Masquerade
Part 2
Continued...
Sheila
hated being awakened and the shrill jangling of the telephone had her in a foul
mood before she even answered. What she
heard on the other end intensified her anger to extreme proportions.
Shouting into the intercom beside her bed, “Barbara, Liz,
get in here immediately,” she then sat up herself and forced the man sharing it
with her to leave. He was walking out
as Barbara and Liz entered, trying to overcome the fatigue they both felt at
having been so abruptly woken up.
They were greeted by, “That bastard. That sexy, good looking bastard. He’ll pay.
I promise you, he will pay and I intend to enjoy his misery.”
“Barbara cut in, asking, “Who will pay and what is so
wrong?”
“Joseph LaFiamma, that’s who,” she sneered, and her anger
continued to climb as she watched her associates begin to look aroused at the
mention of his name. Trying to regain
some control, she continued, “Rose, and I shouldn’t need to tell you she is one
of our biggest clients, just called.
Joseph took $10,000 from her tonight in a blackmail scheme.”
Liz’s “Oh,” stopped her short, but she continued, despite
the interruption. “We have the escort blackmail
ring cornered. No upstart boy toy is
going to hone in on our territory.”
“Perhaps he can be brought into our ring? Obviously he isn’t adverse to crime,”
Barbara suggested.
“Right,” Liz echoed, “he’s much to gorgeous to lose his
services.”
“True,” Sheila agreed.
“Strangely enough, despite the blackmail, Rose did praise him
highly. Seems he was the first escort
who made her feel like the center of attention at her own function. Call him in
tomorrow, on the pretense of a job, and I will invite him to join us, providing
he checks out cleanly tonight, when I run all the background checks I can.”
“I’ll ring him early,” Barbara said, happily volunteering
for the task. “Shall I start the background checks as well?”
“I’ll take care of those.
He gave me some information and the police I pay off should know a
little more. If he’s not what he claims
to be, I’ll find out.”
“Okay, Sheila.
Goodnight,” Liz and Barbara echoed as they left to return to their warm
beds. The only comment they exchanged
before they went into their separate rooms, was Liz’s “He has some nerve. Now I want to get back to sleep.”
All interested parties, both those at the Lamont mansion and
the cop partners had a calm night, but woke with the feeling of dreaded
anticipation for what the day would hold.
Levon spent time working around the stables, trying to kill
as much time as possible before his dinner meeting with Sheila. Nothing could be less wanted, he figured as
he pitched hay for Fooler. He couldn’t
call his partner or Joanne until after the meeting, and time was dragging by.
Joey too, was killing time waiting for the phone to
ring. Until it did he was stuck in the
apartment just waiting. Finally trying to
read his book got on his nerves and he went into the kitchen and started a
lasagna. Levon and he could share it
later, and at least making his own sauce was keeping his hands busy. When the phone rang, they were covered in
pieces of diced onion. Hastily wiping
them on a dishtowel, he picked up the phone on the third ring.
“Joseph here,” he stated.
“Good morning, Joseph.
This is Barbara, from Ravens.
We would like you to come in this morning. We have a job for you.”
“What time,” He asked.
“Make it eleven o’clock.
See you then.”
“I’ll be there,” he added, hanging up the phone.
That didn’t sound promising, he thought. They wanted him for a job. Perhaps Rose didn’t call them after
all. He was not looking forward to
another evening of the same and another attempt at blackmail. Perhaps his partner would have more luck
over dinner. Deciding that today he
didn’t need to dress for the occasion, he slipped into a pair of worn jeans and
a t-shirt that proclaimed Chicago was the best city in the world. He still had an hour to kill, but he didn’t
need to wait in his apartment for the phone call, so he took a drive down to
Chicken’s hoping to run into Levon. It
seemed to be the only place his partner would eat. Not finding him, he said hi
to Chicken then left and headed on over to Ravens. Thanks to a traffic accident, he was right
on time, instead of the predicted ten minutes early.
“Hello, Scott. I’m
here to see Sheila,” he said to the man at the counter.
“I know. Sit down
and I’ll let her know you’re here.”
“Not having the best day,” he said to Scott, as the man
glared at him and touched the button on the intercom, saying, “Your appointment
is here.”
Joey heard her voice return, “Send him in.”
“Yes, Miss Lamont,” Scott said, then waved his hand in
Joey’s direction, indicating that he should hurry.
Noting her door more closely this time as he entered, he saw
that the wood was carved with cupids in the design. To ornate for his taste, he decided as he shut it behind him and
took a seat in one of her leather chairs facing her desk.
“Good Morning, Miss Lamont.
What assignment do you have for me?” He asked, trying to cut any small
talk she might feel like engaging in.
He was sure that she would as soon use him and discard him as look at
him.
“A very lucrative one,” she smiled, a hint of malice
showing, before her features resumed a calm expression.
“Really,” he
said. “How so?”
“Before I get to it, we need to have a little talk. Rose called last night.” She said, letting him infer what he wanted.
“Good. I hope she
had as much fun as I did,” he said calmly, placing the ball back in her court
“She did, however she mentioned a little matter of forged
pictures and $10,000 going from the children directly to you instead. Would you like to clarify?”
“I assumed she was a big tipper.” he cracked, a half smile
playing about his lips.
“I was hoping you would come clean, Joseph, but I expect
this is a little more in character for you, and actually makes you even more
useful to us. Let me spell it out for
you. Rose said you blackmailed
her. We can use someone like you in our
organization. Are you interested?”
“Let me clarify. You
are pleased that I blackmailed her and you would like me to do it again for
you. Is that correct?”
“Basically. Since
her call, I’ve been busy. I’ve run a
complete background check on you, and found that you have mob connections. I know that you have the looks and are not
afraid to step outside the law, so to speak.
I think we could help each
other.”
“I’m afraid I don’t see how. Last night I got a big tip.
If I say, get these tips for you, I will be sharing my tip. I like money, Miss Lamont. I see no reason to share what I work for,”
he finished on a grin.
Her mind working quickly she said, “I can see your point,
yet there are a few facts you may be missing.
I have the contacts. If I fire
you, you have to start all over again.
I know how much we can get out of each lady, and I can guarantee you a cut similar to what
you made last night.”
