That same night, in New York
"Mr. McMahon? Mr. McMahon, sir, are you all right?"
Vince McMahon was dimly aware of one of his secretaries, Chandra, asking that question, but he was still too angry--and much as he hated to admit it, afraid--to answer her. He composed himself and looked up at Chandra.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I'm simply tired, it's been a long day. On your way out, send Mr. White in, will you?"
"Of course, Mr. McMahon. Right away." Chandra murmured, exiting the room and leaving Vince with his face buried in his hands.
"My God." Vince murmured, finally looking back at his computer screen. "My God. This has to stop." he spoke out loud as he scrolled down the e-mail he had just received open on his computer screen. When he had seen the e-mail, he had known it was him, whoever he was, and had opened it up, knowing he would be seeing more photos of his family, just like the last dozen e-mails he had received.
But this time, the pictures were only of Stephanie.
Stephanie, at her hotel in New Orleans. Drinking tea at a coffeehouse. Walking down a street. Entering her building.
Vince scrolled down further, that cold icy feeling in his stomach starting to spread to his chest. The next photos were up close, not taken with a telephoto lens like all the others had been.
That meant someone had had to have been within a few feet of his daughter to take them, within arms reach of her.
There was Stephanie, in a bar, talking on her cell phone. Stephanie smiling at a bartender. Completely unaware.
Shakily Vince removed his hand from the mouse when he saw Tom White approach. "I received this e-mail about thirty minutes ago." he told Tom. Tom White was his newest employee, hired because he was the best detective anywhere. Vince had had him specially flown in from Texas. For the past several weeks, he had been receiving dozens of e-mails, letters, calls. It had started out mildly enough. A few threats against him, telling him that soon he would be sorry, soon he'd be devastated. Vince was used to weird mail, he was a hated man, he knew that, accepted it. It came with the job. But then the calls had started, which was disturbing enough because no one ought to have been able to get his phone number. The threats had intensified, the caller getting more and more freakish, saying things like he was going to ruin Vince's life, the same way Vince had ruined his. Hell, Vince didn't even know for certain that he was a he because he'd used a vocal distorter in the calls. Vince was still managing to take it all in stride, trusting his security team to eventually nail the freak. But then the e-mails had started. The first one had been received a little more than a month ago, and then Vince had finally started to realize how serious this whole thing actually was. The content of the e-mails was pictures. And weird phrases. The phrase at the top of this one was "Soon, Vince, soon." The first e-mails had been pictures of his wife, Linda, just going about her daily business, completely oblivious to the fact that someone was stalking her every move. Then the pictures of Shane had come. This time was only the second time that there had been pictures of Stephanie, and this was the first time that the e-mail had contained pictures of just one person. And that one person was his little girl.
Suddenly Vince realized Tom was talking to him, he hadn't been listening. "What? What were you saying?" he asked tiredly.
"Sir, I was just saying that I really believe it's time to tell your daughter about this. She's completely unaware there's a threat to her. I know you were hoping that this guy wouldn't be able to find her, but now we know he's actually in New Orleans. She's unguarded, and she doesn't even realize she's in danger. Your daughter needs to be warned, Mr. McMahon."
"Damn it! I didn't want her to worry about any of this, you know that, White!"
"I know, sir, but she needs to know. Maybe your son-in-law will be able to talk to her." Tom replied.
"Hunter? What are you talking about? Hunter and Stephanie are estranged....why would he be able to talk to her? They're not even in the same state." Vince growled.
"Well, that's what I was about to tell you. Your son-in-law arrived in New Orleans a few hours ago tonight."
"Hunter's with Stephanie? Well, thank God for small favors at least." Vince said, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted from his chest.
"Mr. McMahon? I wouldn't have thought you'd be this happy to find out that your son-in-law is with your daughter. Considering your animosity toward him."
"Normally, no, I wouldn't. I have the son-in-law from hell. But with everything going on, I can't help but be relieved. Hunter may be a s.o.b., but...."
"But...?" Tom prompted, curious.
"But he'll protect my daughter. He might despise her now, but trust me, I know Hunter. He would never let anyone hurt Stephanie, no matter what. That's why I'm happy he's there. At least she'll have some measure of protection until we can get some security down there."
"So then we'll call Mr. Helmsley? Tell him about all of this?"
"No, no, no...my security team will be down there in a day. I don't want Stephanie to worry about anything until I have a chance to talk with her, face to face."
