Chapter 4

I hunted for every silver BMW I could find on my way home. None had a blue haired passenger, at least not the ones I could see into. I saw several cars with basic, random number license plates too. A514, A215, A151…I was doubting what I thought I had seen. At least I knew she was alive and visibly seemed to be ok. She still looked amazing and even in the cold of the walk in cooler, I could smell her deliciously fruity and floral fragrance. Well, so much for my good mood.

Monday at work was the typical old grind. I sent Nate, Doug, Tasha, and Phil out one of our other 2 offices in the city to deliver the new laptops. I also had a request come in for a lost laptop. Guess who it was from?

“Yes, What is it?” The voice on the other end of the line said.

“Uh…it’s Miss Walker in I.T. I understand that you have lost your work issued laptop and are requesting a new one?” I replied.

“Oh, you. Yeah, I think someone stole it when I moved offices.” Mr. Arnold said.

“I see. Well, I have your new one ready. If you recall, I attempted to do the exchange almost two weeks ago. I’ll need you to sign a lost resources form and I’ll deliver your new device. What office are you in?” I asked.

“I’ve moved to the south side office. My office is number 16. Make it quick, I’m very busy and I need this new laptop immediately. I have a business meeting in a few days.” With that the call ended.

Finally, I could get this prick taken care of. I printed out the form, grabbed his new laptop, and took off.

I pulled into the lot of our south side office. I hunted for a parking spot when my eyes honed in on something interesting. A silver BMW 4 series with the plates A 516. Could it be a coincidence? I parked my Cayenne next to it and peered inside. Nothing unusual about it. It was a silver BMW with basic issue plates. “Calm down, Mel” I thought to myself.

I found Mr. Attitude’s office. He was as pleasant as an STD, and didn’t appreciate my questions one bit.

“Where was the laptop when you last saw it?” I asked.

“I can’t remember! Look, lady…I’m busy, I’m always busy. I moved all my shit across the city to this office here. Maybe the guy in my old office took it? I don’t know, and frankly, I don’t give a shit.” The words spewing forth from his mouth.

“Thank you and have a “lovely” day.. sir.” I said as I stormed from his office.

I couldn’t shake this hunch that I had, so I visited my guy, Terrence, in our IT office at this location. He was here a couple days a week to help with basic issues that employees had. I asked him to search the network for this particular unit, and what do you know, it popped up as being connected in this building. It was connected to the WiFi, so we couldn’t see where exactly it was connected. Terrence had me follow him to some empty offices, and we searched the desks and closets in them, but came up empty. I asked him if there was a way we could get Mr. Arnold out of his office for a while. He looked at his outlook schedule and noticed he had a meeting scheduled right after lunch. Perfect. I told him what I had planned, and that I requested security to accompany me.

Noon rolled around and we sat in the security office waiting for our suspect to leave. Security notified me that he had badged out, and they escorted me to his office. We looked through drawers and in his cabinet but we found nothing. Terrence then remembered that there was an access panel behind the cabinet. He had used it to snake some wires through a while back. Security helped move the cabinet and guess what we discovered? The “lost” laptop. The situation was documented and we would inform HR and Mr. Arnold’s supervisor. I took the laptop back with me to decommission.

I sat at my desk and opened the laptop and entered the password. The computer unlocked and I got ready to wipe the drive. I paused for a moment and wondered why he went through all the trouble to hide this old computer. It was nothing special anymore, and you could buy a much more powerful model for less than $500. I started searching through various folders and found file after file of business related documents. There was some questionable music and some random memes saved, but nothing out of the ordinary. I then found a folder labeled “tax documents” that was 200GB in size. I clicked on it and there was so much porn. It was some really weird shit and I prayed that it was all legal stuff. There was a folder in there labeled “blue” as well. I opened it and I swear my heart leaped from my chest.

It was Erin. There were hundreds of photos of her. The few I clicked on were extremely disturbing. Through blurry, tear filled eyes, I clicked on another photo and even though it was obviously her, she barely looked conscious. I picked up my phone and hit the third speed dial button.

“HR Department, this is Stephanie.” She greeted.

“Stephanie, Melanie Tucker, Head of IT. Could I please have the address for an employee? Mr. Scott Arnold. I’m decommissioning his old computer and I have some personal files on a disc that I need to send him.

“Uh, I’m not…I’m not sure if I can give out that info…please hold.” The line went dead.

Fuck. I didn’t have time for this shit! I dialed 911 and told the dispatcher everything. She ensured me that she would send an officer over for a wellness check. She wasn’t sure if they’d need a warrant to enter or not.

I called HR back and talked to Laura this time. I asked the same question and was given the address. I asked Laura about this Stephanie woman that I talked to when I called a few minutes ago. She asked if it was Stephanie Weaver? I told her I wasn’t sure. She explained that Stephanie received a phone call and immediately took off, which she said was rather strange.

Oh shit! Was she the blonde woman that was in Scott’s office the first day I went to swap out his laptop? There was a blonde woman in the photos that I discovered on his computer too! Was it her?!

I raced to my car and called 911 on my way. I told them about my call to HR and how this Stephanie may be involved. I had the address I so desperately needed and now I had to get to Erin before something happened. I hoped that Scott was in custody for filing a false stolen laptop report. I sped through the city, thanking myself for buying a fast SUV. Much to my surprise, Erin lived only a few blocks away from me! She was so close this whole time!

I arrived at the address and there were already 2 police SUVs and an ambulance parked in front. I was stopped as I tried to enter the house. I explained who I was and what was going on. The officer assured me that everything was under control. I was told that I’d be needed for a statement and that I’d be allowed to see Erin very soon.

