take long to spot the brunette, sitting by herself at
a table and scribbling on a notepad. Greg looked around, making
sure Marianne wasn't anywhere nearby - no use taking chances
- and, once satisfied that Lizzy was alone, he approached her.
"Hey, Lizzy."
Elizabeth looked
up to see Greg standing nearby. "Greg? What are you doing
here?"
"I was looking
for you. I've got something…important to tell you."
He looked around.
"What? What
do you have to tell me?"
"Umm…can
we go somewhere quiet-like? Don't want the wrong people to overhear."
As he expected,
that got Lizzy's attention. "Okay, there's some small meeting
rooms over there. We can go grab one." She got up and led
the way. Greg closed the door behind him and took a seat across
the small table from her.
"Okay, Greg,
what's so important?"
Greg looked at his
hands. "You know the AIs kicked John Waguespack out?"
"No. Why did
they do that?" She pulled out a piece of paper.
"Wait, Liz,
this has gotta be off the record."
"Why?"
"You'll see
why after I tell ya. You can't use my name, okay?"
"You sound
like you're scared."
"I am scared."
Lizzy's eyes grew
wide. "Why?"
"First your
promise - you don't use my name."
Lizzy was desperate
for a breakthrough, and this might be her only one. "All
right, I'll keep my source confidential. Now, tell me - why was
John kicked out of AI?"
"'Cause they're
using him as a scapegoat, 'cause of what happened to your friend,
Marianne."
"What happened
to Marianne?"
"Look, I heard
that somethin' got slipped into her drink, an' some of the guys
had fun with her in one o' the back bedrooms." He allowed
his statement to sink in before continuing, "An' it ain't
the first time that somethin' like that happened over there,
if you know what I mean."
"Who? Who did
this?"
"I don't know,
but I know it wasn't JW."
"How do you
know that?"
"Uhh…you
see…he was - you're gonna keep this quiet, right?"
She nodded.
"He was smokin'
a joint with me at the time."
"Then why did
they throw John out?"
Greg looked around.
"You know Will Darcy, right?" he said in a low voice.
Is he saying
Will attacked Mari?
"Yes, I do, and I don't believe for a minute…"
"Hold it…I
ain't sayin' Darcy did it. I'm sayin' Darcy's the one that's
coverin' it up."
A cold feeling settled
in Elizabeth's stomach. "Why would he do that?"
"Look, he's
supposed to be a big wig at his daddy's firm once he gets outta
college, right? Well, he can't have some scandal screw that up.
Hurt the stock price, an' all that. Maybe prevent him from gettin'
the job. So he an' his daddy are puttin' a blanket on this. That's
the way it is with these rich boys. Party hard, an' have somebody
else clean up the mess. You know his daddy got him some muscle?"
"'Muscle?'
You mean, like a bodyguard?" she said in a shaky voice.
Greg laughed. "Yeah,
they call 'em bodyguards sometimes. Clean-up crew is what they
really are. Make sure little things like this are swept under
the rug, an'… 'convince' everybody to keep quiet about it."
Oh my god, thought Lizzy. She didn't want to
believe it, but it was the only thing that made sense after her
confrontation at the AI house last night. "How…how
do you know all this?"
"'Cause I was
there."
"You said you
weren't."
"JW an' me
got there after it was all over with. John freaked out when he
saw Mari - all by herself in the room. He picked her up to get
her outta there, but as we were leaving, Darcy tried to stop
us. I had to mix it up a little with him so John could escape.
Darcy didn't like that. So, Darcy an' his old man are after me,
too."
"Why would
William want to stop John from leaving with Mari?"
"Somethin'
about lettin' them handle things, but JW wasn't havin' any of
it. That's why they're getting rid o' him. I hear they were gonna
get JW kicked outta Tulane, too. That's why he took off. He don't
trust them not to make him the patsy for the chapter."
Elizabeth was shaken.
"What did they put in Mari's drink?"
Greg laughed. "Who
knows? Frat houses are fulla shit like that."
"How do you
know that?"
"My dealer
does a lot o' business at Tulane."
Lizzy nodded, remembering
the wild stories she had heard about college fraternities while
in high school. I thought they were urban legends, but they
aren't! How could they fool me for so long? No - not Chuck, Henry,
or Chris. They wouldn't do something like that.
"Greg, I know
a lot of the guys in the frat. I'm having a hard time believing
they would do anything like this."
