Chapter 59
Lauren's eyes rounded.
"Trust me. That’s light. There is also the manslaughter charge, reckless endangerment, and the list goes on. You're also looking at an aggravated assault and battery charge against Rachel. That's if it doesn't turn into something worse."
Her face stiffened, and she swallowed hard. "What do you mean, something worse?" She knew.
"Oh God," she said, hanging her head.
"Right now, I think you need to be as cooperative as possible.”
"I swear to God, I didn't mean to hurt her that bad."
"What's done is done.”
Lauren frowned. After a pause, she said, "I can tell you everything, but I can't go to jail."
"Start talking, and I'll see what I can do."
Her lips tightened. After a hesitation, she said, "Rachel and Jenna forced the potential new members to do things."
"What kind of things?"
"It's part of their initiation. At least, that's what she tells them. Rachel and Jenna offer the girls to powerful men about town. It's not just limited to that. They fly in from all over the world."
"They’re trafficking the pledges?" I said.
Lauren nodded.
“The girls are told to do what the men want. Everything is filmed, and Rachel and Jenna keep archives of everything. Then they use those videos to not only blackmail the men, but the girls as well. It haunts them for the rest of their lives. They have to do whatever Jenna and Rachel tell them to do. Why do you think the sorority never gets disciplined? Sure, Dean Montgomery will investigate, but nothing ever comes of it. You want to know why? Because Jenna has plenty of sex tapes with Dean Montgomery, having his way with pledges. He doesn’t want that getting out.
Plus, he’s having fun. Have you seen that guy?
He’s a troll.” Her face soured like she smelled rotten eggs.
“I don't think you realize how far this blackmail goes.
I'm talking politicians, CEOs of corporations, you name it. Jenna then uses the leverage to get insider information, pursue political agendas, whatever. Once the girls graduate and get married to rich and powerful men, the blackmail continues.”
I'm not often stunned, but this was a shocking revelation. “Where are all these videos?"
"Jenna has them on a hard drive, and Rachel has them on her laptop.
Why do you think the sorority has so much money?
It's not just the dues. Have you seen the house Jenna lives in?
It's insane. She drives a Bentley. Her wardrobe is crazy.
She walks around with $35,000 handbags. So does Rachel. Those girls are living it up."
I asked her several more questions and had her repeat everything she told me a few times to check consistency.
Her story never changed once.
"I need to know everybody who was with you on the boat the night that Cheyenne drowned.”
Once Lauren started talking, she didn't stop. She kept telling me more and more information. I had plenty enough to make arrests. With her sworn affidavit, I had a warrant in no time.