Queen of Blackmail

Natasha and Phil were watching the news in their cozy little cabin home, hidden in the woods of West Virginia. Before leaving Europe, she had anonymously contacted the Munich Police Department through proxies, attaching the video clip to an email. She also explained what had happened in Turkey but stated that she wanted to remain anonymous for fear of her own safety. She told them how Marion had arranged to have her kidnapped through the dark web, held against her will, and forced to be an older couple's cook and housekeeper in Denmark—and that their son was part of the police force there. She didn't expect much, if anything at all, to be done to the couple and their son, but Marion was looking at spending a couple of years in prison. Did she feel any regret or guilt about sharing the video? No, she didn't. Not after what she had done to her. She knew Marion would be quick to counter-complain and insist Natasha was wanted for embezzlement. But as long as she kept a low profile, Natasha knew the Munich PD couldn't do any more than her own local PD could. As long as she never had to have any contact with the police, she would be okay. She also knew that if she were ever caught, she was likely looking at fines and a suspended sentence, not prison time. In light of what Marion had done, she was okay with sharing the video. In fact, she was more than okay with it. Natasha was glad she had kept the video—something she never would have shared with anyone other than Phil, had Marion not betrayed her the way she had. Over 7,000 miles away, Marion sat in her dim gray cell, alone on her lumpy bed. She wasn't sure which was worse: having a cellmate or not. With a cellmate, she risked someone who was crazy or violent, which was very common in prison, of course. Without a cellmate, she was lonely. Just then, something slid through the tray slot of her door and hit the floor. She rose from her bed and bent down to pick it up. It was a postcard. On the front was a photograph of a beautiful, green, lush tropical landscape with the word "Maui" in fancy script in one corner. She turned to the back of the postcard and saw it was postmarked from Maui. She recognized the handwriting, and her hands began to shake as she read: Hello from the most beautiful island of Hawaii! Coconut palms, perfect weather, piña coladas, tropical fruit, sandy beaches, snorkeling, luaus, thick juicy steaks grilling on the barbecue... What more could one ask for? Well, I would ask for one more thing, although I know I'm not going to get it. That's how the hell one could be sick and twisted enough to do what you did. I've got to wonder how the hell people like you sleep at night. And all for what? Because I wouldn't give up my husband and my life in the States just to stay with you so you would have a travel buddy and, more importantly, someone to cook and clean for you? Well, here's the good news, Marion: as long as you're in prison, you'll always have someone to cook and clean for you. Enjoy your stay!