JAY'S P.O.V.
"I don't know how she does it. She got up yesterday morning at 6:00am to go for a six-mile run before hours and hours of beauty prep for the SAG Awards. She gave interviews, smiled for pictures and gave one of the best acceptance speeches ever. That was all before 8:00pm California time. She barely blinked an eye when I told her we had to go to the police station. Then we go back to the hotel, change and head to LAX to catch the red-eye. Sarge, I don't think she slept for more than two hours on that flight. Now she's having hair and makeup done for her interview that begins in thirty minutes." I told Voight over the phone as I stood inside of a studio at Rockefeller Center in New York.
"She's been like that since Camille died. It's almost as if the thought of sitting still or relaxing scares her. Too many painful memories from her parents' death and then my wife's. I'd like to see her take a real vacation. But, that's something to be dealt with at another time. Other than the incident with the hotel room, you haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary?" Voight asked.
"Nothing. It's almost like this guy decided to take the weekend off. I'm worried about retaliation from her speech last night and this interview today." I replied.
"We've come up with a couple of names and scenarios about who is doing this. I think there are two people working together. Al found out from Hollywood PD that one of their Detectives has gone off the grid. Put in for a last-minute vacation and hasn't been seen or heard from since Mac moved to Chicago last week. No hits on credit cards, bank accounts or social media. He is scheduled to return to work today. We'll know in a couple of hours if he shows up. His picture resembles the sketch Mac did with both their sketch artist and Ruzek. That's part of the reason they didn't send the original over with the file. We now have it." Voight told me.
"Are you serious? It could be a cop who is doing this? You said two people. Who is the other suspect?" I asked in disbelief. "I'll fill you in this afternoon when you get back to the District. Keep her safe Jay and tell her I'll be by to see her tonight." Voight instructed before ending the call.
A Detective was doing this, had done this, to Mackayla? Jesus, the media will have a field day if that ever comes out. I can't help but wonder who the other person Voight thought may be involved. I was lost in my own thoughts and didn't notice Jenna until she was standing next to me.
"She'll be out in a minute. I think this is the first time in a very long time that I've seen her so anxious. I think all of this is starting to take its toll. I told her she should take a vacation and get away for a bit before the movie starts filming. Jay, she said she would love to but she's afraid he'll just follow her wherever she goes." Jenna said in a quiet voice, almost as if she was afraid of being overheard.
Before I could say more the dressing room door opened and out walked Mackayla looking just as beautiful as she did yesterday. Today tho, instead of excitement making her eyes sparkle I saw the worry, fear and uncertainty in them. A look I haven't seen there before...a look I never wanted to see again.
I stepped forward to approach her when I heard yelling coming from the other end of the hall. "Mackayla, go back inside with Jenna and close the door. Chris, no one goes into that room until I give you the okay. James, you're with me." I instructed heading in the direction of the voices. "It may be nothing to do with Mackayla but I'm not taking any chances." I told James as we rounded the corner to hear and see Carter Jones screaming at a security guard and a producer. "Do you have any idea who I am? I demand to be let in now. If Mackayla Kennedy is going to talk about me, then I have every right to defend myself." he yelled. "I'm done with this asshole." James said moving forward. "Wait. I have an idea." I told him as I stepped forward.
"Carter. You made my job a lot easier today. I know both the Hollywood PD and Chicago PD want to speak with you regarding your involvement in the robbery and vandalism that occurred in Mackayla Kennedy's suite yesterday at the W Hotel. Your assistant, Jake, gave you up as the mastermind. Now I'm going to ask that after I cuff you and place you under arrest security holds you until a friend of mine from the NYPD comes and gets you." I said.
