The Prince Charming Hoax (36 page)

Chapter
31

Already unpacked and still alone in the hotel room, Roxie glanced at her watch for the sixth time in five minutes. If Leah wasn
’
t back by eleven o
’
clock, she was leaving with the girls. It had only taken her about five minutes to unpack and now, alone in the hotel room, she sat at the desk drumming her fingers impatiently. She checked her cell. No new messages. Checked her voicemail at home. No calls.

Roxie
’
s eyes fell upon Leah
’
s laptop. She flipped it open and went online to check her email. Nothing but a bunch of junk mail and messages from people she didn
’
t want to hear from. She checked her watch again and sighed. Ten minutes to eleven.

She logged on to the
Miami News
website. Scanning the page, Roxie saw the usual list of summer hurricane warnings and crime headlines. She clicked on
“
Breaking Stories.
”
The article at the top of the column caught her eye. A quick double click brought the three-paragraph story up on the screen.

Miami Judge Linked to Sex Club Scandal

Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Remington III was implicated as the
“
missing link
”
in a recent incident involving his minor daughter
’
s participation in group sexual activity at a Miami Beach private club. The minor claimed that she came to the club with an unidentified member.

In an exclusive interview early this morning with the minor
’
s mother, however, the
Miami News
learned that the underage girl had found the membership card necessary for admission among her father
’
s possessions. Mrs. Remington said she was unaware of her husband
’
s membership at the club.

While her parents were away on an overnight cruise, the girl and a friend used the card to gain entry to the private club, thinking they could eat and drink for free, the girl said. She claimed that after several hours and many drinks, sex orgies broke out and she had sexual relations with many of the participants at the scene.

In Florida, sex with a minor under sixteen years of age is considered statutory rape.

An investigation to determine who is responsible for bringing the girl to the scene is underway. Police investigators were unavailable for comment regarding how the new information would influence the case.

Roxie scrolled down, but there wasn
’
t any more information. She stood up and paced the room. This could be the break she needed.
Roxie turned her purse upside down on the bed and sifted through the scraps of paper. She found the business card she was looking for and dialed the number.

“
Santiago here.
”

His voice was deeper than Roxie remembered.
“
Detective, this is Roxanne Stein. I
’
m calling about an article I read online about new developments in the rape case.
”

“
Hello, Miss Stein. I was going to call you later today. The rape charges have been dropped.
”
He cleared his throat.
“
The minor and her parents came in this morning. The minor said that due to her inebriated state, she didn
’
t have clear memory of the events of the evening. Without her testimony, there is no case.
”

“
What does that mean, exactly?
”
Roxie held her breath, hopeful that this would all just go away.

“
Technically, the police have no further involvement. Without a complainant, there are no grounds for an investigation. That
’
s why I was going to call you.
”

“
To tell me the charges were dropped?
”

“
Yes, and to ask you if you want to bring charges against the club and Mr. Johnson.
”

Roxie
’
s eyes opened in surprise.
“
Me? Why would I want to do that?
”

“
You told me the first time you were at the club, you were drugged and had sex while under the influence of drugs. Mr. Johnson had knowledge of your condition and can be charged with drug-induced rape. A new investigation could be opened based on your charges.
”

Roxie opened her mouth, but nothing came out. After a moment she said,
“
I don
’
t want to make a complaint, Detective. I want to put this behind me.
”

“
I understand. But, I want you to be aware of the situation and know you have the ability to bring charges, if you desire.
”

“
What I want is to enjoy the rest of my vacation in New York—and now I can. So thank you—for everything.
”

“
You
’
re welcome. And please keep my card handy in case you have something you want to report.
”

Roxie wrinkled her brow in confusion. Why was he being so insistent? She shook her head and dismissed the thought. She glanced over at the door, thinking she heard the click of a card key in the lock.
“
Of course. Thanks again. Good-bye.
”

Just as Roxie clicked the phone off, Leah came sailing into the room.
“
I couldn
’
t get through on your cell, so I checked in at the front desk and got a key.
”
She ran over to Roxie and swirled her around.
“
I
’
m so glad you
’
re here. You
’
re not going to believe what happened!
”

Roxie laughed.
“
I could say the same thing. But, you go first. What happened with Doug?
”

Leah sat down at the desk.
“
Well, I went—
”

She stopped abruptly as her eyes fell on the open computer. She quickly scanned the headline and story.
“
Is this your news?
”

“
Only half of it.
”
Roxie recapped her conversation with Detective Santiago.

