Randy White - Black Widow

It was a simple exchange. Clean. So why did things go so wrong for the determined young bride?

I flew to the Caribbean on a Wednesday, and Thursday morning gave the blackmailers bagman a routing number to an account containing $109,000. The bagman gave me a video shot secretly at a party thrown by my goddaughter, Shay Money, for her bridesmaids.

In the sepulchre chill of a cubicle provided by the Bank of Aruba, I popped the cassette into a minicamera long enough to confirm its contents before nodding at the teller.

Yes. She could transfer the funds.

Bagman and teller conversed in patois French as I stowed the cassette in a briefcase, focusing on details to mitigate my nausea. Inside the mens room, I filled a marble sink with water, then lathered face and hands, but the taint was subcutaneous, associative. Soap couldnt cut it. I had helped Shay with high school homework. Id fielded her homesick letters when she was a college freshman.

After leaving the bank, I pulled my rental around the block, waited, then followed the bagmans Fiat to a waterfront bar. Big round man, big round head. I battled the urge to snatch him from the parking lot, then drive to a secluded place.

Im no longer authorized to do that sort of thing.

Eight hours later, I landed at Miami International, then caught a commuter flight to Fort Myers Regional, a forty-minute drive from my home and laboratory on Sanibel Island, southwest coast of Florida. Shay, now twenty-six, with a masters in business, was waiting.

Did you check luggage?

I was carrying the briefcase and a recent issue of Journal of Invertebrate Pathology.

Never.

Ah I forgot. All those research trips, studying fish in foreign countries. Whats the secret to packing light?

Simple. Wear dark clothes, and always save your second pair of socks for the flight home.

The girl laughed as we hugged. Doc Ford, the mysterious biologist. I picked the right guy.

I said, Its been awhile. Well see.

Shay had her arm around my waist, shoulder wedged into ribs, thumb hooked to my belt. She was her usual affectionate, alpha-female self, body docked to mine so she could steer me efficiently toward baggage, or her awaiting car. But there was an intensity to the way she hugged close. This was a frightened women desperate for asylum. Had I provided it?

Life may be a chemical-electrical process, but living is a procession of uncertainties, one damn thing after another. Somehow, that truth makes lying easier.

Did everything go okay?

Couldnt have gone smoother.

You feel good about it?

Better than expected. Very businesslike. Weve been dealing with pros.

The money transferred from my account fast enough. I checked. Geezus, one hell of a chunk. Were you surprised by the amount?

Not surprised, shocked. But I replied, A lot of money.

My entire savings.

Youve saved that much since college?

Well plus Daddys life insurance.

Insurance? He didnt seem like the type.

I know, I know-a man like him being thoughtful was as unexpected as him dying. I thought I told you about the check. After the honeymoon, Michael and I couldve-

Its done. You said you werent going to beat yourself up when I got back. Im back.

Youre right. You know the way I ought to see it? Like its an investment in the future. I have to keep reminding myself. Our future, Michael and me.

We exited the terminal into the sodium glare of asphalt and Everglades heat. It was a Thursday in June, a little before midnight, less than ten days until the girls wedding. There were stars up there above palm trees.

So he gave you the thing.

Yes. The briefcase was on my opposite shoulder, and I tapped it. In here.

I felt her body stiffen. The only copy?

I dont know. Thats the deal you made. But its his game, his rules.

Do you know why why I paid the money?

I have a pretty good idea.

So you watched.

Just the beginning. You and your bridesmaids were on a patio by a swimming pool, a view of the ocean below. With three men I assume were locals-so the party was just getting started. That was enough.

Really?

Really.

Another lie. The video had been queued to footage that was unambiguously graphic. Id watched for a few seconds, skipped ahead, then couldnt hit the power button fast enough.

Yes, we had been dealing with a pro, but there were also symptoms of pathology. Voyeurism plus cruelty. Her blackmailer enjoyed humiliating his victims.

Shay laughed to disguise relief. Thanks for being a gentleman. Not that theres anything really bad. Just stupid. The sort of things we did in college-smoke grass, smooch with strangers. But Michael wouldnt have understood. None of our guys would, even though it seemed harmless at the time. We tried to turn the clock back-Liz, Corey, Beryl, and me-and have one last fling only now, I wish wed never heard of that damn island. By October, well all be married. And weve got professions. Were grown-ups now, not sorority girls.

Id just lied to Shay, so why did I find it so irritating that she was lying to me? My own moral code varies with time zones and border crossings, plus I do not accept the premise that human behavior can be separated neatly into columns of right and wrong. So who the hell am I to judge? But I am neither so jaundiced nor naive that I dont know the difference between a kiss and a blow job.

Arent grown-ups also supposed to accept responsibility for their behavior? I said.

The woman stopped walking for a moment, her expression indignant, then sped ahead. I dont care for your tone, buddy boy.

Then stop treating me like Im stupid.

I have no idea what youre talking about!

Really? You didnt pay a hundred thousand dollars to spare your future husband seeing you smoke dope and kiss a stranger.

I just told you: Michaels the jealous type. Like most guys, theres a double standard. It doesnt matter if it was innocent fun. He wouldnt have understood.

I flew halfway to the equator and back because of innocent fun? Knock it off, Shay. I know better.

Damn it! You said you didnt watch the video!

The woman slowed enough for me to catch up, eyes searching. The footage Id seen was disturbing. What I had not seen was there in her eyes, and it sickened her.

I said, I dont give a damn whats on this tape. Whatever perceived sins, your girls weekend couldnt have been any worse than a lot of bachelor parties. Okay? And it sure as hell doesnt compare to some of the things Ive done in my life. I cut her off before she interrupted. Dont ask. Were all entitled to our secrets. The point is, Im your friend. As of today, Im also your partner. So no more evasions.

When you asked me to fly south and make the exchange, I did-no questions asked. Now I expect the truth. Because theres a chance were going to hear from him again.

Shay stopped and faced me. She took a shuddering breath, and in a voice I hadnt heard since she was a teen, she whispered, Oh Ford, I hope I so hope youre wrong.

I swept the girl into my free arm and held her, thumping my hand on her back. Me, too, Shay. But if it happens, no surprises, okay? Because its started.

What? Whats started? I dont understand.

I meant the lie wed created. It now had a life of its own. Unlike the truth, lies cant survive independently. Theyre quasi matter, like something sewn together in a lab, and require monitoring.

"If were not straight with each other, I told her, our friendship will be the first casualty. Your marriage could be the second.

My God, Doc, the girl said, pushing away, dont even say that. Damn it! I did what I was supposed to do. I paid the money. Im safe now, arent I? We deserve to be safe!

This has nothing to do with what you deserve. Fairness isnt bankable. Right now, the guy may be rethinking your payment schedule because fear has an exact dollar value. Hes a pirate, not an entrepreneur.