Chapter 7

The sun streaming through the open window did what the alarm could not; it woke Beth with a smile. It was a warm, glorious L.A. morning, perfect morning-after weather when you could really savor the night before. It had never occurred to her to have a threesome; her few girlfriends who tried it with two men said the guys had been awkward, their main focus avoiding contact with each other. Well, her boys were apparently secure with whom they were, because that had not been a problem. Frankly, she had never thought of herself as 'that kind' of woman. Wrong, she thought, stretching and grinning like the Cheshire cat. She was exactly that kind of woman, and she was utterly determined that the three of them would enjoy that sort of experience again. And again.

"Good morning beautiful," Josef said, kicking open the door, and, amazingly, carrying a very large, very ornate silver tray laden with what looked like all the breakfast food in the city. "Breakfast is served." He sat on the bed, carefully balancing the tray as he moved gingerly beside her.

"You made me breakfast in bed!" she exclaimed, kissing him.

"Well… I delivered it. Chef made it; I would not chance your health on my culinary skills. Here, try the Canadian bacon."

Beth could not help giggling. "Pass me a biscuit and I'll show you delicious."

"I'm looking at delicious. Unfortunately I'm forced, against my will by the way, to eat food."

Beth assembled a ham biscuit with the ingredients at hand, and happily munched, smiling all the while.

"You're a happy girl this morning." Josef smiled knowingly at her.

She blushed. "I've never done anything like… last night before."

"Really? I'm shocked." Raised eyebrows and a pillow to his abdomen were her only response. He leaned to kiss her head. "I know that. And I wouldn't care if you had. I'd just eliminate them as future possibilities."

"Shit!" Beth put her biscuit aside and bolted from the bed as she caught a glance at the clock. "It's seven-fifteen! I have to meet Mick at seven-forty five. Damn it, why am I so easily distracted by you?"

"Because you love me," Josef beamed as he continued with his breakfast. He savored it as he did the sight of Beth rushing around the room, toweling off from her quick shower, yelling to borrow a tee shirt, imploring his help in expediting her out of his house. She was comfortable here now, he noticed, and he knew he'd have to ask again if she'd like to move in.

*****

Mick sat inside his car, motor running, as Beth parked in front of his building. "You're late."

She sat in the passenger seat, but before buckling in, leaned over to kiss his cheek. "You're not mad at me," she smiled.

He smiled back. "I'm trying to be. You're just lucky this guy lives nearby."

"Is there an 'or else' in there somewhere?"

"No. Here's the plan, if he really is going to a restaurant. You go in, wiggle your way into the closest table and point this-" He handed her what looked exactly like a cigarette lighter – "In their general direction. I'll take the pictures from the anonymity of the car."

"I was looking forward seeing your cute butt shimmying up a tree."

"Yea, well, maybe tomorrow."

"And Plan B?" she asked.

"We'll wing it." He parked at the edge of the cul-de-sac, adjusting the mirrors to afford a better look at the house where the subject lived. Minutes later, he said, "Here he comes. His wife is right, he is predictable."

They followed at a distance for what seemed forever, rush hour traffic being what it was. Beth couldn't take the silence a moment longer. "Mick, about last night…"

"We're on a job, Beth. If there's anything we need to discuss, we'll do it over lunch."

He said it with such finality that she quickly changed the subject. "Fred 62 is around here, isn't it?" Beth asked as they turned onto Vermont Ave.

"Just up the street. So either our guy suffers abundant coolness, or he's meeting a doll he wants to impress with his knowledge of cheap chic."

"Who are you, Marlon Brando? Guys and Dolls? And watch what you say about the place, I've been more than once."

"At three a.m., like everyone else."

She nodded. "So I didn't know they served breakfast. Not after the sun came up, anyway." What she didn't say was that she wasn't hungry, had already eaten, and oh, by the way, could the three of us have sex again? "Pull over, he's going in."

"Thanks, 'cause I didn't see that," Mick said as he positioned the vehicle for a perfect view through the diner's wide windows.

"What is this, national 'Direct Your Sarcasm at Beth Day'? First Josef, now you. I was trying to be helpful."

"And you were. The possibilities for your being helpful are endless. I know, why not head inside and start the surveillance? That would be helpful."