“Sound interesting, but say my work and your leads bring in
a much higher amount. I’m the one
taking the risks. I would need more to
compensate for my higher profile activities.
Say we split the take fifty-fifty.”
“I can see your point,” she countered, “but the best you
will get is a thirty percent cut, or ten thousand dollars a job, whichever is
higher.”
“You seem very well versed in this. I think you may have done this a time or two
before.” He added.
“I imagine the same could be said for yourself,” she countered.
“Then we understand one another. Looks like you have a new partner” Joey said, rising and holding
out his hand to shake hers.
“Agreed,” she said, completing the handshake. “Now please sit back down, I have someone
lined up for you tonight.”
Retaking his seat, he gave her a questioning look, then
waited as she looked for the paperwork.
“Her name is Frances Mettier, and she owns an antique business that is
highly successful. So successful in
fact that she clears over thirty thousand dollars a month. I figure that the right threat will cause
her to cough up one monthly salary. She
deals in stolen artifacts from both Egypt and Peru. I have her dossier here,” she said handing it to Joey to commit
to memory.
“Not a bad business woman,” he said as he glanced at the
photos, and started in on the bio.
“No she isn’t,” Sheila agreed. “She does have one little flaw however. She allowed her last escort too much time in the bedroom, while
she was closing a deal, long distance.
We have the proof sheets that she is fencing National treasures. Tonight, after the date, I want you to give
her a copy and say that for thirty thousand dollars you will forget that you
know anything. If you do not receive
your cash, you will be contacting the countries embassies and our own
department of antiquities. You should
have no problem at all.”
“No problem,” Joseph said, rising. “Where do I deliver the money too?”
“Come by my home at two a.m.. I should have everything I am doing, finished, or resting by
then,” she said with a leer.
“I’ll see you then,” Joey said as he prepared to leave the
office.
“One last thing,” she said, causing him to stop and turn
around, only to find her standing very close to him, “After this is pulled off
successfully, why don’t you move in. It
will save you rent money, the place is huge, and we could get to know one
another much more intimately.”
“I’ll think about it.
See you tonight,” he finished, then turned and left the office.
Sitting back down she once again thought how thoroughly
delightful it was going to be when she finally had him to herself. If he was as good in bed, as he was at being
dishonest, she might even allow Barbara and Liz to join them, but for now, her
mind was focused on getting her rival, Levon Lundy, into bed and under her
control. She had wanted this for too
long, and she was going to get it.
Perhaps given time, when she tired of Levon she could get he and that
boy toy, Joseph to both pleasure her.
Both men thoroughly turned her on, but for very different reasons. Levon was the only man she ever wanted and
he spurned her every advance, while Joseph would be good for sex.
Luckily Levon didn’t know her exact thoughts or he probably
would never have gone to dinner. He
dressed in his best western wear, even adding a string tie. It was perfectly acceptable in Houston, even
if his partner did laugh at him for it.
There he was again, thinking of his partner. It was nice actually, to be that close to someone once more. It had been to long, and Joey’s loud mouth
and abrasive personality almost kept them from ever being friends. Briefly thinking back to the night when the
relationship changed, Levon offered up a silent prayer that he had been able to
pull his partner back into the land of the living, as he climbed into the Jimmy
and took off for his rendevous.
Again, a valet took his Jimmy, and he was beginning to think
that if he needed to get away in a hurry he would need to steal a car. He had no idea where they parked the cars
they took. Maybe they did actually take
them on joy rides like in that movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Refusing to think about anyone but himself
behind the wheel of his prized vehicle, he entered Tourlene’s and told the
Maitre-de, “I’m Levon Lundy. The
reservations are for seven o’clock, but I need to wait for my dinner companion
to arrive. I’ll be in the bar.”
“Yes Sir,” the man replied, just as Sheila walked in.
“Damn,” Levon muttered, as he too noticed her. She looked lovely, dressed in a form fitting
black gown that did nothing to hide her perfect body. “Hello, Sheila, don’t you look lovely,” he said, as he took her
arm and motioned to the man that his partner was here. He was not surprised by the man’s frank
stare. She would undoubtedly be
receiving them all evening, after all that was the only reason to wear a dress
like this one.
“Right this way,” the Maitre-de said.
Following him to a secluded corner table, Levon was
gratified to see that his judgement was still in tact. Almost every head turned
at her passing. Some because they
recognized her, and wanted to see who she was with, others because of her
looks, and the women, because they were sizing up the competition. As he held her chair, she seated herself,
crossing her legs seductively and allowing a hidden thigh length slit to open
up. He then seated himself opposite her
and proceeded to look at the proffered wine list. Anything was better than actually trying to make conversation
with her.
“Well have a bottle of North Ridge Chardonnay. That’s your favorite if I recall.”
Before the wine steward could say very good sir, Sheila
interjected, “Yes it was Levon, but now I prefer a more full bodied wine. How about selecting a Cabernet.”
“The 1985 Dominion Cabernet, it is,” he replied handing the
wine list back to the steward, who couldn’t seem to take his eyes off Sheila’s
thigh.
“Um....Yes, sir. I’ll be back in a minute,” he
replied, while Sheila laughed for Levon’s benefit.
“I wore this dress for you, not the waiters, Levon. It is really good to see you.”
“Same here, Sheila,” he said, feigning interest. “What have you been doing since college?”
“We already discussed that, Levon. Remember? Let’s talk
about something else.”
“As you wish.” Where
was LaFiamma when he needed him. Joey
was never at a loss for words.
“You’re a million miles away,” Sheila coaxed, smiling
softly. “Want to tell me about it?”
“Just thinking of college and what might have been if we had
dated a little more seriously,” he stated, wondering where those words had come
from. They sounded like Joey. Maybe possession was possible. Joey talked to dead relatives often enough.
“How sweet. Maybe
after dinner you would like to take a stroll down McGintry street?” She asked.
“That’s thirty miles away.
Maybe a closer street would be better.”
Knowing he was thinking of Candace, and refusing to lose him
this time, she smiled and said, “My driver can take us. We can reminisce all night and then retrace
our steps from college, and see if they lead into the future.” Boy she sounded desperate. She needed to gain some control. Knowing that she had a loaded syringe in her
pocket, if needed, that would make him lose all his inhibitions, she wasn’t
worried about having him, but she wanted him to go along willingly. Perhaps the chase could be fun again. It had been ages since she had to pursue a
man.
