Release The Dogs of War Snippet 04 of …
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – USA
When those three arrived, Sheldon felt a bit intimidated. At first, it wasn’t a big deal as they had just ‘arrived’ and knocked on the door. It wasn’t until Darryl checked out the cars and confirmed they were clear that it became apparent just how they had arrived.
By air.
Darryl had Sheldon open the door into the darkness. When it was fully opened, a black…something… came down from above and then glided into their area. Tim was quick enough to start the door closing as William had opened the pod and started pulling white boxes about a foot square and six inches in height. There were a total of eighteen of those, and then three larger boxes. Sheldon found out that six were installed underneath the car and then one large device in the trunk.
It took William twenty-three minutes a car. When he finished with one, then Marcus would start talking to himself and typing furiously on a laptop he had with him. They had pulled up a rolling table to place the laptop on top of so he could type and then take a few measurements and then type some more.
“Sheldon?” Marcus had called over to him.
Sheldon was watching William working on one of the cars high on a lift and had to jog back over to where Marcus was working, “Yes?”
“Can I get something destructive?” Marcus asked.
Sheldon was confused and slightly alarmed, “Desctructive? Not to be too concerned, but these are really, really expensive cars, and I’d prefer they didn’t get hurt while they are still in our garage.”
Marcus looked over at the sales guy for a second, “Oh, nothing like that! I just need something like a long metal rod or something like a bat.”
Sheldon’s eyes opened a little wide, “Still not liking where this is going…”
Marcus dipped his head down to look over his glasses, “Young man, these cars will not be scratched.” Sheldon looked at Marcus for a moment before turning to search for a long metal bar. “I expect,” Marcus finished.
A minute later, Sheldon came over with a long metal bar used for full-size car jacks. Marcus touched a couple of buttons on the laptop and then typed in a sentence and waited for a reply before holding his hand out to grab the bar. It dropped some when Marcus caught it since he wasn’t expecting it to be so heavy.
“This will do nicely,” Marcus said. “Here goes nothing!” To Sheldon’s immediate horror, the man grabbed the bar in both hands and swung it over his head to land on the hood of the first beautiful F12.
“What the HELL!” Sheldon asked as he jumped to pull the metal rod out of Marcus’s hand who let it go and stepped over the hood. He rubbed the location where the bar had slammed down.
Marcus looked up to the suprised salesperson, “See, nothing!” He waved a hand for Sheldon to come and take a look. Sheldon rubbed over the location he knew he had seen the rod hit, but it was spotless, and more importantly, dentless.
He continued rubbing the spot while turning his head to look up at Marcus, “How?”
The man smiled back, “It’s a feature of the engines we installed. We aren’t changing the glass like we would on her SUV’s, so we are making damn sure it has a protective field enveloping her. Mind you; I’d prefer you didn’t tell anyone.” Marcus admitted after a moment.
“I’m not,” Sheldon agreed, “This whole piece except the pictures and whatever she decides to video for me won’t be talked about by me.”
“Good…good.” Marcus said, “now for the second part.” He turned back to the rolling table and stepped back a few more feet pulling the table with him, “Ah, you might want to come over here with me.”
Sheldon quickly stepped closer to Marcus.
He typed on the laptop another time and then Sheldon watched as the F12berlinetta lifted off of the ground six inches, “What the hell,” Sheldon murmured. He stepped closer to the car and went down on his knees to confirm all four wheels were off the ground.
“See any problems?” Marcus asked, concern in his voice.
“Problems?” Sheldon asked, looking back up at the scientist, “If by problems you mean a wheel is touching the ground, then no. They all seem to be at the same height. The problem,” he contined as he turned back around to look under the car, “Is that we shouldn’t be watching a Ferrari floating.”
“You get used to it,” Marcus admitted.
“No,” Sheldon whispered, “I’m pretty sure I’m always going to find this cool-as-shit.”
—
Sheldon waited at the front door at fifteen minutes past seven when a darkend SUV turned into the dealer parking lot. The morning sun was reflecting off the white dealership walls highlighting the palm tree’s that were around the building.
He started jogging towards the back of the parking lot and the red garage door started rising allowing the SUV to drive into the garage area as Sheldon followed them in and the garage door started closing behind them.
There, in front of the SUV were three F12berlinetta’s all in the beautiful dark red Rosso Fiorano color Bethany Anne had requested. The three were slightly ahead of each other like they had been staged for a calandar picture.
Which, interestingly enough, they had been.
Sheldon nodded to Mark Koeff, who had been setting up his camera and lights for the last few hours. When Mark arrived, Sheldon gave him the news just who he was photographing, and even Mark was impressed.
That was saying something for a man who had photographed luminaries such as actor / governor Schwarzeneggar to Astronaut Buzz Aldrin and met others such as Christie Brinkley, Raquel Welch, Ringo Starr and Michael Caine in his many requests to come and shoot exlcusive events in LA.
Mark turned out to have a story for just about everything but was kind and soft spoken. If there was ever a more down to earth person who had survived working in the glitz and glamor of LA and Orange County in California, Sheldon was hard pressed to figure out who it could be.
When Mark admitted he had done a project for a friend for an Orange County MINI Cooper dealership with their cars, Sheldon thought it was perfect!
So, Mark setup the cars and explained how he wanted to setup the shots with Bethany Anne leaning on the first car, and her security on their own.
The front doors of the SUV opened, and John, then Eric stepped out and nodded to everyone. “Morning guys.” John grunted.
Sheldon had his team of three guys off to the side and TQB’s three people Marcus, William and Darryl were standing with them.
Darryl broke from the ranks and walked over, “They are clean, and they are ready. Although, I have to call bullshit on you two getting this ride first!” He grinned.
“Kiss my,” Eric started before changing his sentence, “tell me you didn’t make sure it went up and down correctly as a ‘security’ measure.” He challenged Darryl, who shrugged but didn’t answer the question directly.
“That’s what I thought,” Eric continued, “Besides, you get to take the SUV back to the house.”
“Woohoo!” Darryl squeeled as he twirled his finger around in a circle up in the air. “Be still my bleeding heart. SUV or Ferrari with flight capabilities. Gee, I wonder which one I would pick?”
“The one you’re told to.” John interrupted the two, “Let’s make sure we get out of here correctly guys. Enough horseplay.”
Eric mouthed ‘sorry’ to Darryl for getting them off track. The two of them broke up, and Darryl went to step to the back of the three cars.
TO BE CONTINUED
Michael >> I’m in a small Facebook group with a few authors and one of their books I’ve read recently is Jason Cipriano’s CURSED from his Thrice Cursed Mage series. Jason’s author story is completely different from mine in that he has a BUNCH of books out (including writing in the JET world…which is pretty damned cool to me). BUT, CURSED is his major break-away hit. He has now followed this book up with the FOURTH in series “SEIZED” out a week ago. This makes four books in the series out in something like five months. That’s awesome to a fast reader such as myself.
