A Taste of Slavery Ch. 30

"Thanks, Jerry. I'll call if I need anything more." I hung up.

Around Bakersfield, Los Angeles dispatch called us back. "Deputy Evans, sorry it took so long to get back. Dispatched vehicle to 911 call was police car. Operator heard fighting in the background. I'm sorry to report both occupants of residence were raped, sustaining injuries. Transported to Clovis Community Medical Center by ambulance."

"Any report on extent of injuries, health of victims?" Marcia asked.

"Injuries included broken bones, possible internal injuries, current status still in flux."

"Any perps apprehended?"

"No, but there was a report male was stabbed, reported by Lisa McManus to be ex-husband, Jack. He escaped as deputies arrived."

"Any word about my wife's baby?" I asked, a lump in my throat.

"We have no status on any children."

"Thanks for your help, dispatch. You can call off escort on Fresno outskirts. We'll be proceeding to Clovis Medical at normal speed from there. Notify CHP, kudos for response."

"10-4 deputy. Clear."

"I'm going to kill him," I said. "If he's not dead, I'm going to kill him."

"Don't say that to a Law Enforcement Officer, Scott. Not even me. Especially not anyone else." I stared at her. "Enter the address to Clovis in the nav system. Call Sam and give him the address. Doesn't sound as if they'll be able to get in your house anyway."

A drive that would have taken three hours, twenty minutes under the best of circumstances and likely four and a half tonight, took two and a half with the help of the escort. Marcia blinked her lights several times, slowed down, and took the exit to the hospital, way over on the East side of town, closer to my residence. We pulled up, locked up and went inside, found information. An older woman named Mabel, about my mother's age, I guessed.

"Excuse me, Miss Mabel. My name is Scott Rivers. I've been told my wife and friend are here. Julia Rivers and Lisa McManus, transported by ambulance."

Tapping on her computer keys, "Mr. Rivers, yes, I see Lisa here. She's in room 410. Your wife is still in surgery, she took a blow to her face, suffered a concussion, and they're hoping to stabilize her pregnancy."

"She hasn't lost the baby?" I asked.

"Not to my knowledge."

"What happened to her face?"

"A blow to the face, a broken orbital I believe. I'll know more when she's done with surgery." I looked at Marcia again, my fists clenched.

"What happened to Lisa," I asked.

"Broken nose and a couple cracked ribs. They reset her nose and taped her ribs. It hurts to breathe, but she's on pain meds."

"Can I see her?" I asked.

"Are you a relative?"

"No, we live together. We're lovers."

She looked at me curiously. "Your wife is here, and your lover?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Is that what the fight was about?"

"No ma'am, not between them. They're lovers too. They were attacked by another man."

"Is he a lover, too?"

"No, an ex-husband. Ma'am, the police are investigating. I'm sure they can explain the whole thing when they're done. In the meantime, I need to see Lisa."

"Hospital policy doesn't allow non family members without checking with the patient."

"Could you please check with her so I can see her."

She looked at Marcia. "Are you a lover too?"

"I'm a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff. I drove him here. I know what their relationship is. Let the man see her."

"Do you have ID?"

Marcia pulled out her credentials and badge. She was in civvies.

Mabel checked them carefully. "All right. Room 410. There's a policeman outside her door"

As we took the elevator, I asked, "Is Lisa under arrest?"

"Doubtful. More likely under protection until they find the perpetrator. He may not be done yet. Try not to confuse people too much with reality. Tone down the Master/slave stuff. Human trafficking is a real issue and BDSM slavery might not go over well. Go easy on the lover stuff. You're just a very good friend who the patient lives with."

We got off the elevator. Only one door had a policeman in front of it, so we headed that way. He stood as we approached.

"We're here to see the patient," I explained.

"You are?"

"The patient lives with me. I'm a very good friend."

"Your name?"

"Scott Rivers."

"Husband to the other woman they brought in?"

"Yes, sir."

"Detectives were looking for the husband of one of the women."

"I don't believe it's me, but if they want to talk, I'll talk. I want to know what happened."

"How do I know it's not you?"

"Because he was in Los Angeles attending a class," Marcia said. "I just drove him up here under the most god awful traffic you've ever seen, following a California Highway Patrolman, lights and siren, otherwise he'd only be halfway here by now."