“When you put it that way, it sounds wonderful,” Levon said,
then holding his wine glass aloft he added, “To old times, good friends, and a
great night.”
“Hear, Hear” she replied.
Yes the hunt would be fun, and with Levon as the prize she was bound to
be the winner.
“Uh.um” the waiter said, clearing his throat. As soon as he had their attention, he asked,
“Are you ready to order?”
Laughing, mostly out of nervousness, Levon said, “I haven’t
even looked at the menu. Sheila?”
“No, I haven’t either.”
“Then perhaps we should just let this fine fellow order for
us. Seems like food is not on the top
of my mind right now.”
“Sounds lovely, Levon” Sheila agreed, thinking that he was
mesmerized by her beauty.
In reality he was
cursing Joey and this strange possession.
Although the words were right, they weren’t him and they were getting
him in trouble. What was he supposed to
do next? He was already trapped into a walk
with her, and confinement in her car, but unless he was willing to sleep with
her, he doubted that she would invite him to her house for a quick search
around the premises, and he didn’t want to have sex with her for any reason.
Picking at the food the waiter placed in front of him, he
ate, not even knowing what it was he was eating. He remembered replying um...hum... to many of her questions, but
to be honest he didn’t even know what the questions were. He was beginning to feel trapped. Did they give casualty pay for having to
engage in sex. Okay to be honest, the
sex wasn’t the problem, but Sheila was.
Sex and Candace sounded fine.
Breaking into his thoughts, Sheila said, “Are you ready to
leave now? I can skip dessert. You are all the dessert I
need.”
“I......um......uh..sure,” he stammered. Finding no other way into her good
graces. The info on the male escort
ring must be in her house. He needed a
way in, even if he had to sleep with her.
As the two stood to leave, she linked her arm through his,
and propelled him from the restaurant.
He was aware, only cursorily, of the Maitre-de saying goodnight, but his
not having the time to answer as he was hustled to the opened door of her limo. Sliding to the far side of the limo was a
mistake, he realized, as it allowed her to snuggle up as close as possible to
him. He had no maneuvering room now.
“Levon,” she purred, as the limo moved into the flow of
traffic.
“Yes.”
“Kiss me,” she said, quietly offering him her lips. Her pink mouth was millimeters from his, her
lips slightly parted, her breath coming in short quick bursts, while a sensuous look filled her eyes.
Feeling her breath on his face, he closed the gap and
allowed the kiss to proceed. The
things I must endure for the force, he thought as their tongues
collided. Allowing her to take the
initiative and deepen the tentative kiss, Levon found that within minutes he
didn’t care who he was kissing as his body surrendered to total male arousal,
and animal need.
When the driver finally reached their destination, and the
car halted, he lifted his lips from her breasts and noted that his shirt was
unbuttoned and hers was missing. Her
head was thrown back and she was
uttering low, throaty, moaning sounds.
“Uh, Sheila, I think we’re there.”
“Driver. Home,” she
replied huskily, then added, “Let’s skip the walk,” as the car resumed moving.
“Perfect,” he found himself muttering, as his mouth once
more traced it’s way from her luscious lips on down toward her chest. Taking her moans as compliance, he once
again got caught up in the heat of the moment and lost himself fully in her
willing body. It only seemed like
minutes, but must have been much longer based on driving time, when Levon felt
the car stop again.
“Ma’am,” the driver said, opening the door, “we’ve
returned.”
“Huh..oh yes, very good.
You may go.”
“Yes Ma’am” he replied as he shut the door once again.
For a brief moment it struck Levon as odd that she was
totally unconcerned about her hired help seeing her naked and sprawled on the
seat of her limo, but then she re-captured his attention, as she bent and he watched her gather up her clothes then
walk, unselfconsciously, into her home.
Looking over her shoulder, she lightly tossed out, “You
coming, Levon.”
“Right behind you,”
he said ,struggling into his clothes, then following her. He would
finally get a chance to go through her home, look for the evidence they needed
to put her away, and then get out of there, before he had a repeat of the car.
“Let’s go to my bedroom, and pick up where we left off,”
Sheila said.
“I would really like a drink first. We haven’t talked much.”
“Fine. I’ll humor
you, as long as you humor me later,” she teased, making him faintly
nauseous. Why were men so weak when offered
free sex, he wondered. It did seem to
be a character flaw. At least she
wasn’t using him for information, like he was using her. That would be appalling.
Following her into the formal living room, he took a seat on
her divan and wished he was on his comfortable couch instead, this case
completed and them handling simple murders again, where he knew nobody
involved.
“What would you like to drink, Levon?” she questioned, as
she poured herself a vodka collins.
“I’ll just have a beer,” he answered.
“No problem,” she said, pulling a Guiness from the mini
fridge. “Here you go.”
“Thank ya, Sheila,”
Levon said, then wishing Joey’s presence would return, so he could begin
talking again, rather then trying to get out of her house without a personal tour
of the bedroom, he spoke up, saying, “Lovely home, from what I can see. How about a tour later?”
“Of course. I’ll
show you while you have your beer.
Follow me,” and rising she led the way through the downstairs pointing
out room after room.
Lundy took careful note of those that she called, study,
office and library, thinking any of those might house the information he
needed.
“I’ll show you the upstairs later,” she grinned, thinking of
her large room, complete with hot tub at the foot of the bed.
“Sounds nice,” Levon was saying, when the phone rang.
“If you will just excuse me for a moment, Levon.” she said,
leaning down to kiss him one last time, “I’d better take this. It’s on my personal business line.”
“I’ll be right here.
Take as long as you need. My
horse buying calls can take a very long time, so I understand. We have all night.” he said.
“I’ll make it as quick as possible, but you’re right these
calls can sometimes last awhile.” she said, leaving the room and entering the
study, as it was the room nearest the bar.