Cursed: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Thrice Cursed Mage Book 1)
My name is Mac Brennan and that’s the only thing I can remember about myself. Not why I woke up in a dumpster. Not why my right arm is as black as pitch and covered in glowing red tattoos, and certainly not why a vicious death cult is after me.
Actually, that last part isn’t true. I know why the death cult is after me. It’s because I saved that damned girl from them. I didn’t know who she was at the time, but I’d have done it anyway. I just don’t like it when girls get beat up, call me old fashioned.
Still, I can tell she’s hiding something behind those devilish eyes, and if I want to find out what it is, I’ll have to help her.
My name is Mac Brennan. I have no memory, and I’m a werewolf-hunting, hellfire-flinging version of Faust himself.
Release The Dogs of War Snippet 02 of …
—
Sheldon had worked on the deal for an hour before he got his first dealership to give up their F12berlinetta. It deal was at a twenty percent premium, but the sales person didn’t ask any questions, so he was going to call it a win.
The second, however, wanted to know who it was for, so Sheldon hung up after a polite good-bye. The third choice, over in Las Vegas, didn’t care about who it was for either. It was all about the money to her.
The dealership had just received their car, and it wasn’t prepped yet. Sheldon promised that not prepping it was going to be perfect, and if they did not do anything further and got it ready for pickup, he would give them an additional two grand on top of the deal.
The final agreement arrived via email and Sheldon whooped!
With eighteen minutes to go, he sent the information to the temporary contact email address and had an immediate reply. Who to talk to regarding money transfers and any other legal information to pick up the cars were delivered to his email immediately. There would be two trucks with twenty-foot long shipping containers to pick up the cars at the dealerships within two hours.
Sheldon was going to reply that there would not be a way to drive the containers over to Miami quick enough and then remembered who his client was.
He snorted to himself and started following up on all requirements. He told his boss that they had two hours to finish any paperwork because trucks would be arriving to pick them up, he was damned sure.
Not surprising, the financial information went through immediately. Sure enough, Sheldon called both dealerships at the end of two hours. Both had trucks with big, black shipping containers on the trailers ready to load the vehicles.
One even mentioned that ever since the ‘TQB’ company put black shipping containers on the moon, everyone now painted their shipping containers black. As if, he said, they could all fly.
Sheldon kept his mouth shut. His contact would just have to find out about it some other time.
He received an email that said the cars would arrive at ten pm so most of the crew would be gone, would that be a problem?
Sheldon had already pulled three of the absolute best people from the back and told them he would pay them each three grand to help him prep his three sales that night, or they could trust him, and if everything stayed quiet, they would get something worth far more than three grand.
All three guys agreed that their lips were sealed, and it became a small spy scenario for the four men. Their manager shrugged his shoulders and handed over the keys. He knew what was going on and after being in the business for twenty-two years, he had worked with very big names. So, not being involved in the lady CEO’s purchase wasn’t a big deal.
Sheldon was pretty sure his boss didn’t pay too much attention to the celebrity news and apparently hadn’t put two and two together. Too much time on the golf course with the elite around this town was his best guess.
Oh well, it wasn’t Sheldon’s job to make sure his boss understood who they would be delivering a million dollars worth of automobiles to in the morning.
He considered the massive opportunity to take pictures and picked up the phone. He had a family friend back in Orange County, California that had done some pictures for many Los Angeles and Orange County / LA luminaries such as Gene Simmons of KISS, President Reagan and had International Photograph Hall of Fame & Museum recognition. If he could spend whatever it took to get Mark to arrive by seven the next morning, Sheldon was going to spend it.
After a few minutes talking with Mark, he finally was able to convince him that it would absolutely be worth his time, but no – he really couldn’t tell him who it would be. Just that he would have exclusive shots that would be on the bylines of most of the world’s news sites within forty-eight hours.
Sheldon hung up, and then looked to see if he could book Mark a ticket from John Wayne International in OC to Fort Lauderdale, but they had no non-stops. He was able to go LAX to Fort Lauderdale, so he grabbed those tickets and sent the information immediately to him.
The ‘spy posse’, as they had named themselves, were working to get the first car ready and laying out the plans to make sure they could bring the other two F12’s online as fast as possible when they finally arrived. Everyone was going to take naps and make sure there were no screw ups.
Now, it was going to be a waiting game until ten PM that evening.
TO BE CONTINUED
Suggestion for ‘while you are waiting’ and ‘please don’t get out the pitchforks!’
TH
ERE ARE REASONS WE FEAR THE NIGHT. HE’S NOT ONE OF THEM.
Bill Ryder was a dateless geek, but then he met a girl to die for. So he did. Unfortunately for him, that was just the beginning of his troubles. He awoke as a vampire, one of the legendary predators of the night. Sadly, fangs or not, he was still at the bottom of the food chain.
Now he finds himself surrounded by creatures stronger, deadlier, and a lot cooler than he is … and they all want to kick his teeth in.
Bill isn’t exactly average, though. A vampire like him hasn’t been seen in centuries. He’s got a few tricks up his sleeve, unlikely allies, and an attitude that makes him too damn obnoxious to quit.
Join him in this hilarious tale of immortal monsters and the unlikely hero who’s not afraid to tell them off, even if it gets him killed – permanently this time.
Release The Dogs of War Snippet 01 of xxx
Long Island, Florida – USA
“What I’m saying,” Eric said, as he and John moved among the exotic supercars,”Is we need two of these bad boys to properly support following Bethany Anne whenever she goes driving hers.”
Bethany Anne had come out of her temporary suite in the Australian Outback at close to eight thirty pm and told Eric that he and John were going shopping with her. Then, she promptly turned around and ducked back into her room saying she was changing. John showed up with Eric’s cup of coffee three minutes later and Eric informed him they were going shopping.
“Any idea where?” John had asked as they sipped their drinks.
“Not a clue.” Eric admitted, “Popped out, we are going shopping, popped back into her room.”
John stepped up to the door and knocked twice, sharply. He heard her answer ‘come in, John’ and so he poked his head and asked where they were headed.
Thirty minutes later, they were all at Ferrari of Long Island, Florida looking at the new F12berlinetta and the sales person was both shocked as hell when Bethany Anne walked in with John and Eric right at opening, and then twice shocked when he figured out who she was.
John and Eric had a moment of peace as she was sitting in the car going through the sales review. There weren’t any customers looking at cars this early on Tuesday morning. Their salesperson, Sheldon, hadn’t finished his Starbucks yet.