I couldn't help but smile as I read him his Miranda rights. Once he was locked in a dressing room, where I was assured he wouldn't be let out of, I pulled out my phone and called Olivia Benson with SVU. "Liv. It's Jay Halstead. I apologize for calling so early but I need a favor." I said. I knew Carter hadn't physically attacked Mackayla, and it wasn't an SVU case, but I hoped one of her Detectives would question him and hold him until I got Mackayla back to Chicago. After I filled her in, Liv told me she would send both Amanda Rollins and Sonny Carisi down to take Carter into custody. She would also reach out to Hank and Hollywood PD. Once I finished the call I texted Hank to update him. His response had me thinking maybe I was almost out of the dog house where Mackayla was concerned. "Nice work. Charge may not stick but keeps him away from Mac. Text me when you get to the airport. I'll update you on what Liv says."
Mackayla couldn't stop laughing as I told her what I had done. "The only think I'm upset about is not getting to see you put cuffs on him!" she said smiling as we walked out of her dressing room a short time later. "Jay!" we heard coming from the end of the hall. We watched as a man and woman approached us. "Amanda, Carisi, thanks for coming. I really appreciate the two of you doing this. Let me introduce you." I said, acting like I didn't know about Mackalya confiding in Liv and Amanda after her attack. "Mackayla Kennedy, these are two Detectives with SVU, Amanda Rollins and Sonny Carisi." I said.
MACKAYLA'S P.O.V.
"It's nice to see you again, Amanda. How's Jesse doing? She's getting so big from the last picture I saw on Instagram." I said as I gave her a hug. I then turned and extended a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Detective Carisi. I've heard a lot about you from Liv and Amanda." I said. "How do you know Liv and Amanda?" Jay asked. As I explained I had met them in New York a couple of years ago when Hank came to visit me on the set of a movie I was filming, a P.A. came to tell me I had five minutes until I was needed on set. "Thank you both for doing this. Ummmm...Amanda? Hank doesn't know I called you and Liv after it happened. I'd like to keep it that way if possible. Tell Liv I'll call her later." I said. I then turned to Jay, smiled and said "Wish me luck."
"You don't need luck. You continue to amaze me. Just go out there and show them who Mackayla Kennedy, the normal girl, really is. I'll be right here when you're done." he told me before lightly kissing me on the lips. Oh, Jay Halstead you are good...really good, I thought to myself with a smile as I walked towards the set.
"Jenna, does this really look okay? Maybe I should have stuck with a black dress instead." I said taking one last look in the mirror by the set entrance. I don't use a sylist a majority of the time, other than for award shows, so I was starting to doubt the wool knee-length royal blue dress I had on. It had a white lace collar and lace cuffs at the wrists. With it I wore a pair of black Louboutin 3" heels along with my Aunt Camille's pearl necklace and earrings. "You look perfect Mackayla. Just relax. You have all of us in your corner. Just remember that." she replied. "Thanks Jenna." I said as I took a seat in one of the chairs the show uses for interviews during the eight o'clock hour. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and released it, opening my eyes as the countdown began...5...4...3...2...1
"Good morning. Welcome back for our eight o'clock hour. I am here with not only this year's Golden Globe winner for best actress but also last night's SAG Award winner in the same category. She is up for an Oscar in a few weeks but it's her acceptance speech from last night and recent tabloid headlines that have people talking this morning. Mackayla Kennedy, welcome to the show. Congratulations on your well deserved award last night." Lisa, the host, said in greeting.
"Thank you Lisa. It's a pleasure to be here. I appreciate you making time for me this morning." I replied.
"Mackayla, I want to apologize, as a media personality, how sorry I am for your invasion of privacy lately. I think the majority of us in this industry were appalled by the lack of human decency the owners of the gossip websites displayed when they posted photos of what I'm sure was one of your darkest days. This interview is going to be a little different than most. I am giving you the floor, an open mic so-to-speak. What is it that you want to tell us, Mackayla?" she said, surprising me.
JAY'S P.O.V.
Holy shit! They're going to give her the opportunity to say whatever she wants and whatever she needs to say I thought, excited beyond belief for her and for this opportunity she now had...until I saw it. I saw that look in her eyes again as a single tear fell down her cheek. Come on Mackayla, you can do this, I silently encouraged.
HANK'S P.O.V.
