The next three months came and went before they knew it. Michelle had handed in her resignation, against Bills wishes, and together they started their own personal security consultancy agency. To make sure their fresh start was whole they had purchased a modern, open plan three bedroom house on the edge of town complete with a large study converted into their main office and a view of the mountains in the far distance from their back porch. Business was booming thanks to old contacts and they had more clients than they could handle but they didn't mind. Life was back to normal, at least their version of normal, and they were happy. Nothing else mattered.
"We got a call today from a Jeremy Stutter from Delton Enterprises. They'd like to meet with us." She told him as he put his keys and wallet on the desk and sorted through the mail.
"Delton Enterprises. I've never heard of them." He told her as he put down the mail and handed her, her Chinese order.
"I did some checking. They own a gold mining operation in South Africa, Johannesburg." Michelle took the mail off of the table and placed it in the 'to do' tray on her desk. The office was moderate, located of the side of the kitchen, it's open layout suiting their needs perfectly. They spent a lot of time there, researching, creating presentations and finding solutions. They almost spent more time in their study than in their bedroom.
"Johannesburg?" Tony thought aloud. Occasionally their work as security consultants took them out of the country, often for weeks at a time while they helped implement some of their plans. Their life was just as full on as when they had worked for CTU but at least they weren't caught up in governmental conspiracies. Tony sat down on the edge of the desk and started eating from the little white box. "Any idea what they want?"
"He wouldn't say but I made an appointment to go and see them downtown for two o'clock tomorrow afternoon."
"Anything else?"
"Mmm." She said, leaning back in her chair and taking a bite of the mini dim sim. "Gas bills due."
"I'll pay it tomorrow. I promise."
"Did you bring the papers?" Michelle asked as Tony sat in the drivers seat of their new SUV negotiating the traffic. It was heavier than usual this morning and they were already running behind. She'd tried to tell him that it would be a mistake, although her protests were very light-hearted, but Tony had joined her in the shower anyway. She'd barely had enough time to dry her hair and put some makeup on but somehow she had managed.
"There right there in my briefcase." Tony answered, nodding to the case behind his seat. "Damn this traffic."
"Don't worry, we're making good time." She lied to him looking at her watch. They were only five minutes late and they only had another three blocks to go. Michelle checked her lipstick in the mirror and straightened her shirt. "What?" She blushed as he watched her every move.
"Nothing." He teased, biting his lip then pushing his lower lip out with his tongue. He looked away as he scoffed. The light turned green and as he changed gears and hit the accelerator, he bit his lip again, grinning.
"What?"
"You're so organised. What would I do without you?"
"Don't sell yourself short Tony. I learned from the best."
"Well. I'd like to shake his hand."
"Oh." Michelle gasped as she slapped him. "I'll let him know. Maybe I can arrange a meeting and he could give you a few pointers."
"I'd like that." Tony grinned as he dodged the car beside him who had veered a bit to close for comfort. Michelle gave him one last glance then looked out of the window. "I think this is it." She gestured to the taller building in the middle. All concrete and windows like the others. 'Practical but not pretty' someone had once told her, and they were right. Apart from the large sign that read 'Delton Enterprises' it was identical to the buildings beside it. A well dressed attendant stood in front of the door and there were potted palms on either side in an attempt to add some homely touches.
"I see it." Tony looked for a place to park and pulled in three spaces ahead of the building. "Are you ready?"
"Let's go." She nodded, grabbing his case from behind the seat. As they walked towards the main doors Tony took Michelle's hand and squeezed it lightly. She squeezed back, acknowledging that they were in this together.
"Good morning sir, ma'am" The attendant greeted them, opening the door as they approached.
"Thank you." Michelle replied as Tony hung back allowing Michelle to walk through first then followed close behind.
"Ma'am." Tony mimicked.
"What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing." He smiled, "It's just the way he said it…."
"Good morning sir, ma'am how may I help you today?" The receptionist interrupted him before he could continue. Tony looked at Michelle and grinned, trying to hold in the chuckle in his head. Michelle gave him a nudge in the ribs to encourage him to keep it straight. "Good morning." Michelle took over. We're here to see Mr Delton."
"Did you have an appointment?"
"Yes. For 2pm."
"Ah. Ms Dessler and Mr Almeida. They are waiting for you. Just go around the corridor to the elevators and you'll find them on the third floor."
"Thankyou." Tony said, following close behind Michelle.
"Are you going to behave now?"
"Yes ma'am" He promised, crossing his heart with his hand as they entered the elevators. She loved his quirky side, he didn't show it often enough.