John turned to make sure nothing seemed amiss, “I’ve talked with Jeffrey. If she buys anything, the guys will be here right as she takes possession and upgrade it, if not earlier.”
Eric smiled, “They will have to make that three!”
John nodded with a grin on his face, “Yes, I agree, it will have to be…”
John turned from Eric when Bethany Anne stepped out of the drop dead sexy car, “I want three, all Rosso Fiorano and I want them fast.” She told her salesperson, “I am completely open on the negotiation side, and I don’t care where they are in the world. Find them, buy them and let me know how fast I can get them. Also,” She added, “there is a twenty thousand sales bonus if you get three found and ordered before close today.”
Sheldon was just able to get his voice back, “Ma’am, we don’t have three in stock and…” Her look caused him to pause a moment as he realized how his customer could help him over the hump for the vehicle’s transportation. “If you need to provide transportation, is that acceptable?”
Bethany Anne’s smile lit up the store, “Perfectly! You send any information to the email I give you and I’ll have them picked up from their location and back here within a couple of hours. However,” her face lost her smile, “if it becomes a circus because people find out?” This time, she shook her head, “You lose the sales, understood?”
Sheldon considered his comment and then went ahead, “Ma’am, you know that the price for pictures of you are going for more than fifty-thousand, correct?” He put up his hand, “I’m not telling you this to bump up the bonus, I’m just making sure you are aware there will be some that will give up a job to get a picture, and if anything happens, it won’t be me. I love these cars, and I’m building my professional career on being discreet. So, I feel it necessary to let you know.” He shrugged, “If I’m going to prove how discreet I am? I can’t do better than being discreet for you.”
Bethany Anne nodded and leaned toward Sheldon, who looked around and then got closer, “I’ll tell you what, Sheldon. You tell everyone that you have a photo opportunity for your hand-picked support people. If not a single word about this comes out before myself and the two men with me are ready to drive off? I’ll do five minutes of photos with those who helped you keep this secret. Who you pick is up to you, but don’t make it too many. Then, I’ll make sure to give you a fifteen-second video support message how you handled my purchases, deal?”
Sheldon stood back up and held out his hand, “I’ll have your car information within two hours. We have one here, so I just need two more. I’m pretty sure where they are. If I have to sweeten the deal?”
Bethany Anne shook Sheldon’s proffered hand, “Money, within reason, is not a problem. Secrecy is. So, when it comes time to pick up the two cars no one on that side can breathe a word.”
Sheldon said, “I understand, and let me tell you ‘thank you,’ you have just made my career if I don’t screw this up.” He admitted.
“No opportunity for you if you hadn’t been here early on a Tuesday morning. So, consider what it took you to be in the right place before you throw all the credit my way, ok?”
Sheldon nodded. John came over and handed him a business card, “Our contact information for this deal is on the card. It will expire within thirty-six hours, or as soon as we drive off the lot. I need you to let me know as soon as the cars are here as we need to go over them ourselves.” John’s visage turned slightly harder, “Security.”
Sheldon looked down at the card and back to John. “I’ll sleep here tonight.”
John clapped him on the shoulder and pulled the second card out, “This is my card. You ever want to talk about a different line of work, call me. People with your work ethic are hard to find.”
Sheldon held the second card with serious respect. The first card was a business deal that would help him for a long time.
The second was an honor.
To Be Continued…
FK – Bitch’s Night Out Snippet 03 of …
QBS Polarus Bridge
“No, what I am about to tell you, Fred, is based on our relationship going back twenty years.” Captain Thomas spoke patiently, hoping the Commander of the aircraft carrier strike force twenty miles away would listen. “I’m about to launch six very small craft and they are going to go over your position very fast. Don’t be alarmed and for God’s sake, don’t try to attack them.”
Captain Thomas walked over and sat down in his chair on the bridge, “Sure, if you want to try an intercept, I’ll even say ‘go’ for you.” Thomas laughed, “No, it won’t make a difference, Fred. I’ll tell you what, if you guys want a view, I’ll talk with my boss for a second and confirm she doesn’t have a problem. I’ll give you five minutes to put your birds in the air and go to thirty thousand feet. Hold position like they are planning an air raid on ISIS in Iraq.”
Thomas looked over to his operator which held up another line, “Hold one Fred, actually it might be two I’m going to try and get permission.” He clicked the pause button and held out his hand for the second phone and put it to his ear. “Boss? Thank you for letting me interrupt. I would like to allow people I know in the U.S. Navy a chance to witness the Black Eagles flying past a set of F-18’s. Although, I’d be surprised if they didn’t have at least one E2D Hawkeye up there for radar intercept.”
Thomas listened for a moment, “Ok. Which do you want to do, show we don’t have to be ugly, or show them the ridiculousness of competing?” Thomas listened again, “Well, they will want the technology no matter which way we do it. I’m sure France has already provided spec’s on your episode.” Thomas laughed, “Well, I found it funny as hell, so I’m personally glad you did it.”
“Yes, I would like to give them a chance myself. I’m guessing they already know or surmise most of the capabilities. Mmmm, no, I don’t think we’ve ever used the flying interfaces yet with the Black Eagles. The Guards can certainly think fast enough to make it happen.” Thomas grunted, “Ok, so I have your permission and you want me to tell John they should ‘have fun’? Ok, I can do that. Appreciate it ma’am, talk to you later.”
Captain Thomas cancelled the line with Bethany Anne and tossed the phone to his Comms specialist and un-muted the other before putting back to his ear, “Fred? Yeah, sorry about that. Ok, I’ve got two doors. What comes behind the door depends on how well you want to follow directions or we might get door number three and that would really, really be bad for both of us.”
Thomas listened, “Well, you’re the top dog over there, so I’ll give you the scoop and you tell me. I’ve got six of our men heading out and they have been told to ‘have fun’. Now, I can get them to come up and ride with you guys and maybe do a couple of things, but they are not in good spirits after some of the bullshit being tossed our way. If you can have some level headed fighter jocks up top, we have a chance to share some cool shit with permission. If not? Well, they aren’t real patient right now and there really isn’t anything on an F-18 that is going to catch them or pull them down. So, level heads and everyone has a little fun together. Assholes and it is just a fly by if we are lucky. Sore losers and we have an international incident that won’t go over very well.”
Thomas listened for a few seconds, “Yes, I know ‘levelheaded fighter jock’ is an oxymoron but there have to be some Goose’s up there, they can’t all be Mavericks. Mmmhmmm. Works for me. If it helps, tell the guys going topside to watch the news for ‘strange’ attacks in Iraq tomorrow morning. If this goes off well, I’ll share some personal footage we all want to see. Alright? That works, bye Fred.”
