The Forest Bull (The Fearless) Page 15

  “Err, right. But I wasn’t about to bring some streetwalker into my house, so I looked around online a little, you know, just doing my homework. I’m an insurance actuary. Or I was. I know about risk.” Marcus explained.

  “That explains your shoes. Gah!” Wally piped up from the floor. Risa slapped her foot, hard. They glared at each other for a second and then fell back toward the conversation. Suma snickered again, clearly enjoying the fray. I remained dignified, as I always am. Ask anyone.

  Marcus, unmoved by Wally’s fashion criticism, pressed on. “I have a buddy at work. Derek. Or had, rather. He’s dead.” We all knew what was coming, but we let him continue. Only notes of the story would differ, but the tune would be familiar.

  “He whored around on his wife all the time, so I asked him if he knew of a girl, you know, who was available. A sure thing. So he told me there was an escort he’s been drooling over and that he would have her break me in the right way, in his words. She was expensive but when I saw her picture I thought it would be worth every penny. Only problem was, we had to travel to her, which was no worry for me, I didn’t have anything to do, and Derek said he’d pay for my ticket. So we plan it out. Or Derek did, anyway. We arranged to meet her at a hotel bar for a drink. Derek set it up and he knows his shit, so he got a room upstairs.”

  “What did she look like?” Suma interjected. Wally stood up to grab the wine bottle, intrigued. We all were by now.

  “Hot. Oh my God, was she hot. Blonde. Short. Tanned. Killer body, smelled like heaven and the angels all together. She looked kind of like you, Wally,” He added. Wally curtsied, while Risa grimaced. “She was so far out of our league I almost couldn’t look her in the eye. Her teeth were blinding. Even her hands were perfect. I felt like an idiot, sitting with her at the table, but she talked and flirted like we were old friends. Shit, I was hooked. I mean really hooked in, like, ten seconds. Her accent made me insane. I could’ve been happy listening to her reading an aspirin bottle.”

  “Describe her accent, Marcus. Again, if you would?” Risa asked.

  “It was southern. But not like, redneck, you know, I mean . . .” he struggled to articulate the finer points of southern dialects. “She said she was from the Garden District, whatever that means.”

  “New Orleans. Louisiana. High class brood mares out of there.” I said, earning a punch from Wally. “So how did this date proceed?”

  “Right, New Orleans. That’s where we ended up.” Marcus took a long pull on his beer. “Like I was saying, I went up first. She already had a suite. Beautiful, way over my pay grade, just like she was. She kissed me and bent my mind; I mean I just about fainted. In about a minute, I was on the bed, nude--hey, is this part okay? You want details?” he hesitated, turning shy.

  “It’s okay; these are my lovers. Feel free to hit us with the good stuff,” I stated flatly and then gave him a mock salute when his eyebrows went skyward. We get that reaction a lot.

  Sliding his eyes from Wally’s legs, Marcus continued. “Well there aren’t many details. At least, not with me. She lay upside down on the bed with her head over the side and I . . . I had trouble with my lift-off, if you know what I mean. I tried to concentrate on her face and her perfect tits. I mean, they were world-beaters, but, when I thought it wasn’t happening for me, I focused on this green necklace sitting in her cleavage. It shimmered constantly. I mean, what wouldn’t if your camping spot was in the most beautiful valley of all time, right? Anyway, I was pissed. I think she was just too insanely hot for me, and I felt like a kid getting taught a lesson by some cougar. Anyway, she was so sweet, and she said that we would see each other again and that she would make it right. Blew my gaskets right there to think about being with her again. And, after I went downstairs, that’s when Derek headed up. Looking back, that’s the point where things really start to get weird.” he paused in remembrance.

  “A question: how long was it before Derek went up to her room?” Suma asked. I wasn’t sure where she was going with that topic, but I listened, anyway.

  “Right away. And he was up there for, like, an hour and a half. I knew he was a stud, but come on. That’s world record stuff, right?” he gazed at me expectantly. I demurred and looked at my feet. He didn’t know what Wally and Risa were capable of doing to a man. Or each other.

  “Was Derek able to complete his ‘lift-off, as you say?” Risa asked as seriously as possible, given the subject matter.

  “And how,” Marcus enthused. “Derek said she was not just the best ever, but better than he could have imagined, like legendary. And he said she was really into him, ever since their first phone call, and we should come see her at her other place. You know, stay awhile.”

  Risa and Wally groaned. I laughed outright. Suma looked confused until I explained. “Let me get this straight. You and Derek left Chicago to fly a thousand miles to see a high class hooker because she was really into both of you? Is it amateur night? Aren’t you professionally trained to assess risk? Am I wrong in finding this hilarious?” I finished with a derisive hoot, looking around at our collective stunned faces.

  Marcus rubbed his face and shook his head. “I know, I know. And we did. But once we were there, she really took care of us. It was like we were visiting princes.”

  “Or cattle.” Risa interjected.

  “Right.” Marcus admitted. “I used all my vacation time for her,” he finished mournfully.

  “Why didn’t you leave? Other than being comatose from the attentions of Goldibox?” I asked, inwardly pleased with my phrasing. I laughed alone. No one understood my comedic touch.

  “It was the details, man. She kept us in one of her places--she had four. I wasn’t surprised; with that body, she could afford a castle if she wanted it. She would have a car bring us over one at a time--me during the day, Derek at night. Four, five hours of her and me. She knew my favorite foods, cooked like a chef. Or her staff would cook. Either way, best food I’ve eaten. Greeted me at the door with thirty year old whiskey that I couldn’t afford, but have loved since I first tasted it on my honeymoon. Fed me sliced fruit, gave me massages, hot baths, shit you only dream about. And then on top of all that, the sex.” He sighed heavily with memory. “I learned about things the human body can do but shouldn’t. I felt my legs go numb and my face tingle at the same time, and, sometimes, she did it with one hand. See my eye?” he asked, pulling his eyelid back and turning to show us. Blood still filled the corner where vessels had burst.