My heart was breaking for Mac as the camera went in for a close-up and I saw the tears begin to fall. I am going to destroy the people responsible for making her feel this way, I thought to myself. "She'll pull through Hank. You taughter her how to fight and as much as you want to protect her, you can't. At least not when it comes to publicity stuff. Give her a minute to breathe and then she'll show the world what she's made of." Trudy said as she, Al and I watched the interview in my office.
MACKAYLA'S P.O.V.
Get it together Mackayla, I thought to myself. I picked up my coffee mug, which was filled with Diet Coke because I don't like coffee. I took a sip, looked at Lisa sitting across from me, who looked as if she was sure I was going to blow this opportunity, and began to speak...
"Lisa, I'm not going to go into details about the attack, but I will say this. Yes I was attacked. Yes I was brutally beaten. Yes I was raped. The person who did those horrific things to me is now stalking me. He has followed me from LA to Chicago. To that person I have two things to say. The first is pretty much what I said last night. You will not break me and I will not let you turn me into a voiceless victim. The second is be afraid...be very afraid. Hollywood PD is now working in conjuction with Chicago PD's Intelligence Unit and, according to the text I received moments ago, New York's Special Vicitims Unit. Intelligence and SVU are the best of the best. You will be caught. You will be brought to justice. You will go to jail.
To the Hollywood PD Detectives who have been handling my case up until now...I have one thing to say. You are a disgrace to everyone in the world who proudly and honorably wears a badge. You sent over an incomplete file to Chicago PD, omitting the sketch that had been done of my attacker. You should be ashamed and I'm hoping the Police Chief and Internal Affairs will look into this and find out why.
To the Gossip Websites...I understand you are in the business to make money, and we all know pictures sell. Ask any of your photographers and I'm sure they'll tell you that I try to make myself as available to them as possible. I get it. It's part of my job. But for you to post those pictures of me changes things. What you did was inhumane. Would you have posted those pictures if it was your Daughter...your Niece...your Wife...your Sister? You've all been contacted by my attorney's informing you of a potential lawsuit if the pictures were not immediately taken down. All but two of you complied with the ceast and desist letter. To those two websites who did not take the photos down, I look forward to seeing you in court.
To the women who have gone thru something similar to me...It doesn't matter if you're famous or not. This should not have happened to you. You are not at fault. You are amazing women and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You are not alone. Remember that. And remember to fight for justice. Work with the local PD in catching your attacker. Don't be silent about what happened to you. You have a voice, use it.
In the coming months four new shelters and counseling centers will open in LA, Chicago, Boston and New York. These centers will focus on helping women deal with abuse and rape. It will help them move forward in their lives. It will assist them with recovery and getting back on their feet. It will help them realize they are not alone. I have donated my salary from my past two films to building and staffing these centers. Any damages won from the lawsuits against the two gossip websites will go to these centers as well."
I paused, hoping that I made my Uncle Hank proud of me, for standing up for myself. For once again taking charge of my life. For not being a victim.
"Wow! Mackayla, that is absolutely amazing. You have definitely shown all of us what a strong courageous woman you are. Have you decided on a name for the shelters?" Lisa replied.
"The three in LA, Chicago and New York will be called Camille's Place, in memory of my Aunt. The Boston Center will be known as Theresa's Place, in memory of my Mom." I told her.
"That's lovely. What a touching tribute to two women who I'm sure would be very proud of you. Before I let you go, Mackayla, I do need to ask you to comment on two things. The first is a video we received, a short time ago, of Carter Jones being arrested by two New York Detectives. He tried to push his way past our security this morning to get to you. Apparently, he is wanted in conjunction with the robbery and vandalization of your hotel suite in LA last night. Let's take a look at the video." Lisa replied.
God, I hope people's TV's are focused on the video and not showing my reaction. I was having a tough time not smiling as I watched Carter being taken away in handcuffs, by Amanda and Carisi, while calling me an Ice Princess and Frigid Bitch again. He was claiming I set him up.
"So, Mackayla, any thoughts or comments?" Lisa asked me.
"I guess I was wrong last night. He found a way to extend his fifteen minutes." I replied with a slight smile on my face, causing some of the production crew to laugh in the background.