Thomas handed the second phone to the Comms Specialist as he went to go find John.
To Be Continued…
FK – Bitch’s Night Out Snippet 02 of …
—
“No, give me the long one, this short stick doesn’t feel right in my hands,” Darryl quipped.
Akio smiled, “Here, let me feel it.” Darryl handed it to him, smiling. Akio looked over, “It’s all in the way you handle your gun to get the most bang from it.”
John chuckled, “Whatever you two, get your damned sticks and whatever personal ‘fuck them up’ stuff you want.”
Dan called out from the second room over, “Anyone want some plastique?” He asked as he came through one of the doors with a lockbox, “I’ll have to open it if you do.”
“Seriously?” Darryl turned from joking with Akio, “I’ll take me some of that!”
Dan pulled out his key ring, “Seriously guys, don’t fuck me over. Bring back video, ok?”
“No worries,” John answered, “We have the helmets with heads up upgrades that have the built in video and the Pods have video that ADAM is controlling. Also, ADAM is doing an immediate download to Frank. He wants to write a story up on it immediately to put out as ‘fiction.’ Hey, here are some knives guys.”
“Someone is bound to see through that shit,” Eric commented.
“I’m pretty sure that is the plan,” Peter said as he pulled a few boxes of shells for a shotgun.
“Why the hell are you pulling a shotgun when you have those two beasts on your hips?” Scott asked, pointing to the two rail gun pistols Peter was packing.
“These pistols are accurate to as far as I can see, but they won’t make near the bloody mess a shotgun will up close,” Peter replied, putting the shells into a bag.
Scott shook his head, “Damned good reason.”
“Who needs six inches?” John called out holding a knife up in the air, “Shut-up Akio!” Everyone laughed.
Everyone chuckled some more with Akio’s retort, “I start at twenty-seven inches, John.”
“I’m out!” Scott called.
“Out.” Agreed John.
“Ouch…” Eric said, “I can’t play in that park.”
All of the men looked to Darryl who just grinned, “What can I say? Some things are true about black men.”
“Fucking liar!” Peter joked.
Dan called out, “Anyone want grenades?”
“If you do,” Darryl commented, “Mr. Grenade is not your friend, or mine, once you pull the pin.”
“I want a few explosive incendiaries,” said John, “I want the opportunity to drop them in on someone. That shit just seems funny.”
“Hey!” called a female’s voice and all of the men turned to see Jean Dukes standing behind them holding a big ass wooden box. She was even straining a little, “I’m not trying to pull the weak woman card here, but someone stop being all woman-are-equal shit and help a girl out.”
Akio and Peter were the closest, and both quickly stepped over and grabbed a handle. She let go, “Now, put that set on the bench. Those are from Bethany Anne.” she wiped her hands on her pants, “She had me make them last night.”
Peter and Akio moved the crate to the bench and Dan walked over to see what was in the chest. John looked at Dan who shrugged his shoulders, “No, I don’t know either.” He answered the unasked question.
The men piled around the box to see what Dukes had manufactured. John reached over and pulled on the simple master lock, but it held. All of them heard Jean say ‘oops’ and reach into her pocket to pull out a key ring.
Jean was going through the keys when she heard a gruff ‘no worries’ and metal snapping. She looked up to see John moving a broken lock off of the ring and setting it to the side.
She looked at the man and realized no one truly understood the power in these guys. Then, she started examining them and decided someone, or many someones, were going to have a very bad night indeed.
“Ok, I’m officially claiming Bethany Anne as my Queen….Again.” Peter said as John started pulling out a rifle, “Scott!”
Scott reached over, and John put in his hands a special made tactical railgun rifle. The grips were stipple textured on both sides as well as having deep-cut grooves, both front and back straps and a beavertail for prolonged firing.
“Oh, my. That is long enough.” Akio said as he admired the rifle in Scott’s hands.
Peter looked back to Jean, “How many shots?”
“Seventy-five,” she said, “Bethany Anne wanted to make sure you enjoyed your evening. The rifles have three settings. Normal, which will push out the rounds at typical velocities, if only a little faster. Then twice normal and ten times normal for when you seriously want to fuck something up. They are hand coded to your biometrics. So, don’t leave them around, but no one is using them against you. Any Queen’s Bitch can use any gun, but she did have me put your names on each one.”
Jean looked over to Darryl, who had received his rifle, “Darryl – she told me to tell you that yours is a quarter-inch longer, so your ego wouldn’t take a hit.” Jean winked, waved and turned to leave, “Have fun, boys!”
“God, she even makes size jokes, can there be a more perfect woman?” Darryl asked.
“Who?” Akio questioned, “Bethany Anne or Jean Dukes?”
“Yes,” Admitted Eric, “To either. Have you seen the way Dukes caresses one of her railgun barrels? You require a cold shower afterward, I promise.” He admitted.
John reached in, “Dan?”
“Yes?” He turned from looking at Eric’s rifle.
John pulled one more rifle from the box, “This one has your name on it, with a note.”
Dan grinned as he accepted his rifle and held it to open the note and read it.
“Hey!” Darryl said, “Don’t make us ask here.”
Dan spoke up, “She says she knows that I’ve got too much to do for tonight, but that she fully expects for me to be free on other occasions should I want to go.”
John grinned, “Sign you up?”
“Hell yeah.” Dan grinned, “I’m up for Bitch’s Night Out, Part Deux when it happens. Count me in.” He handed a smaller box of grenades over to John, “These are for you.”
“Thanks,” John took the box, “looks like we have a shit load of ammunition in here. I wonder how the hell she was able to carry it all?” John mused and looked back down the hallway where Jean Dukes disappeared.
“Interesting,” He thought out loud as his eyes followed where she went.
To Be Continued
FK – Bitch’s Night Out Snippet 01 of …
QBS Polarus near Argentina
“What I was told,” said Darryl as he slung his overnight bag over his shoulder, “was that Bethany Anne requested Gabrielle, Cheryl Lynn, Patricia, Ecaterina and Barb down into her suite here for a conference and no, and I mean ‘no’ guys are invited.” He sat down on the couch in the middle area that been recently renovated to hold a fifth door for Akio. Peter’s room was on the Ad Aeternitatem.
“Except Ashur,” Scott called out of his room as he reached across his bed to grab his phone. He spoke a little louder so everyone could hear him. “She even has two hand-picked female Guardians in front of her suite for protection.”
“What about Peter?” Eric asked from his room as he packed.
Scott walked out of his room and dropped his bag beside his chair and sat down.
“What about me?” Peter asked as he breezed into the main area carrying his overnight bag. “I was told by Bethany Anne to grab overnight clothes and to meet you guys here. Where’s John?” He asked as he sat across from Darryl on the matching couch and put up his feet on the coffee table.