The second she left, Levon practically ran to her office and
began looking through the files. He’d made a mental note of the layout on the
brief tour she gave. Finding nothing
obvious, he sat down at the computer and began to scan files, when he came to
one labeled Raven’s and another
that looked like it handled her bank accounts. He quickly dialed into the office and downloaded the Raven
file, without even looking to see what it contained, as he thought he would do that
from work tomorrow. He then started the
same procedure with the bank accounts, and while it was being downloaded he
spied one that listed mens names, salaries, and work dates. Seeing that Joseph
LaFiamma’s name was listed, he got that one ready to send, then slipped out of
the room, figuring it just might be useful.
He could pry more later.
Resuming his place on the sofa, he was glad that she was
still absent from the room. It had only
taken him seven minutes to get the procedure started, but he didn’t want to be
caught. She was vindictive, and he had
first hand knowledge of that side of her.
Hearing her bare feet pad across the supple carpet, he
turned to look at her. Her eyes looked angry,
but she was smiling, as she walked toward him, her hands clasped behind her
back.
“Bad news?” he questioned as she drew nearer.
“Not for me darling,” she said, leaning over the back of the
divan and drawing him into another kiss.
Playing along for a moment, but fully intending to get up
and leave in a few minutes, he was caught unaware by a pain in his upper arm
that felt like a pin prick. Hastily
breaking the kiss, he rubbed his arm, and said, “You should have your home
checked for insects. I think I was just
bitten.”
“No Levon, you weren’t bitten, you were drugged” she said
holding out an empty syringe. “Like I
said the news was not really bad for me, but it doesn’t look to good for you,
detective,” she finished, as he watched two other women enter the room through
an ever increasing fog in his brain.
“What did you do?” he slurred, knowing he was not going home
tonight.
“Just gave you something to make you easy to handle. I’ll get you situated then take care of your
partner,” she laughed, and his last thought was, I’m sorry Joey, before
he passed out.
“Liz, Barbara, get him upstairs, strip him, and tie him to
my bed. I do not want him
escaping. This time he is going to pay,
and in every way I can think up.”
“Yes, Sheila,” they said as they drug the helpless Levon
upstairs and secured him to Sheila’s bed.
“He’s really in for it now,” Barbara said.
“That is an understatement,” Liz replied, “and it looks like
his partner is going to pay as well.”
“Can you believe they’re cops? Cops aren’t that good looking.
It took Jordan two days to find the truth. I would hate to be in their shoes, but I hope she will give me a
few minutes with Joseph, before she takes care of him,” Barbara answered back,
as she tied Levon’s last leg to the bedframe.
“You can ask her, but I think it would be better to go and
see if she needs anything else before he arrives.”
“True,” Barbara said as they closed the door and left Levon
in total darkness. “It will be hours
before this one wakes up.”
Taking the steps slowly, as Sheila, when angry could put
even her best friends off, the two women reached the bottom and made their way
back to the couch. “It’s all done.”
“Good. Now we wait
for his partner. They will both pay.”
“UM...Sheila, may I ask a favor?” Barbara questioned. “Before you kill Joseph, can I have a turn
with him. I find him incredible, even
if he is a cop.”
Smiling at her friend, Sheila answered, “I’ve already had
Levon once tonight and I intend to have him again, before I kill him, and you
can’t touch him. He’s mine. Understand?”
“Yes Sheila,” they both responded quickly.
“But as for the other, feel free to use him all you
want. I intend to have him too, before
the night is out, but I don’t care when.
One of them will be forced to watch while I kill the other. Then the other one dies. I just haven’t decided who gets to watch.”
“I know you’ll make a good decision,” Liz said. “You always do. Shall I contact Ruben to dispose of the bodies?”
“Yes, Liz. Thank
you.”
“I’ll prepare another injection for Joseph. This one won’t knock him out, but will allow
him to be fully aware of what’s happening, and have no will to fight it. These new mind drugs are wonderful.” Sheila
commented, as she went into the lab. It
was the only room on the lower level she hadn’t shown Levon.
“I feel sorry for those two,” Liz said, as soon as Sheila
was out of range.
“Me too,” Barbara added, “but at least I get Joseph before
she kills him. Think she will use the
whip?”
“On Joseph, yes.
It’s her favorite way to punish men, but I don’t think she will on
Levon. They have history, and despite
her anger, she won’t want to cause him physical pain.”
“Good call. Let’s go
grab some food. Joseph shouldn’t be here for three hours and I’m hungry,” Liz
announced.
“You’re always hungry.
How do you stay so slim?” Barbara bantered, as they went to the kitchen
to make a sandwich. “I wonder how
Joseph’s doing. Sheila sent him out
with the man crusher tonight.” The wait was beginning.
Joey drove his Cobra to Francis Mettier’s palatial home and
was ushered inside by another butler.
So far, two dates, and the evenings were beginning the same way. As he knew, very few things ever changed in
the high society set. They all had
large houses, fancy cars, plastic surgeons, well stocked bars, gorgeous men and
women at their beck and call, and secrets galore.
He already knew Francis’s secret so he didn’t even have the
challenge of having something new to discover.
One again, suppressing his revulsion, and keeping his mask in place, he
steeled himself to spend another evening doing something abhorrent. Selling his body for a profit, to survive,
or because it was expected. No matter
what the reason, he hated them all.
Taking a fortifying breath, he once again watched as a
pillar of Houston society made her way downstairs. Again, despite the surgeries and youthful clothes, she was over
fifty and from the look in her eye, she would be much more dangerous than
Rose. The fact that he had no desire to
be here, would make it even harder to put on a good performance. Joey doubted he would make it out the door
before she had at least grabbed his crotch.
Starting to sweat, he overcame a rising nightmare and said,
“Good evening, Francis. Are you ready
to leave?”
“I’m not sure,” she replied, eyeing him hungrily. “They say your worth a really high
price. I would like to see why for
myself. Please turn around so I may
examine the goods. I am very good at
appraising works of art.”
Turning, he couldn’t help letting slip, “I have a brain as
well.” only to hear her condescendingly reply, “Of course you do. Now be a good boy and stay where you are.”
Amused by the way his shoulders tightened with the slur
against his intelligence, she added, “I bet you think you’re so intelligent
women would actually want to talk to you.”
As she watched his posture take on even more rigid
proportions, she kept up the pressure, by saying, “Honey, I’ve got twenty
friends that would happily let you eat crackers in their beds as long as you
didn’t use your mouth for anything other than their pleasure and a few well
placed moans occasionally.”
