Page 64 of Still Her
He smiles tightly and nods, seemingly pacified by that. “Man, I went after him in that interrogation room,” Morris muses. “But it looks like he’s been advised to the hilt by his lawyers because he didn’t give me shit, kept his mouth clamped shut the entire time until his attorney showed up. But it doesn’t matter,” he continues, “it’s just temporary. After the court proceedings, he’ll be back in there for quite a while thanks to what you uncovered last night.” I look down, thankful for the compliment, but can’t grasp the validity in it. It was hard, but at the same time, I don’t feel triumphant or accomplished. I still just feel like me. “Mayzie,” Morris prods, making me look back up. “You did good.” He gives me a tight smile and slight nod, before gathering up his camera, and heading towards the door without a backward glance.
28
Eli Costa, CEO and owner of NoLimit PR, was seen being led out of NYC’s Capulet hotel by NYPD officers last night. No details have been released about his arrest, although the band Turn it Up, one of the most high profile musical acts to sign with Costa, released the following statement via Rachel Lawrence of Excel PR this morning:
“As of last night, we will no longer continue a professional relationship with Eli Costa or NoLimit PR. Recent behaviors and incidents have given us cause to legally break our contract and take our venture in a different direction. We are currently in negotiations with EXCEL PR, and are hopeful they will be representing us henceforth.”
Jack Krasinski, lead guitarist and vocalist for Turn it Up, released his own statement just hours later:
Eli Costa is a sexual predator who has been abusing his power in the music industry. He harassed and assaulted my wife, Mayzie Krasinski, and threatened to sabotage Turn it Up if she did not cooperate with his advances. My wife bravely worked with law enforcement to obtain the necessary proof of his wrongdoings. This involved putting herself in a dangerous position. However, her courage prevailed and the truth came out. If there are any other women who have found themselves victim to this sorry excuse of a man, I urge you to come forward so that we can make the most of Mayzie’s efforts.”
Costa was released on bail…
Awaiting word of a court hearing that will determine if this will go to trial…
* * *
MAYZIE
Our light,contented morning grew more intense as time went on from Morris’s visit. We had to make some difficult phone calls to our family, the worst of which of course was to my parents. They were shocked and obviously worried, not to mention they had a hundred questions; especially my father, who definitely employed the most colorful words of his vocabulary. It took some time, but Jack and I were able to reassure them that I’m alright, and more importantly, it’s over; this is the time to move forward.
While that conversation was certainly the hardest, Annie’s was a close second. Holy shit is that girl ever hormonal. Her concern for me has never been questionable, but “freak-out” doesn’t even begin to cover it.
With the important people in our lives filled in, statements were released and the chief of police held a press conference, both of which created the perfect media storm. Jack and I have gone out of our way to not turn on the TV or go on the internet. It’s not like we can avoid it completely, but just for these first couple of days, we figured it’s for the best.
Tonight is the first of two shows at Madison Square, not making it any easier, but the show must go on and all that. The SUV waits close by the back entrance for us, although that didn’t stop a handful of photographers and reporters from finding their way back there. Sunglasses in place, I hurry to the vehicle with Jack and Shane on either side of me, all of us keeping our heads high but we don’t acknowledge any of the pleas for comments.
The concert goes off without a hitch, the guys actually able to play with a relaxed air about them. They talk to the audience and get them amped up between songs, but don’t address what’s going on with Eli. Following the show, we opt to stay on the buses instead of at the hotel since it’s our last night in the city anyway.
Two days later when we find ourselves traveling across New York State towards Buffalo, we get a call from Detective Morris, informing us that three women have already come into his department to file complaints about Eli, each contributing to the case being built against him. With this revelation, I feel like I’m able to fully exhale, knowing this case will definitely go somewhere with more accusers than just me, enabling me to settle back into a routine. I continue to write and briefly acknowledge the recent events in my blog, while advising readers that I cannot disclose anything more than I am already doing, that I’m alright, and that we are all moving forward.
It’s going to be a while, as well as consulting with Mike and with Rachel, before I can publish anything more detailed regarding the incident.
* * *
We make our way back across New York and Ohio before we end up in our home state in time for an incredible two week break for the holidays, which is only interrupted once when the band has to go back and make up their appearance on the Up All Night show. The producers thankfully had Dan Coleman make only a brief acknowledgement to Douche Gate that the guys could answer on a superficial level during the interview portion.
I opted to stay home during their jaunt out to NYC for the appearance. It was only going to be a two-night trip, but after everything, I just craved being home for some R&R without having to pack up and get on a plane smack in the middle of it. It’s too bad for the guys, but call this one of the times I get to be selfish. And while Jack said he’d miss me, he completely understood.
It’s late in the evening and I’m at our kitchen island, just wrapping up the blog post for the week when I hear the buzzer, indicating someone is at the gate at the bottom of our driveway. I’m not expecting anyone, so my hackles immediately spring up. I head over to the intercom in the kitchen, the dogs curiously wagging behind me, as they know by now what that buzzer means.
“Who is it?” I call out as I hold the button down.
“Mayzie?” I hear a female voice on the other end. I know better than to confirm my identity and my residence in the same go, as some fans out there have proven themselves to be downright certifiable, but the voice has a vague familiarity that is pulling at me.
“Who’s this?” I reply cautiously.
“Hi… it’s… Melanie,” the voice responds tentatively.
What... in the actual…holy shit.
“Melanie?”I repeat, my voice going up at least three octaves in shock that I don’t even bother trying to hide.
“Yeah…” she says, sounding timid and downtrodden. “I’m sorry… but could I please come in?”
Oh my God. “Yes!” I frantically punch the button that opens the gate before rushing to the door, the dogs still at my heels. I throw the lock and yank open the door, just as a car that must be an UBER pulls up. The back door opens, and out steps the sister-in-law that I scarcely know. I wait up on the front steps as the driver retrieves her suitcase from the trunk and she starts coming up the walkway. I take in her dark hair that has a few lighter, reddish strands in it picked up by our front porch light, and her obviously exhausted makeup-free face as she reaches the top of the steps.
“Hey,” she greets me, her eyes flickering up to me cautiously.