"Sir, I can't help but feel--"
"I know, you disagree with my decision. I would never put Stephanie in any danger, but so far this guy hasn't done anything but make threats, and I don't want to tip him off that my team is on it's way. I don't want him leaving that city."
"Am I to understand that we are using your daughter as bait?" Tom asked incredulously.
"What?! Of course not! I admit, I want to catch this guy badly, after all, he is threatening my family, he's targeting me specifically...but I would never put my only daughter in jeopardy. Hunter's down there, he's enough protection for now."
"Even though he doesn't even know to look out."
"Yes...much as I hate to admit it, my daughter's husband is an intelligent man, always on his guard. He may not realize there's trouble around him, but he'll still be on the lookout for it. Trust me, this is the right way to play this, Tom."
"If you say so, Mr. McMahon." Tom said doubtfully. Inwardly, he had to wonder about the man in front of him, so able to sell out his own daughter, put her at risk, at the drop of a hat.
Back in New Orleans
Meanwhile, the subject of the intense conversation across the country was sitting alone on a bench in the park, having walked aimlessly for about half an hour. Stephanie looked down at her shoes and swayed her legs back and forth. She had started crying a few blocks ago and she was only now able to finally stop. She kept seeing Hunter and Stacy in her mind, seeing them on that bed...together. Every time she blinked her eyes she saw them entwined with each other. Stephanie carefully laid down on her side and curled her legs on the park bench, her arms folded over her shoulders, as if she was trying to keep all of the pain locked away inside. She was so tired. But the walk had cleared her head a little bit at least, and just lying here was comforting too. She looked up at the sky, thinking about everything in her life that was wrong.
She had started this day so full of hope for her future. And now everything in her entire world had just fallen out from under her and she didn't know what to do about it. Her first impulse had been to march straight back to the hotel room, slap that witch Stacy into the next century, shove her husband on the bed and show him how there was no possibility in the world that Stacy could ever compare to her in anything, much less in their bed. Her second impulse had been to march back to the hotel room and slap both Stacy and Hunter into the next century and tell Hunter she'd give him a divorce over her cold, dead body. Her third impulse was just to head for the airport, book a flight and pretend she'd never even heard of Hunter Hearst-Helmsley in her life. But she hadn't done any of them, because the truth was, she just didn't know what she was doing anymore about anything.
But one thing was for certain, she couldn't lay on this park bench for the entire night. With a sigh, Stephanie sat up. Whatever she was going to do, she couldn't decide tonight. She just wasn't up for thinking. She decided to head back for the hotel. That was when Stephanie realized she wasn't alone. Her heart started racing as she saw a man coming out from the shadows behind the swings. He must have noticed that she had started to freak out because the man called out and held up his hands. "Hey! Hey, it's okay, I just saw you on the bench, and I was wondering if you were okay. I'm harmless, I promise."
"Um, I'm fine, but you just startled me. I'm...I'm going now."
Stephanie stammered.
"Well, you shouldn't be going alone this late at night. Let me walk you to your car?" The man offered.
Stephanie didn't know why but she was starting to shake. Must be the stress of everything that's happened today, she told herself. "No, I...I don't need an escort. I'm just going to go. But thank you." Stephanie then, not quite turning her back on the man, started walking quickly in the general direction of the hotel.
"Okay, bye! Nice meeting you!" she heard the man call, but she ignored him, instead walking quicker, in a sort of half walk, half run. She couldn't hear him behind her, but if she had she probably would have started in a full out run.
The man was chuckling softly, fingering the camera in his leather jacket. His employer would be pleased, he had gotten some great bench shots of the lovely Mrs. McMahon Helmsley tonight. This was the easiest job he'd ever had, watching a woman who looked this good.
Stephanie, meanwhile was halfway back to the hotel in a matter of minutes. She arrived at the door of her suite soon after, quite out of breath. She didn't know why that guy in the park had so unnerved her, but at least he hadn't come after her. She had been so stupid to go off like that, even upset as she was. She had to be more careful, after all, the world just wasn't the safest place for anyone, much less a pregnant young woman who hadn't even had a car to run to. She shook her head in disbelief of her stupidity. She'd be more careful from now on, she'd learned her lesson. Stephanie fit the key to the lock and swung open the door.
Closing the door behind her, she turned around. She was stunned to see the man who was sitting on the edge of her bed.
"I can't believe it's you!" Stephanie said, and walked quickly over to hug him.