Using all the willpower he possessed not to storm out the
door and call it quits, thus ruining the case, he endured the abuse as he
listened to her approach, while desperately trying to quiet the growing voice
taunting, I told you so, that was taking control of his brain.
Holding perfectly still, he felt her stop directly behind
him, and was prepared for her touch, only to be surprised by her saying,
“Samuel, a moment of your time please.”
“Certainly Madam,” he replied, striding into the room from
somewhere very nearby. “What may I do
for you?”
If it hadn’t of been so disquieting, Joey might have laughed
out loud at how badly staged the entire performance was. He could tell by the smile he could hear in
Samuel’s voice that this was an oft played out scene.
“As I grab his ass,” she said, suiting action to words, “I’d
like your opinion on if he will only appeal to women or if his appeal will
extend to men as well. It is an art
affair we are attending, after all.”
“Understood Madam.” Samuel said moving closer to her. “From here he will appeal to both
sexes. May I try?”
On her, “Of course,” Samuel reached out his hands to replace
hers on Joey’s butt, only to find that Joey had wheeled at the exact moment,
causing him to miss.
His breathing ragged, and his eyes flashing deadly fire, Joey
stated firmly, “I am to escort you Mrs. Mettier, not be fondled by the help.”
As they dissolved in fits of laughter before him, Francis
said, “You are correct. It’s just a
game we play to determine how far you good looking men will allow things to go,
in order to receive a large tip. Thank
you Samuel. I’ll be back by midnight.”
“Always a pleasure,” he said to their retreating backs. Working for Mrs. Mettier was a great
job. Most of the men didn’t stop him
and he often got them when she was through with them. This one would not be his, and for that he was disappointed. He
was gorgeous.
As Joey watched Samuel disappear, Francis reached up and
patted his cheek saying, “Let’s go darling.
Here are my rules. You don’t
talk, you keep my plate filled, my drink replenished, and you just stand there
looking gorgeous. I will occasionally
fondle you publically. Really no
problem for a man like you.”
Ready to double over from nausea at her words and at the
gnawing pit beginning in the bottom of his stomach, he somehow managed to get
her in the car and to the function, intact and on time.
“Now remember what I told you, and you will be rewarded,”
she said, slipping her arm through his, as they climbed the elegant stairway
and entered the art gallery.
“Yes ma’am,” he replied.
“No, Joseph, it’s Francis.
I knew you wouldn’t get this right.” she sighed, aggravated. Presenting her invitation, she greeted a few
people she knew as she wound her way downstairs into the main exhibit hall, all
the while pulling Joey along behind her.
Joey quickly realized that she was much in demand and no one
would look askance at anything she did.
They were fawning all over her, as her expertise was so highly
valued. He was enjoying the art show,
as they always fascinated him. Learning
about how other people interpreted the world was never boring and art was a
great medium with which to view this.
As he wandered around, he heard snatches of conversation floating around
him. Much of it seemed to pertain to
the artist, the lighting, or if a particular technique was used well, but
occasionally he heard people talking about himself, and not in flattering
terms.
The one that had him
once again behind closed doors and on the floor sweating, had been, “There is
her latest man. Where she finds the
gorgeous ones is beyond me, but they are all so insipid, that the only
enjoyment I get is watching her use them in front of everyone. She’s so calculating and they seem to think
she is so wonderful.” He never heard
the mans response, and although it was more flattering, Joey was too sunk in
despair to care.
Holding to the idea that this woman would be blackmailed
that very night, was the only thing that allowed him to get off the floor and
rejoin the party, now in full swing.
His date was holding court by a fresco, dolling out words of
wisdom by the bucketful. Soon they were
to view some of her more recent acquisitions, but not until she was sure she
had everyone under her spell.
“Oh, Joseph, are you enjoying the show?” she called.
Turning at the mention of his name, he smiled in her general
direction and inclined his head. She
had said not to speak and he was going to at least keep that end of the
bargain. He had no desire to talk to
her in the least.
Holding his eyes, she allowed a sadistic smile to play at
her lips, as she said, “Why don’t you bring me a plate of food, and my cocktail
is almost finished.” Watching him nod
again, she knew that this one was not enjoying his night at all, and that gave
her great pleasure. He would be even
less happy when he returned with her food.
Many men had spurned her and used her. These men were her payback.
Joey made his way slowly to the buffet line and filled a
plate, heaping with all types of delicacies.
Under different circumstances he would have already sampled some himself
as he loved all the foods provided. It
had been years since he had been able to treat his cravings for some of the
finer things in life, but tonight he couldn’t bring himself to eat any food
without fearing he would be physically ill.
Making his way back to her side, he handed her the plate,
only to cringe as she said, “ Feed it to me, a piece at a time.” Refusing to look at anyone gathered around
Frances, he didn’t note that while most pairs of eyes were enjoying the show,
one young woman looked as disgusted as he felt.
Taking an oyster on the half shell between his thumb and
ring finger, he slowly raised it to her lips, and tilted it into her waiting
mouth. Watching her lick her lips, he
then chose a bite sized rumaki on a toothpick and again aimed for her
mouth. As he drew near, she said, “Use
your fingers.”
Taking the rumaki off the toothpick, he again directed it
toward her waiting mouth, but this time she not only took the rumaki, but
licked his fingers clean as well, while never once even dignifying his presence
by looking at him. He was to be her
fork, not a human.
Sensing him stiffen, she smiled at her friends and said,
“I’m not finished.”
“Yes you are. Any more and you’ll ruin your figure,” Joey
spat out.
Swinging abruptly she slapped him hard across the face
raising a welt and said, “I bought and paid for you. Tonight you will do as I
say. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Frances,” he replied.
“Then feed me, but while you’re at it why don’t you turn so
my friends can see you better.”
Facing the growing crowd of guests caused by his scene, Joey
once again used his fingers to pick up an egg roll. Just as she took it from his fingers she allowed her other hand
to slide down his pants front and grab his crotch. Humiliated beyond belief, he just stood there and continued to
feed her as she fondled him in public.
Finally the plate of food was gone, and she dismissed him.