“Did she call?” Darryl asked.
Peter shook his head, “Nope. Did the mind juju conversation stuff.”
“She’s getting a lot better with that,” Darryl remarked to Peters nodded agreement.
Eric came out of his room and shut his door, “That room is not for public consumption!” He walked over and gave Peter a fist bump before kicking his legs off the table, “Mind the furniture, shrimp.” He grumped before sitting next to Peter and crossing his feet and placing them on top of the table.
“You old Bitch!” Peter remarked before putting his feet back on the table. “Where is the esteemed High Bitch?”
“Right here, Sophomore, with our Fish,” John said as he walked in with Akio holding a sword. All of the guys raised their eyes in surprise. John had a night bag, but he was also fully decked out in ‘Queen Bitch’ dress with patches and everything.
“I think I failed to get a memo.” Darryl quipped.
Akio nodded to the men and sat down next to Darryl, holding his sword.
“No, no memo was put out.” John agreed, looking down at his five guys. “What I’ve been told, no actually ‘commanded’ by Bethany Anne was that the Bitches needed a night out. I was told to make sure that this group let out some of our energy and ‘attitude’ and to come back relaxed. Now, you guys know that Bethany Anne just wants us off this ship so we can’t figure out what she’s doing. That’s fine, Gabrielle is there, and so is Ashur. However, she is right. We need to blow off some steam.”
John looked at all of his guys, “That would normally mean we go to a bar, but I’m not sure how much that would affect us. While I fully intend to end up in a dive, I think there is only one way to get rid of the pent up aggression I’m feeling.”
“Well, considering how you’re decked out,” Eric said, “I think you believe we need to work out our aggression?”
“What I’m thinking,” John said, “Is that the best way to get rid of aggression is to fuck up some people who desperately need to be fucked up. So, I’ve had Frank help me locate a few places that need help. Now, we might not make it to all of them but by the end of the night, we will have done some major good and I’ll start feeling a little Karmic balance restored. If you guys aren’t full up, well, we will just have to schedule it again.”
Peter grinned as he stood up, “Hell yeah! How are we getting around?”
John pursed his lips, “Well, six of us, six Black Eagles are available to use…”
Scott stood up, “God, I’ve needed to fucking shoot somebody. You pussies keep getting the action after the Australian incident.”
“Oh, is that what you call running into an ambush?” Darryl said as he stood up.
“No, I call that being your shield and if you would just appreciate it instead of always trying to turn my self-sacrifice around I’d enjoy it!” Scott grinned as he punched Darryl as he walked past him.
Darryl rubbed his arm, “Make sure Scott is up front, and he can shield me all the time.” He rubbed his arm a second time, “That way, I can use my size twelves to kick his ass through the door!”
All the guys chuckled.
Akin stood back for a second and got Eric’s attention, “What are we doing?”
“Well,” Eric told him as the two followed, “I imagine John is taking us by the Armory to find all sorts of personal mayhem devices. There, we are going to make lewd jokes about how long someone’s ‘gun’ is. Then, six of the most deadly men on this planet have been commanded by their Queen to go ‘blow off some steam.’ Now, she might have known what John was going to do or she might not. Either way, John has found a list of some locations of very bad people who probably need to have an attitude adjustment. We are going to take six of the most deadly planes in the world to these locations and we are going to do very painful things to very bad people and enjoy the shit out of it!”
Akio asked, “Because this is what our Queen wants?”
Eric closed the door as the two followed the rest down the hall, “She wants us to get rid of our general bad attitudes about everything. About Michael, about stupid politicians, stupid attitudes and horrible people who want shit they had nothing to do with creating. Friends who are no longer with us and so John decided the best way to help relieve this pent up anger is to do something righteous with it.”
“Something righteous with guns?” Akin asked.
“Of course!” Eric responded as he looked over to Akio and grinned. “Righteousness at the end of a .45…” He looked down at the sword Akio was holding, “And a sword, of course.“
Eric started humming a recent tune as the guys ahead took a left towards the armory.
“Righteousness at the end of a .45…a .45…” he was singing as he and Akio followed the others around the corner.
To Be Continued
Dark Messiah 1 of …
In the beginning was pain.
Acceptance of pain was the first test.
Where there is pain, there is life.
IT’S HELL TO CHOOSE – Snippet 9 of …
TQB Base, Colorado – USA
Bethany Anne and John walked over to the main offices and through where Cheryl Lynn should have been, but wasn’t. Then she passed where Michael should have been and wasn’t as well. John reached ahead of her and put out a hand.
She stopped. She could hear everything in the room ahead, and there was no indication of trouble, but she had learned it was easier to be obedient to the hand than to give him too much lip. Besides, she was saving up all of these little indignities for a time when she could get him back.
Your time is coming, Mr. Grimes, she thought, oh yes, your time is coming.
Satisfied that everything was safe inside the room, John stood back, and his body posture told Bethany Anne she could walk ahead. Bethany Anne stepped around the corner into the room to find her two missing people. Cheryl Lynn was blushing furiously on the back row, and she noticed Michael sitting next to one of the lawyers. From his profile, he would be Jakob Yadav. She walked down the steps and into the main pit area in front of all of the chairs. She turned around and leaned against the table with her arms crossed.
“Welcome,” she started. “I understand from the people who vetted you before you arrived that your firms met all of our specific requirements.” She turned to the group from Thuresson and Guaran, “Unfortunately, I don’t recognize any of you. I will presume that Misters Thuresson and Guaran have justification for missing this meeting?”
The people at the table quickly looked to each other before the person in the chair closest to the aisle spoke, “Hello, Ms. Bethany Anne.”
Bethany Anne put up a hand, “It is just ‘Bethany Anne’. No honorific necessary.” She nodded for him to continue.
“Certainly. My name is Will Sethi, and I’m here on behalf of the firm. Misters Thuresson and Guaran were called away on urgent business for a senator and respectfully ask your pardon.” Bethany Anne caught Michael’s slightly negative shaking of his head out of the corner of her eye.
She pursed her lips.
ADAM, can you tell me where Misters Thuresson and Guaran are presently?
>>One moment, Bethany Anne.<<
“Will,” she said, “would you introduce me to the team?”
Before Will finished, ADAM came back to her.
>>Both Thuresson and Guaran are presently at a hunting lodge in Western Canada with two clients and a significant number of single ladies.<<
How the hell do you know this? I’m not doubting you; I’m just curious.
