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Gene's Part-A Demon in a
Gilded Cage
By Christine Criss and Trynia Merin
Disclaimer: Darkhorse
Comics owns the rights to the most recent KISS comics. Original comic book was
copyright by Marvel Comics. KISS is their own
organization. This is the work of dedicated fans for entertainment purposes
only. This is being written without the consent of those involved, and is NOT
FOR PROFIT! All other characters (OC) are propertry of Christine Criss and
StarbearerTM. No harm is intended to any parties involved.
****************************************
Chapter 2-The morning after….
Sunlight shone behind her eyes, and she felt
something warm and wet sliding down her bare body. Sheets were bunched at her
waist and she glanced up at someone's head and shoulders blocking the beam of
bright outside light streaming through the gaps in the curtains. It was Gene,
kissing and teasing her bare body, and she half wondered if he wanted her to
respond.
She closed her eyes and pretended to be
asleep. The kisses grew more numerous, and she felt him move close to her, and
the weight of his body partly pressing her into the bed. She finally opened one
eye partly when she felt his tongue invade her lips, and the feel of his hands
up and down her bare skin. Satin sheets embraced her and she realized how
luxurious they felt around her and how good she felt, her body tingling with
the exertions of their lovemaking last night.
"Good morning," she purred as he
parted from the kiss.
"Likewise. Did you sleep well?" he asked, and she knew by
the look in his eyes that he had probably been up for a while, and had watched
her sleep for some time. His hair was a bit mussed up, and he appeared far
different then the slicked down multimillionaire she had met in the bar the
previous night.
"I do and I know whom to thank for
that," she purred, and glanced up at him with those eyes that had been on
fire with passion the night before. For a moment she said nothing else and lost
herself in his dark gaze, pondering the events of late last night. Dare she
confront him? Was it her business? Gene for his part saw the puzzled pondering
look there, and cleared his throat. Suddenly a shy awkwardness set in between
them, and they knew it had been more then a fling.
Something had been awakened, but neither wanted to discuss its ramifications.
"How about some nosh?" he asked.
"Sounds good. And if you have plans, I can bugger off easy enough.
Just point me in the direction of the nearest taxi stand…" she said with a
laugh, trying to steel herself for the quick dismissal that may or may not
come.
"Why, do you have plans?" he asked,
face serious.
"We're both career minded people. I just
want you to know I take that seriously, and I know you've got a life and I do
to… in case we um… want to get together again…" she said carefully in
words that were as non emotional relationship as possible. She knew that men
often felt like they needed their space after a long and passionate night, to
recuperate.
"That's good to know, sweetheart,"
Gene nodded as he leaned down to kiss her cheek gently. "But I'm not the
kind of man who just dumps a lady out the next day without giving her a proper
breakfast, if you know what I mean… especially if we've both hit it off
extremely well."
"Good, but I just wanted to let you know
up front, that I'm not expecting anything of you… and that if you want to see
me again that would be terrific, and if you want me gone after breakfast that's
okay too," she said with a knowing smile, that looked a bit sad. It took
Gene off guard a bit, and her frank honesty made him admire her all the more.
"Well, before we say anything else about
that topic, why don't we get something to eat?" Gene said. "If you're
anything like me, I can't think straight till I've had my coffee and my
donuts."
"Sounds good," she nodded, with
relief. Better to throw the cards out on the table before hand. So if he wanted
to show her the door, he knew he wouldn't have a mess on his hands. And if he
wanted more then a one-night stand, he knew that it was something that he'd
have a definite say in. Because she respected they both had their own lives,
and it was only the first time they had been together. After all, things had
moved fast…
"All right then, sweet stuff. I'll take
care of breakfast, and you can freshen up if you want to…" Gene offered as
he swung to a sitting position, and she saw that he was wearing a silk robe,
cut just above the knees to show her a taste of what she'd seen last night. He
tossed a robe to her, and cleared his throat. "And um… the facilities are
that way, as you've guessed from earlier… so make yourself at home, and I'll
call you when grub's ready."
