Chapter 9: infiltration

Zach and Lisa make their way to Josh's next party.

Do you have the USB drive on you?

Yup, it's safely tucked away in my bra.

With those creeps that might not be a safe place.

If any of them gets anywhere near my boobs I'm kicking them in the balls!

Calm down Bruce Lee, don't draw too much to yourself.

I know, I'm just excited.

Lisa starts humming the mission impossible theme as they approach the mansion.

Infiltration time!

They're swiftly greeted by one of the Jac's at the front door.

Hey Zach, welcome. You and your friend can go right in.

Thanks.

They barely set foot inside before Josh makes his way over to them.

I knew you would eventually come.

Figured I'd come see what all the fuss is about. This is Lisa by the way.

Nice to meet you Lisa, feel free to get yourselves as many drinks as you want.

After some small talk Lisa decides go get herself a drink. Josh leans in closer to Zach.

She's cute, that pixie style haircut looks good on her. But what the deal between you two? I thought you were dating the med student?

I'm still dating her. You were the quarterback before me, you know how it is.

That's what I'm talking about! I can't blame you with that cheerleader body that Lisa has. I thought you were a goody two shoes, happy to see that you're one of us.

Zach looks across the room to Lisa and winks at her, indicating that Josh is distracted and that she can go plant the USB drive.

She slips up the stairs and starts talking herself through her "mission".

Ok Lisa, Stanly said it was the last door on the right.

She walks down the hall and tries to turn the doorknob.

Locked... which room belongs to Josh? Only one way to find out.

One by one she opens every door until she finds one that has a large painting of Josh on the wall.

What a narcissist. Where would a narcissist hide a key? Would he be that obvious?

She takes a look behind the painting and finds a key tucked away in the corner.

Bingo! But before I go, magic marker time!

A minute of scribbling later Lisa heads back to the locked door and goes inside. The room has two big screens with live feeds from all the cameras and a PC under the desk, she plugs the USB drive into the backside.

There, out of sight just like Stanly said. Now I just have to put the key back where I found it.

She locks the door and starts heading back to Josh's room. Before she can enter she's interrupted by one of the frat guys.

Hey, are... you... lost?

Lisa immediately sees that he's drunk by the way he's slurring his words. She decides to capitalize on his lack of "clarity".

Lost? Not anymore, I found you.

Looks like it's my lucky day... you're hot!

Thanks... how about we go in here so we can have some privacy?

But... that's Josh's room.

Doesn't that make it more exciting?

Hot and kinky, I like it!

Lisa motions him to follow her into room and pushes him onto the bed.

Lay back and close your eyes, let me take care of you.

You don't have to tell me twice!

Lisa slips the key back behind the painting as soon as he closes his eyes and leaves the room.

She quickly makes her way downstairs and signals him that it's time to leave.

It was nice hanging out with you Josh, but we're going to head home. I hope that I can stay a bit longer next time, but I have practice tomorrow.

No problem dude, totally get it. See you next time!

They leave the mansion and go around the corner.

How did it go?

Lisa looks at him a sly smile on her face.

Mission accomplished! It was a close call at the end though.

What happened?

The door was locked for starters, so I had to go and find the key in Josh's room first. Luckily for me he's not that bright. He hid it behind a big portrait of himself.

He has a portrait of himself in his own room? I think I just threw up in my mouth...

Can't blame you. I left him a message on it with my magic marker.

No way, what did you do?

I wrote "douchebag" across his forehead.

Nice, high five!

After that I planted the USB drive in the back of the PC to hide it just like Stanly said.

Well done.

Lastly, I needed to put the key back where I found it. But one of his frat boys walked in on me when I was about to go into Josh's room.

How did you get out of that?

He was the right combination of drunk and horny. I told him to lay back and close his eyes, then I put the key back and got out of there before he realized that I was just messing with him.

Impressive, maybe you'll make a for a good secret agent after all.

You were a fool to doubt me, I told you I have skills.

Zach can't help but laugh.

I'll never doubt you again. Make sure to message Elle so she can let Stanly know that he has access to Josh's PC.

On it, see you tomorrow.

Goodnight.

They all meet up with Elle at the student council office.

Fancy office you have her miss president.

I figured that nobody would bother us here.

Lisa takes a good look around and nods.

So this is going to be our base of operations from now on.

Rebecca laughs and shakes her head.

I think you're taking this secret agent thing a bit far.

