Cat and Mouse
Chapter 2
Setting the Trap
…
Later that evening
Myra stretched. "Emma, why don't you go with Clara to the kitchen and pick out something for supper for the three of us?" She asked. "I'll get to know Shalimar a little better while you're gone."
"Okay!" Emma was reluctant to leave Myra's side.
Clara waited by the door in response to Myra's telepathic summons. Emma quickly joined her and headed off to the kitchen.
Myra waited until Clara and Emma were out of earshot before continuing. "Shal. You can relax. I know how you feel about Emma, even if you don't know what you're feeling exactly yet." She pointed at Shal's heart. "I see the confusion here and I see the love here." Myra pointed at Shal's head. "I'm not jealous. In fact, knowing she has you to lean on makes my going so much easier. I've waited 7 years to see her again, even if I only have a few days left."
"Why, what's wrong?" Shal's eyes briefly flashed as she lounged beside Myra. She absently clicked her com-link to the monitor function to send the reading back to Adam.
"I'm dying. I've had over 30 surgeries on my back and kidneys. My kidneys are all but gone from scar tissue and my spine is riddled with tumors. They are inoperable." She waves a hand at the machines. "These monitor my vitals, of course. I have all the pain medicine at my beck and call, and I could push for the kidney donations, but I don't want too. I'm tired of it all. I've had almost 40 years of living on this world and they were mostly happy. I block some of the pain with my mind, but that tires me out."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Myra." Shal was concerned for her friend's old friend, but wasn't quite sure what to do.
"I've followed Emma since she was a little girl and I want her to be as happy as I was… That is why I want to sign everything over to her. Just to give her some happiness. It really isn't about the money, don't get me wrong, money helps. Just not having to worry about the next meal, or the next day, that's all."
Shal stirred uncomfortably. "Can I ask you what you meant about Mutant X being safe too?"
Myra pointed at a folder on top of the monitors. "Get that folder, Shal and I'll show you."
Shal leaned over and picked up the manila folder. There were several sheets of paper inside.
"The first sheet is the public listings of the Hunt-Heinz Corporation. I've set them up to run on their own, by individual boards of directors, etc. The second sheet is my private listings, mostly holding companies, stocks, trust funds, and so forth. Adam helped me years ago to come to grip with my abilities and I wanted to help him the only way I can. With my money and influence. The money flow between them is so entangled that only my lawyer and accountant knows the extent. I've used variations of my name to set them up. There are wholesale food groups, medical supply companies, and research groups. I even bought some of Adam's patents. This is what I want to leave to Emma, and ultimately to Mutant X."
"Sheeze, girl. You have your fingers in a lot of companies." Shal whistled at the list of names. "Why Emma, though? Don't you have any family left?"
"There is nobody. My grandfather died a few years back, and my father was his only son, and he died when I was a child. My grandfather had no siblings and neither did my grandmother. So there is only me. Emma is…special." Myra winced as a cramp went thru her back. "Shal, do you know how to give shots? There is a prepared syringe in the 2nd drawer."
Shal found the syringe labeled morphine and held it up in Myra's sight. "Yes, that one." Shal administered the syringe. Myra smiled thanks as she waited for the pain medicine to work.
"I forgot to take it earlier with all the excitement of you and Emma showing up."
"That happens sometimes. Emma can make you forget. Or remember too much…"
Myra giggled softly. "Yeah, I know." She projected a memory at Shal. Shal blushed bright red.
Just then, Emma and Clara entered the door with the food cart. "Myra, do you want to sit up or stay in the bed for dinner?" Clara asked.
"I want to sit on the cushions in the media room, Clara."
"I'll get the chair then." Clara started to leave.
"I could carry you if it isn't too far," Shal offered.
"That would be nice. Clara, just take the cart there. Shal, Emma and I will be there shortly." Myra agreed.
Clara left with the cart. Emma bounded over. "Shal, you should see her kitchen. She's got one of the ovens that cooks a turkey in about 20 minutes!" She hovered like a mother hen waiting as Shal picked up Myra carefully.
"Let's freshen up in the bathroom. I can stand for a few minutes at a time." Myra directed the way to the huge bathroom. There were three sinks so they all washed up quickly, watching each other under eyelids in the mirror.
"So, Emma, what did you and Clara fix up for us?" Myra asked.
"We made steaks, shrimp cocktail, garlic bread and Clara defrosted some chocolate cake."
"Mhm! That sounds good!" Myra exclaimed.
"How did you make the steaks?" Shal asked worriedly, not liking well-done steaks.
Emma giggled and flapped a towel at Shal, "Well done of course!" Shal groaned and flapped a towel back at Emma. "Yours is rare and ours are medium well. Gotcha!" Emma beamed.
"Whoa there! Let's go eat then!" Myra cautioned them before the water battle started in earnest.
"Of course, ketchup queen!" Shal ceremoniously scooped up Myra in her arms. "Lead the way, McDuff!"
Myra pointed the way to the media room. Clara already had the low Japanese style tables laid out for three and the cushions plumped up. Shalimar carefully placed Myra in front of the table and the other two claimed their spots. Clara poured lemonade into three glasses and left them alone.
"If you want something stronger, the bar is over there." Myra pointed at a very well-stocked bar. "Want some music?" She picked up the remote.
"Nothing too heavy for the meal, though." Shal warned. The odors of the cooked meal was making her head spin.
Myra clicked a program and classical music came out of the wall speakers. "Later on, I have something for you to watch."
The three girls made short work of the shrimp, steak and chocolate pie. Shal got up and mixed them drinks periodically as the glasses emptied.
Later after Clara removed the plates and the tables, Myra reached for the remote again. A screen came down from the ceiling and the lights dimmed. The three snuggled together; Emma's head on Myra's stomach and Shal's on Emma's.
Myra started a homemade DVD. It was of Emma dancing, taken from the security cameras at the school of dance over several years. "This is why I did what I did to keep you in there." Myra explained quietly. Shal settled in to enjoy the show.
They spent the evening watching the DVD's of Emma and Myra's practices and then a short movie. About 11, Myra yawned loudly. "Oh, I haven't stayed up this late in years. I need to get back to bed. There's nighties in the bureau in my room. I'd really like both of you to stay with me tonight, in my bed." She looked expectantly at Shalimar.
Shalimar exchanged glances at Emma. Emma's eyes pleaded with Shalimar. "Okay." She got up and helped Emma up. Then she helped Myra up. Myra leaned heavily on Shal and Emma on the short walk to the bedroom.
Shal settle Myra on the bed as Emma found the nighties. Each girl pointedly turned away to change quickly; then they settled into the bed; Myra on the edge closest to the machines, Emma in the middle, and Shal closest to the window. Myra dimmed the lights. "Good night, Shal, Emma. Thank you, Shal."
"Good night Myra," the two girls chorused.
Sleep quickly came and many sweet dreams for the three girls.
TBC