Greg nodded as he
prepared to administer the coup de grace. "Like I
said, most o' the guys there wouldn't do that sorta shit, but
- that brotherhood stuff is like all-powerful, ya know? Even
if it's one guy, you gotta do what's best for the frat. Everybody
else is outsiders. If a guy gives 'em too much trouble, they
handle it inside. Ya never hear about it. Girl gets into trouble,
too bad. She should've been more careful. Got to keep up the
image.
"An' don't
forget - a lot of these guys wanna get into politics. You think
they want somethin' like this hangin' around to screw them twenty
years from now? How are they gonna make their money then? Babe,
you gotta understand, it's all about the Benjamins. These guys
could make millions. You think they're gonna let a little thing
like this get in their way?"
Greg knew he had
done all he could do. So, in a final act of theater, he got to
his feet. "Remember, keep my name outta this, or…well,
it could get real ugly for me."
A depressed and
angry Lizzy cried, "You don't mean that William would…!"
Wickham successfully
hid the glee he was feeling. "Nah - it's his old man I'm
worried about." He lowered his voice to a near-whisper.
"You don't think anybody involved in the docks ain't got
some Mafia connections, do ya? You look at 'em funny, they'll
break your legs. They don't play games at the docks, Lizzy."
"Don't worry,
Greg, I'll protect you."
"Thanks, Lizzy."
He tapped her notepad. "You go get 'em, huh?" With
that he left the room.
Once Wickham exited
the library, he dropped his fearful act and strode confidently
across campus towards his parked car. Damn, I really did a
number on rich boy! That stupid cow swallowed what I fed her
like a twenty-dollar whore. Now, if that bitch does her job,
Darcy's ass will be in a crack, an' there's nothin' Fitzwilliam
can do about it. That'll teach him to fuck with G-Daddy!
Hell, maybe JW
will be able to come back and bird dog for me again. Ha! I'm
fuckin' king of th' world!
~*~*~
Lizzy returned to
her dorm room, planning to call her advisor. Greg's information
had greatly disturbed her, and she wanted her opinion. As she
was looking through her campus directory for Dr. Jennings' number,
the phone rang. To her surprise, it was John Waguespack, asking
for Marianne.
"John! Where
are you?"
"I…I
can't say right now, Lizzy. Is Mari there?"
"No, she's
at class. John, look, I've talked to Greg - he told me about
Tuesday night. Is what he said true?"
There was a pause.
"What did he say?"
Lizzy gave him a
condensed version of Wickham's story. "Were you and Greg
outside smoking while Mari was in the house?"
"Yeah, I
was doing some weed outside."
"And when you
found Mari…how…how did you find her?"
"Her…err…her
clothes were, you know…messed up."
"And…when
you were leaving, did anything happen?"
"Umm…Will
and a couple of guys tried to stop me. Greg ran interference."
Oh, my god -
Greg was telling the truth!
"Why can't you tell me where you are? Why don't you come
forward and say what you know?"
"Lizzy…umm…did
Marianne say anything?"
"She's having
a hard time remembering. You can help!"
"Lizzy,
I wish I could…but…it might be best that I don't."
"Why? The AIs
can't do anything else to you! Didn't they expel you?"
"Yeah, they
did - I heard that last night. But, it might be…bad for
my health, you know?"
"My god, John!
Has someone threatened you?!"
"No! Look,
Lizzy, forget I said that. I'll try to come back as soon as I
can."
Lizzy could hear
the fear in his voice. "When?"
"Soon."
"John, please
tell me where you are. At least, give me your phone number."
"Lizzy,
I'll call. Trust me, this is best. This is safest. Give Mari
my love, okay?"
"I will. Goodbye."
Lizzy looked at the handset as she set it down. John was definitely
scared. Terrified. Of what - Darcy's bodyguard? Of course - he's
been told to be quiet! I can't believe I've been so wrong about
Darcy. He's ruthless - or at least his father is, if what Greg
said was true. It must be! I've got to stop him!
Lizzy reached for
the phone again.
~*~*~
John Waguespack
tossed the handset on the bed beside him and put his hands behind
his head. He looked up at the ceiling fan in his aunt's guest
bedroom, trying to calm down and decide his next move.
The phone call with
Lizzy was both good news and bad. Mari apparently had no memory
of what happened at the AI house. That was good. If she suffered
no damage, there would be no police involved. Greg couldn't get
mad at him. John was safe - for now.