I'm just having some fun. Where's Stanly?

He should be here any minute.

A little while later Stanly arrives with his laptop.

Sorry for being late, there was more footage than expected.

Anything useful? Or better, incriminating?

He slides his laptop over to Elle.

Feel free to take a look, just click play.

The footage starts playing and Josh can be seen practically dragging Maddy into his bedroom while she's barely conscious. They fast forward to an hour or two later an see Maddy leaving the room with tears streaming down her face.

Elle slams her fist down on the table with force.

Piece of fucking shit! Sorry...

Lisa strokes her back in an attempt to calm her down.

Don't be sorry. If I had known that it was him last night, I would have written rapist across his forehead instead of douchebag.

Zach raises his hand.

My offer to kick his ass still stands.

Rebecca grabs his arm.

Oh no you don't! We have to be smart, maybe Elle should take the additional evidence to the dean first.

Elle shrugs and lets out a sigh.

I have the sneaking suspicion that he would do whatever he can to protect his nephew and try to make the footage go away.

Stanly closes his laptop.

We have the footage, it's not going anywhere. And if the dean wont to the right thing, then we'll leak the video online. Rule one of the internet, once it's out there it will never go away.

Zach quickly interjects.

We can also get the footage along with the evidence file to Melody and Melanie from the school news team, they can be trusted.

Elle gets up and takes a deep breath.

Then I know what to do, I'll keep you all posted. Just act like ordinary students until this is over.

Lisa salutes her like a soldier in the army.

Copy that team leader.

Elle can't help but laugh at her quirkiness.

That's my favorite thing about you Lisa. You always make me laugh, even at the worst of times.

A couple more days go by and Elle texts everybody to update them on her meeting with Frank.

- Meeting was a bust, as expected he's scrambling to protect his nephew.

Stanly is the first to reply.

- Do I post the footage online?

- Yes, there's no other way.

Rebecca joins in.

- Ill send you the medical report digitally. That way you can post that alongside the video and put it on a USB drive to drop off for the news girls.

- Thanks, let's hope justice follows swiftly.

Zach replies in between reps at practice.

- I have faith.

Lisa joins in on the conversation as well.

- Me too, the good news should hopefully help Maddy feel a bit better.

Elle quickly responds.

- Thank you for the positivity, we all need that right now. I'll go visit her later today to tell her the news.

Two days later a big article appears on ECU's website titled "justice for Maddy" alongside a big picture of Josh under it accompanied by the words "the monster that our dean protects".

It doesn't take long for word to start spreading across the ECU campus and the situation quickly grows out of control.

The police arrive later that same day as protests are ongoing. Both Josh and Frank are arrested and escorted to police cars under loud cheers from the entire student body.

Zach waves at Josh as he's placed in the car by one of the officers.

Great party the other day, such a shame it'll be the last.

You bastard! I'll get you for...

The car door is slammed shut in his face before he can even finish his sentence.

Only Elle and Zach remain after the students have dispersed.

That was a success if you ask me.

She gives him a hug.

Thank you for the help, I couldn't have done it without you.

You're welcome, but Stanly and Lisa deserve most of the credit.

Maybe, but I needed a hug after all of this so I volunteered you.

I bet every guy on campus would volunteer in a heartbeat.

Probably, I would prefer a girl if I'm being honest.

Does that mean you're?

I'm bi. Girls are just better huggers, no offence.

None taken, you're right. Lisa definitely agrees with you, that's for sure.

Is Lisa gay?

Oh yeah, she doesnt really talk about it with anybody besides me though. I don't know why.

I'll talk about it with her when the time is right. Maybe she'll feel more comfortable with me since we have it in common.

That's a good idea, see you soon.

Zach gets called into the dean's office a couple days later. Not knowing who the new person in charge of ECU is leaves him a bit anxious. He knocks on the door, pokes his head inside and finds miss Meyers behind the desk.

I'm confused, I was supposed to meet the new dean...

You're looking at the new dean. Temporarily anyway, I don't know if I'm going to accept the job longterm yet.

Significant improvement.

Thanks, want to be my personal assistant? I can sure use the help.

I'm a bit busy with class and practice I'm afraid, sorry. You do look a bit tired.

That's a shame, some eye candy would definitely keep me motivated, just kidding of course. I just have a lot on my mind right now.

Anything I can help with?

It's ok, I'm fine.

Stop with the false tough act. I know that you're a very capable woman, but everybody needs help from time to time.