"Thanks," she said, her face
flushed a bit. "And um… thanks. It was really incredible…"
"No argument there…" he nodded, and
she saw relief on his face. Did he sense that she knew what really had
transpired last night, and was surprised she hadn't run from him in fear, she
wondered? He knew there was something good about this one, because she gave him
the space he'd needed to think about things. And if he did want to see her
again, which he figured absolutely. But how close should he let her get, and
how much of his wall should he open? There had been problems before… but now
that his life was lived behind the corporate walls, maybe something more
permanent then just a casual fling would be possibly. As he walked out of the
bedroom and rushed down the stairs, he considered his options. They got along
well, and she had made it clear she had no expectations. Maybe
a friend with fringe benefits. Or maybe a talented and passionate sex
partner… or perhaps a mistress? That's what they'd call it in the old days. Or paramour. He chuckled at the thought of Mistress, because
she had called him 'Master', and snorted at how cheesy that sounded. No, maybe lovers?
***
Gene was a creature of habit, and that was
apparent when he pressed buttons on the console phone and picked up the
receiver to check his answering service. Carrying the receiver he took it out
of the cradle that held the cordless phone and carried it with him into the
sizeable kitchen. He nodded as he heard the typical messages that had been left
from his untimely departure last night. Mumbling he clicked off the phone, and
then redialed down to the front desk.
"Hello? Miguel? Yes… has it come
yet?"
"I figured you'd be calling Boss,"
he said. "I sent someone out for it earlier… and he should be back in oh
um… thirty minutes…"
"Make it fifteen and you'll get a
bonus," Gene said half-serious.
"I'll make sure he sends it RIGHT
up," said Miguel. "I know you always HAVE to have your Dunkin
Donuts…"
"Assorted flavors, I hope he
remembered," Gene said. "No… why do you ask… ah…"
"Anything ELSE you need?" asked
Miguel.
"Oh… well can you send
"Got it boss," he said. "And
you'll be expecting her to pick up these items… today?"
"Yes. ASAP. And
while she's at it, have her see if she can find some comfortable slacks…and
perhaps some of those nice low cut blouses that are in style…" Gene
further requested. "And I'm going to have a load for the cleaners later
today all right?"
"Gotcha… oh… here he is now!"
"Perfect. I'll be expecting it soon… and
call
"As good as done…" said Miguel. "And um… good luck boss…"
"Thanks," he nodded with a slow
smile. Although most of the clothing stores opened well after he got to work,
the one he had sent Sheri to was an exception. Considering he was a major
investor. They would open when they saw her, sure enough.
He turned to see that only ten minutes had
elapsed, and hoped she was making the effort to stick around. Hanging up the
phone, he carried the pile of clothes he'd gathered up, that led a trail down
the stairs and ended at the sofa. Gathering them together, he chuckled at the
mixed bundle of women and men's attire, and tossed them down the laundry chute.
However he had kept the jacket she'd worn aside, and was glad it was in the
closet. He hoped she wouldn't mind his little surprise, and hoped she had a bit
of time to kill later in the afternoon. Carefully he set her purse upright,
where it had been thrown carelessly on the table. He noticed that it was
unzipped, and some items had tumbled out onto the floor. Imagine his surprise
when he saw a familiar photo ID card for Simmons Institute. The dragon curled
around the bottom of the logo was unmistakable. Although it wasn’t the
Foundation, which handled the bounty hunting it was the scientific arm of his
company. One that was affiliated with the hospital erected for burn victims
originally.
"Dominique Goldstein," he mumbled.
"Crap. I hope this… I'm surprised I didn't notice her before… assistant
researcher, forensics laboratory…"
Dating one of my 'employees,' he smiled grimly as he put the ID card back into her
purse, and carried it to the kitchen table. Did this change anything? No wonder
she had said what she did. She'd have been blind not to know whom he was, the
CEO of the firm where she worked. Little surprise that she had left it entirely
open as to what the next move would be. And she would understand what he was
next about to do.
***
The knock at the door startled him, and he
went to answer it. Glancing down at his watch he saw that fifteen minutes had
gone by. He opened the door to see Miguel behind it, holding a shopping bag.
"Good morning, boss, I got the goods. Sheri's gone on to work…"
"Thanks," Gene said as he folded a
one hundred-dollar bill into his hand, and took the bag.
"She must be something," Miguel
said.
