Chapter 22,
Hey guys, here's a new chapter for you. I hope you enjoy it. As always, thanks for the support, really appreciate it.
After a lingering lunch full of conversation and shared laughter, Steve gathered up the trash and packed
it in the take out bag. He turned to Lynn with a playful smile and held out quarters. "We had our lunch;
it's only fair we feed our friends."
Lynn smiled and nodded. She took the quarters from Steve's open hand and brought the fish food from
the dispenser. She gave half to him. "Koi are smart, they saw my shadow and rushed over."
They stood, side by side, feeding the hungry, happy fish. After Lynn ran out of fish food, she hooked her
arm around Steve's arm and caressed his upper arm and tattoos. He offered his handful of fish food
which she took some and returned to feeding the fish. "How many tattoos DO you have?"
Steve chuckled. "I don't know, a lot."
"I'd love to count them." She kissed his shoulder.
Steve caught himself leaning into her kiss. He chided himself silently as he tossed the last of the fish
food. "I'd really like see the rest of your creation."
Lynn flashed him a bright smile. She hooked his arm again. "I hope you like flowers."
Eric was on his afternoon break. He decided he wanted a slider from the lounge. "I'm going to the
lounge for a Coke, you want one?"
"The lounge? Are you nuts?! If Ms. Downey catches you..." Abby Dunn, the night desk clerk said as
she came on duty.
"She won't." Eric grinned. "She's out back with her sailor boyfriend. She's so taken with him that she
signed herself out for the rest of the day."
"OK then. Can you bring me back a slider and a Coke? I was so busy this morning that I didn't have
lunch."
"I'll grab you two." He grinned and left the front desk.
As he walked to the lounge, he kept an eye out for the lady manager. He doubted she'd be back so soon
since she was hanging around the lobby almost an hour before his arrival. She had been all too happy
to share why she was hanging when he asked. She seemed so happy, happier than he'd have ever seen
her.
He entered the lounge and took a moment to imagine his dream before approaching the bar.
"What's going on?" Jennifer sked
"The cat's away so this 'mice' is playing. Four sliders and two Cokes please." Eric aid, acting like a brave
'mice.'
Jennifer took a to-go box from under the counter. She definitely wanted to play 'bad mice' too. "I just
put out fresh skins. Want a few?"
"Absolutely, if you're offering."
"I am. Tell me why we're being brave."
"Then yes, please. Sure, let me give you the lowdown." Eric told Jennifer all about Lynn and her sailor.
Eric took his container of sliders and skins in a plastic bag and a Coke in each hand and returned to the
front desk.
"Wasn't that Eric?" George asked as he came in from the walk-in freezer with a tall bucket of crushed
ice. He poured into the ice hopper under the bar. "Why the humming?"
Jennifer was filing the peanut snack bowls, prepping for the evening patrons. "Yeah, Eric ran over for a
couple of sliders." She resumed her quiet humming.
"Has he lost his mind? Isn't he concerned Ms. Downey will catch him?"
"Not right now."
"Why not?" George snapped.
"Lynn's on a date. So while the cats away, the mice will play." Jennifer said with a sly smile. She looked
at the big bartender.
George looked bewildered.
"When the boss is busy, the workers will play, just a little bit." Jennifer explained.
"Got it." George nodded. "Tell me, Lynn, I mean Ms. Downing is on a date? Who with? " He asked,
hoping he sounded casual.
"That Naval Officer she was having a drink with the other night." Jen sat down at a table and rubbed at
her sore ankles.
"Can I make you a small margarita, we are dead in here." George offered.
"Will you join me?"
"What kind of mice would I be if I didn't play too?" He laughed. "Regular, strawberry, peach, what's
your pleasure?"
"Anything? Actually, I'd love a tequila sunrise."
"I'll join you." He smiled and set about making the drinks and formulating questions regarding Lynn's
date.
Lynn was having a grand time as she walked arm in arm with Steve through the roses. She pointed out
all the varieties. "This pink marvel is a 'Fragrant Cloud', a hybrid tea rose. This bi-colored beauty is
called 'Italian Ice', specifically 'Rose Osa Easy'. And this one is my personal favorite." She stopped and
scooped a bloom in her free hand. "I am pleased to present, the 'Rosa, the Ancient Mariner'. Which do
you like the best?
Steve smiled. He enjoyed flowers, just not this intensely. Glancing around, he eye was caught by royal
purple bloom. "I like this one. It's so perfect, it looks like it's made out of velvet."
"Good eye, Steve. The 'Ebb Tide'. Very regal, delicately scented."
Steve was sick to death of flower and roses. "Lynn, this is truly remarkable…" He never finished his
thought. Lynn wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, deeply, passionately. After a second,
Steve wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.