>>Mr. Guaran has the location on his personal itinerary with two client names and what company employs them. I found one of his clients are presently sending pictures to a password protected social board of the events for a group of men to view.<<
“Thank you for your introductions Will, but unfortunately, I was premature when asking for them. I don’t believe in wasting time, nor do I believe in falsehoods as a good way to start a relationship. It breeds distrust. As Thuresson and Guaran are presently not on the East Coast of the United States, but rather up in Canada enjoying themselves I can only surmise that either you don’t know, which means they lied to you. Or, you do know, which means that you lied to me.”
She looked up to John, who started walking down the steps to stand on the floor with her. “Mr. Grimes here will make sure you get to the front gate correctly.” John was talking on his little mic. He was calling Eric to come in from outside to help the people.
Will looked like he wanted to argue the point, but then just grabbed his laptop and started shoving his books, writing pad and mouse into his bag.
“Michael,” she spoke very quietly.
Yes? He replied in her mind.
Would you check out the third lady from their group? Bethany Anne noticed Michael purse his lips and look like he was studying the whole group.
She is upset. She had hoped to help win this account so she could work, at least tangentially, with this team because Jennifer loves what she has seen and learned to date. Hmmm, it looks like she has a crush on you.
What?
She has a professional crush. She has researched everything that is known about you. My, did you know how many websites have sprung up about you?
God, yes! It’s like the more I try to hide, the more they dig. I’ve had ADAM go through and leave behind some fake crumbs at times and delete stuff occasionally. He has found over seventy-two websites and four Facebook groups.
Hmm, Michael sent.
What?
It seems she has a crush on me as well, he replied.
How could she have a crush on you? What business information is out there on you?
Not that kind of crush.
It was a second before Bethany Anne came back to him.
I will rip your dick off.
Michael pressed his lips together trying to keep his humor in check. Bethany Anne had become more and more jealous sounding in her comments to him in the last three to four weeks. She never showed anything externally, but occasionally she would make comments like this one to him personally.
She had apparently decided he was off the market.
This was all right with him; he had already decided he would focus all of his attention on Bethany Anne. Should I be jealous of all the men that find you attractive?
Don’t play Mr. Logical with me – I’ll just go illogical on your ass. I’m not the one reading all the minds finding out just how bad these ladies want you.
I thought we had this conversation already? Tabitha was a fast-track course in not reading minds unless needed.
This time, it was Bethany Anne’s turn to press her lips together. When Michael finally came clean about all of the ways Tabitha had burned him when she believed he was reading her mind, Bethany Anne couldn’t stop laughing. What should have taken him at most fifteen minutes to tell took him over an hour because she would start laughing again.
God, she sent to him, don’t you dare say a word about Tabitha! It wasn’t that her mind reading and sending wasn’t considerably stronger since working with Michael so closely; it’s just that she didn’t use it often for philosophical reasons.
If you can get past your jealousy, what do you want to do about this lady?
I’m not jealous! Ok, I can’t sell that. I’m only a little jealous and to be fair, you’re my first long term boyfriend in years. You are hunky, rich, powerful, and you’ve got a nice ass. So yeah, you’re all mine.
He caught her eyes, and she quickly flashed a little red in them.
Just how fast can we get this over with? Michael asked.
Why? She asked.
I want you. Michael answered directly.
Oh. She mentally paused then asked, give me your rundown.
Jakob here is ethical, smart and he has honor.
And? She followed.
The two dill-weeds, as you are fond of saying, in front of me are thinking how much money they can fleece from the company. The other one here on the right of me is fronting another client as a spy on this trip. He is hoping for a short trip around the premises so he can drop another three listening devices around the base. There is already a bug planted in the first secretary’s room up front.
Boy, wouldn’t he be surprised to learn that room is not occupied? She quipped. She turned to look at John who tweaked just a little when ADAM came over his earpiece asking him to find a bug planted in the front office.
He took off up the stairs at a steady pace, two steps at a time. Everyone was startled at his sudden disappearance around the corner and Eric’s appearance right as he left to escort the group out. Jennifer Tehgen was surprised when her personal phone beeped with a text. She mumbled an apology as she was confident she had told everyone not to communicate with her while in this meeting unless it was an emergency. She quickly glanced at the phone and then did a double-take.
You are invited to apply personally for a position for in-house counsel with TQB Enterprises.
The text said and provided Cheryl Lynn’s contact information. She dropped the phone into her purse and turned to stare back at Bethany Anne, who winked at her.
She left the room more confused than ever. How the hell had they just pulled this off?
Jennifer passed by the man of muscle in the hall who was marching back towards the meeting room.
John stepped into the room and walked down the steps and then to the bottom floor he turned and leaned on the table across from Mr. Brimer. Mr. Brimer tried to look affronted with the expression perfected in front of judges from California to Maine. Those men of the bench had honed Brimer’s ability to stand stern in the face of adversity.
But he was sweating looking at someone extremely pissed with him who looked like breaking his back was the least painful thing he wanted to do.
“What is the meaning of this?” Marcus Mills asked. “This isn’t how you treat invited representatives from a firm as prestigious as ours!” He turned towards Bethany Anne, who was walking towards John with her hand outstretched. He didn’t look at her, but he did stick his arm back towards her and dropped something into her left hand. She caught the little item and then stepped over in front of Mills.
She placed the bug on the desk between the two men. “I will treat spies like I treat vermin, Mr. Mills.” Bethany Anne replied. “I have a very, very short fuse when it comes to shit like this.”
Mills was caught by surprise as he turned towards his partner, “Bill? What’s the meaning of this?” He reached towards the bug, but his hand landed on Bethany Anne’s.
“No, no touching the evidence again, Mr. Mills.” She replied, “We can take genetic swabs and prove who has touched it. If you do so, we will be forced to bring you up on charges as well.”
“Bullshit!” Brimer said, “There isn’t any way that you have…”
“You fucking idiot.” Sethy interrupted him, “They are on the Moon right now, and you want to argue whether they might have some other forms of advanced technology?” He had been staring at Bethany Anne’s hand before turning to his partner, “How many more do you have on you?”
“I don’t know what…” he started.
This time, it was John who interrupted him. “You can answer truthfully, or I will take every bit of pleasure out of strip searching your ass right here.” he growled.
Brimer started to splutter, “I will sue you so badly you will…”
He wasn’t having any luck at all completing a sentence, “Oh, I’ll be more than happy to represent him in court, Martin.” Jakob Yadav spoke from behind him, “So please, please sue him so I can make it four out of four wins against your useless ass!” Bethany Anne looked up to see Jakob’s face alight with open glee at the idea of being able to go to court against Martin.
I like this guy! She sent to Michael.
Why do you think I’m sitting next to him? He mused.
He probably told you to kill someone. She replied. Michael failed to respond in time, so she added, please, tell me he didn’t suggest you kill someone!
No, he didn’t tell me to kill anyone. Like I’m the problem child here – which one of us has a problem with her anger?