"You could say that…" Gene said
cryptically, his emotions very torn right now.
"Way to go, boss… I hope it works
out," said Miguel. "Should I get the ride ready?"
"Yes," Gene nodded. "And
thanks for the donuts also…"
He closed the door after saying goodbye, and
carried the donuts in one hand, balancing the coffees with the other.
Temporarily he set the clothing bag down, which said "Excalibur
Boutique" on it, and carried the food into the kitchen.
"Gene!" she called from the
distance, about a minute later.
"Down here," he said as he glanced
up the stairs. He held something in his hands.
"Have you seen my clothes? I just
realized we have to go to work…" she said as she rushed downstairs.
"Good girl," Gene said as he saw
her in his robe, and smiled. "I have breakfast for both of us… and I took
the liberty of sending for some clothes for you to wear… I hope you don't mind
me having yours from last night washed."
"Thanks," she said with a pleasant
smile as he handed her a shopping bag. "Um… this is…"
"Hope it's your size," Gene said as
she took the bag, and her eyes widened at the logo. Easily a
Madison Avenue store. Almost the equivalent to Sak's Fifth.
"How long have we got?" she asked,
clutching the bag, and feeling her head spin. How many men would bring a woman
a change of clothes, in a store that wasn't even OPEN this time of day, in
addition to breakfast? Was this the rich man's version? Holy
crap.
"It's nine o'clock now," Gene said.
"If you want to call your supervisor and tell him you'll be a bit late…
you can use my cell phone…"
"Thanks…" she said. "God, I bet we're in a hurry?"
"Well, I don't want to make you later,
doll," Gene said with a smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to
get ready…"
"I'll um… change in the bathroom… if you
want me to…" she said, a bit put off by his sudden businesslike demeanor.
She could have at least expected a kiss from him, for crying out loud! Sighing,
she walked over with the clothes and into the bathroom. Opening the bag, she
hung what was there, with a bit of surprise. Fashionable short skirt, a bit
shorter than she'd wear but still within dress code, stockings with garters of
all things… which she DIDN'T wear, a low cut blouse with frilly collar, also
within dress code, and a pair of two inch heels.
"Man, he really presumes to know,
doesn't he?" she shook her head as she looked at the garter belt. Only a
man would presume that women actually WORE these things in everyday life,
instead of just in bedroom fantasies and porn flicks. Not to mention the black
lace panties and matching bra, which were rather fancy and also looked like
something out of a
"You all right in there?" he asked.
"Frickin garters," she mumbled as
she opened the door, and saw his look of confusion. "I appreciate the
effort but damn…"
"Need some help?" he teased.
"If you're game," she said. She
didn't expect him to walk over and lightly grab the top of her stocking on the
leg nearest him, making her squeak with surprise, while taking the long tab of
elastic in his other. Deftly he fastened them together, and she felt both a
flush of awkwardness and an erotic thrill.
Promptly the phone rang, and Gene walked over
to answer it. He slipped on his vest, and grabbed his jacket as he picked up
the line. Soberly Dominique boosted her other foot on the commode, and
struggled to hook the remaining silk stocking into the garter belt tab. Finally
she managed to herself presentable, and wiped sweat
off her brow.
"Send the car around… and tell Vortex
industries I'll be in for a meeting by eleven. Something's come up…" Gene
said as he glanced at his watch, and Dominique hunted for her purse. He picked
it up off the counter, which made her a bit nervous as she walked up, and he
handed it to her, still on the phone. A bolt of fear went through her when she
saw it was unzipped. God, he must have seen the badge and
figured it out. By the serious change in his demeanor, especially the
way that he handed her the cell phone, she knew that he was back to business
mode. Was this how he treated the women he brought here? Especially if they happened
to work for him, she thought bitterly. Ah well, it was nice when it lasted.
"I guess its back to reality," she
laughed, a bit sad. She had guessed this might happen. After all, he was a busy
man, and she HAD told him she didn't expect anything if he didn't want to.
Dammit, she cursed. She walked over, and picked up a donut from the kitchen
table. Swigging down some coffee, she watched Gene grab his own cup, and sip it
as he continued to talk about the day's agenda. He motioned her to come over,
and she looked at him with interest. He passed her a cell phone, and then
turned to one side as he continued his conversation.
