LITMIR.BIZ

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are always knocking on my door, but I’m not ready yet.”

      Betty stooped to pat Toby as she continued to talk. “How’s the new knee working out? Not using your cane, I see.”

      “I keep it close, but I’m getting better. You won’t have to babysit me much longer. I know what the traffic is like in Vancouver this time of day. I should be paying you for gas.”

      “Forget it. Hell, coming into Richmond is nothing.” She stood and glanced at Nancy’s leg. “Are you still in pain?”

      “Not bad. I’ve cut back on the pills. Probably should have had both knees done. The worst part is that it makes me feel old.”

      “You’ll be seventy-six next month.”

      “You’re only a year behind me, so don’t rub it in. Besides, you’re only as old as you feel.”

      “I thought it was you only feel as old as who you feel.”

      “Betty Donahue! What would mom say if she were alive to hear you talk like that?”

      “Probably laugh,” replied Betty.

      Nancy smiled. “Bet you’re right. Come on in. There’s some gin in the cupboard to the left of the fridge.”

      “I know where it is. You sit. I’ll make them. Should I walk Toby first? After a few snorts I may not be able to.”

      “No, do it later. Let’s visit first.”

      “Later? Hell, by then I might be blind drunk and stumbling around looking for a taxi.”

      “Perfect. It would be a good opportunity to see if Toby will make a good seeing-eye dog before I do get old.”

      Mia went to use the washroom and Mr. Frank leaned forward in the chair and took the opportunity to refill her wine, but when she came back she reached for her purse to leave.

      Mr. Frank grabbed her arm. “Where are you going? We’re not done.”

      “Aren’t we?” she replied, pulling back. “You have more questions … or instructions?”

      “I need to get you to relax. You’re still too nervous.”

      “I’m fine … actually that is not entirely true,” she added glancing at the wine bottle. “I feel strange … sort of tingly.” She turned back to Mr. Frank and said confidently, “Don’t worry, I will do what is expected.”

      “Strange? Tingly?” replied Mr. Frank. “Your nervousness is manifesting itself.” He stood up and held her glass of wine towards her. “You’re far too uptight. Drink this before you go.”

      “No, I’ll be okay.”

      “I can see that you’re not. We need to roleplay. Close your eyes and pretend that I am Mr. Rolstad. I want your response to appear natural,” he said, putting his other hand around her waist and pulling her toward him.

      “That will not be necessary,” replied Mia, trying to pull away.

      Mr. Frank held her tighter. “Have some more wine,” he urged.

      “No! I’ve had enough!”

      “I need to know how you will react,” he replied, squeezing her tight to his body. She tried to push him away but he used his weight to topple her onto the bed. The wine he held spilled onto her blouse as he landed on top of her.

      “Get off me!” she demanded.

      He intentionally brushed his chest across her breasts as he placed the wineglass on the bedside table.

      “Relax,” he ordered, before kissing her on the nape of her neck while trying to arouse her by slowly grinding his pelvis against hers. “I need to see how you will perform,” he whispered, moving his lips to the top of her breasts.

      “I’ll perform for the benefactor, not you!” shouted Mia. “Let me go or I will contact the benefactor personally and explain how your actions led me to quit.”

      Mr. Frank looked at her sharply and pulled away. “Direct contact is forbidden. As far as you are concerned, I am the benefactor. This is your destiny.”

      “My destiny does not include having sex with you. That I know. Get off me,” she hissed.

      He reluctantly got up and watched silently as Mia scrambled to her feet and grabbed her purse. Seconds later, she slammed the door shut.

      He cursed himself after she left. Mia was one of the most valuable assets they had. For that reason, she was only one of two that he was assigned to handle. He had let his own lust interfere. Giving her wine spiked with drugs … the benefactor would never tolerate such action …

      Chapter Three

      Nancy said goodbye to her sister and returned to her chair. Toby expectantly looked up at her and waited until she gave a welcoming pat on her knee before leaping up to lay on her lap.

      She smiled, reflecting upon the visit with her sister before nodding off to sleep.

      Mia got into her white Lexus and slammed the door shut. After pulling out of the hotel parking lot, she reflected upon how strange she felt for only having had one glass of wine. The ecstasy … did he? He wouldn’t dare.

      She thought about the stress she was under as she drove. Is it my nerves reacting over what I must do tonight? The thought of it makes me sick … yet I must for the common good. She glanced at her purse containing the two bags of drugs and her thoughts returned to Mr. Frank. Whatever the reason I feel strange, never again will I accept anything to eat or drink from him. Mom would be so angry if she knew I drank from a bottle that I had not seen opened and poured. She taught me better.

      She examined her face in the rear-view mirror and saw that her mascara was smudged under her eyes and used her fingertips to wipe it. A lurching jolt of her car and the sound of screeching metal brought her hands back to the wheel. She had sideswiped an oncoming car and her hands spun the wheel hard to the right. It resulted in an overcorrection and the right corner of her Lexus hit a parked car and came to an immediate stop.

      Nancy immediately sat upright, startled from her sleep by the sound of a car accident in front of her house. The commotion caused Toby to bark excitedly.

      “Toby! Hush!” she commanded, reaching for the phone while peering out her window. She hesitated when she saw a woman in a red blouse get out of a white car and run back to a silver car. Seconds later, the woman driver in the silver car also got out and was using her cellphone.

      “Looks like they don’t need our help, Toby,” said Nancy.

      Mia scrambled from her car and ran over to the woman driving the silver Nissan. “Are you okay? Are you injured?” she asked.

      “I, I think I’m okay,” she replied. “You drove right into me.”

      “I’m sorry. A bee flew into my face and —”

      “Looked to me like you were putting on make-up,” snapped the woman.

      “I’m going to check my car,” replied Mia, deciding not to engage the woman. “Then we can exchange driver’s licences and car registration. Don’t worry, insurance will cover the damages. The important thing is that nobody was hurt.”

      Mia returned to the Lexus to get her documentation. She knew she would have to call a tow truck as well. The sound of the woman talking on her phone caught her attention.

      “Yes, it’s an emergency! I was driven into by a woman who is drunk. She has booze slopped down the front of her … no there are no injuries, but … thank you. Please hurry. I’m in Richmond at —”

      Shit! Breathalyzer? Arrest? Am I stoned? Mia didn’t wait to hear the rest. She grabbed her purse from her car and retrieved her own phone. As she pretended to make a call, she walked over to the sidewalk, conscious that the other

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