47. Jolie
JOLIE
So, Ben told me about his late-night conversation with Jimmy.
At first, I was horrified that he spilled, but then I understood, and I guess Jimmy’s idea of gathering girls to speak up against Kieran is kind of solid. If we all go to the police en masse, it might have more of an effect.
But that’s going to take ages.
And I’m just not willing to wait.
Crossing my arms, I hunch my shoulders against the rain, splashing through puddles as I run across campus. It’s dark already, and streetlights flash above me as I head for the one place Ben doesn’t want me to go.
It’s early evening, the sun having set about twenty minutes ago, but because of this rain, it feels like midnight already.
My phone has been buzzing in my pocket, and once I get under the shelter of the eave, I pull it out. I don’t really want to check it and am about to turn it off, because I want zero distractions right now.
But then I see the text from my cousin.
Cinnamon: I’m sorry. Can we please meet up and smooth things over? I hate this. I’m at Offside. Do you want to join me for a drink so we can talk it out?
I sniff, grateful that she’s wanting to initiate reconciliation.
I hate being out of contact with her too, and although it’s only been like a day, it’s been eating away at me.
If Caroline’s willing to concede that Ben’s a good guy and an amazing boyfriend, and that she really has zero say on who I date, then I’m totally open to having a drink with her at Offside.
So, I text her back.
Me: Yeah, we should talk. As long as you don’t spend that time trying to convince me to break up with Ben. That’s not going to happen!
Cinnamon: I know. I know. I promise I won’t do that.
Me: Okay then. I’m just in the middle of something, but I’ll finish up in the next fifteen minutes or so, and then I’ll be right over.
Cinnamon: Okay, cool. I’ll see you soon!
She adds a few smiley face emojis, and I can sense her relief. I don’t know if I’m feeling that just yet. She did make a promise, but I’m still not sure if I believe her.
Turning off my phone, I slip it back into my pocket and feel my heart rate triple as I pull on a pair of disposable gloves, then swipe my card and open the door of the office building.
It’s Saturday evening, and no one seems to be around. I stood in the rain, staring up at the second floor for a good five minutes to make sure none of the lights were on.
This is my chance.
Kieran’s probably out on a date, wooing another girl to his sicko bed so he can add to his collection.
I can’t wait to expose this jerk!
Taking the stairs, I quietly creep up to the second floor and swipe the card I got after my article was published. It was such a triumphant feeling getting it… and now I’m battling major anxiety as I use it once again to let myself into the Nolan U Star space.
It’s eerily quiet, and when the door clicks shut behind me, I actually flinch.
My nerves are strung so tight, I have to remind myself to breathe.
Not wanting to turn any lights on, I pull the flashlight out of my back pocket and flick it on instead, keeping it dipped toward the floor so no one from outside will see the light. Not that anyone is loitering outside the building, but I’m trying for stealth here.
I’ve watched enough movies.
I know what I’m doing.
Crouching down outside Kieran’s office door, I try the handle, and as expected, it’s locked.
Which is why I spent the last hour studying a YouTube video on how to pick locks using two paper clips. I prepared them and bent them into shape, and now all I have to do is…
Slipping the first paper clip into the bottom of the keyhole, I then use the other one to jiggle the pins, just the way the video showed.
It’s not as easy as they made it look, but I stay put, wrestling with the keyhole until I feel a soft pop.
My lips part and I turn the handle again, delighted by my success. No way! I can’t believe that worked.
I had high hopes sneaking in here, but realistic ones, you know?
My insides are thrashed and raw as I move into Kieran’s office. Worry eats at me, my imagination flying as I think about the repercussions of what I’m doing.
Ben’s going to be so annoyed when he finds out.
And maybe he’s right about the whole admissible-in-court thing, but I just need to find proof and get these videos out of Kieran’s hands.
That’s my mission tonight. I want to destroy the video he has of me.
If I can do that, I’m no longer at risk, and then I can be the one to go after him. He won’t have anything over me.
That’s a solid plan, right?
Unless he posts the videos of the other girls. You can’t just protect yourself!
I frown, casting my flashlight around the room and trying to decide where to start.
Open drawers, cupboards, filing cabinets. Just get on with it!
With a little whimper, I lurch for the cabinet closest to me and get to work, hunting through Kieran’s office from one side to the other. I’m working fast, trying to be efficient… and coming up completely empty-handed.
Until I close the bottom drawer of his desk and notice a hollow sound.
Wait. What was that?
Pulling it open again, I lift out the folders and rap my knuckles on the wood. It sounds different… just here. I knock it again to be sure.
“Bingo,” I whisper, glee skittering through me as I try to lift that panel… but it doesn’t budge. With a frown, I shine my light over the wood and spot a small lock in the bottom right corner. It takes a little key, and dammit, my paper clips are too fat for this lock.
No. I can’t come this far only to be stopped now.
I am getting into this space.
Shining my flashlight over Kieran’s desk, I spot the stapler and just decide to risk the noise I’ll make smashing through this wood. I’m running on pure determination right now. I’m too close to give up.
It’s not until the wood cracks and splinters that I realize there’s zero going back now. Kieran will find this the next time he opens the drawer.
I’ll have to expose him before that happens.
And whatever’s under this cracked wood is going to help me.
Hope fires through me as I smash the end of the stapler down again, then rip my gloves on the rough edges when I pull the wood back and dig out…
An external hard drive.
Swallowing, I slap it down on the desk like it might burn me.
The videos are on there. I can feel it.
Choppy breaths punch out of my chest. I should bolt from the room with this tucked inside my jacket pocket, but I need to see this. I need to know for sure.
Bringing Kieran’s desktop computer to life, I nearly laugh with relief when the main screen pops up.
I was expecting password protection, but nope.
He must figure he’s completely safe with his secret little drawer.
He probably doesn’t think there’s a woman on campus brave enough or stupid enough to risk all this.
Well, I am.
Brave. Stupid. Whatever you want to call me, I don’t care what the consequences of my actions are right now. I just need to see for myself what’s actually true.
And then I need to take this evidence right to the police.