She glumly dialed her boss's number, and left
a message with the secretary. Sighing, she wolfed down another chocolate
covered confection, and saw Gene hang up. He passed her a napkin, and she felt
a bit more like she wanted to say SOMETHING, but could tell he was in work mode
already. Fine, she had said it was fine, but for some reason it wasn't.
"I guess you're ready to go, huh?"
she asked as he picked up another donut, and she handed him the cell phone.
"And you know where I work…"
"If you are. The car's waiting… you can bring the stuff with you,
and finish the coffee in the limo," he said as he walked over to the
closet and took out her coat. He held it up, and she realized she should get
into it.
"Yeah, thanks for letting me use your
phone… and for the clothes…"
"Not a problem," Gene nodded.
"Now, shall we go? I don't want either of us to be any later than we have
to…"
"Neither do I,"
she mumbled as he picked up his briefcase in one hand, and the bag of donuts in
the other. She grabbed his coffee and hers, and saw he was letting her go
before him as he shifted the bag and case to one hand and opened the door. He
passed the donuts to his bodyguard, who moved to take the coffees from
Dominique. She let him, and walked beside Gene, sure he didn't want to take her
hand even. But he did, surprising her as he moved and took it. She glanced up
at him as he gave her hand a squeeze, and she examined his face.
"Ready?" he asked as he led her to
the limo, which was pulled up to their building. Miguel opened the door, and
Gene indicated she should climb in first. Once they were seated, her coffee was
returned, and the donut box was set between them. They trundled out from the
curb into the morning traffic jam of the City.
***
Her body tingled all over with their
lovemaking before, but she felt so awkward sitting next to him, all decked out
in his business suit as he sipped his coffee, and turned on the television to
watch the morning news. Dominique choked out a lump in her throat, cursing the
fact that she knew this was just a mutual one-night stand, and that she had
expected this. But why did it hurt? Why should she feel so angry and put upon?
He saw her as an inconvenience by the way he had been so businesslike with her,
that's why.
"It's your own damn fault,
Dominique," she mumbled. She had gotten the nickname from her friends, and
they called her that because she loved James Bond, just like she had told him.
The novels by Ian Flemming and the movies were her favorites, and perhaps
that's why she had jumped at the chance for working at the Simmons foundation.
Now that she had gotten to know its CEO and founder, she felt both exhilarated,
and sad. How could something so intimate be something so casually given? Why
did it matter when she'd had the same sort of hook up before with other men,
and it was perfectly fine to retreat to their own lives and pretend to be just
two people sharing a ride?
"Do you want the last donut?" Gene
asked, and it startled her. That was a slight turn in the opposite direction.
"Um no… I've had quite enough," she
said, wondering if he'd catch the double meaning. He regarded her thoughtfully
as he leaned back in his seat, and took the pastry for himself.
"Just making sure," Gene said as he
bit into it, and watched her. She cleared her throat and looked out the window.
"Thanks," she said. "Man the
traffic is pretty heavy…"
"Don't worry. Miguel knows a short cut.
ETA is only fifteen minutes, factoring in the rush hour," Gene said as he
glanced at his watch.
"Yeah, good ol' Miguel," she
laughed, putting on a happy face, even though she didn't feel too happy right
now. Why did she have to fall for this one, she wondered?
"Hey," Gene said as he touched her
shoulder. She turned and looked at him, not sure of the expression on his face,
which was of concern.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Thanks for understanding," Gene
said as he clasped her hand and gave it a light kiss.
"You're welcome," she said softly,
choking back her disappointment. The dismissal, she thought to herself. She'd
said it was up to him, and it was clear where this was going or not going.
"I had an incredible time," he
whispered as he leaned close.
"So did I,"
she whispered as she caught his hand, and gave it a squeeze. To her slight
surprise he kept her hand in his and put it on his lap, giving the back a pat.
She pulled her hand away, and forced a smile to her face. "I guess you're
busy, huh?"
"Apparently…" he said. "I apologize for rushing you back there…"
"Thanks for the clothes," she said.
"Where do I pick up my dry cleaning?"
"I'll have the claim tag sent to your
office," Gene said matter-of-factly. "And don't worry about paying me
back."
