Chapter 74
CHAPTER 74
Fifteen Years Ago
3:19 a.m.
Alex
Alex took out his phone.
“Who are you calling?” Jason asked.
“Not calling anyone,” Alex said, accessing the camera app on his phone. “I’m securing our future.”
Chris asked, “Securing our future?”
Holding the phone in front of his face, Alex pressed the button to begin videoing an establishing wide shot of Phil and Sarah, lying in bed next to each other, their bodies wrapped in blood-smeared sheets.
“This is what is going to happen,” Alex said, zooming in on a few of the blood smears, moving the camera to catch different angles. “We’re going to blackmail Phil’s dad, Mr. Richart.”
“We’re going to … what?” Chris gaped at him.
Chuckling, Alex walked from one side of the bed to the other, videoing Phil and Sarah. “You heard me.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Jason said.
“Of course, you don’t,” Alex said. “Even though I’m doing this for you. For all of us. I’m making sure that we get the chance to live the life we deserve.”
“What makes you think Mr. Richart will pay us?” Jason asked.
Alex continued filming. “He’ll pay us. He doesn’t want his family’s name dragged through the mud. Doesn’t want his son exposed as a violent rapist.”
“Blackmail is a crime,” Jason said.
Annoyed by the misguided righteous indignation in Jason’s tone, Alex glared at him. “Rape and assault is also a crime.”
Jason looked down.
“Phil should pay for what he did,” Chris said. “Sarah didn’t deserve what happened to her.”
Still glancing at Jason, Alex said, “No, Sarah certainly didn’t deserve to be sexually assaulted while she was unconscious.”
“What kind of sick fuck does that?” Chris asked, shaking his head.
“Hell if I know,” Alex said, stopping the video, then saving the content. “What about you Jason? Any idea what kind of depraved bastard would rape a girl while she was knocked out, unaware of what was happening, unable to say no?”
Jason said nothing .
Alex put his phone back in his pocket, then exhaled. “Okay, this is what we all need to remember. What we are doing should be realized as our opportunity to solidify our futures, as I said before. Guys like Phil, who’ve had everything handed to him, will be fine and flourish regardless of what we do. And remember this, as well … Phil’s ancestors have done vile and unethical things, worse than what we’re planning to do, so we don’t have to feel bad or guilty … “