Chapter 16

Cindy stayed the night with her friend, but in the morning Jennifer awoke, still in the depths of despair.

"That bottle will kill you!" observed Cindy trying to take the liquor bottle which Jennifer had just gotten from the liquor cabinet.

"Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing," cried Jennifer, clutching the bottle to her.

"Look, things are going to get better, I promise."

"Sure," said Jennifer sarcastically, indulging her guilt and self pity, " why things are just peachy already."

"Jennifer. I have to go for a while, but I'll be back to check on you as soon as I can. OK?"

"Sure. My friend and I will await your return," she said indicating the bottle.

"Please, lay off that stuff. I'll be back soon."

Jennifer, whose moroseness was already beginning to be matched by alcoholic stupor, simply waved to her friend, bottle in hand, as Cindy left. She continued to drink herself into a haze which provided little relief from the gloom and despair which now permeated her spirit and her very existence. Jennifer's thoughts went to relief from her grief and pain which the alcohol was now dulling less and less.

"David Gentry?"

"Yes."

The young man had just emerged from the Board of Directors meeting at Tremper Industries.

"My name is Cindy Woods."

"You're Jennifer's friend who called my mother. I'm sorry Ms. Woods, after meeting with my uncle, I have just been through a session with the Board of Directors of this company. I have just accepted the resignations of seven members of that board including my uncle. Several executives and employees who were a part of this have also been fired. I have just confiscated and burned all the tapes which were being used for blackmail except the one sent to me. My uncle will stand trial for rape and manslaughter in the suicide of my fiancee. I hope this indignity has been righted. As for Jennifer Carpenter, she is no friend of mine and I have no intentions of ever seeing or talking with her again!"

Cindy's mouth flew open as she was temporarily taken aback by the news of Tremper's demise. She quickly regained her composure however and as David was turning to leave, she spun him around to face her.

"Look here, kiddo! What you just did to that perverted bunch of bastards was great, but don't think just because you've come charging in on your white horse you have all the answers! Right now, you're going to shut up and listen!"

Jennifer was almost too drunk to stand. She had seen the express envelope drop through the mail slot in the door, but it took her several minutes to traverse the short distance to the front hall. She clumsily ripped open the package. A small picture fell to the floor. She finally managed to pick it up. It was the small snapshot of David and her from the photo machine the night they had met. He had kept this one, he said, to always remember her by. Attached was a note in David's handwriting:

I loved you.

I trusted you.

How could you?

Goodbye forever.

David

The pain was so fresh and new it was almost as if what had gone on before was trivial, insignificant. Her last tie to happiness, to life itself was gone forever. Perhaps Lisa had been right. Why continue to struggle when there is nothing left to struggle for? She staggered to the doors and windows, fumbling until they were locked. She then managed to get into the bathroom and turn on the water in the tub. As it was filling, she looked in the medicine chest.

"God, how could I have believed what I did? I've been so stupid!"

"None of us are in line for Mensa membership with the way we've handled this situation," said Cindy.

"Where is she?"

"At home. She's been drinking heavily. Frankly, I'm worried about her."

"You don't think... ?"

"I don't know. I've never seen her so depressed. When your mother told her you didn't want to talk with her, she just about went over the edge."