Making his way immediately outside and losing himself among
the trees, he glanced quickly around, police senses on full alert, to assure he
had not been followed, then he allowed himself the luxury of sinking to the
ground and allowing silent tears to roll down his cheeks as his body gave into
the demand for stress relief. He
couldn’t do this any longer. There was
no way. Somehow he would get through
tonight, then he was going to call Joanne and quit. The memories were resurfacing and each moment in this woman’s
company was treacherous to his well being.
The delicate balance he had maintained throughout the years threatened
to come crashing down at any moment. As
he continued to give into the grief and nightmares, that he couldn’t explain to
anyone, Joey became more lost in depression.
He was unaware of the woman’s approach until she touched his shoulder
gently.
Refusing to look up, he took a deep breath and asked, “What
do you want, and why are you here?”
“I came to see if you were okay,” came the gentle reply.
“Why? This doesn’t concern you.”
“In a way it does.
My name is Marina, and I’m Frances’s daughter. I hate what she does to her dates, but none of the others have
ever looked so lost before. I think
they enjoy the money and the notoriety of being with her, no matter what she
puts them through. You may look like
them, but you seem different somehow.”
“Well Marina,” he said, raising his head only to be forced
to stare into a pair of incredibly
brown eyes, framed by lustrous black lashes and even darker hair, “I have to finish
this job, so no matter what you think, I am like all the rest. If you will excuse me,” he added attempting
to rise.
“If that is your wish,” she softly replied, once again
lightly laying her hand on his shoulder, “But if you would rather wait here a
little longer I am sure I can keep her attention away from you for another five
minutes.”
“You would do that?” he questioned, his voice so full of
suppressed hope that she couldn’t help smiling.
“Yes I would do that.
You sit here and compose yourself, then come in. You won’t suffer any more than she has
planned. I’ll see to it.” With that she was gone, in a cloud of
perfume that smelled like fresh new cut flowers on a spring morning.
How long had it been since someone had cared for him, his
tired brain wondered? When was there
a gentle caress given and nothing
expected in return? Was she lying? They all did, his mind reasoned. Finally deciding he had to get inside or
lose the chance at dishing out the blackmail, he straightened his suit and re-entered
the patio doors. Spying her in the far
corner, he quickly made his way to her side, keeping his eyes open for the lady
calling herself Marina.
Seeing her nowhere, he shook his head slightly, wondering if
she was an apparition, then took the drink glass from France’s outstretched
hand and went to refill it.
Not to much later, Frances, flanked by her many admirers
opened the door to her private show of pre-Columbian art. The cheapest article that Joey noted was
well over 300,000 dollars alone. Within
minutes, he was forgotten as she raked in cash, closed deals, and accepted
compliments that she felt were her due.
It was hard as a police officer to allow her to trade in
stolen goods even if this would be her last night as a fencer, but he bit his tongue
and absorbed what knowledge he could from the artifacts. The primitive clay horse held some appeal,
but he had to admit his tastes didn’t run to primitives, but rather to the
large frescos and gilt covered mirrors that hung in his Uncle Mikey’s home. Must have something to do with being
Italian, he thought, as a smile finely broke through his features.
Seeing Joseph smile, enraged Frances, who thought she had
already broken him. “Excuse me,” she
said to Mabel Hotstetter, “I need to go see my date.”
As Mabel laughed at her joke, Frances appeared behind Joseph
and said, “Do you like what you see?
Take a good look, because this is as close as you will ever get to art
this rare again.”
Thinking briefly of Uncle Mikey’s home, Joey allowed another
smile to light his face, before he shuttered it and agreed with her, by way of
a nod rather than a verbal exchange. He
fully understood that by keeping him silent she was making him a non-entity. Soon, very soon, he thought, this would all
change. Payback was coming.
“We will be leaving in about an hour. Go amuse yourself, but don’t touch
anything,” she cautioned. Business was
even more pleasurable to her than humiliating men. He was safe for the time being.
Joey took her advice and spent the last hour of purgatory,
as he thought of it, in the upper level looking at the impressionists, the
frescos, and the landscapes. He felt
more at home here, further away from the memories of the past, and more
importantly at least a floor removed from Mrs. Frances Mettier. As he wandered around looking at the
paintings, many by noted masters, he saw Marina standing in an alcove,
alone. Moving in her direction, he
noticed her shake her head and disappear through an open doorway. Before he had a chance to pursue her, a
trickle of art enthusiasts began leaving the building, making it impossible to
cross the buildings expanse unnoticed.
When the lingerers became the minority, he felt Frances’s
hand once again reach up and cup his face.
“I’m ready to leave, lover” she said.
“Now!” she added much more forcefully as he drug his eyes away from an
unknown Rembrandt.
“Of course,” Joey responded, hooking his hand under her
elbow and pretending to guide her to his waiting Cobra.
The ride home was rapid and filed with anticipation on both
sides. Frances was excited at the
prospect of getting Joseph alone, and he was more than ready to pull the
blackmail scheme. The paperwork was
safely tucked in his cars glove compartment and he wasn’t even going to give
this woman a second to touch him before he sprang it on her.
Pulling to a smooth stop outside her home, Joey came around
to her side of the car, and opened the door.
After helping her from the Cobra, he reached behind her, opened the
glove compartment and extracted the incriminating computer readouts.
“What are those papers?” Frances questioned.
“Just something to show you once we are inside,” he replied,
walking beside her to the door.
“I do think the evening went well,” she explained, “not that
you would begin to understand just how much I made tonight, but I can promise
you a healthy bonus, if I’m pleased, of course,” she finished.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get that bonus.”
“That sure of yourself?” she replied, as she once again turned
around to look him over.
“Yes, I am that sure of receiving the bonus,” he replied
conspiratorially.
Unlocking the door and ushering him inside, she said, “Why
don’t you start earning your bonus right now,” and was shocked when instead of
kissing her, he handed her the papers he was carrying and said, “Take a look at
these.”
Watching her face harden as she absorbed the magnitude of
the information he had on her illegal doings, gave Joey a perverse sense of
satisfaction as he realized that she was caught.
“What do you want?”
“Twenty percent of the take tonight should cover it for
starters. We can discuss future
arrangements as another time,” he added, knowing that this would probably
frighten her into paying him immediately.
“I’ll need to open the safe,” Frances said through gritted
teeth.