But, hearing that
Greg had been in contact with Lizzy made John very nervous. Lizzy
might become an unwitting source of information for Wickham.
John couldn't take the chance that Wickham might track him down
through her. By bailing on the drug dealer, he had broken a promise.
Greg would get pissed, but John hoped that was the extent of
his anger. No sense taking chances, though - John planned to
have a long and prosperous life.
That meant his time
in New Orleans was over. Time to start again. He sighed as he
picked up the University of Southern Mississippi handbook his
aunt had acquired for him and began to peruse the course listings.
Fortunately, his aunt believed his story of witnessing a crime
by some members of the NOPD; she had been biased against the
Crescent City for as long as he had known her and had no hesitation
in thinking the worst of that "den of sin." She had
promised to support him in school, now that his father had effectively
disowned him. Mom tried to intercede, but Dad made it clear that
the bank was closed.
Auntie never
did like Dad, he thought.
It was easy to play one against the other.
He would miss Marianne,
of course, but there was no way he could move forward with her
now. It was way too dangerous - she might start remembering.
Best to write that off as bad luck.
Damn, everything
happens to me!
He turned his attention
to the course listings. Hmm…casino management? That sounds
cool.
~*~*~
Lizzy sat down with
her editor, Justin Middleton, and faculty advisor, Dr. Jennings.
"I know when I took the assignment I was supposed to write
an article about co-ed safety in the Uptown area."
"That's correct,
Elizabeth," said Dr. Jennings.
"Well, I've
got a story that speaks to that." She handed each an outline.
Both read with increasing interest.
"You've got
witnesses to this?" asked the professor.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Dr. Jennings,"
injected Justin, "I was with Lizzy last night at the AI
house. I've got photos."
"Very good.
Elizabeth, when can you have a story ready?"
"I can have
it to you by five," she said as she got to her feet.
"Good. This
is excellent, Elizabeth. It's terrible what happened to this
girl you speak of, of course, but it gives us a chance to prove
what New Journalism can do." After Lizzy left the room,
the professor turned to Middleton. "Justin, I want to see
that story as soon as it gets here."
"Yes, Professor.
May I ask why?"
She gestured to
the outline. "If her story is as big as her outline indicates,
it's our chance to really make a splash. I've got some friends
at the Picayune that would be very interested in this."
"You want to
run this in the Times-Picayune?"
"Yes - special
from the VOICE. We'll be on the map!"
Justin's eyes gleamed.
This might just be the item on his resume that would get him
a job in New York! "I'll get it to you right away!"
~*~*~
MARDI GRAS MYSTERY
What Happened at the Tulane AI House Tuesday Evening?
by Lizzy Boudreaux
FOR YEARS, women
at universities across the nation have been warned about violence
and sexual assault. Some studies say that as many as one woman
in four will be a victim of unwanted sexual attention during
their time on campus. We have been told to know the people we
are with, to avoid strangers, and to stay with others, especially
female friends.
But what happens
if you do all that, and it doesn't keep you safe?
If we have been
victimized, we have been told how to react during and after the
encounter. When to fight back. When not to. To tell someone.
To get medical attention. To not be silent.
But what do you
do when technology conspires against you?
The rise of "date
rape" drugs has placed women in the greatest danger they
have ever faced. These chemicals make a person disoriented and
unable to defend themselves, robs their victims of the ability
to remember, and leave the body at a rapid rate. They are the
perfect weapon for the rapist.
We've heard about
all these things. We've seen reports on TV and read stories in
the newspapers. But it doesn't hit home until it happens to someone
close to you.
I have a friend,
who I'll call F. She could be your study partner, your roommate,
your sister or your lover. She did everything right. She only
hung out with friends of long-standing. She had a steady boyfriend
whom she has known for months. She attended a party at a place
she had frequented many times in the past, with people she trusted.
And she was assaulted.
On Mardi Gras night. At the Alpha Iota House at Tulane University.
F's boyfriend, who
I'll call M, brought her to a party at his fraternity. They were
having a great time. He stepped away with a friend for a few
minutes - no more than half an hour. When he returned, he expected
to find his girlfriend dancing in the chapter room. Instead,
he discovered her insensible in a bedroom.
Witnesses tell me
that he carried F out of the house. But, instead of receiving
help from his "brothers," they tried to prevent F from
leaving. A confrontation ensued before M was able to escape with
his girlfriend. Later, when F was seen by a doctor, it was revealed
that she had been sexually assaulted.