Oh, shut up. You’re getting me riled up and every time you do that before sex, blood ends up everywhere.
Like that is a problem?
No, I guess it hasn’t been with you. It just drives me nuts and then I wake up, and it just seems so…so…
Stephen King?
No, more Clive Barker.
Haven’t read him.
Don’t worry about it. ADAM supplied the response for me.
That’s cheating!
That’s using my assets.
Those are some very attractive looking assets.
My mind is up here, mister!
You keep telling me to catch up to the present generation and to stop being so stodgy with my actions.
Need I remind you we are in the middle of getting rid of a nationally-known and respected law firm?
Who brought up sex first?
Instead of answering, she spoke. “So you have two options. Admit to how many you have or you will be forcefully searched by Mr. Grimes here.”
“Three.” He admitted, his shoulders slumping a little.
“You chicken-shit!” Mills had started before Bethany Anne put up a hand.
“Eric will be here shortly to escort the three of you back to your vehicle. While Mr. Brimer here will be relieved of his bugs and he will provide the name of the company who employed him to accomplish this, you may all go once that is complete.”
It took another five minutes to get through the final effort by Brimer to get out of it. By the time the three left, they were yelling at each other. Eric was careful to make sure nothing else was left behind.
Bethany Anne watched the three exit the room. She turned to Jakob, “And then there was one.” She smiled at him, and he looked back.
“I don’t suppose you want me for my body?” He asked with a slowly forming smile and all five of the people left in the room cracked up.
Cheryl Lynn came walking down from the top. “That was well worth the price of admission!” She exclaimed and sat in the chair just vacated by Mills.
“I’d ask what suggested something might be going on, but I already know the answer to that.” Bethany Anne said, “So, Jakob, what brings a horned unicorn to TQB Enterprises?”
“A horned unicorn?” he asked, perplexed.
“Yes, I figured I would meet an ethical lawyer about the time I met a horned unicorn.” she stated.
“Well, I’m not sure I know what to say to that.” he replied. “But before we go further, I have to tell you I don’t know how many days I have left. I explained to Mr. Michael here that I mainly wanted to see the fireworks happen.”
“And offer to represent me if I punched out a paparazzi,” Michael smiled to Bethany Anne.
“That doesn’t sound very ethical to me, Mr. Yadav.” Bethany Anne responded.
“On the contrary, my dear. It is an effort to teach the young hooligans the fine art of minding their own damned business!” He grinned up at her, and she had the hardest time not smiling back. This man’s good humor was contagious.
“And if you were healthy enough to do this yourself?” she continued.
“Well, you know that the first rule of lawyers is to never represent yourself. So, since it looks like Michael here is in great shape, and I have the mind for it, and you carry the interest of half the world, we have a real shot at teaching a lot of young hooligans!”
At this, Bethany Anne gave in and started laughing. First, she snorted, then put her hand up to her mouth and shook herself before the chuckles became outright laughter. It took a moment for her and Cheryl Lynn to quiet down.
At this point, the two men were looking at her as if she was the mom, and the two of them were guilty of something, but both looked so damn cute, you just told them to go play outside again.
She sighed out loud, “Mr. Yadav, how much would it cost me to hire you so we have client confidentiality?”
“Well,” He started, “While I would do it for free, let’s say a dollar so we have financial consideration in place.”
Bethany Anne looked to Michael, who rolled his eyes and started reaching for his pocket. “I told you in London that carrying cash wasn’t a bad idea.” He pulled his wallet out and reached over to give her an American dollar. She told him ‘thank you’ and moved her hand a few inches and deliver it to the chuckling Yadav.
“So, what is it that needs my confidentiality?” He asked while pulling out his wallet to nicely place the dollar inside.
“Well, let me introduce you to the General. You might notice something about him that would encourage you to listen to the pitch for you to start up my In-House counsel…”
With that, the five of them stood up and left to go find her father.
IT’S HELL TO CHOOSE – Snippet 08 of …
New York – New York, USA
“Sir, Nathan and Ecaterina are here to see you.” Gerry’s secretary informed him. He punched the speaker button, “Thank you, Ashley. Please send them in.”
Gerry finished the email he was working on and stood up as the door to his office opened and Nathan stepped in, followed by his mate Ecaterina. Both smiled at him, and they met in the middle of his large office. He shook Nathan’s hand and hugged Ecaterina briefly. “Couch or desk?” He asked.
“I am thinking the couch,” She replied pulling on Nathan’s arm and changing his direction. “These shoes are beautiful, but they are not comfortable.” She rubbed Nathan’s back in passing and Gerry tried to keep the smirk off of his face.
Whipped.
He sighed inwardly, he was happy for Nathan. He was getting up in age, he shouldn’t be jealous of Nathan’s happiness. Now that the politics had been reduced substantially by Bethany Anne he might have the time to look around one last time for a significant other. Probably a human woman as a Were lady would outlive him.
The couple sat down on his small couch and Gerry asked if they wanted anything. Nathan replied that he would like a Scotch this time but Ecaterina demurred. Gerry raised an eyebrow to Nathan, who shook his head and slightly shrugged his shoulders.
That was interesting, Gerry thought. “Perhaps a water with lemon?” She agreed and Gerry made their drinks and handed them out. He made a gin and tonic for himself and sat down.
“So,” Gerry started, “how did the recruiting run go?”
“Too well, perhaps,” Nathan replied.
Gerry was surprised, “What? That’s kind of shocking. I figured with the fall-out from the last council meeting there would be a lot of bullshit cock-blocking of recruiting effort.”
“Oh, they tried that in the beginning.” Ecaterina agreed, “But it didn’t work very well.”
Gerry looked back over to Nathan for an answer.
“You really didn’t hear any news?” Nathan asked and then was surprised when Gerry grinned. “Who would have thought you would take so well to not being the top guy?” Nathan mused.
Gerry shrugged, “I was mostly doing it to keep the lid on anything Michael would do again. That massacre made an impression on me. Since Bethany Anne is heading things, I feel comfortable relaxing on this. Plus, you are my contact. If they have a problem with you, well shit – they can just complain to you!”
“You sneaky bastard, you turned off your phone!” Nathan accused.
“Not true.” He replied quickly, “I shunted anything but a couple of people off to voice mail.” He took a sip of his drink. “So, back to how you got them to get in line.”
Ecaterina cut in, “He grew furry and picked both of the alphas up and growled right in their faces. It was an exciting moment for many, I assure you.” She grinned, “The younger crowd got so excited about seeing a Procilici that anything the Alphas said went right out their ears.” She made a gesture with her hand, “Poof!”
Gerry chuckled, “Discussion through Intimidation? I thought Bethany Anne was a kinder, gentler influence on you?”
