Enhanced Life 8

Chapter 15

Marlene was sitting on a soft, comfortable white leather armchair, listening intently to Beethoven's 'Appassionato' sonata, played by Arthur Rubenstein, who she considered the greatest pianist of the 20th Century. The musical quality was remarkably clear on the re-engineered DVD. A glass of tomato juice on the end table had been completely forgotten in her rapt attention to the music. The intercom buzzed insistently and she reluctantly got up and answered it.

"What is it, George? Thank you. Send Mr. Delaney up." She changed the DVD and put on sensual, slow dancing music. When her doorbell rang, she called: "It's open. Come in."

Jim walked in hesitantly, and looked around at the obviously very expensive furnishings of black and white leather, and thick white carpeting. He stopped and stared at Marlene, who was wearing a form-fitting luxurious red gown that left her arms and shoulders bare. He caught himself gaping, recovered, then said nonchalantly:

"Quite a place."

"Do you like it?"

"What's not to like?"

"Some people think it's a bit overstated."

"Not for you. This place sets you off like a jewel. A ruby."

"What a flattering thing to say ... But we're supposed to be talking about business."

"Sorry. I hope I'm not out of line."

"Well, I won't complain to your boss ..." She smiled at him and before he could reply, said, "I have good news about the Righteous Avengers."

"What?"

"We identified a member of their organization and after some persuasion, he agreed to sponsor you as a member. He doesn't know where their headquarters is, but he knows where the meeting is tomorrow evening, and he'll take you there."

"What kind of persuasion?"

"I don't think you want to know."

"Can he be relied on?"

"Absolutely. He's far more scared of us than he is of them."

"I'm not sure what I'm getting into," he said slowly.

"Do you want to change your mind? We can find someone else to do it." He shook his head no. "Good. You'll meet him on the lower west side. Here's the address." She handed him a piece of paper and he looked at it and nodded. "All you have to do is go with him to the meeting place. You'll let me know where it is tomorrow night and our people will take care of everything."

"What do you mean?"

"They'll eliminate everyone."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"Yes. Does that disturb you?"

"Why not turn them over to the police?"

"They'd either be released to continue their dirty work, or put on trial so they could spew out filth that would provoke other hate groups. Better to destroy them."

"You certainly are bloodthirsty."

"Does that turn you off?" she whispered suggestively.

"No." He stared at her and felt himself sinking into the deep pools of her eyes.

"Do you like to dance?" She asked, changing the subject.

He hadn't really noticed the music, more focused on her, but now it moved through him with a pulsing rhythm and he said, "Yes." She held out her arms and they began to dance, slowly and sensually. The hot flash from her body drew him closer and closer. "You're an exciting woman," he managed to utter.

"You shouldn't say that."

"Why not?"

"Isn't it some kind of perversion?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Aren't you betraying the Gay Alliance," she teased.

"Don't worry. It's after working hours."

"It's also getting late," she said abruptly. "You have a big day tomorrow."

He was obviously disappointed by the sudden dismissal and asked eagerly, "Will you have lunch with me in the afternoon, before I go there?"

"I can't. I have obligations at the Foundation. But I'll see you here tomorrow night, after the meeting."

"You're not much of a day person, are you?"

"Not really. Now it's time for you to go."

"Will you kiss me goodnight? For luck?"

"I thought you were gay?"

"I never said that I was gay," he protested.

"But you work for the Gay Alliance."

"They're an equal opportunity employer. No one ever asked me about it and I never expressed a preference."

"You are a deceptive one."

"You'll keep my secret?"

"I'm used to keeping secrets." She reached out, drew him close and bit his neck, which sent a thrill racing through him.

"I almost came in my drawers," he confessed.

She smiled enigmatically. "I?ll get you rubber panties. Goodnight."

She led him to the door and guided him out, watching him until he got on the elevator, then closed her door. She leaned against the door and sighed. She sensuously ran her tongue over her lips until she tasted a drop of Jim's blood. Then she shivered with pleasure. After a minute, she put on the Beethoven DVD again, turned up the volume and went into the bedroom. She lay down on the bed that was completely enclosed with a black velvet canopy, and hummed along with the music, thinking about the sweet taste of Jim.

Chapter 16

Kenneth had let Ribowski and Williams into the apartment with much less fuss than on their first visit. After they were seated and he served them coffee, Kenneth listened with growing astonishment to their proposal to use the two roommates as bait to attract the 'Righteous Avengers' so they could arrest them

"You want us to be bait for your trap?" Kenneth asked, horrified.

"That's right," Ribowski confirmed.

"I knew you were peculiar, but I didn't know you were crazy," Kenneth sneered.

"Why?" Ribowski asked blandly.

"Your idea is as ridiculous as your fright wig."

Ribowski got angry and started towards Kenneth, but Williams held him back.

"What are your objections?" Williams asked soothingly.

"I'm not risking my sweet buns for some loony killers."

"We'll have men posted all around you," Williams explained. "On the roof, in the basement, on the street, on the stairwell. We'll even have two men in here, if you like."

"As long as it's not him," and he pointed at Ribowski.

"Don't say him, I told you I'm a woman," Ribowski growled.

"Well you better develop some taste."

"That's enough, Kenneth," Bruce ordered. "These officers are just doing their job." He turned to Ribowski. "How long will this operation take?"

"Only two or three days," Williams replied.

Kenneth said sulkily, "We'll have two brutes cluttering the place for days ..."

"Will you be quiet!" Bruce snapped, then asked Williams, "How will it work?"

"We'll release your names to the media this afternoon. They'll be on the 6:00 news and the late edition papers. Tomorrow we can tell the media that we're close to an arrest. That should get a response."

"We'll do it," Bruce declared.

"What do you mean we?" Kenneth moaned.

"You can stay, or go home to your mother."

"I'll stay, but I won't like it."

"Just don't let me hear you bitching all the time," Bruce declared, then asked Williams, "When do we start?"

"We'll set up a preliminary team this afternoon and have everyone in place by late tonight."

"Is there an empty apartment in the building?" Ribowski asked.

"Yes. On the third floor. Why?"

"We can set up communications and coordinate from there, and monitor a tap on your phone."

"I don't want the police listening to my private conversations," Kenneth whined.

"Then be discreet for a few days," Bruce said. "Why don't you go out and get some food and drinks for our guests."

"I'm not paying for them," Kenneth mumbled resentfully.

"I'll pay," Bruce said. He took out some money and gave it to Kenneth. "Get going." Kenneth grumbled resentfully but put the money in his pocket, grabbed his jacket and stalked out. Bruce shrugged and said with a smile, "He loves shopping."

"Keep the receipts and the department will reimburse you," Williams suggested, then asked, "Is he always that difficult?"

Bruce laughed. "Generally worse."

"I have to make a call," Ribowski announced, taking out his cell phone and dialing. "Ribowski, Inspector. The witnesses agreed to help us ... No problem, sir." He rolled his eyes at Bruce. "They were very cooperative."