"I guess you'll want these back
tomorrow," she said, as she indicated the skirt.
"Why?" Gene laughed. "I won't
be wearing them. Keep them, by all means."
"Thanks, I guess," she shrugged.
Gene noticed the hurt expression on her face and sighed to himself. He was
about to say something when the limo stopped and the glass partition at the
front of the cabin slid down.
"We're here, Mr. Simmons…"
"Thanks Miguel," he said.
"Pull up to the front please…"
"Sure thing boss," nodded Miguel.
"I guess I better go. After all I don't
want to cost any extra man hours if I'm much later," she said before he
could say anything else, and she got out. Gene was about to follow her, but
held himself back as he watched her walk in through the main employee's
entrance.
"Aw crap," he mumbled to himself as
he stood up, and let Miguel take his briefcase and escort him in through the
private, executive entrance. Maybe it was better this way. After all, she DID
work for him.
***
Chapter 3-Tremors and aftershocks
Dominique went through the rest of the day in
a daze. She lost herself in her work as best she could, but still couldn't get
the memories of last night out of her mind. If she closed her eyes she could
still feel Gene's hands on her body, making her feel things that no other man had
felt in ages.
"Dammit," she cursed again,
returning to her computer. She typed in the sample names, and sent the commands
to the GC-MS to start the sample runs. IT had been another set of strange
samples in the Forensics area, and she was the chief operator of this valuable
instrument.
"You ok, Dom?" asked her co-worker,
Chase.
"Why I'm fine," she said quickly.
"Never been better…"
"You look like you could use a coffee
break. Why don't you take one, and I'll finish this…"
"If you insist," she said. Her friend
shoed her away and she hung up her lab coat. Sighing
she approached the double doors which opened automatically. Another set opened
into the ultramodern hallway, carpeted where the cubicles were.
Dominique settled into her desk, and closed
her eyes. She let out another sigh, and grabbed her coffee cup. This was
ridiculous. He set the limits, and she had to live with them. What was she
expecting? After all, he could have ANYONE he wanted. Why would he worry about
continuing on with her? Especially one of his own employees?
He probably didn't know till he saw her badge, which had fallen out of her
purse the night before, who she was. Maybe that's why
he gave her such a brush off.
She picked up her phone, and checked her
messages. Strange. The first was her friend from the
bar, and the second was from an unidentified caller. She pressed the button and
played it.
"Mrs. Goldstein, we have to talk. You
can't just go on not answering my calls… it's a very important matter… please
call me back at…"
She shivered at the sound of the voice, and
punched the next message. It was also from an unidentified caller, and it was
the same voice, with a more insistent sound, "I know you live at 100th
and first avenue Miss Goldstein. And you're going to stop by and get groceries.
You DO have time to stop and give us a call you know. It would be in your best
interests… call me."
"Damn the mother fucker," she
mumbled. She saw the notice that she had another email, and opened it. The same
message popped up, and she froze. She wasn't aware she had dropped her mug till
she felt the coffee on her foot, and cursed. Mumbling she leaned down and
sponged the coffee off the carpet. She got up by pushing her hand against the
desktop, and pulling herself up with the mug in hand.
"It's just a coincidence," she told
herself as she went to get some coffee. As she poured from the pitcher, she saw
her hand was shaking. Sighing she chugged it black, and walked quickly to her
desk again.
They had been calling the past week. She had
thought nothing of it at first. But now this was getting to be scary. She was
glad when it was four o'clock and she was about to go home. It didn't come soon
enough for her. There was an odd feeling on the back of her neck as she packed
her briefcase, and noticed an envelope with her name on it. Her heart was
pounding when she opened it, and saw something fall out.
It was the dry cleaning bill. It had to be.
She cursed and sighed with relief, and then glanced at the telephone. How much
longer would she have to be on her guard? Glancing at her watch, she saw that
she had six more hours to go.
***
It was now five thirty, and Dominique was in
the laboratory, hastily typing another sequence into the console of the GC Mass
spec. She was grateful for all the extra samples, because they occupied her
mind from the scary world that closed in around her. Dominique felt as if
invisible eyes were watching her every second of that day. For all she knew,
the other lab technicians and scientists that came in and out might by
Syndicate members. Shivering, she realized how much fear that name evoked. Were
they really what was behind this, or was it something else? She suddenly felt
very weird about going home. Even when she walked out the front doors, and
glanced around, she felt as if someone were watching her there as well.