An officer emerged from the doorway followed by the EMTs. I overheard on the officers radio that “suspect was in custody”, and assumed it meant either Scott or Stephanie.

“Ms. Tucker, you may enter now.” I was notified and leaped up the stairs and into the house. When I entered, I saw Erin in a chair, her back was to me and an officer stood in front of her facing me.

The officer glanced up at me and smiled and said, “I believe this is the person you should really be thanking.”

Erin turned and covered her mouth with her hands. She began sobbing uncontrollably and I rushed over to her, embracing her as she wept. The officer stated that he’d leave us to have our private moment.

“I can never, ever begin to thank you! I can’t believe this is actually happening. How did you do it?” She asked as she continued to cry.

“Shh, shh…You’re safe now. Trust me, there will be time later to explain it all. Let’s just say we were both extremely lucky today. I believe fate intervened.” I told her. I held onto her so tight as I rubbed her back with one hand and stroked her hair with the other.

“Let’s go finish up with the police and make this bastard pays for what he’s done.” I suggested.

I helped her up from the chair and we walked outside where we were asked to visit the local precinct to give statements. Erin and I followed the officers in my vehicle. During our conversation with the police, we were informed that they apprehended Stephanie Weaver attempting to retrieve Scott’s laptop from its hiding spot, only to discover that it had already been found. She was arrested and booked as an accomplice to several crimes.

We finished at the police station after about an hour and a half. Erin was both mentally and physically exhausted, but she stated that she was even more hungry than she was tired. I offered to cook us dinner or to order us something and we could just chill at my place.

“I think I might want a shower and to just stuff myself with comfort food.” Erin replied.

“My shower is always available. I can go get you some clothes, but you might fit into some of mine.” I offered.

“Let’s just go to your place. I’m not ready to go back to that place yet.” She said.

I lead Erin to my bathroom and turned on the shower for her. I retrieved a couple towels for her and let her know that the hot water wouldn’t run out and that she could stay in there as long as she needed to. I walked across to my bedroom and fell back on the bed. It had been a whirlwind of a day and everything felt like a dream. As I reflected back on the day’s events, I was drawn back to the present by a sound that I had feared I’d never hear again.

“Mel!… Hello?… Earth to Melanie!” I heard coming from the bathroom. I hurried to see what Erin needed.

“What? What’s wrong?” I asked worriedly.

“Well, I was hoping that maybe you’d want to keep me company?” She asked.

“Sure thing.” I said as I sat on the toilet lid. “How does the water feel?”

The shower curtain whipped open and my blue haired goddess stood dripping wet. “It feels very lonely. Get naked unless you want me to drag you in here with your clothes on.”

I was naked in record time. We embraced under the warm water and stood like that for several minutes. More tears were shed between us, but these were tears of happiness and relief. Erin kissed my shoulder and placed her hand on the back of my head.

“Thank you so much.” She quietly said.

Her naked, wet body felt wonderful against mine, but at this moment I was more than happy to just appreciate being with her. I released my hold on her and began lathering shampoo in her beautiful hair. Erin purred like a cat as I massaged her scalp and worked my fingers through her long tresses. I repeated my actions with conditioner and then delicately washed her body. Even though I washed every inch of flesh on her magnificent figure, my only concern was her well being and comfort.

There were several smiles and giggles exchanged between us. I told her to enjoy the warmth while I washed myself. We exited the shower and I dried her off. I met her in the bedroom and told her to pick whatever she wanted to wear. I turned to get some underwear from my dresser and when I spun around, there were two of my dresses laid out on the bed. One was white and one was yellow. Not quite the “stay in and eat comfort food” attire I had in mind.

“I want to go out to dinner…with you. That is, if you’ll have me? I’m tainted, Mel. I’ve been forced to do things that I’d never willingly agree to. I feel dirty…the kind of dirty that water can never wash away. I hope your feelings for me haven’t been tainted as well.” She stated.

“Oh, Erin! No, my feelings for you haven’t changed. If anything, they’ve only grown stronger. I’d be honored to join you. The things that happened are not your fault. I…I saw the pictures…it’s how I knew it was you. Yet I’m still here, I still want to be with you. I want you to know that you are safe here and you are welcome to stay as long as you need or want. I know this seems crazy, and we’ve only spent one night together, but I think you should move in with me. Let’s give this our all. I’ll never hurt you and I’ll never let anything happen to you.” I hoped I didn’t push her too hard too fast, but I now had the opportunity that I thought I’d never have. If this was truly meant to be, and I’d never felt so sure of anything in my life, then I had to let her know.

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There we sat, at a table in one of the finest restaurants in the city. We ate and drank like royalty. We laughed and cried and shared stories until the staff politely informed us that they were closing. We walked along the pathway next to the lake that the restaurant was situated near. Our arms linked together, Erin’s head on my shoulder. I’d never felt more alive and more full of joy than I did at this particular moment. I was never going to let this woman go.

We made it back home at around 2:00am. After our walk, we got in my car and I drove. There was no particular destination, we just roamed. When I saw her eyes fighting to stay open, I navigated us to our stronghold. I locked the doors, set the alarm, and led my dear Erin towards our bed. I turned on the small lamp on my dresser. It provided enough light to see, but the light it cast was warm and dim.

Her lips pressed against mine ever so gently. Her touch felt like magic and it tingled throughout my whole body. I had long been under her spell though, and I soon found that this precious sorceress would enchant me using a much more physical form of wizardry.