F made some mistakes
that did not help her. She waited over twenty-four hours before
going to the emergency room. She did not keep much evidence -
her only proof is the bruises on her body.
Unfortunately, that
was not enough for the New Orleans Police. The officer that questioned
her was only interested in what would make her job easier. She
could not be bothered with questioning the perpetrators.
WHICH BRINGS US
to the Alpha Iotas. This fraternity has been on the Tulane campus
for over eighty years. Many politicians, judges, and leaders
of industry claim membership to this chapter. Its ranks are filled
with the "best and brightest" that Tulane has to offer.
These "Princes of Broadway" are assured success in
their future lives, and they will do whatever is necessary to
make sure that their bright future is not endangered.
One would think
that these men would protect themselves by living upright lives,
acting in an honorable fashion, and not tolerating the presence
of Neanderthals and other misogynist throwbacks in their ranks.
But that would not live up to the Animal House reputation
that fraternities strive for. College is the time to party. They
can't be worried that the occasional girl is attacked. She'll
get over it. After all, isn't she asking for it by coming to
the house in the first place?
Besides - Daddy
will clean it up.
Brotherhood is the
glue that holds fraternities together. My sources tell me that
it is the most important characteristic of these organizations
- so much so that they are willing to destroy anyone or anything
that threatens that brotherhood.
Looking for answers,
I went to the AI House. What I was met with was not concern for
a friend or outrage over a violation of their supposed rules.
What greeted me was stonewalling and an armed guard. It is apparent
that AI knows something happened, but their only interest is
to cover it up. To keep it quiet. Future careers are at stake,
don't you know?
I have learned that
M is the chosen scapegoat. He has been ejected from the hallowed
ranks of AI. And why, do you ask? Because he wanted to go public.
M is now in fear that AI is setting him up to take the fall should
there be an investigation. It's one against forty. It is no wonder
he quakes at those odds.
In fact, M and F
have more than forty enemies. There are the fathers of these
"men" who see their enormous investment in the education
of their offspring threatened. Hence, the armed guard.
Drugs are certainly
no stranger to fraternity row. It would not be hard to spike
a lone female's drink and have some "fun," if assaulting
an unconscious woman is one's idea of a good time.
OF COURSE, Alpha
Iota may be innocent. But if that is so, why the stonewalling?
Is the legendary secrecy of the fraternity system more important
than finding out the truth?
We cannot stand
by and allow "business as usual" to continue. We must
call out for justice. We must demand that the NOPD and officials
from Tulane fully investigate the events of February 15.
Or more of our sisters
will be victimized.
~*~*~
"Excellent,
Elizabeth!" cried Dr. Jennings.
"Yeah,"
agreed Justin, "you really let those AI bastards have it
between the eyes."
Elizabeth nodded.
"As long as it spurs an investigation, I'm happy."
"Oh, it will,"
Dr. Jennings assured her.
"Umm…professor,
I can add my photos to this," Justin suggested.
"Fine. See
what will work, and we'll run with it." She rose and moved
over to Elizabeth. "You look tired, Elizabeth. Why don't
you go get some rest?"
"I think I
will, Dr. Jennings."
"Good."
She patted Lizzy on the back as she walked her out the door.
"I'll call tomorrow to see how you're doing. Meanwhile,
we'll post your story tonight. Good night, Elizabeth. Have a
good weekend." When the professor returned to the table,
she saw that Justin was frowning.
"She left out
the details of the confrontation with that Darcy guy last night."
"Darcy? Is
he one of the DGS's Darcys?"
"Yeah, his
old man runs it. He's the one I've got pictures of."
"Hmm…that
will make the story bigger…" She nodded. "Add
what you know, and get me a final draft within the hour. I've
got a phone call to make." She pulled out an address book
from her briefcase as she took a seat by a telephone. She quickly
dialed a telephone number at the Times-Picayune.
"Elton, darling!
How are you? Listen, I've got a bit of a scoop for you. It involves
a certain uptown fraternity and a large shipping company. Oh,
and sexual assault. Interested?"
~*~*~
William slumped
down in an easy chair in his father's study at Pemberley, gratefully
taking the beer offered to him. The bodyguard was making himself
comfortable in the den.
"You really
think Gina's gonna buy the story you concocted about Goliath
in there?" he asked as he took his first sip.
His father shrugged.
