Page 43 of Durango

Samantha starts the car. “It wasn’t about the money. It was about the control. Just like these videotapes, he was in control.”

I turn back to the house. It’s huge. Clearly, this woman or her husband have money. She’s known Tyler for years, she said. If he was living his rich playboy lifestyle, then why slum it with me? The house we lived in wasn’t very large, and we certainly didn’t have many nice things. He was willing to do all of that for control?

“All the time we were together, he likely was out hooking up with women in some secret apartment. All those years. She’s right. How could I not have known?”

“Because you thought he was working like most people do. He lied to you on purpose. Don’t blame yourself. This is entirely on him. And we will go back and see if we recognize any of the other women. Someone will want to file charges.”

I hope she’s right, but the odds are that Tyler selected wealthy women who have something to lose and will not be willing to step forward.

“Hey, did you really never meet any of this family?”

“He said they were all dead. And I only met one of his friends early on. Red flags were everywhere, yet I didn’t see them.”

Samantha pats my leg. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. He manipulated you. And it looks like he’s been doing it to others. And he’s likely doing it to the woman we saw at his house.”

That poor woman. We have to get someone to come forward about Tyler. It’s likely the only way she would believe he’s not a good guy.

I recline a little in the seat and stare out the window. The truth is, I’m sick of thinking about Tyler. I shouldn’t be shocked anymore by what he’s done.

We’re halfway back to the apartment when an idea hits. “If Tyler comes from a wealthy family, he’d do anything to prevent the truth about him from coming out to them.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Perhaps he’d turn himself in for a quiet plea deal if we threatened to tell his family. Clearly, he doesn’t want them to find out about this life if he kept me a secret all those years.”

Samantha doesn’t respond.

“You don’t think that would work?”

She shrugs. “If he has money, he likely has an attorney he can consult. He’d find out quickly that there will be no charges if someone doesn’t come forward.”

Considering how our attempts to get someone to come forward have gone so far, yeah, he wouldn’t be worried.

“We need to see if we recognize anyone else in those videos and keep hoping someone will file charges,” Samantha says.

I don’t want to watch any of those videos. All I want to do is prevent him from doing this to someone else.

By the time we get back to the apartment, I’ve stewed on everything and now I’m angry.

“So, he just gets away with it all?” I ask. “He gets away with everything?”

Samantha flops onto the couch. “I’ve been thinking about it, and it’s possible one of those girls on the video will be underage. Then the police will have to do something. Right?”

“I can’t watch those videos.”

She nods. “I figured you couldn’t stomach it. My plan is to watch the beginning to see who the woman is and then fast forward until the next one.”

I sit next to her on the couch. “Thank you for everything. I can’t imagine this is how you’d want to spend a free week.”

She laughs. “It’s not like I’m on vacation and could be relaxing. If it weren’t for this, I’d be in my head worrying too much over my career. I should thank you for giving me something I can really dig into.”

“I’m sorry about your job. They suck.”

She yawns. “Yes, they do. But right now, I’m happy I have spare time to help my friend. I’m really happy you are back in my life.” Her words bring tears to my eyes.

“Me too. Thank you for understanding, for everything.” I lean over and hug my friend.

After a moment, she jumps up. “Okay, I’m going to watch the videos in my room. I’ll try to get through as many as I can. Wish me luck.”

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