Bodywoman

Chapter 1

Sarah hits the brakes - hard. Only inches separate the nose of the Corvette from the massive black gates. Damn. She reverses and presses the button on the intercom. A brick wall surrounds the property and security cameras discreetly monitor the perimeter. State of the art electric fencing discourages any uninvited guests. Out of habit, she checks the wall for accessible wiring. Someone did a good job in installing the security system.

While she waits for someone to answer her call, her eyes drift through the impressive gates. Rows of Oak Trees border the brown paved driveway. A narrow strip of pink and white Impatiens, form a colorful contrast to the stark lines of the driveway. At the top of the driveway, the road curves to the right cleverly concealing the house and grounds.

Her eyes scan the driveway for additional security measures, but they are cleverly hidden. She knows they are there. The electrical buzz in her veins gives them away. If she has to venture a guess, there must be at least five infrared beams along the driveway.

Sarah starts as a voice demands her identity. She confidently states her business to the formal voice on the other end. Immediately the gates start to swing open. The Corvette's 6.2 litre V8 engine purrs to life and she makes her way up the long driveway. Here and there she can see that other flowers besides the Impatience also provide the colour along the way. She finds all five infrared beams as she progresses up the driveway and smiles to herself. The buzz has still to fail her.

At the top of the driveway the road swings to the right. She catches a glimpse of a modern double storey building. The window panes forms a stark contrast to the light brown walls. The windows are tinted or one way glass as not even the drapes are visible. Not a sign of normal wear and tear which you would expect from a house this size is visible. A tiled staircase leads up to the elaborately carved front door. White concrete pillars line the stairs and their decoration are simple but elegant.

Just then the corner of her eye catches something in front of the car. Sarah steps on the brakes. Hard. The car stops mere inches away from a concrete fountain with a dolphin in the centre. Beyond the fountain the green lawns are immaculate and she gets a glimpse of a rose covered arch further on in the garden. She presses the button to turn the ignition of the Corvette off and a peaceful silence engulfs her.

Better not let the client wait.. She takes her briefcase from the leather covered passenger seat and shuffles out of the low car. Her high heels click on the paving as she makes her way to the front door. Her finger hovers over the bell while tugging on the mini skirt with her other hand when the door opens.

A distinguished, grey haired gentleman appears in the door. From his attire Sarah assumes he must be the butler. His eyes travel down her body taking in her short black mini skirt and white blouse. The disapproval is evident on his face. Sarah blocks the thoughts that threaten to surface. Better not know what he thinks. Besides, she is not here for his approval.

"Morning, Miss Fisher. Please come in."

"Good Morning." She tries to keep her voice as haughty as possible.

"Mister Gray is expecting you. Please follow me." With that the man turns around and Sarah follows him deeper into the house.

The furniture is expensive and well chosen. If she is not mistaken it must have cost the owner a package in interior decorators, because only they can make a place seem so impersonal though perfect. The uniformed man opens a wooden screen that leads to a formal lounge.

"Please take a seat. Mister Gray will be with you shortly. Would you like some refreshment while you wait?"

Sarah eyes the plush chairs. If she sits down there, she doubts if she will in any way be able to preserve her modesty. She flicks her long brown hair back over her shoulder and puts the briefcase down on the wooden floor. A dark presence assaults her senses. Startled she scans the room. A grey shadow pushes the dark force back forcibly. A shiver runs down her spine. She has never before sensed such dark, cold evil and its presence is unsettling. The butler politely clears his throat.

"A cup of coffee would be nice, thank you." The butler nods and leaves the room.

Sarah takes the time alone to inspect the room trying to ignore the forces she feels battling against each other. The paintings against the walls are undoubtedly originals and with her limited knowledge of art, she cannot even venture a guess at their value. The buzz in her veins makes her take a closer look at the ceiling and walls. She counts two passive infrared eyes and three contacts on the windows and door. They obviously did not spare any expense in securing the property.

An upright Victorian chair against the wall draws her attention. Yes! She hurries to the chair and sits down. At least now she will be able to preserve a resemblance of decency. Not for the first time today, she curses her impulse to dress so provocatively.

She is still shifting around in the chair when the sliding doors open and a grey haired gentleman enters.