Chapter Four
A week had passed and no more cards or phone calls. I knew he was far from finished with me, so every time the phone rang I nearly jumped out of my skin. I also ran to the mail box to see if any more cards had been placed in it for me. Nothing.
A public delivery man came into our office just before noon on Tuesday. He asked for Ms. Barbara Walters and was directed to my desk. I signed the receipt and accepted the package. It was six inches square with no return address. I sat it beside my desk until I left for lunch. Taking it under my arm, I went to a quiet Mexican Café two blocks from my office. I requested a booth in the back and placed my order after requesting a double Top-Shelf Margarita on the rocks.
I hesitated a few moments knowing it must be from the stranger that was blackmailing me. What would he be sending me, delivering it to my office? He was continuing to demonstrate how much he knew about me, my family and my life. I had to know what he has sent and opened the box.
One the top was another card. This only had one picture of me. I was on my back with my legs wrapped around a mans waist and we were fucking each other passionately. There was no printing, blank on both sides. I tore it up and put the pieces in my purse. There were several small packages, separately wrapped, each with a ribbon and bow. On the top was a sheet of paper with a bold title, "INSTRUCTIONS."
"Item number one: Do not open any of the packages in this box at this time. Place the box in your car and leave them until you receive further instructions."
"Item number two: Inform your office you will be coming to work late Friday morning. I will see that you are back after lunch."
"Item number three: Leave your home at the usual time, keeping all of your actions normal."
"Item number four: You are to drive to 11875 South 5th Street, a nice Holiday Inn Hotel. Go directly to the forth floor and to room # 458, arriving at exactly nine A.M. Take this box and its contents with you. The door will be unlocked. Go in and look for further instructions on the dresser."
"Item number five: Follow the instructions exactly and if you obey me, you will be leaving for your office at eleven. This will be the first step in you obtaining your pictures. Don't fail yourself, or me!"
I drank my Margarita and toyed with my lunch. What would I do; as there was nothing I could do except follow his instructions.
I placed the mysterious box in the trunk of my car, hoping no one would see it until I would take it to the hotel on Friday. Returning to work, I had to stay late to catch up on the work piling up on my desk. It was after eight when I finally arrived home. Rosa had fed Gary and the girls Gallo Pinto, a traditional dish in Costa Rica. She had saved a plate for me and offered to reheat it. However, I was so upset I could not eat anything. I told my husband I was feeling very tired and that I was going to bed.
I tossed all night, imagining what was going to happen Friday.
Chapter five.
Friday morning finally arrived and I was up a full hour early. Searching through my closet, I tried to find the correct items to wear. The stranger had not given me any instructions, so he must have been testing me to see what I would select. I decided to wear a professional business suit. It was certainly not sexy, but conservative and appropriate for a business meeting. It consisted of a charcoal skirt and jacket over a white blouse. I added basic jewelry such as pearl ear rings and a necklace and of course my watch and wedding ring set. I rolled my hair into a tight bun, high off my neck and applied my makeup lightly.
Looking at the dresser clock I could see that I had taken longer than expected. I found an appropriate purse and went to my car. Gary was still asleep as were the girls. I drove away, looking for the hotel where I was to finally meet this stranger.
Parking toward the back to remain unseen, I carried my purse and the box I was given into a back door. An elevator took me to the forth floor and a sign directed me to the correct room. I hesitated, looked at my watch and saw it was three minutes after nine. Entering I was surprised to find this was an elegant suite. In the short entry hall there was another note for me. It said:
"Item number one: Place the box I gave you on the table where you found this note."
"Item number two: Open the red and the blue boxes. Take their contents into the living room. Do that NOW then continue with my instructions."
I opened them and found a delicate, silk blindfold in the red box. It was soft and had a ribbon running from both ends. In the blue box I discovered a soft rubber ball about three inches in diameter that had two leather straps attached on both sides. I took them into the large living room and continued to read the instructions.