Lynn was thrilled and gave herself completely to their kiss and melted into Steve's arms. So this was
mutually respectful romance. She was so use to George satisfying his needs in the most sadistic manner
possible. This was more than exciting, it was intoxicating.
Steve closed his eyes and made peace with what he was doing. Make out session, for trust building
purposes and maintaining his deception only. Yet, he felt his body respond to Lynn's warm body and
willing mouth.
Lynn felt Steve's response and it further excited her. She let her hand stroke his hair and gently tugged.
Her action generated a deep throat moan from her partner.
Not breaking the kiss, he looked around for a sitting bench. Locating it at his two o'clock, he started
maneuvering toward it. Grateful she followed his lead; he backed up until he felt his calf brush up
against the bench. Now all he had to sit down slowly and guide her body down next to him.
But Lynn had other ideas. As soon as his bottom hit the bench, she managed herself to straddle him.
Her leggings made the movement easy so she was happily seated in his lap, kissing his neck.
Steve, despite a valiant effort, was reacting. He grabbed Lynn closer and started nipping at her ear,
kissing her neck. After a bit, she started undoing his belt. Alarmed that he was losing control of both
his physical reaction and the situation, he broke the kiss and held her at arm's length. "Whoa Lynn, look
I like your, uh, enthusiasm but not here. We're kind of exposed here, we could get caught."
"So? I own the place, remember. I rescheduled all tours for today AND I have all the keys. No one is
going to surprise us." She resumed passionately kissing him.
George was starting to panic. He knew the navy man was a dangerous influence on Lynn. She might tell
him of their 'arrangement.' If he knew her bank codes, he could do away with the middleman. He had
already searched her office many times and came up empty handed. Damn Adam! He picked a fine
time to go sightseeing. Like a rat abandoning a sinking ship.
He thought of his options. One navy man dying brought nothing he couldn't handle so what if the naval
officer turned up dead? Yes, he'd throw him of the building if he had to. No, the police wouldn't believe
he'd suicide here. Kill him and bury him in Lynn's precious garden. OK. That's settled.
Now, her bank codes; the little bitch had to write them down somewhere! Her penthouse! With her
picnicking with the naval officer and along as she was outside flirting with Sammy Sailor, her place was
empty. Free to search. All he'd have to deal with is that stupid cat of hers.
"Hey Jen. It's dead around here. I got things to move to our storeroom here. Hit my phone if you need
me." George called out as he left the lounge.
Jennifer continued prepping for the day's patrons. "You got it, boss." She didn't even look up.
Satisfied, George crossed the lobby, formulating his con. He went to the front desk. "Hey Erik."
"Hello George. What can l do you for?" Erik asked good naturedly.
"Where's Ms. Downing?"
"In the gardens with Commander McGarrett."
George held out his hand.
Erik swallowed. "No can do."
"Why not?" George snapped.
"She left word not to disturb her unless the hotel was on fire. She took the garden door keys." Erik
shrugged. "She said she's 'off' for the day. I am not crossing her. No sir." Erik shook his head.
George smiled. "I understand that. Well I'll do something else then. Thanks Erik." He turned and
headed towards the elevators.
Erik looked stunned as Abby came back from the switchboard. "What?" She asked.
"George."
"Why? What did the ugly Russian Bear do now?"
"He was polite to me."
Abby looked doubtful. "Maybe he slept well. Or he got laid."
Erik cracked up. "Yeah, right." He left the conversation to help a visitor check in.
Everything was telling him the time was right for executing his plan. He headed to the in residence floor.
While riding the elevator, he took out the key he made of Lynn's penthouse. With Adam gone, there
was no one else on the entire floor.
He exited the elevator and went to Lynn's door and used his key. He entered quietly in case she was
there.
Seeing him enter, Kimba jumped off her window perch, hissed at the man and runaway to hide.
George laughed, he hated Lynn's cat. Let it hide, saves him the trouble of kicking it. Now, where to start
searching; he headed to her desk across the living room and starting searching.
Lynn started to unbutton Steve's shirt. He took her hand and tried to interlock her fingers with his but
she was deft at avoiding him. Before he knew it, his shirt was open and Lynn was fingertip caressing his
chest, his tattoos. In spite of himself, he found her touch pleasurable and let his head fall back.
Lynn took that as a definite invitation. She started kissing his neck and throat, his Adam's apple. Feeling
Steve's acceptance of her affections, she grew bolder. She started fondling him through his blue jeans.
That action, though pleasing, brought Steve to the here and now. He grabbed Lynn's wrist. "Not here.
Someone…"
"I have all the keys, remember? Nobody will surprise us." She pushed his hand away and resumed
fondling him and kissing his neck.