Slamming the door of his precious Mercedes as she exited, she strolled down the street then doubled back before entering the diner.

A seat at the counter just feet from where he sat afforded her no view, but she was sure it would be a perfect location for the microphone. She ordered coffee and cinnamon toast, and prepared to take the smallest possible bites until someone showed up and made the job worthwhile.

It didn't take long.

A young woman of perhaps twenty entered, and the target leaped to his feet to embrace her warmly. Dressed as if a Crayola box had exploded in her closet, Beth wondered what the obviously sophisticated older man saw in her. The young woman didn't resemble any sort of trophy she'd ever seen, and she wished she could turn right around and stare. However, it was a job and she would just have to eavesdrop without seeing their interaction. They were speaking quietly, and the clanking of dishes and delivery of orders was far noisier than she'd thought possible. She hoped Mick was getting something useful.

"Honey, I'm glad you're still here." Mick surprised Beth with his entrance, but she went with it.

"Oh, you are such a dear," she smiled and kissed his cheek, then swallowed the last of her coffee. "Done, let's go. Oh, wait a minute, the check." Mick threw a ten on the counter and led Beth outside. "What was that? I couldn't hear anything."

"I got her photo, got her name, did a search, got the answer," he said as they reached the car. "It's his daughter."

"I knew she wasn't a trophy. Not dressed like that."

"She set up a website, searching for her father. Looks like she found him."

"What are you going to tell the client?"

"That he's definitely not having an affair, and maybe she should ask her husband what she wants to know."

Beth sighed. "Oh, goodie, that means we get to start on the paperwork."

"It means you do. I have a client to reassure."

He dropped her at his office, anxious to see how much she'd get done, and calculating how long he could drag out the client meeting, so he wouldn't have to toil at the hated paperwork, too.

Four hours later, Beth finally looked up from her work and understood why her shoulders ached. She'd been going through the stacks of papers, arranging brokerage and bank statements by month, then year. It was obvious that something was not quite right, and now that she was organized, she'd bet it wouldn't take her very long to find out what and how. She order in some lunch and keep going. Fetching the Italian menu, she decided to find out if the legends about vampires and garlic were true.

Her cell rang, and an excited Josef was on the line. "Hey baby, how's work?"

"Not as much fun as yours, evidently."

"Fun? You think golfing with a bunch of drunken businessmen telling jokes in Mandarin that are by no means funny is my idea of a good time?"

"You sound pretty happy."

"I'm an hour from signing a very lucrative deal, we're waiting for the lawyers now. That's fun. And lunch was great. Guess what I had?"

"I have no idea." In addition, I really don't care, first Mick, now Josef, enough with the prolonged discussions of everything they put in their mouths. They sounded like a couple of starving women at a Weight Watchers meeting.

"A steak… with bacon wrapped around the outside. It was heaven."

Despite herself, she laughed. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Josef, really, but…"

"I miss you, and this is going to be a problem. You really will have to work for me. I need you here all the time."

"My current employer might take exception. You'll have to duke it out with him."

"I will double your salary."

"Impossible," she laughed. "I'm not sure I actually have a salary." Her voice dropped to a seductive whisper. "You might try offering me some extraordinary fringe benefits. It's possible that may sway me in your direction."

A moment passed before he answered. "Kama Sutra lunch breaks? I could have a memory-foam desktop installed."

"I need dental coverage."

"Mick's not offering dental?" Josef laughed.

"Not since last night."

That was exactly why he loved her. "If that's a deal breaker I will, unfortunately, have to temporarily rescind my offer of employment, as I cannot offer dental at this point in time. But I'll get right on top of it as soon as I'm capable."

"Your initial proposal was intriguing. I'd love to see a contract sink into a desk top."

"I'd prefer to see me sink into it, you climbing - hold on." His hand covered the receiver, but she heard whispers of what had to be Mandarin. "I've got to go, sweetheart. We'll discuss the fine points when I get home."

"I anticipate your input." She smiled, hearing his moan at her awful pun as she rang off.

"I hope that wasn't a personal call," Mick said as he opened the door. "It is your first full day, and your boss has exceptional hearing."

"So I've noticed. It was nothing. Just a job offer at double the salary," she said.

"Did we agree on a salary?" She shook her head. "Then I'm safe?" She nodded.