"My last question, Mackayla, is have you found love in Chicago? My sources tell me that even though his face isn't visible, the mystery man in both of these photos is of the same person. And don't give me the I don't kiss and tell line." Lisa said as two pictures of Jay and I were shown on a split screen...the one from the night at Lake Michigan in Chicago and the one from the SAG Awards Red-Carpet last night. Oh shit, I thought to myself.
JAY'S P.O.V.
Oh shit, I thought to myself wondering what she was going to say.
HANK'S P.O.V.
Oh shit. I'm going to kill Halstead if this blows back on Mac the wrong way, I thought to myself, wondering how she was going to answer.
MACKAYLA'S P.O.V.
I sighed, smiled and then said...
"I've never actually been in love before Lisa. Is it possible to fall in love after only knowing someone for eleven days? Is it possible to fall in love in a New York minute? If the answer to those questions is yes, and I'm not saying it is, but if it is shouldn't he be the first to know?"
"So basically, you don't kiss and tell." she replied.
"Exactly." I said with a grin
"Mackayla Kennedy, it has been a pleasure having you here this morning. All of us at the show wish you the best. Come back and see us soon." she finished, before cutting to commercial.
Four hours later I was back home on my couch. Jay had been quiet since the interview and didn't say much on the plane or the drive back to my condo. He barely looked at me after he walked me to my door and delivered Hank's message about seeing me tonight. I knew my crazy-ass life would be too much for him, or any non-industry person, to handle. Jenna was right. I need a vacation. It has been years since I took a real vacation. A week on an island sounds like heaven right now. An escape from everything. I pulled out my laptop, looked for a secluded island resort and found one. Peter's Island, off the coast of Tortola. Basically the only thing on the island is the resort. Sounds perfect. A week's vacation before the Oscar's would be wonderful. It would still give me three weeks to shadow Uncle Hank's Unit before the movie began filming.
I texted Jenna and asked her to look into booking the resort for a week. I was planning on leaving a week from today, after I present at the Grammy's. I was anticipating on needing five rooms...one for me, one for Jenna, one for Chris, one for James and one for whoever Hank was bound to send with me. I then texted my agent and my publicist telling them I would present at the Grammy's and would be unavailable the week following.
I texted James next letting him know I needed to go to the District and would be ready to leave in fifteen minutes. I ran into my bedroom and changed out of my dress. I threw on a pair of tight black leggings, a gray v-neck sweater and gray over the knee suede boots along with my short black leather jacket. I headed out of my condo and met James and Chris at the elevator.
JAY'S P.O.V.
I sat in Voight's office receiving an update on who the Unit believed was working with the Detective from Hollywood. It had been determined when he didn't return to work today that he was Mackayla's rapist and stalker. Hollywood PD was waiting on a warrant to search his house. I looked up from the file and noticed a smile spread across Voight's face. What the fuck, I wondered to myself, until I watched him get up and walk out into the bullpen. Before I could turn around I heard him say, "There's my girl. Congratulations Mackayla. I'm so proud of you. Your parents and Aunt Camille would be so proud of you. That was some speech last night and quite the interview this morning."
I got up and walked out of the office to see Mackayla looking as gorgeous as always. She barely acknowledged me as she graciously accepted the congratulations from the rest of the Unit. I had been quiet on the flight back to Chicago, lost in my own thoughts. I sat down at my desk and thought about the interview she gave and the past weekend. Her world, at least what I experienced of it, was crazy. She had no privacy. There was always someone demanding something from her. I don't know if I'm ready to be with someone who has that type of life. She still hasn't fully processed her attack and here I am seeing pictures of myself plastered on National TV. I wasn't expecting that. Not only that but whether she wants to admit it or not, she is a victim. A victim who had been a virgin up until her attack.
"Well Halstead, what do you think? A week in the islands sounds good to everyone else here so if you're not interested I know Atwater would love to take your spot." Voight said, bringing me back to reality. "Sorry Sarge. What was that about an island?" I asked, wondering what I had missed. If it was what I thought who would I disappoint more if I said no...Voight, Mackayla or myself.