"Why not? He is a security consultant. I just said he's
here to check out our systems. The best way to do that is to
spend a couple nights - see how the regular routine goes. Make
recommendations." He chuckled. "Maybe she'll ask him
a few questions about his work, but she'll get bored soon enough."
"Good. I don't
want to scare her."
"Any sign of
this Wickham character?"
"Nope."
George Darcy sighed.
"I hope this is all an over-reaction, but Richard isn't
given to panicking. We'll keep the guard on the payroll for a
week or so, and then we'll reevaluate."
"Dad, I'm real
sorry about all this. This must be costing you a fortune."
Mr. Darcy snorted.
"The hell with the money. Keeping you safe is what counts.
Don't give it another thought."
"Can't help
it, Dad."
"I know. Any
update about the young lady?"
William shook his
head. "We haven't heard anything, so I guess that's good."
He was feeling better as time went by. We should've heard
something by now if there was bad news. "But we didn't
wait around doing nothing. We tossed that worthless sack of a
boyfriend out of the chapter. We should've never pledged the
son-of-a-bitch in the first place."
"Good. Somebody
like that can bring down the whole chapter. So, on a new subject,
when do you want to start at DGS?"
"Uhh…I
thought right after graduation."
Mr. Darcy smiled.
"You sure? No last vacation beforehand?"
William smiled.
"What do you have in mind?"
"Gina's been
after me to take her to Disney World again. So I was thinking
- I could rent one of those three-bedroom condos for a week.
Ride the rides, get some golf in. You interested?"
"Interested?
Sure. When?"
"Early June,
right after school lets out. You can start at the office when
we get back." He looked slyly at William. "You know,
those condos will hold a bunch of people. Want to invite somebody?
Gina already has begged me to take her friend, Margaret."
"Sure. I can
ask Chuck or Chris…"
"How about
Elizabeth?"
William started.
"Huh?"
"Elizabeth
- the brunette. You've been seeing her, right?"
"Yeah, a little.
I don't know…"
"You like her?"
William blushed.
"Yeah, I like her. But…Dad, you know, it's not serious."
Yet.
"I hope not!
I can bunk with you, leaving a private room for her."
"Keeping an
eye on me, Dad?"
His father chuckled.
"Son, I trust you," he patted his knee, "but not
that much. I was young once, myself."
William smiled.
"Let me think about it, okay?"
"Sure. Take
your time."
He and his father
talked for a while about local happenings before he switched
on a basketball game. As they watched, Will thought about his
father's offer.
Would Elizabeth
be interested in going on vacation with us? I don't want to scare
her off. We've only been on one real date. But…this might
be the spark I need to see if she is interested in me.
Will thought back
on their history - the meetings over coffee, the teasing back
and forth, the conversations, the trip to Memphis, the dances,
and the kiss after the movie. They were friends - good friends
- but Will now knew he wanted a lot more. Chris and his father
were right. Elizabeth was a treasure he would be a fool not to
pursue.
Not that it would
be much of a pursuit, he judged with a grin. Elizabeth's reaction
to the incident during the parade, when he protected the little
girl, was telling. She was scared for him. She was worried
that he was hurt. When she brought Jane to town, she entrusted
her to him - and Chuck, of course.
During their discussions,
even when they disagreed, they always seemed to find common ground.
He could tell from her smile that she enjoyed their talks as
much as he did.
What am I worried
about? Of course, she's interested. The pleasant vision of sitting around a swimming
pool in Florida with Elizabeth in a little-bitty bikini brought
a smile to his face. I'll call her tonight about Dad's offer.
It will at least give me a reason to call…
Oh, hell! I should've
called her already and explained last night! Damn, where is my
head these days? I should have her number in my address book…which
is sitting on my desk back in the apartment! Oh, crap!
He took another
pull on his Abita. This Waguespack/Wickham thing has screwed
me up! I could call Chris to get her number…Nah, it can
wait until I get back Sunday. I'll call her by Monday night -
maybe set up a date. Yeah, that's what I'll do; and I'll surprise
her with Dad's offer. He chuckled. Maybe set up Mari with
Chris…yeah! That will fix him! Waguespack's a gone pecan.
The Code ain't in effect now, buddy!
His father saw the
slight grin on his face. "Good thoughts, Will?"
William smiled.
"The best, Dad."
~*~*~
At eleven o'clock
that evening, Justin Middleton sent a command to the server in
the closet in the VOICE's office. Lizzy's edited story
was now live.
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