“Take your time.
I’ll come with you, just to make sure you’re doing as you say, and don’t
make any calls, or push those little electronic buttons. I figure you have about twenty minutes,”
Joey smirked. He would be out of this
horrible situation and on his way to Sheila’s, by the rendevous time of two
a.m. easily. Soon, perhaps even
tonight, he could case her house and the case could be closed. It couldn’t happen soon enough for him.
It only took Frances seven minutes to fill a suitcase with
the money from her safe. All totaled,
Joey was walking away with over $60,000.
Not bad, but he needed to let Lieutenant Beaumont know that he had the
money. It would be the departments job
to trace it to use for evidence, both on Frances Mettier, and on Sheila
Lamont.
“Thank you, it has been a pleasure, Mrs. Mettier. I’ll keep in touch,” he said as he walked
right by her and to the door.
“Oh, Joseph?” she called, “Just one more thing.”
“Yes,” he said, turning, only to find himself staring down
the barrel of a revolver, “What else can I help you with?”
“You can drop the suitcase and move away slowly,” Frances
said, as she waved the revolver around to indicate where she wanted him to move.
As soon as she pointed the revolver away from him and toward
the living room, Joey’s cop instincts kicked in and he seized the opportunity.
He sprang, and in seconds had easily overpowered her and
wrestled the gun from her grip. “Tsk,
tsk, Frances, I thought you knew better than that,” he said, shaking his
head. “I think that will cost you
another grand. I hate having my life
threatened.”
“You are despicable,” she spat. “I don’t have any more readily available cash.”
“No problem. I’ll
just take this vase then,” he replied, as he picked up a priceless ming dynasty
vase and carelessly held it in one hand and left through the front door,
whistling as he made his way to the Cobra.
“I’ll get you for this,” Frances screamed, as he pulled the
door closed behind him, smiled and waved to Frances’s fuming expression, while
pulling away from her curb. Driving
steadily, he made his way sixteen miles to a pay phone and immediately called
the precinct. The best he could do was
leave a message. He didn’t want to
disturb Lt. Beaumont’s sleep, and there was nothing that they could do until
the morning anyway. After explaining
his current status to her voice recorder he deposited another quarter and
quickly dialed Levon’s number from memory.
“Come on, Pick up.” he called impatiently into the still
ringing receiver.
When he got no answer, he hung up and wondered how Levon’s
date had gone. Perhaps he was still
with her, but knowing how much Levon hated Miss Lamont. Joey doubted it. More than likely he was out feeding the
horse, or better yet, seeing Candace.
He would catch up with him tomorrow.
He didn’t want to leave a message in case Levon’s machine was not clean
right now. Levon knew where he was
going and what time he was expected, so there was very little more to tell him
anyway. Somehow it just felt good
knowing that his partner knew what was going on. Comforting, like hot chocolate in the winter. Hot chocolate in Chicago’s winter, he
amended smiling. No one needed hot
chocolate in Texas.
Perhaps he would grab a quick bite and then head to Miss
Lamont’s home. He still had an hour
before he was expected and she only lived twenty minutes outside of town. Yes a quick bite at.....um.......well, not
much was open this late but Chicken’s would be. Wouldn’t Lundy love that, him headed to Chickens for ribs. Okay this was another secret to add to his
cache, for he sure wasn’t going to tell.
It took no time to reach Chicken’s and although it was
really time to close, Chicken kept it open a little longer and provided a
generous portion of ribs to the hungry cop, while asking how things were going.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you missed your partner,”
he quipped.
“Miss Lundy? Never!” Joey shot back, a huge grin on his
face. “I bet he’s having a great time right now with some
woman somewhere, while I do all the dirty work.”
“Might be right. I
hear tell you are getting to attend all the fancy parties these days,” Chicken
began, and saw Joey’s eyes shutter at his playful words. Even his ending of, “while that lucky
partner of yours has to meet with the woman that almost ruined a perfect
match.”
“Uh huh.” came LaFiamma’s closed mouthed reply.
“Something eating ya boy?”
Shaking his head slightly as a few more memories were pushed
into the background, Joey said, “No, nothing.
Just thinking of Levon. This
must he rough on him, having to pretend to enjoy her company. I really haven’t paid much attention to his
feelings.”
“No reason to be hard on yourself LaFiamma. Sometimes you need to think of yourself as
well.”
Damn Chicken, Joey thought.
He was correct and way to close for comfort. Tonight wasn’t the time to dwell on Chicken’s words or face his
own haunting fears. Maybe thinking of
Levon would get him through this. He
could not take another night like this one had been.
Chicken watched the flicker of emotions run through Joey’s
eyes, and knew there was trouble.
Although he wasn’t sure why, he
hoped they would be able to help each other.
Lord knew they would both need it.
Each unconsciously had made Chicken aware of this need, although he
couldn’t pinpoint how. He just knew
that before this case was finished they would both need help.
“Put the ribs on my tab, Chicken,” Joey said suddenly,
wiping his mouth and getting ready to leave.
Conversation was over.
“Good enough. You
gonna pay one of these days?” he shot back, good-naturedly.
“Soon, Chicken, soon,” LaFiamma called, then was gone in a
flash of midnight blue and chrome.
In twenty minutes he would be in the woman’s home and needed
to be focused and ready for anything.
The drive seemed to pass in a blur as he focused on Levon’s dislike of
Sheila. Knowing how perceptive his partner was, he knew that she must truly be
an evil woman who thought only of herself.
He would readily concur after his two encounters with her. He had to admit that he felt lucky that she
seemed to have no interest in him at all, except as a way of making extra
money. He was just a useful body to
her, as to so many others, while Levon was more. Much more. Levon was
unrequited love. Hoping his partner was
home with Candace, Joey put the car into park and got out.
As he took the suitcase out of the trunk he took a moment to
actually view her residence. It was
immense, and while it was attractive, it looked out of place in Houston. It was mostly brick and seemed to be built
to mimic an English castle of the 17th century. At least she didn’t have a moat complete
with alligators. If she did there would
be no way they would have ever found a body.
Alligators were voracious and could consume a man, when hungry, in mere
minutes. Biology taught him that. Best get this over with, he thought, as he
headed up the stairs to the front entrance.
