Page 10 of Saved from Deception

Leo’s face goes stony as Charlie stares at the floor and says, “I’m an attorney; I know what harassment is, but I still let him get away with it.”

Her voice goes flat as she tells us about the meeting with her boss. About how he coldly told her to pack her things and leave the office immediately. How he wouldn’t even explain why she was fired, that she had to wait to hear the official reason from human resources later that day.

“Are they allowed to do that?” I don’t know much about employment laws, but firing her like that seems extreme.

“Yes.” Charlie looks at me, her lips pulling into a sad smile. “There was a section in the contract about maintaining appropriate conduct at all times. The partners liked to talk about how it was a family company. How the clients were a part of the family, and they needed to be able to trust us.”

“I knew the conduct section wasn’t traditional,” she says, “but I really wanted the job, and I never imagined it would impact me. I’ve never—” She shakes her head ruefully. “I’ve never done anything that would be remotely inappropriate. Which makes all of this so damn ironic.”

From there, she tells us all about the next horrifying discoveries. How she started getting texts and calls from her family and friends that afternoon—shocked, judging, contemptuous.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Charlie says, pain tightening her features. “I had just been fired, there was this video, I’m getting all these terrible messages…” Sucking in a shuddering breath, she continues, “So I searched my name. And there was so much out there.”

Pink-faced, she tells about what she found. About the naked photos posted all over social media, all from anonymous accounts. The links to more videos on half a dozen porn websites, direct messaged to all of her family and friends. How everything kept spiraling, spreading like wildfire.

Her voice getting progressively smaller, Charlie recalls how after only a few days, there were thousands of search results with her name. How, after a week, there were dozens of pornographic videos with her likeness in them. That there were hundreds of photos, all naked, all suggestive, and all with her face.

Lips trembling, she tells us how as soon as she managed to get one video pulled down, six more were posted to take its place.

She tells us about her fruitless job search. How everyone seemed to know about her. That she’s going to try restaurants and retail stores next, but she can’t seem to go anywhere without someone recognizing her from the videos.

We already knew from the police records that her visit was brushed off. But as Charlie recalls the officers leering at her, gazes lingering on her breasts and ass, evidently having seen the videos themselves, I make a mental note to call my contact at the state police and report them.

“There are so many now,” she whispers, “and they keep getting worse. More… violent. I know I shouldn’t keep looking, but if I don’t know… will that be even worse?”

And when Leo gently encourages her to tell us about the physical encounters, Charlie visibly shrinks in front of us, fear and shame washing across her face.

“Take your time,” I soothe, as tears well up in her eyes. “There’s no rush. If you need a break, that’s okay, too.”

She looks at me gratefully, but slowly shakes her head. “It’s better to just get through with it.” Then she straightens, lifts her chin, and pushes through the rest of it.

Hearing about the man who touched her breast, fondling her in the freezer section of the grocery store, makes me want to track him down and punch him hard.

As she stumbles through her last visit to the gas station, when a man pinned her against her car and propositioned her, saying, “Don’t pretend you don’t like it. I’ve seen your videos,” Leo looks like he’s ready to run out of here right now to set up surveillance to catch the asshole, and I’m fully on-board with it.

She’s sniffling by the time she falls silent, her eyes shadowed and miserable. She looks like she needs a hug, but aside from Erin, I haven’t heard about one friend or family member who’s supporting her. Which sucks.

Leo flashes me a quick glance; no conversation needed, and I answer with a quick jerk of my chin. There are still a few more questions to ask, and one of us has to do it.

Resting my elbows on my knees, I lean forward, not wanting to drag it out but knowing I need to. “Have you had any encounters at your apartment? Or nearby?”

Her eyes jump to mine, and she answers with a little relieved sigh. “No. I mean”—she hesitates—“some comments by people who live in the building. But nothing physical.”

Based on that hesitation, I have a feeling those comments are pretty damn upsetting, but I’m not going to push it. “What about phone calls? Texts? Actual mail?”

Her lips press into a tight line, her brows furrowing. “No mail. The only texts and calls are from people I know. Or”—she pauses—“I thought I knew. But they aren’t contacting me anymore.”

“Even your family?” The question slips out before I can stop it. Charlie’s face collapses, and I feel awful.

“They don’t believe me,” she says, her eyes dipping to her lap. “My parents own a real estate company, and they’re very concerned with… appearances. So all of this is very embarrassing to them.”

“They don’t believe you?” Leo stares at her, incredulous.

“No.” She looks up at him, then shifts her gaze to me. The pain and betrayal in her eyes makes my heart ache. “They said if I admit I made a mistake, maybe one day they’ll forgive me. But help me? Support me? Trust me? No.”

And now I really want to give her a hug. And have a talk with her cold-hearted parents.

Leo is scowling, and I know I am, too. He breathes in, clenching his jaw, before looking at Charlie apologetically. “I really hate to ask this, Charlie, but is there any possibility that someone in your family could be behind this? I know it’s hard to think about, but we have to explore all options.”

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