"For now. It isn't easy to say no to Josef."

Mick sighed. "Too true." A knock at the door interrupted the thoughts Beth's statement had unleashed.

"I'll get it, it's probably my lunch." Grabbing her purse, Beth opened the door to find Alicia at the threshold. "Oh," she said rather haughtily, "It appears to be your lunch."

Alicia looked startled. "I'm sorry, I know I should have called, I just thought maybe…" She took a long look at Beth. "Guess not."

"We're working, Alicia, it's not the best time…" Mick looked a little sad, Beth thought as she watched the tense little scene play out before her. Alicia? Interesting.

"Oh, it's lunchtime, Mick," Beth said. "Your delivery just beat mine. Please, feel free to start without me."

Mick heard the tension in Beth's voice. He hesitated, but understood this situation was hard for both of them. "Did you come for lunch, Alicia?" Mick asked. She nodded, but they all knew that there was something more to it. "Come in then, sit down."

Another voice at the still-open door announced that Beth's lunch had arrived. She took it and scurried back to Mick's office. She'd hoped to have a talk with Mick about last night, but it looked like she'd have to settle for fresh mozzarella and ripe tomatoes.

Hours later, Mick and Beth flopped on his couch, sharing satisfied smiles. It had taken more time than they expected, but they'd found the financial thread they'd been looking for, and Mick had but a few hours more work before he'd have a final presentation.

"How about a glass of wine? You did really good work today; let's celebrate a quick resolution to a dreary job."

Beth nodded, both the wine and his praise most welcome. It felt like they'd been working forever, and two jobs nearly completed in one day felt really good to her. She liked working for Mick, and hoped Josef wasn't serious about her working for him. It would be uncomfortable at best when she turned him down. "Here's to a great first day." She raised her glass to touch Mick's, nodding.

"Finally, a job I like. And it helps a lot that I love my boss." She relaxed back into the couch, and then shot a perfunctory glance at the clock. "Look at the time! I have to go. I told Josef I'd meet him at my place… over an hour ago. Damn it. I'd better call and let him know I'm on my way home." As she rose to leave, the front door flew open.

Josef was every bit as compelling in his fear and anger as a human. His stance was pure predator, relaxing only slightly when he saw them both intact, unharmed, and fully clothed. Too calmly, he said, "I see you're both well."

"Glass of wine, Josef?" Mick asked. "It might help your memory. I do have a doorbell."

"Su casa es mi casa. Yes, I would love a glass of wine. Or a heroin, if you have any."

"Fresh out," Mick answered as he offered the glass to Josef as he settled into Mick's favorite chair. "Make yourself comfortable Josef. What's the matter, did you blow your handicap today?" He shouldn't be poking at Josef. He'd be upset, too, if he hadn't heard from Josef or Beth for several hours, but damn it, he really needed to learn to knock.

"No, I shot par, ate filet mignon, and made a billion dollar deal, in Mandarin, which I haven't used since the late nineteenth century."

Beth was fuming. "Hello, Josef."

"Beth, how odd to find you here. Been having fun?"

"I was. Then some guy barged in and didn't say hello. Now I'm pissed."

"Aww, poor Beth. Clearly you were done with whatever you two have been at."

"Josef," Mick broke in, "Watch that. We have been working since early this morning. That's what we've been doing."

"You don't trust me with Mick? I really can't wait until you turn back. Fuck you. Mick, the wine was delicious. I'll see you both in the morning." She left, wanting very badly to slam the door behind her, but she wasn't angry with Mick's door.

"Good job, Josef. It takes a lot to make Beth angry. You managed in what, three minutes? If you were worried, or frightened, why did you turn it into an accusation? Unwarranted, by the way, although I was tempted."

Josef shook his head sadly. "And I actually wouldn't have cared if you had. I just hate this fear. I can't do this much longer. Unless humanity is wiped from the face of the earth, I swear on her life that I will never use this compound again. No amount of food and no amount of sun-warmed skin is worth this feeling of helplessness. I'm sorry Mick." He rose, draining his glass. "Thanks for the wine. I'd better go see Beth."

"See? You're learning. Another couple of months, and.."

Mick smiled as the door closed behind Josef.


Sorry this took so long, but more soon. Thanks for your patience, and your reviews are always appreciated.