It was to grand to be called a door.
Noting no doorbell, but finding a knocker, also reminiscent of a castle,
he took hold and taking a deep breath, rapt on the door.
It didn’t take long for it to be opened, and he was
surprised to see Barbara standing there.
“Come in,” she said, invitingly.
Must I, was the first thought he had, but before the words
passed his lips, he said, “I’d love to,” and entered, closing the door behind
him.
“Don’t you look handsome?” Barbara cooed, “and you’re
carrying a big heavy suitcase as well.
Moving in for the night?”
“Not exactly,” he hedged, unsure of her knowledge about
Sheila’s sideline. “Could I see
Sheila? I have an appointment.”
“Sure can. I’ll get
her right now,” Barbara answered.
As she walked away, Joey wondered at the sightly strange
smile that was on her lips, then decided that maybe she was doing a few
uppers. They often gave people
expressions that were a little off. He
would’ve put it down to drinking, but she didn’t smell of alcohol.
Moving into the main room, Joey let his eyes wander as far
as he could, before taking a seat on the couch. He would have to get her to give him a tour if he was going to
find a likely place for files or incriminating papers to be stored.
As his mind wandered to the easiest method of getting the
information he wanted, in the quickest possible fashion, he never heard her
enter. Her breath on his neck was the
first sign that she was in the room.
Focusing his attention back on her, he replied, “I’d love a drink,” then
hoped that was what she asked.
“Good. I hate to do
business without wine,” she replied.
He quickly gave thanks that his answer had been correct, as
he watched her pour them both a glass.
Taking it from her hand, he took a sip as she said, “Did everything go
as planned?”
“No problem at all.
I think I have everything we discussed in the suitcase. You sure have a lovely home.”
“I’m so glad you like it, perhaps you’d like to tour a few
rooms later? Now lets handle the
transaction.”
“The tour sounds wonderful,” Joey replied, as he reached for
the suitcase. Slowly unzipping it, he
threw back the lid and grinned. “What
do you think of this. Sixty thousand
dollars, oh and a ming vase in my car.
It was extra for almost getting shot.”
“Oh dear,” Barbara said from behind him. “That would never
do. We can’t have you getting shot by a
bullet can we? You would be useless
tonight if you were shot.”
Wrinkling his forehead in bafflement at her baby like tone,
and her choice of words, he turned and looked confusedly at Sheila, as if to
ask, “Is she okay?”
“Barbara, we’re fine here.
Why don’t you go grab a bite to eat in the kitchen,” Sheila said,
winking quickly at her partner.
“I’ll do that,” Barbara said. “While I’m at it I’ll make you both a sandwich.”
“Sounds great. I’m hungry,
how about you, Joseph?”
“I guess I could eat a bite or two.” he replied. “I’m not
really hungry.”
“Then let me pour you another glass of wine before I go
then,” Barbara said.
“Wonderful,” Sheila said, taking Joey’s from him and handing
both glasses to Barbara for a refill.
We’ll finish up business then take that tour.”
“Here you are,” Barbara said, handing the two glasses back
to Sheila, and watching as she passed one to Joey. As he took a sip, she smiled that peculiar smile again, and left
to make a sandwich, saying, “I’ll be back in about twenty minutes to see to
you, Joseph.”
Watching her walk from the room, he asked, “Is she feeling
well?”
“I think she’s doing fine, and will feel better as the night
progresses. Why do you ask?”
“No reason. She just
seems different from the other day at your office.”
“Then lets finish this business and I’ll give you the grand
tour. Your cut is ten thousand dollars,
as we agreed.”
“I think you made a mistake,” Joey said, “I am taking
eighteen thousand. I watched her
closely tonight and she made much more than you estimated. The suitcase contains sixty thousand. My thirty percent is eighteen thousand
dollars. I assume that the change in
plans is not a problem?”
“That was the deal, however I do not want you defying me,
but we will take care of that later.
Right now I’m thrilled at your coup.
Sixty thousand, lets have another drink to celebrate,” Sheila finished.
Knowing that he needed to be perceived as a blackmailer who
should be celebrating, Joey agreed, saying, “Sounds nice. Shall I pour?”
“No, Barbara can get it.
I know she’ll be happy to do this for us. Won’t you Barbara?” Sheila added, grinning as she watched Barbara
re-enter the room.
“I would be so pleased to get you both another drink. Sounds like there will be lots to celebrate
tonight. May I join you?”
“Certainly,” Sheila called back. “We’d enjoy your company now that the business transaction is
done. Oh and here’s your share, Joseph.
Eighteen thousand dollars, as close as your nearest bank.”
“I expect cash.” Joey replied forcefully, then added, “do
you have any aspirin?”
“No problem, Joseph.
I’ll count out the cash in a bit,” Sheila said, her smile growing larger
as she watched him begin to slump.
“How’re ya feeling?”
Taking a deep breath, Joey tried to reply, and managed to
say, “Not that great right now. Maybe
it was to much wine,” he added trying to pull himself together.
“It sure was the wine, sweetie,” Barbara said,
laughing. “Lets get you up and to the
bedroom. Sound like a plan to you?”
The two ladies laughed as they watched his face registered horror at hearing
himself say, “Sounds like a good idea to me.” They were aware that he would rather be saying, I’m out of
here, but the drug was forcing him to obey.
“Now, now, Joseph,” Barbara chattered, “I’ll help you to a
room, then help myself to you. Let’s
go,” she continued to mumble as she led his unwilling body easily from the room
and down a dark hallway to an already prepared bedroom. “Just sit on the side of the bed here,
Joseph, and hold out your right arm.
Yes that’s a good boy,” she mumbled as she handcuffed his wrist to the
bed, “Now the other arm. Yes that’s it. Now just lay down and I’ll explain
everything to you.”
She was raping him.
That was what she was doing. No
matter that his body was complying, his mind was screaming no.
What’s happening? I don’t want to be here. Why can’t I resist? Per la Madonna! Not my pants. Noooooo. This can’t be happening. I refuse to allow this. I will not respond. Lord this feels nice. Mio Dio. No! Anything but this. Not again. I can’t. Why me? Why always me? Not these too. I can’t handle memories on top of this. Nooooooooooo! Madonna, No!
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