"Mr. McMahon? Mr. McMahon, sir, are you all right?"
Vince McMahon was dimly aware of one of his secretaries, Chandra, asking that question, but he was still too angry--and much as he hated to admit it, afraid--to answer her. He composed himself and looked up at Chandra.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I'm simply tired, it's been a long day. On your way out, send Mr. White in, will you?"
"Of course, Mr. McMahon. Right away." Chandra murmured, exiting the room and leaving Vince with his face buried in his hands.
"My God." Vince murmured, finally looking back at his computer screen. "My God. This has to stop." he spoke out loud as he scrolled down the e-mail he had just received open on his computer screen. When he had seen the e-mail, he had known it was him, whoever he was, and had opened it up, knowing he would be seeing more photos of his family, just like the last dozen e-mails he had received.
But this time, the pictures were only of Stephanie.
Stephanie, at her hotel in New Orleans. Drinking tea at a coffeehouse. Walking down a street. Entering her building.
Vince scrolled down further, that cold icy feeling in his stomach starting to spread to his chest. The next photos were up close, not taken with a telephoto lens like all the others had been.
That meant someone had had to have been within a few feet of his daughter to take them, within arms reach of her.
There was Stephanie, in a bar, talking on her cell phone. Stephanie smiling at a bartender. Completely unaware.
Shakily Vince removed his hand from the mouse when he saw Tom White approach. "I received this e-mail about thirty minutes ago." he told Tom. Tom White was his newest employee, hired because he was the best detective anywhere. Vince had had him specially flown in from Texas. For the past several weeks, he had been receiving dozens of e-mails, letters, calls. It had started out mildly enough. A few threats against him, telling him that soon he would be sorry, soon he'd be devastated. Vince was used to weird mail, he was a hated man, he knew that, accepted it. It came with the job. But then the calls had started, which was disturbing enough because no one ought to have been able to get his phone number. The threats had intensified, the caller getting more and more freakish, saying things like he was going to ruin Vince's life, the same way Vince had ruined his. Hell, Vince didn't even know for certain that he was a he because he'd used a vocal distorter in the calls. Vince was still managing to take it all in stride, trusting his security team to eventually nail the freak. But then the e-mails had started. The first one had been received a little more than a month ago, and then Vince had finally started to realize how serious this whole thing actually was. The content of the e-mails was pictures. And weird phrases. The phrase at the top of this one was "Soon, Vince, soon." The first e-mails had been pictures of his wife, Linda, just going about her daily business, completely oblivious to the fact that someone was stalking her every move. Then the pictures of Shane had come. This time was only the second time that there had been pictures of Stephanie, and this was the first time that the e-mail had contained pictures of just one person. And that one person was his little girl.
Suddenly Vince realized Tom was talking to him, he hadn't been listening. "What? What were you saying?" he asked tiredly.
"Sir, I was just saying that I really believe it's time to tell your daughter about this. She's completely unaware there's a threat to her. I know you were hoping that this guy wouldn't be able to find her, but now we know he's actually in New Orleans. She's unguarded, and she doesn't even realize she's in danger. Your daughter needs to be warned, Mr. McMahon."
"Damn it! I didn't want her to worry about any of this, you know that, White!"
"I know, sir, but she needs to know. Maybe your son-in-law will be able to talk to her." Tom replied.
"Hunter? What are you talking about? Hunter and Stephanie are estranged....why would he be able to talk to her? They're not even in the same state." Vince growled.
"Well, that's what I was about to tell you. Your son-in-law arrived in New Orleans a few hours ago tonight."
"Hunter's with Stephanie? Well, thank God for small favors at least." Vince said, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted from his chest.
"Mr. McMahon? I wouldn't have thought you'd be this happy to find out that your son-in-law is with your daughter. Considering your animosity toward him."
"Normally, no, I wouldn't. I have the son-in-law from hell. But with everything going on, I can't help but be relieved. Hunter may be a s.o.b., but...."
"But...?" Tom prompted, curious.
"But he'll protect my daughter. He might despise her now, but trust me, I know Hunter. He would never let anyone hurt Stephanie, no matter what. That's why I'm happy he's there. At least she'll have some measure of protection until we can get some security down there."
"So then we'll call Mr. Helmsley? Tell him about all of this?"
"No, no, no...my security team will be down there in a day. I don't want Stephanie to worry about anything until I have a chance to talk with her, face to face."