"Who are you?"

Marcia handed him her credentials and badge again.

"You're a long way from Los Angeles, deputy," handing everything back.

"I'm just a friend of the family, chauffeur today, to get him here on time. When he left, he didn't know what happened or if everyone was okay."

"How did he know anything happened?"

I showed him the alert I received on my watch. "When my wife called 911, I was immediately notified as next of kin. It's the emergency procedure we set up on our iPhones. All I know is something happened which caused her to call 911, not what happened."

"Can he please see the patient, officer. You're welcome to observe. We're not here to cause trouble," Marcia said. "My dispatch said the perpetrator was stabbed by this patient. You can check him over. He's not wounded."

The deputy nodded and we went in. He followed us, standing by the door.

Lisa looked horrible. She had two black eyes, tape over her nose, a drip running in her arm, whether nourishment or pain killers, I didn't have a clue. She looked like she was asleep.

I went in and took her hand. "Lisa, can you hear me?"

She opened her eyes. "Hello, Master. I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I'm not your Master here, love," I whispered back. "The walls have ears." In a normal voice, I asked, "What are you sorry for."

She nodded her head, understanding. "I opened the door without looking. Jack burst through the door, knocking me down, kicked my ribs, screaming at me because I filed a restraining order against him. Then he ripped off my robe, and started raping me. I tried to fight him, but he punched me in the face. I don't remember too much after that until I noticed he was raping Julia. I found a knife on the floor and I tried to stab him in the back. The knife wouldn't go through his ribs. He roared at me he was going to kill me, but police cars were pulling up outside, so he ran out the back door. I'm sorry, sir. Julia was unconscious and I'm afraid for the baby."

"I think the baby's okay, Lisa. They're still working on Julia. Jack hurt her."

"It's my fault."

"It's not your fault, Lisa," Marcia said. "How could you know there was a madman on the other side of the door? It's not normal to expect the worst."

"Hello, Marcia. What are you doing here? Isn't Lucia coming?"

"I drove Scott. He was in a big hurry to see you, so I helped him get here as fast as I could. Lucia's coming up with Sam. They didn't need to hurry as much as we did. Who called 911?"

"Julia must have. I didn't. It's good to see you, Marcia. I'm sleepy. Is it okay if I sleep?"

"Of course, angel," I said. "Go back to sleep. We'll see you later."

She closed her eyes, drifting off.

"I need to see Julia and find out from the doctor what's going on."

We went to the surgical center and checked in.

"Scott Rivers checking on my wife, Julia."

"They just moved her to ICU. She's still under from the anesthetic. I'll let the doctor know you're here."

"Thank you."

We sat down and waited. About ten minutes later, a doctor came out. He spoke to the receptionist, she pointed to us and he came over.

"I'm Doctor Andrews, Scott Rivers. You're Julia Rivers husband?"

"Yes, can you tell me how she is? I haven't gotten much information."

"We think she'll be fine. We repaired the break to the zygomatic bones, the cheekbone, and the underlying sinus cavities. Dr. Sturgis was able to prevent a miscarriage of your child. We'll be keeping her for a couple days observation to make sure everything's copacetic. I'd like you to talk to our Social Worker, please."

"Why?"

"When both women were brought in, they had collars around their necks and leather cuffs around their ankles and wrists with which they could be confined. Additionally, Mrs. Rivers had metal jewelry around her neck and wrists which couldn't be removed without a key. We had to cut them off for x-rays and MRI's. It's our duty to report signs of abuse to the police."

"Did you find any signs of abuse to their bodies, doctor?" Marcia asked. "Burns, old breaks, bruises, or the like not related to the current crime?"

"No, we didn't."

"Nor would I expect you would, doctor. I'm very familiar with Mr. and Mrs. Rivers and their relationship. It's one of the most loving and closest relationships I've ever witnessed."

"Who are you?"

"I'm a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff, doctor. Are you familiar with people who practice dominance and submission?"

"I'm familiar."

"Scott and Julia tried it out for a couple weeks and both of them enjoyed the experience very much. So much, in fact, that Julia begged her husband to put the collar on after Scott was reluctant to do so. I witnessed this. It was in Los Angeles where I lived and they were visiting. Scott would no sooner harm his wife than he'd stab himself to death."