"Aren't you leaving now?" Sue
asked.
"No, I think I'll go back… I forgot to
work up the data, and um… I could use the overtime…"
"Are you nuts?" she laughed.
"You work TOO hard…"
"Well, I don't want to leave it till
tomorrow," she said.
"Aren't you gonna see if that business
man is going to pick you up?"
"What?"
"Now you can't fool me. Heather told me
where you went when Alison and I came to check up on you… you rascal you!"
"Sue, it didn't work out," she said
hastily.
"I'm sorry Hun," she said as she
took her arm in sympathy. "Want to come with me and get a drink to
commiserate."
"No thanks, I'd rather be alone with a
pint of rocky road and a favorite movie," Dominique muttered, giving her
friend the only answer she figured she'd understand and not suspect.
"I gotcha. Well if you want a shoulder, I'm here…" Sue
said.
"Go home Sue, I'm a big girl. I'll
live," Dominique said as she managed a smile, which masked her true fear.
Granted she was upset that Mr. Simmons had treated her like a one-night stand,
but that paled in comparison to the underlying fear for her life. How simple
things seemed to her friends, she thought as she watched Sue grab a cab, and
wave to her. Someone from across the street had been looking in his or her
direction, and she could swear she'd seen him there before. She hadn't noticed
the same man reading a newspaper at the same hot dog cart the day before, or
the day before that.
How could she have been so stupid, she asked
herself? The subtle coincidences that she dismissed so casually had become more
and more frequent over the past six months. Only the added burden of being
miffed at Gene for becoming Mr. Distant had pushed her over the edge. It was
like her name, ironically enough. The set of dominoss had fallen, and he was
the initiator of the chain reaction. She could see them falling in a line, and
she wondered if she could get out of the way in time. Or was it as inevitable
as the law of gravity?
His eyes glanced in her direction, and he
gave her a smile. He walked towards her, and she shivered. Darting into the
building, she passed her co-workers who cast her a
weird look. Sharon, Kelsey, and Allison, who were all employees in various
departments whom she met for drinks after work, or for lunch.
"Where's the fire? It's quitting
time…" asked Kelsey. "I saw you walk out with Sue…"
"I'm going to stay and finish the
samples…"
"You can leave those for tomorrow… come
have a drink with us," said Alison.
"No thanks, I want to work…"
"Are you all right girl?"
"DUH," Kelsey rolled her eyes.
"She just got dumped by a rich guy. Wouldn't YOU be depressed too?"
"Yeah that's it, I'm just hiding in
work," Dominique gave a nervous laugh as her friends touched her arms in
sympathy. Let 'em think that was the reason she was so screwy lately. She
ignored their offers of help as she dismissed herself and rushed to the lab
area. There was no reason putting them in danger, since they were totally
innocent of this mess.
In the elevator she felt unsure and unsteady.
Even the ding of the bell made her shiver, and she gasped when the doors slid
open, and she saw the cleaning man was mopping the floors. She knew him well
enough. Hell, he had worked here since before she came. Everyone knew Rudolph.
"Is there anyone left here?" she
asked.
"Harris's still staying," he said.
"You working late, Miss Goldstein?"
"Yes…" she said.
"I've got a LOT of work to finish… how late will the building be
open?"
"You know the answer to that," he
laughed. "There's always SOMEONE burning the midnight oil here. Dr.
Metzger always stays late in Research. And there's Dr. Molson in
Forensics…"
"Thanks…" she said as she rushed
off and entered her cubicle. Luckily there were no more notes. She sighed with
relief, and took off her coat. Walking away from the cubicle, she entered the
lab area, and the safety of her lab. Maybe by six or seven thirty they'd lose
interest, and she could slip out.
Why did she worry,
she wondered. After all, it must be her imagination. But hearing all the things
about the monsters in
***
The phone rang, and Dominique went to pick it
up. Chase was there, leaning over the electron microscope as she grabbed it.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Why are you still here? I was waiting
at your apartment…" came a slightly accented voice, which was some foreign
accent, not Italian, but exotic enough to not be American. "You're letting
us down you know, little girl."