They were alone in the elevator and the ride was slow. A strand of her hair had fallen out of place and sat on her shoulder. He reached out and grabbed it, letting the hair rub between his fingers as its silky texture caressed his fingertips. Her neck exposed he caught a whiff of her perfume, woodlands musk, not strong but powerful. He breathed it in deep, letting it fill his lungs, taking her inside of him. She bit her lip trying to remain composed; she didn't look at him instead fixating on a tiny brown spot on the floor. He brushed the hair back into place and she reached up, their hands touching. Tony closed his eyes and wished he was back in the shower, sponge in his hand as the soap suds trickled down her back and over her shoulder. Her head cocked to the left as she allowed him access to her neck. He'd massaged the sponge over her shoulder in small circular motions before making his way over the top, and down towards the front. Her breast, full and excited welcomed his touch as the sponge approached and he made sure he didn't miss a single inch. Then moving down towards her belly button she placed her hand on his and helped guide it. Kissing her neck gently he dropped the sponge and let his hands rest on her stomach. She turned around to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck, her back pressed hard against the glass shower screen door. Tony bit his lip as he played with her hair, then ran his hands down her arms before coming to rest on her hips. They stood there, seconds feeling like minutes, then she leaned in and kissed him. He grabbed her by the hips and gently lifted her up onto him. The water enhancing the pleasure as it trickled over them both. Although endurance was never a problem it always felt like it was over way too soon. They held each other close then, before realising the time and making a mad rush to get dressed and ready before it was too late. As the elevator chimed and the doors opened Tony took a deep breath and refocused his attention. The sooner they were finished here, the quicker they would be back home.
"Mr Almeida, Ms Dessler." The young man in his twenties greeted them, tall and lanky in a dark navy suit. "I'm Jeremy Stutter. Thank you for meeting with us today." He said shaking their hands.
"You're welcome." Tony took command, "I thought we were meeting Mr Delton today."
"Unfortunately he's been called away on some pressing matters." He informed them, a little nervously, "And if you don't mind." He continued, "I have a pressing matter to get back to so myself, so if we can make this short."
"Not a problem." Tony agreed, it suited him too.
"As requested here is a copy of our company profile, personal reports, and other documents that might be of assistance to you."
"Thankyou." Michelle said grabbing the large stack of papers.
"If you could just give us a brief run down of the situation." Tony always liked to hear it in their own words, sometimes the finer details could be lost in translation. You could tell a lot about someone through their inflictions and mannerisms.
"Of course." He said, motioning for them to take a seat opposite him in his office."
"We run our company from here but we have several sub offices all over the world. At the moment we are having some trouble with our Johannesburg operation."
"What kind of trouble?" Michelle asked.
"We've lost eight personal in the last three months. Two from heart attacks, three were taken hostage never to be seen again and three who were executed."
"Executed?" Tony shifted in his seat,
"Yes." Jeremy Stutter continued, "In addition to that, we've had numerous death threats including to the chief executives families. This is a multi billion dollar corporation Mr Almeida and Mr Delton will not be bullied into handing over his company to a bunch of thieves and looters."
"Understood." Tony said, rubbing his chin, "When do we meet Mr Delton?"
"Currently he is in Johannesburg. He is happy to meet with you but it will have to be in Africa I'm afraid for now any questions or assistance you need you can go through me"
"In the meantime is there anyone who can give us a look at your operation? To help us get a feel for what is going on here?"
"Yes. Of course. Nicole here is my assistant. She can get you whatever you need."
"Thankyou. I understand that this is an urgent matter. We'll be in touch in a day or so." Tony confirmed.
"I appreciate that. The sooner this is dealt with the better." Jeremy said standing up to show them out.
"This way." Nicole said, escorting them down the corridor and around the corner. Tall, lean and well tanned she was the kind of secretary that men dreamed about in Hollywood movies, and she knew it too. Michelle looked to see Tony's reaction, and was pleased when she noted that he was paying more attention to the large photo wall of what looked like the board of directors and numerous influential political and business leaders. She knew their connection was too deep to be jealous. As she looked around she couldn't help but notice the large glass walls and decorated doors signifying old money and lots of it. The people walked around with straight backs trying to be dignified but they rarely made eye contact, instead walking past them as if they weren't there, a quality Tony had never trusted.
"Very upmarket. Isn't it?" Tony whispered to Michelle. "I bet they need to make a request to have a bathroom break." He teased.
"Shhh." She said, subtly squeezing his hand to remind him, "Diplomatic, remember."
"I know, I know. Mind my manners."
"Stop it." She grinned.
"Yes ma'am." He smiled.
"Here you go." The assistant said, holding open the door to the elevator after she had shown them around.
"Thank you." Michelle shook her hand, "We'll be in touch."
"Anything you need just call. I'm on extension 43."
"Extension 43. I'll keep that in mind."
The doors closed behind them and they found themselves alone once again. "So what do you think?"
"I'm not sure?. I get a bad feeling about his one." Tony admitted.
"Whatever's going on here it's fair to say it's big. We could always say no." Michelle suggested.
"Let's look at the profile, maybe we can find a way to help without getting involved."
"You're a soft touch Tony Almeida. Don't ever let anyone tell you any different."
- 7 -