"And the other woman?" Doctor Andrews asked.

"They're all in a polyamorous relationship, both of them loving this man and agreeing to serve together."

"He still needs to speak to the Social Worker. We have to determine the risk ourselves."

"I'll talk to whoever I need to speak with," I said.

"Before you see Mrs. Rivers. I don't want you telling her what to say," Doctor Andrews said.

"Whatever you want. Where do I find him? I want to see my wife."

"It's a her, Room 112, this floor," Doctor Andrews said. He left, hurrying off.

"Change of plan, Scott," Marcia said. "Don't downplay your relationship anymore. If the Social Worker is involved, you'll need to be honest about how things work. They may find it strange, but they can't arrest you if you're not breaking the law and if they feel you're lying to them, you may not be able to see Julia. Why don't you get the paperwork from your car Zoe prepared before seeing the Social Worker? It may help explain things."

"Thanks, good idea."

The paperwork we intended to sign would show we were all agreeing to the relationship and what we planned and intended for one another.

I went out to the truck and got the paperwork out of my suitcase. I went back inside carrying everything.

Marcia said, "I'm going to remain here and wait for Sam and the others. Come get me if she wants to talk to me about anything or you do."

"Thank you, Marcia, for everything."

"No, problem."

I found room 112 and there was a serious looking woman of approximately 50 years of age seated behind the desk. She indicated I should close the door behind me and sit down.

"I'm Scott Rivers and Doctor Andrews wanted me to see you before I could see my wife."

She pulled out a file and a legal pad and paper, clicked on her pen and looked at me. "My name is Andrea Tyndall. I'm the night time social worker for the hospital. Do you know why you were sent to see me, Mr. Rivers?"

"The doctor said they were concerned about the items the women were wearing when they were brought in. Had to cut some of them off for their treatment."

"Let's be blunt then. Are you keeping those women in involuntary servitude?"

"No, I'm not."

"Why was your wife wearing items which had to be cut off, Mr. Rivers?"

"She wanted to. It was her desire to own them and wear them."

"Your wife wanted to wear what could only be described as slave manacles, though dressed up nicely to look like jewelry."

"That's correct."

"Enlighten me, Mr. Rivers."

Skipping the parts where we'd started by essentially fucking lots of other people, because it wasn't about that anymore, I explained how she liked those types of books. She read them all the time, fantasized about it, and how I offered to let her experience what it would be like to be a character in one of her books. How she took up my offer of a three week experiment and how much she loved the adventure, allowed her friend to join her and wanted nothing more than to continue, both of them, after the trial period. So much so, they convinced me to continue doing it to our mutual satisfaction. I handed her the paperwork Zoe prepared.

"Because Julia and I are married, she has a lot of legal protections in regard to things like hospital visitation, taxes, etc. which Lisa does not have from a similar status as she's single. No rights to property, child visitation, or anything else which might arise from a polyamorous relationship such as ours. To provide for her protection and legal rights, we had contracts prepared to spell out her part in our life. This is the paperwork we prepared. We haven't signed it yet because I just got it back today, in Los Angeles, where the Attorny lives. While our relationship may be unique in your experience, Ms. Tyndall, it is not involuntary in any sense of the word. We love each other very much and do not wish harm on anyone. I don't know anyone who loves one another more than we do. It may be bizarre to your way of thinking, but it's normal to us."

She read the document over. Some of it appeared to make her blush. I could imagine.

"I need to verify this with them," she said, setting the papers down.

"Please do, but could you please do so now. I'm desperate to see my wife. I've seen Lisa and she's sleeping now, but my wife and I are expecting our first child. I need to ensure she's all right."

"Very well. If she's awake, I'll speak to her now."

"Thank you."

"Wait in the lobby. There are confidential items in here. Let me keep these for the moment."

"Of course."

When I got to the lobby, not only did I see that Sam and the others had gotten here, but so had a detective. He was talking with Marcia. I went over and introduced myself by asking if he needed to speak with me.

"As a matter of fact, I do. My name is Detective Riley."

"I'd like to speak to you as well. I have very limited information myself and I'd like to know what happened, what you're doing about it, and if you got the bastard who did it? I'm still waiting to speak to my wife, so I'd like to speak to you here if possible, so I may see her in a timely fashion, but understand it may not meet with your plans. Tell me what you'd like to do."