"Who is this?" she asked, keeping her
voice steady though she did not know the voice.
"Don't tell me you don't know,
missy," someone on the other end laughed harshly. "Didn't you get the
phone calls?"
"I don't know what you're talking about.
I have a lot to do…" she said
"We DID say it would only take a few
minutes of your time…" echoed the answer. "We
can ALWAYS stop by when you come home from work…"
"I can't talk now, ok?" she said
quickly, and hung up the phone. Chase saw her, questions in his eyes as he saw
her shaking.
"What's wrong, Domino?" he asked.
"Shit… how did they
get this NUMBER?" she muttered, hand on her face.
"Wait a minute, you're shaking…" he
said. Again the phone rang, and she put a hand to her head. Chase went to
answer it, and she grabbed his arm.
"Don't answer it," she said.
"Are you kidding, it's probably my wife,
telling me to come home or else," he laughed. "Hello, lab… no she's
here… I'll get her…"
"I'm not here," Dominique said.
"But it's someone who says it's
urgent…" he said with a question. "He said
that you had some important appointment you're missing and he wants to know if
he can reschedule it for tomorrow."
"I'm not here," she said. "Did
they say who?"
"Some guy with an accent who said that
you were missing some appointment… he says he's from your doctor's office…"
"Shit," she said as she sank into a
chair. Chase hung up the phone and walked over.
"Hey, what's this about… you're turning
pale…"
"If it rings again for me, just say I'm
not here…" she said. "That's NOT my doctor.
It's some prank caller."
"What's going on?" he asked in
concern.
"It's stupid," she said.
"No, it's not. What's wrong… do you have
a stalker?"
"I think so… I'm scared to leave…"
she said, knowing that she had to rely on someone.
"Shit, you want me to call
security?" he asked.
"I don't know," she said.
"Look, can you just cover for me. I'm going to leave. If that person
calls, tell them I'm gone…"
"Dominique… what is this all
about?" he asked. "Are you in trouble…"
"I don't know," she said as she
grabbed her coat and hung it up.
"If you're in trouble you should call
the police… wait…" Chase said as he rushed after her.
"Don't worry about it… its probably just
some nut case," she said quickly.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "You
don't look too good… now if you're in trouble you should tell someone…
dammit!"
"Yes… I'm going to leave. Sorry you had
to pick up for that nut case…"
"Do you want me to take you home?"
he asked.
"No, I'll just call a friend. Sharon or
someone…" she said. "To come get me."
"Good idea," he said. "Relax…
are you SURE you don't want me to…"
"Chase, don't worry. It's just my
imagination. Some dumb shit who got my number. I'll be
okay. I've just been a bit jumpy lately…" she said as she squeezed his
shoulder and slid out the door. He shook his head and watched her return to her
desk. Should he call or not?
***
Dominique felt her heart pounding. She heard
the phone ringing at her desk, and choked. Again it rang, and she turned it
off. Quickly she tried to pick it up, and dialed her friend's numbers. All she
got were their answering machines. Must have gone out, she figured. Perfect.
And she had missed her chance to hide with them. But that would mean they'd be
a target as well. Dammit.
She slammed down the phone and put her hand
to her head. Lifting her face she saw the envelope on her desk, and froze. She
tore it open, and saw the note inside. "How… how…"
Rudolph the janitor heard her cries, and
walked by as he said, "What's wrong Miss?"
"Where did THIS come from…" she
panted, panicking.
"Someone from the front desk had it sent
before you left… I didn't think it would hurt to leave it by your desk since
you said you were staying here… what's wrong? You don't look so good…" he
said in his accented voice.
"I don't… oh god…" she breathed.
"Do you want me to call a doctor?"
he asked.
"Oh god," she heaved, as she read
the note again. "I don't know what to do…"
"What… what's wrong Miss…"
"Call security… I can't… I can't…"
She buried her head in her hand, shaking as she sat there. The concerned
Rudolph caught someone in a white lab coat like hers, as they were walking by,
and whispered something. Shaking she forced back the desperate tears that
dripped from her eyes.