Nathan smiled, “That was Ecaterina, who told me to ‘get this dick-beating over with, it bores me.’”
Ecaterina blushed when both men leaned towards each other and high-fived as they laughed loudly. She interrupted their howling with, “I just asked myself what Bethany Anne would say…” That didn’t help any at all, now they were practically rolling out of their chairs. Finally, she stood up, “I think I will go talk to Ashley for a moment while you two boys get this out of your system.”
Nathan reached under to push her up more quickly and she popped his hand when she was standing then winked at him, “Promises, promises!” She stepped out of the room, and the two men turned back to each other.
“So,” Gerry asked, “turn into a Procilici and everything is good?”
Nathan grimaced, “Not quite that easy. Having to fight the rage that occurs when in that form is a challenge. It isn’t something that you want to provide to just any idiot with the raw ability. I’m a little surprised that Peter handles it so well.”
“Peter?” Gerry asked.
“Yes, John started calling him Peter and said that Pete was his old, younger name. It kind of caught on. Occasionally we will call him Pete within the group, especially if we are trying to tease him. But outside, and now more often inside the group, he is Peter.”
“He’s grown up, huh?” Gerry asked before taking another sip.
Nathan looked around the office for a minute, Gerry could almost see his mind replaying the incident with Peter’s dad and Nathan in this very office that decided Peter’s fate. “You know Gerry, for Wechselbalg, he is basically our chosen child. You know that?” Nathan mentioned, somberly, “He was the child sacrificed to the vampires and has risen up to become the leader of our next generation.”
Now, Gerry felt taken back to that moment. A moment which at the time had felt a lot less momentous and much more spur-of-the-moment decision-making. “Who would have thought?” He concurred with Nathan, “Now, we have three that can turn into Procilici and we are tied at the hip with one of the most powerful vampires ever to have existed.”
“The…” Nathan said.
“What?” Gerry asked, “Do you mean that she is stronger than Michael?”
“Oh, maybe not in sheer physical violence. I imagine he can still take her on in a one-on-one display. He has a thousand years of practice she doesn’t yet. No, I’m talking about her organization and what she heads up. Bethany Anne has built our group, and we are on the Moon, Gerry.” He took a sip of his own drink, “The damned Moon!”
Nathan turned to look around the room before coming back to Gerry, “We have over two hundred Wechselbalg volunteers right now, and that is the first wave. I expect by the time we finish with the U.S. and Canada, we will have close to a battalion of Wechselbalg eager to sign up.” He exhaled, “I don’t know if they are signing up because of me, because they need change or because they understand who Bethany Anne is.”
“Well,” Gerry answered, “My experience suggests no matter the original reason, Bethany Anne will focus their attention where it needs to be.”
Nathan saluted Gerry and downed his drink.
IT’S HELL TO CHOSE Snippet 07 of …
TQB Base, Colorado – USA
The lawyers from Mill, Sethy, and Brimer followed Cheryl Lynn down the hall. All of them passed a sharp dressed man lounging in the hallway. Their guide nodded her head, “Michael.” He nodded his head to her as the men stepped around him. Mr. Mill and Sethy nodded their head politely to him while Brimer ignored him altogether.
They were a couple of minutes behind the team from Thuresson and Guaran, and they had noticed Jakob Yadav pulling up in his older silver Mercedes Benz E350 behind them.
Like them, Yadav had come himself. Thuresson and Guaran were rumored to have sent a pinch hit team.
Apparently, Thuresson and Guaran hadn’t done their homework.
This account could easily add tens of millions to the coffers of their practice and between the three of them, they had over one hundred and twenty years of legal experience. The felt pretty assured that there wasn’t anything this group could throw at them that they wouldn’t be able to handle.
This was it, the final round that had started quickly in the last two weeks.
The three men were shown into the large meeting room, and all of them were surprised at the display of sophistication. The room was more of a small amphitheater with four levels of desks and screens and a large conference table at the bottom.
Thuresson and Guaran had five members already seated down at the first level of desks and to the left. Mill, Sethy, and Brimer were shown the chairs to the right on the first level.
Brimer smiled, that meant Yadav would probably get a second-row seat.
When she got back up front, Cheryl Lynn found Jakob Yadav waiting for her. He was dressed in a simple three-piece suit and had a fashionable gold pocket watch and chain. Cheryl Lynn found it cute. The man had already taken his hat off inside the office, and he was bald and had a somewhat large nose. He reminded her of the legendary NY Yankee manager Yogi Berra.
“Hello,” He reached out to shake her hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Jakob Yadav. I was asked to attend, but I have to be honest. I wasn’t planning on taking any customers.” He shrugged, pointed to his bare head and smiled, “Brain is good, but some cold mornings it takes more than one cup of coffee to get going!”
“Well,” Cheryl Lynn said, “as far as I know, they want you for your mind, not your body.” The twinkle in his eye assured Cheryl Lynn that Mr. Yadav had not lost any of his sense of humor.
“If you would follow me?” He nodded his agreement and grabbed his yellow pad and a pen and started to follow her down the hall. She nodded to Michael again but was caught by surprise when Mr. Yadav called out from behind her.
“You are Mr. Michael, are you not?”
Cheryl Lynn turned to see the two men shaking hands and Michael replying, “I am.”
“Good to meet you, my name is Jakob Yadav. Those hooligans getting snapshots of you and Ms. Bethany Anne when you have been on your dates have to be a right pain to deal with. If I were younger, I think I might risk getting thrown in the pokey after throwing a swing at those bastards.” Mr. Yadav released Michael’s hand and then leaned forward to gently poked him in the chest and leaned back again. “If you happen to punch one, call me. I’ll consider it a public service and I’ll represent you for free.”
Michael smiled at the much younger man whose body was rapidly getting away from him.
“I’ll tell you what,” Michael answered, “Next chance I get I will deck one of them. But it isn’t the police I’ll need you to intercede with for me. But rather my girlfriend.” He winked to Jacob, “She tends to frown at unnecessary violence.”
“Hmph.” He replied, “Rudeness taking pictures when you are having a private dinner is certainly a cause for violence. At least in my day it was.”
Michael smiled and turned towards Cheryl Lynn, a gleam in his eye. “My day as well Jakob, why don’t we go sit down together and hear what the group is going to say?”
Jakob and turned to walk with Michael. The two of them walking around the stupefied Cheryl Lynn in the hallway.
She turned her head and watched as the two men disappeared into the doors leading into the conference room. Looking back towards where her work waited for her she shrugged her shoulders and turned to follow the two men.
Michael wasn’t expected to be a part of the meeting. That he invited himself along was an indication that exciting times might lay ahead, and Cheryl Lynn would need to know the details for when Giannini grilled her later!