"Yeah, well, l never really cared for sex al dente. It's not very comfortable." Steve protested and to
prove his point, he knocked on the wooden bench.
Lynn sat back in his lap and looked at him, searched his eyes for sincerity. "Tell me, Steve, are you a dog
or cat person?"
Steve was baffled by the sudden change of conversion topic. "I like both, l probably lean towards cats.
They are independent and love who they love. They can't be bought like dogs. They take and give as
they please."
"I have a white Persian kitty. Her name is Kimba. Would you like to meet her?" She stood up and
adjusted her clothing.
"I would love to me her." He stood up and his jeans fell to his ankles. "Damn girl! When did you do
that?" He quickly, but still dignifiedly, pulled his pants up and secured them. He started buttoning his
shirt. "Geez girl, you are something."
Lynn looked at him through her lashes. "I AM something." She took his hand and together headed back
to the hotel.
George was having no luck. He stood in the kitchen and looked around. Nothing stood out to him. Just
a regular kitchen stuff. He heard a key in the lock and voices. Dammit! Lynn was back and it sounded
like she brought her navy boyfriend. He looked for a place to hide. Not in here. He quickly went
through the front room and went into the bedroom. Seeing her solid crystal ashtray, he picked it up. It
was a good weight. Coffee table size, enough heft to it to use as a weapon. He hid in the shadows,
waiting for a chance to escape.
Lynn unlocked the door into the lobby. "You don't mind if l put the keys back, do you?" She smiled
seductively and turned toward the front desk.
"Not at all." Steve sat down outside the coffee shop. He was grateful for the pause to regroup. He
called the Jersey detective.
"Williams."
"SAVE ME!" Steve whispered.
"Where are you, buddy?"
"About to go into the lioness' den. I can't do this. I've had aggressive women before …"
"OK, OK. Keep your skivvies on, Popeye. Lou and I will head over now. Give me 15."
"Fifteen? Hit the afterburners." Steve hung up and assumed a casual façade as the hotel manager
approached him.
Lynn walked up. "Keys delivered. Shall we?"
Steve smiled, stood and offered his arm. Together, they walked to the elevator.
Once in the elevator, Lynn turned and wrapped her arms around Steve's neck. "I wish you knew how
much I have thought about this since we had that quiet drink." She licked his jaw line. When she
arrived at his chin, she nipped at the cleft in his chin. "I was so disappointed when YOU weren't my
birthday stripper."
The elevator doors opened. As she expected, the floor was deserted. She held his hand as they walked
to her penthouse. She let go of him only to unlock the door. "Be ready. Sometimes Kimba jumps in my
arms."
Steve laughed. "She must love you. A lot."
"She does." Lynn opened the door to a tastefully decorated penthouse awash in earth tones with a
superior view of the New Jersey skyline.
"Lynn, wow, what a view. Impressive." Steve walked to the window.
"Isn't grand? Once l saw it, l had to have this side of the building." She was pouring them both a drink.
"I'm sorry, l didn't even ask. Scotch, single malt?"
"Sounds good. May l use your restroom?'' Steve asked. "I'd like to wash my hands. The bench was
dusty."
"Though the bedroom."
Steve smiled his thanks and headed that way. He walked through the bedroom door towards her
bathroom. He turned on the light and rolled his eyes in spite of himself. Pink, varying shades of pink.
He suddenly had a vision of a pepto bottle. He washed his hands with her pink soap and dried his hands
on a lace fringed pink towel.
Exiting the bathroom, he looked at the bed. Thankfully, greens and yellows, he could stall until Danny
and Lou arrived. Hopefully, the scotch would be enough of a delay. He started back towards the front
room when the bedroom door suddenly slammed shut. The big Russian bartender was there looking
foreboding. Steve assumed a defensive stance.
"Steve, why did you slam the door?" Lynn called out.
McGarrett never broke eye contact with his opponent. "Lynn! Run! Call Detective Williams now!"
The big Russian threw a haymaker that Steve managed to duck in the tight quarters. The commando
double punched the bartender's flabby midsection. The big man fell against Lynn's vanity.
George quickly realized the navy man was more than he seemed. Regaining his balance, his hand found
the ashtray. He charged the younger man and threw a wild punch and as the sailor went to block, he
swung the crystal ashtray as hard as he could. It connected solidly with McGarrett's jaw with a sickening
sound.
In the tight quarters, the Russian blocked his view and Steve never saw it coming until the very last
nano-second. The crystal flashed a shining rainbow as Steve lost visual track of it. It slammed into his
jaw with such a force that he flew back uncontrolled into the dresser. He was aware of the pain in the
back of his head as he hit hard. He collapsed in a heap, unable to will himself up. His last coherent
thought was of Cat, in her wedding dress.