“
Oh, Rox, that
’
s great news! Especially now that the judge is in the limelight, taking the heat off you. Not even the best public relations in the world could have brought you such a great break!
”

“
I know. So, I guess...you
’
re fired!
”

“
Hey, that
’
s the second best event of my day. But, why do you think the detective kept pressing you about being able to bring charges against D.J.? It
’
s crazy!
”

“
I know. I couldn
’
t figure that out, either.
”
She shrugged.
“
But who cares? Tell me what happened when you went to see Doug.
”

Leah described the scene in the deli.

“
You didn
’
t!
”
Roxie practically screamed when Leah got to the part about the water.
“
I wish I could have been there see the expression on his pompous, arrogant face.
”
She howled with delight.

She plopped down on the nearest bed, her eyes shining with glee.
“
This is the first time in a long time that I
’
m seeing the woman who came in my office ten years ago to sell me an ad. You were so self-assured that day, like you were on a mission. I am so glad the real Leah is back.
”

“
I don
’
t know about being
‘
back.
’
So many times I was faking a confidence I didn
’
t feel justified to have. But now, I feel free—like I
’
ve let go of all the obstacles I
’
ve created or allowed to hold me back.
”

“
I guess in a sense we
’
ve both got our
‘
Get out of jail free
’
cards this morning,
”
Roxie said.
“
So, now what do we do?
”

“
We start over. I
’
ve waited years, my whole life, for someone to step forward and dub me queen. I never considered that all I had to do was march up to the throne, take the scepter, and rule. But, I have the power now, and I
’
ll never give it up again.
”

“
I
’
ve been trying to tell you that for years, Leah. There is no Prince Charming riding in to save the day, and no one just lives happily ever after.
”

“
We don
’
t need a prince, do we, Roxie? Today when Sleeping Beauty pricks her finger on a spindle, she wipes off the blood, wraps her finger in gauze, and stands on top of the loom to demand better working conditions for women. Then she takes over management of the company, creates a flex-time schedule, institutes on-site daycare, and increases revenues tenfold.
”

Roxie laughed.
“
Or how about this? Cinderella moves out, qualifies for funding as a woman-owned business, hires the fairy godmother to turn a whole pumpkin patch into limousines, and starts a transportation service. She decides most of the politicians she chauffeurs are incompetent, so she runs for office herself. She becomes governor of California, then President of the United States. And, she buys her glass slippers off the sale rack at Nordstrom like the rest of us.
”

“
Roxie, that
’
s it!
”

“
What?
”

“
What I
’
ve been looking for…my voice, my way to express myself. This is even better than what I outlined for a novel!
”

“
You want to rewrite fairy tales?
”

“
Yes! Or, write new ones. I don
’
t know yet. But, don
’
t you see?
I can write stories with powerful female role models that will be read by mothers to their children—so the message will reach twice the number of people and—more importantly—can have a real impact on future generations of girls and boys.
”

The door opened with a loud bang as Ali burst in.

“
Speaking about future generations…
”
Roxie said.

“
Hey, we
’
re in New York. You should make sure your door is locked,
”
Ali teased.
She flopped down on the empty bed closest to the door, bouncing slightly as she sat.
“
I knew you were back, Mom. We could hear the two of you laughing clear down the hall. Where
’
d you go, anyway?
”

“
I had some unfinished business to complete. But now I
’
m done with that.
”
Leah sat down next to Ali on the bed and hugged her. She looked over the top of Ali
’
s head and winked at her friend.
“
Roxie and I were just talking about what to do next.
”

“
I
’
m starving,
”
Ali said.
“
So let
’
s eat first, then go to Museum of Modern Art, do some shopping, then come back here and change real quick before going to the theater.
”

“
That sounds good to me,
”
Roxie said.
“
Where
’
s Debbie?
”

“
She was talking to Ronnie on the phone when I left.
”

Leah got up, pulling Ali with her.
“
Come on. Let
’
s go get her before she quietly sneaks back to Philadelphia.
”