"We can speak here for the moment. Do I need to explain your Miranda rights?"

"I'm familiar with my rights. If I need an attorney, my friend Zoe is here. She's an attorney."

"Why did you bring an attorney with you?"

"Strictly speaking, I didn't. She was asked to come by her employer; primarily because we didn't know what happened and if one would be required. If I found the asshole who did this. I'd probably need an attorney, because I'd kill the bastard."

"Who did you hear committed the crime?"

"Lisa McManus's ex-husband, Jack. Has that information changed?"

"How did you hear he did it?"

"Deputy Evans was expediting my return to Fresno and was in contact with Los Angeles County dispatch, who made inquiries for us. All we had was my wife made a 911 call and neither Julia or Lisa was responding to my attempts to call them."

"How do you know they made a 911 call?"

"Technology. Our iPhones and watches are set up so if we make an emergency call, an alert goes out to our next of kin. If you check Lisa's phone, she would have received a similar alert."

I showed him on my phone how it was set up, showed him the text I'd received, the many attempts I'd made to call Julia's and Lisa's numbers.

"What did you think had happened to them?"

"Julia and Lisa have been starting their own business making specialty furniture. They use power tools. My first though was there'd been an accident involving a tool. My second thought was there was a problem with Julia's pregnancy. Neither of those would explain why no one would answer the phone. Then I worried about a fire, something which made them abandon the house without their phones. I never considered an attack on either of them until told by Marcia's dispatch."

"What reason would Jack McManus have to attack your wife?"

"I was informed last Monday that Jack attempted texting Lisa Sunday night to set up a meeting with her. Their divorce was acrimonious due to an affair on his part. She told him she was through with him and never wanted to have contact with him again. His texts became abusive to the point they had to block his number. They intended to file a restraining order against him on Wednesday, which I was told, they did."

"What is your relationship to Lisa McManus? Why is she living at your house?"

"About six weeks ago, Lisa became our lover, to the point where we've decided to live together as a polyamorous triple."

"Our lover, not your lover?"

"My wife has sex with her as much or more frequently than I do."

"This doesn't bother you?"

"No. Why would it? My wife hasn't stopped having sex with me and I have sex with Lisa as well. I get to watch two women have sex. I'm probably living most men's fantasies."

"Maybe your wife didn't care to share you with another woman?"

"She was the one who invited her to join us. Why do it if she cared not to share?"

"Your wife invited her to join you?"

"Initially, I suppose it was only intended to last a couple weeks, but everyone liked it enough to keep it going."

"Would Lisa want to become more than second fiddle in this arrangement?"

"None of us consider Lisa to be a second fiddle. We consider ours to be a co-equal partnership."

"She's not married to you. Only Julia is."

"Excuse me, officer," Zoe said. "I'm sorry to interrupt. The three of them asked me to do up a contract which would do contractually, what marriage does for people. Under the terms of the contract, Lisa becomes a co-equal beneficiary in all assets, property, life insurance, parental rights, etc. Lisa has no reason to feel like she's any less than a full partner in this relationship. Even if she did, I doubt she'd instigate an attack on herself which resulted in a broken nose and ribs and her own rape. I know you're required to investigate all aspects of a crime and I applaud your due diligence, but I would tend to believe myself it is what it appears to be, an attack by an angry ex-husband which resulted in an attack on the other person in the house, and not some conspiracy which is what your questions seem to be implying."

"Where are these contracts and documents?"

"The hospital social worker has them," I said. "She was going to speak to my wife about them, perhaps Lisa McManus as well. I don't know. They haven't been signed yet. I just received them today. Excuse me, the social worker is back. She can show you the documents and I'd desperately like to speak to my wife. I'll be happy to continue answering any more questions you have after I do. Have you caught Jack McManus?"

"No. He's still in the wind. I don't have more questions at this time, but I may have you come down to the station and sign a statement later."

"I'm happy to help. These other people can confirm a lot of what I told you. I'm sure they'll answer any questions you might have pertaining to me they might know. When can I return to my house. A friend and co-worker came by earlier trying to find out what happened before we heard back from the police. He said there's crime tape all over. Will my friends be able to stay in my house, or will I need to put them in a hotel?"