"Sir, I can't help but feel--"
"I know, you disagree with my decision. I would never put Stephanie in any danger, but so far this guy hasn't done anything but make threats, and I don't want to tip him off that my team is on it's way. I don't want him leaving that city."
"Am I to understand that we are using your daughter as bait?" Tom asked incredulously.
"What?! Of course not! I admit, I want to catch this guy badly, after all, he is threatening my family, he's targeting me specifically...but I would never put my only daughter in jeopardy. Hunter's down there, he's enough protection for now."
"Even though he doesn't even know to look out."
"Yes...much as I hate to admit it, my daughter's husband is an intelligent man, always on his guard. He may not realize there's trouble around him, but he'll still be on the lookout for it. Trust me, this is the right way to play this, Tom."
"If you say so, Mr. McMahon." Tom said doubtfully. Inwardly, he had to wonder about the man in front of him, so able to sell out his own daughter, put her at risk, at the drop of a hat.
Back in New Orleans
Meanwhile, the subject of the intense conversation across the country was sitting alone on a bench in the park, having walked aimlessly for about half an hour. Stephanie looked down at her shoes and swayed her legs back and forth. She had started crying a few blocks ago and she was only now able to finally stop. She kept seeing Hunter and Stacy in her mind, seeing them on that bed...together. Every time she blinked her eyes she saw them entwined with each other. Stephanie carefully laid down on her side and curled her legs on the park bench, her arms folded over her shoulders, as if she was trying to keep all of the pain locked away inside. She was so tired. But the walk had cleared her head a little bit at least, and just lying here was comforting too. She looked up at the sky, thinking about everything in her life that was wrong.
She had started this day so full of hope for her future. And now everything in her entire world had just fallen out from under her and she didn't know what to do about it. Her first impulse had been to march straight back to the hotel room, slap that witch Stacy into the next century, shove her husband on the bed and show him how there was no possibility in the world that Stacy could ever compare to her in anything, much less in their bed. Her second impulse had been to march back to the hotel room and slap both Stacy and Hunter into the next century and tell Hunter she'd give him a divorce over her cold, dead body. Her third impulse was just to head for the airport, book a flight and pretend she'd never even heard of Hunter Hearst-Helmsley in her life. But she hadn't done any of them, because the truth was, she just didn't know what she was doing anymore about anything.
But one thing was for certain, she couldn't lay on this park bench for the entire night. With a sigh, Stephanie sat up. Whatever she was going to do, she couldn't decide tonight. She just wasn't up for thinking. She decided to head back for the hotel. That was when Stephanie realized she wasn't alone. Her heart started racing as she saw a man coming out from the shadows behind the swings. He must have noticed that she had started to freak out because the man called out and held up his hands. "Hey! Hey, it's okay, I just saw you on the bench, and I was wondering if you were okay. I'm harmless, I promise."
"Um, I'm fine, but you just startled me. I'm...I'm going now."
Stephanie stammered.
"Well, you shouldn't be going alone this late at night. Let me walk you to your car?" The man offered.
Stephanie didn't know why but she was starting to shake. Must be the stress of everything that's happened today, she told herself. "No, I...I don't need an escort. I'm just going to go. But thank you." Stephanie then, not quite turning her back on the man, started walking quickly in the general direction of the hotel.
"Okay, bye! Nice meeting you!" she heard the man call, but she ignored him, instead walking quicker, in a sort of half walk, half run. She couldn't hear him behind her, but if she had she probably would have started in a full out run.
The man was chuckling softly, fingering the camera in his leather jacket. His employer would be pleased, he had gotten some great bench shots of the lovely Mrs. McMahon Helmsley tonight. This was the easiest job he'd ever had, watching a woman who looked this good.
Stephanie, meanwhile was halfway back to the hotel in a matter of minutes. She arrived at the door of her suite soon after, quite out of breath. She didn't know why that guy in the park had so unnerved her, but at least he hadn't come after her. She had been so stupid to go off like that, even upset as she was. She had to be more careful, after all, the world just wasn't the safest place for anyone, much less a pregnant young woman who hadn't even had a car to run to. She shook her head in disbelief of her stupidity. She'd be more careful from now on, she'd learned her lesson. Stephanie fit the key to the lock and swung open the door.
Closing the door behind her, she turned around. She was stunned to see the man who was sitting on the edge of her bed.
"I can't believe it's you!" Stephanie said, and walked quickly over to hug him.