"She's here. But she's upset… I don't
know…" he said softly to the scientist.
"She shouldn't be still here… it's late…
let me talk to her…" came Chase's voice. She didn't bother to answer,
clutching the note as she felt someone tapping her shoulder.
"Hey, what's wrong… there HAS to be
something going on. Don't bullshit us… if there's a problem…" Chase said.
Over his shoulder the janitor looked, unsure and lost. Both men were her
friends; she had known them for the last five years for crying out loud. Was
she sinking so low to lose trust in her friends?
"I have a stalker… and I'm scared,"
she whispered. "Oh god, he's been following me for the last two
weeks…"
"It isn't that guy you went out with
last night is it?"
"Does EVEYRONE know that?" she
asked quickly.
"Take it easy, Sue told me… she was
worried because you looked depressed and we're your friends… it's our business
to know!" he said firmly.
"Yes, I know, but it WASN'T him. This
has been happening for the past two weeks…"
"That's it! I'll take you home,"
Chase said. "Rudolph, call security and have us get an escort…"
"Right away," he nodded as he
leaned over and grabbed Dominique's phone, dialing a number. He stood by as
Chase moved protectively close, sealing off the exit of the cubicle.
"Thank you," she whispered as he
got her hat and coat, and helped her into them. It wasn't long before a black
suited Foundation security guard came by, and Rudolph whispered to him. He
nodded, and waved back.
"C'mon Dr. Molson. I've come to escort you to the entrance. Is she ready
to go?"
"She'll be all right with me," Dr.
Chase Molson nodded. The three men surrounded her, Rudolph taking up the rear
while the guard led the way, and Chase held her arm protectively, carrying her
briefcase. Absurdly she thought of the Three Musketeers, protecting the maiden
in distress, and chuckled miserably.
The doors whooshed open, and Chase said a
thank you to the two other concerned men. She hung onto his arm as he walked
her outside, and flagged down a cab for them both.
***
The taxi cab ride was almost thirty minutes,
and she couldn't help but glance out the window constantly to see if they were
being followed. Up the stairwell where he buzzed her in with her key and to the
floor where she was he was at her side.
"You promise you'll call the police if
you get any more calls?" he asked as he helped her open her door. She felt
her hands shaking as she opened the two locks, and pushed it open. Nobody was
there when she flipped on the light.
"Yes…" she said as she turned to
him. "Thank you…"
"I'll make sure," Chase said as he
pushed the door open, and followed her in. The one bedroom place was
reassuringly messy for a place she hadn't cleaned in the past week. He picked
up the phone and started dialing as she wildly looked out the windows.
"What are you doing?" she asked,
nervously.
"I'm calling
"Damn Chase, you have to go home…"
she sighed. There was no sign of anything out of place, and she knew that only
someone who buzzed could get in here.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Look you're making us worried sick!"
"Yes… just go home…" she sighed.
Whatever she was facing, the thought of endangering her friends made her shut
them out. They shouldn't be jeopardized because of her.
"You'll call Sharon or Allison when I
go, right?" he asked.
"Yes… now go home to your wife,"
she said as she shoed him to the door.
"I hope you're going to be all
right," he said reluctantly.
"I'll be fine. Thanks for being there…"
she thanked him. He kissed her cheek and left. She closed the door behind him
and double locked it. A necessary white lie, but a lie nonetheless. Seriously,
what could they do? If she called the police, they'd find out her secret.
Chances are she'd end up in a lab or a nuthouse.
Walking around the apartment she pulled down
all the shades, and turned off all the lights except for the TV. Grabbing the
automatic gun she kept in a drawer by the door, she put it close at hand before
she went and got herself a TV dinner to throw into the microwave.
When she had started to eat, she turned the
TV up as loud as it would go. She unplugged the phone, and locked all the
windows. Granted she was on the fourth floor, but you never knew what would
happen. The fear of the phone ringing was abated, but she couldn't shake that
the place was being watched.
Even when she continued to sit there,
watching show after show, she didn't feel the least bit tired. So she changed
into sweat pants and a T-shirt, and settled down to watch the late shows. If
she had to, she'd stay up all night. After all, she was much too wound up to go
to bed.
***