“No room on your street, so I’m parking in the grocery store lot. Be at your place in five minutes. Are you sure you don’t need anything? I always feel guilty using their lot if I don’t buy something.”
“How about two cans of tonic and a lime? I’ll pour you a stiff one when you arrive.”
“Make me a stiff one? Don’t get me started.”
Nancy grinned as she hung up. Minutes later, she saw Betty walking up the sidewalk carrying a plastic bag. She eyed Toby and said, “Toby, we have company. Front door, boy! Front door!”
Toby immediately started barking, then leaped from her lap and ran to the front door. Nancy glanced at her cane, then decided against it and hobbled to the front door and opened it. Toby immediately ran out to greet Betty, who had turned up the stone pathway that cut across the front lawn to her house. The pathway was bordered on both sides by rhododendrons and Toby ran circles around one of them as he enjoyed his freedom.
“Toby! Come back here!” demanded Nancy.
After leaving the rhododendrons and doing a couple more circles around Betty, Toby obediently obeyed.
“Hey there, sis, good to see you,” said Nancy.
“You, too,” replied Betty, giving her sister a hug, before glancing back at the stone path. “More blooms are out on your rhodos. They look beautiful.”
“Yes,” replied Nancy, wistfully. “Wish Burt were still here to see them.”
“Do you ever think of selling? Being hemmed in by all these apartment buildings, not to mention the traffic and having to look after the place by yourself … it must be a lot of work. I bet you could get a really good price.”
“Realtors are always knocking on my door, but I’m not ready yet.”
Betty stooped to pat Toby as she continued to talk. “How’s the new knee working out? Not using your cane, I see.”
“I keep it close, but I’m getting better. You won’t have to babysit me much longer. I know what the traffic is like in Vancouver this time of day. I should be paying you for gas.”
“Forget it. Hell, coming into Richmond is nothing.” She stood and glanced at Nancy’s leg. “Are you still in pain?”
“Not bad. I’ve cut back on the pills. Probably should have had both knees done. The worst part is that it makes me feel old.”
“You’ll be seventy-six next month.”
“You’re only a year behind me, so don’t rub it in. Besides, you’re only as old as you feel.”
“I thought it was you only feel as old as who you feel.”
“Betty Donahue! What would mom say if she were alive to hear you talk like that?”
“Probably laugh,” replied Betty.
Nancy smiled. “Bet you’re right. Come on in. There’s some gin in the cupboard to the left of the fridge.”
“I know where it is. You sit. I’ll make them. Should I walk Toby first? After a few snorts I may not be able to.”
“No, do it later. Let’s visit first.”
“Later? Hell, by then I might be blind drunk and stumbling around looking for a taxi.”
“Perfect. It would be a good opportunity to see if Toby will make a good seeing-eye dog before I do get old.”
Mia went to use the washroom and Mr. Frank leaned forward in the chair and took the opportunity to refill her wine, but when she came back she reached for her purse to leave.
Mr. Frank grabbed her arm. “Where are you going? We’re not done.”
“Aren’t we?” she replied, pulling back. “You have more questions … or instructions?”
“I need to get you to relax. You’re still too nervous.”
“I’m fine … actually that is not entirely true,” she added glancing at the wine bottle. “I feel strange … sort of tingly.” She turned back to Mr. Frank and said confidently, “Don’t worry, I will do what is expected.”
“Strange? Tingly?” replied Mr. Frank. “Your nervousness is manifesting itself.” He stood up and held her glass of wine towards her. “You’re far too uptight. Drink this before you go.”
“No, I’ll be okay.”
“I can see that you’re not. We need to roleplay. Close your eyes and pretend that I am Mr. Rolstad. I want your response to appear natural,” he said, putting his other hand around her waist and pulling her toward him.
“That will not be necessary,” replied Mia, trying to pull away.
Mr. Frank held her tighter. “Have some more wine,” he urged.
“No! I’ve had enough!”
“I need to know how you will react,” he replied, squeezing her tight to his body. She tried to push him away but he used his weight to topple her onto the bed. The wine he held spilled onto her blouse as he landed on top of her.
“Get off me!” she demanded.
He intentionally brushed his chest across her breasts as he placed the wineglass on the bedside table.
“Relax,” he ordered, before kissing her on the nape of her neck while trying to arouse her by slowly grinding his pelvis against hers. “I need to see how you will perform,” he whispered, moving his lips to the top of her breasts.
“I’ll perform for the benefactor, not you!” shouted Mia. “Let me go or I will contact the benefactor personally and explain how your actions led me to quit.”
Mr. Frank looked at her sharply and pulled away. “Direct contact is forbidden. As far as you are concerned, I am the benefactor. This is your destiny.”
“My destiny does not include having sex with you. That I know. Get off me,” she hissed.
He reluctantly got up and watched silently as Mia scrambled to her feet and grabbed her purse. Seconds later, she slammed the door shut.
He cursed himself after she left. Mia was one of the most valuable assets they had. For that reason, she was only one of two that he was assigned to handle. He had let his own lust interfere. Giving her wine spiked with drugs … the benefactor would never tolerate such action …
Chapter Three
Nancy said goodbye to her sister and returned to her chair. Toby expectantly looked up at her and waited until she gave a welcoming pat on her knee before leaping up to lay on her lap.
She smiled, reflecting upon the visit with her sister before nodding off to sleep.
Mia got into her white Lexus and slammed the door shut. After pulling out