You're not going to let this go, are you?

Nope, you're stuck with me until you spit out what's bothering you.

Fine, if you really insist then I'll tell you. Getting this promotion on short notice I can handle just fine... it's moving to a new place after my divorce that I'm struggling with.

Can't blame you for that, it's a lot to handle at once.

Yes, it is. The paperwork is fine, not that big of a deal. But moving some of my furniture is something I could use some help with.

I can ask the team to come help you?

No! I mean, it's not that much. And I don't want everybody to know I'm getting a divorce... it's embarrassing.

Fair enough, how about just me then?

Thanks, I owe you one. Actually, I don't. Here, for everything you've done for the school.

She slides a bundle of keys across the desk.

What are these?

The keys to your new mansion.

Wait... do you mean josh's mansion?

That's the one, but it's not his anymore thanks to you.

Zach feigns ignorance but Claudia doesn't buy it.

Elle met up with Frank twice, she's also friends with you best friend Lisa. Your girlfriend also assisted with Maddy's examination. And let's not forget that the camera footage leaked after you went to a party at the mansion... do I need to go on?

No... I think you made your point. Those are some crazy deduction skills you have.

Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me, good riddance.

Definitely, when do I come help you move?

Would tomorrow evening work for you?

Sure, send me the address and I'll be there.

Thanks, you're a sweetheart.

The next evening Zach jogs to Claudia's new house downtown and knock on the front door.

Hey miss Meyers, nice place.

I'm still getting used to it, I'm mostly just glad that I have my own place now. Come on in, and we're not in school so you can call me Claudia.

Claudia... that's going to take some getting used to. The outfit too, I'm used to seeing you dressed all fancy and not so casual.

She strikes a short pose in her yoga style outfit.

I figured since we would be getting "physical" that I would dress the part.

Where's the furniture by the way?

The movers dropped it off out back, we only have to put it inside.

They didn't move it an extra couple yards?

No, they tried to get more money out of me for that. I felt like I had to draw the line... and told them to fuck off.

Good for you, don't let people take advantage of you.

Over the next hour they move some of the furniture inside and give it a spot in the new house. After they're done, they take a seat on the couch to rest and have a drink.

Thanks again for helping me out, I hope you don't mind me having a glass of wine.

It's Your home, no reason to ask for anybody's permission.

You're not old enough to drink yet, are you?

No, I'm only nineteen.

It's so difficult to judge that stuff. Technically you're still a boy, but you look like a man... especially with that "physique" of yours. That's why I had to make sure.

A bit of an awkward silence follows. Zach does his best to fill it and attempts to change the subject.

You have good taste, this place will look good in no time.

Claudia lets out a big sigh and sits back down on the couch.

I never thought that I would find myself in this position again at almost forty years old.

You'll be fine, you're one of the most capable women I've ever met.

It's nice to get a compliment, it's been a while since I last got one.

If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. But I'm willing to listen.

You don't have to tiptoe around it. My husband cheated on me with somebody around your age... I guess he was no longer attracted to me.

Zach scoffs at her.

That's bullshit, your age has nothing to do with how attractive you are. Your ex was an idiot for letting a woman like you go. Every man my age dreams of having a woman that looks as good as you do when they're forty.

You're just saying that to make me feel better.

No I'm not. If I was single and got in a situation like this where we're alone, I would have probably already made a move on you.

A smile slowly appears on Claudia's face and she lets out a short chuckle.

And I would happily let you have you way with me... are you sure you don't want to?

They both laugh and Zach shakes his head.

I definitely would have, if our situation were different. And I also care about my girlfriend way too much, I'm just not like that.

Claudia lets another sigh, but a playful one this time.

Just my luck that you're a standup guy.

Zach puts his arm around her and gives Claudia a short casual hug.

Sorry, you do look really good in that yoga outfit though. If the boys back at ECU saw you like this, they would lose their mind.

Now you're exaggerating.

Nope, why do you think that the male attendance in you class is so high? I'll give you a hint, it's not because they have a passion for the English language.

Thank you for making me feel better.

Anytime, let me know if you need me for anything else.

I will. I'll see you in class tomorrow morning, in a more appropriate outfit.

That's a shame.

You're a cheeky bastard mister Gray.

See you tomorrow, miss Meyers.

Claudia finishes her wine and starts heading upstairs straight after Zach has left.

Time for a cold shower...