  “Conjunctive hemorrhage. Impressive. How’d that happen?” I asked. When I realized everyone was staring at me, I clarified my astute observation. “What? I read occasionally.” My genius was met with skepticism.

  “In the best carriage ride in the history of carriage rides, that’s where. She had a horse drawn antique carriage pick us up. We’re under these old oaks, the breeze smells like flowers, and she goes down on me. Right there! I’m looking up at this Spanish moss swaying, and I thought I was dying, that’s how hard I got off. When I regained consciousness, she’s sitting next to me, smiling, and I’ve got an eye that looks like a ruby made of jelly. I mean, seriously, I passed out from her mouth.”

  “That’s not unheard of,” Risa quipped. Marcus looked at her with amazement and me with newfound respect.

  “Other than your eye, did you have any health problems from being with her? Dreams? Anything weird?” I wanted to ferret out the nature of this sexual dynamo from New Orleans.

  “Me, no,” Marcus said, finishing his beer and setting the bottle down. “But Derek was in trouble. He stopped sleeping. We were only there for a week, but I don’t think he slept at all. He looked like shit, but I rarely saw him, she kept us so tied up with her, and, sometimes, she had a car take us into the city to do cool stuff, things that were really local and-- personal. Like she was sharing her life history with us. It felt like she knew everything that had ever happened in the city. And she said she wanted us for herself, that she enjoyed our spirit and didn’t want any of her sisters o
r family coming around. I got the feeling their family dinners must be like Armageddon.”

  That was closer to the truth than he knew. Derek was immersed in the thought if this woman. It was uncomfortable to witness, knowing she had killed his friend. And many others, no doubt.

  “Derek started to fade. He was really pale. She put us on a plane to go home, and neither of us wanted to. Who would? It was like leaving Eden and Aphrodite for the suburbs of Chicago. Derek didn’t talk much on the plane, he was too tired. He said she just fucked him every night, nothing crazy, but that he couldn’t tell when he was awake or asleep. It didn’t matter, she was still there, naked, on him, and he couldn’t stop.” His eyes rimmed with tears. “He died in the car on the way home. I was thirty seconds from a hospital, but they couldn’t save him. He was thirty-four.”

  The room was stilled by the memory of a man we had never met but a story we knew only too well. We stalled a moment to give Marcus time to regain his composure.

  “And then you followed her here for the sex?” Wally asked, her voice soft with compassion.

  “No, nothing like that” Marcus replied, his voice leaden. “I followed her here to kill her.”

  From Risa’s Files

  Savor the essence of New Orleans with a quiet evening hosted by the elegant Delphine. Worldly, gracious, and sensual, she and her southern hospitality are second to none. Let Delphine remind you exactly how gentlemen should be treated. A full evening of her care and company includes an introductory cocktail hour, followed by an in-home gourmet meal prepared by Delphine herself. Options include (but are not limited to): Carriage ride under the famous New Orleans oaks. Candlelit dessert hour overlooking a private lake. Champagne breakfast, massage, and dressing service. All of these memorable events are at the discretion of the gentleman in the event he chooses to leave the personal bedroom of Delphine during his visit. Few men do! Screening is, unfortunately, a must, as Delphine only sees select gentlemen. Her well trained staff awaits your call. Companionship is limited to established, refined men over the age of thirty five. Travelers welcome!

  Florida

  Marcus had clearly warmed to his narrative, but it was time for a reality check. Risa held up a hand to silence him, and to his credit, he obeyed. She’s tough like that.

  “Marcus, what makes you think Delphine should die?” she asked.

  Bluntly, Wally added “What makes you think you are a killer? Of a woman like her?” They were legitimate questions. This was a medium-sized insurance employee with no presumptive experience as an assassin. It seemed like a reasonable point of contention.

  He thought for a second and started speaking slowly, “Well, Derek was really healthy, you know? The whole thing was just so out of character for me, and Derek, even. I just know that she did something to him because, for him to die like that, with his face slumped against my car window . . . it’s just so fucked up.” He hesitated then added, “And, now, I still see her. At night, sometimes. Do you believe me?” He looked around for disbelief but found none, sinking appreciatively into his chair a bit. He had come to the right place for this type of problem.

  Suma asked, “In your dreams?”

  A violent shake of his head. Marcus was adamant. “No, I’m awake, I think. But I don’t know how she gets in the house without me hearing. How does she not wake my dog up? We’re five feet apart, for God’s sake. She oozes onto me, and I’m in her, fucking for all I’m worth, and no one else knows. I feel like I’m coming unglued, but just the smell of her on my shirt makes me fucking insane. I mean, what do I do, announce to the world that every night I’m balls deep in a ghost orgy? So I keep the secret. And I know the only way to stop is to kill her, or make her go someplace else. I don’t know.”

  “A succubus. Plain and simple.” I spoke, Risa nodded, and Wally nearly growled. She hated sexual competition. “Marcus, she’s not human, but you already knew that, right? And, now, this thing that defies every chart or data stream you’ve ever seen is taking your life from you, just like Derek. But you’re holding out longer because you’re probably a good guy with a clean slate who just wants to go to work, raise his family, and live your life, right?”

  “I thought I was insane. I’m an evidence guy, no matter how contrary to my feelings. Occam’s razor and all that, right? But then I think about Derek’s headstone, and I just sort of knew.” Marcus had lost his innocence to this creature. Now, he was losing even more in a slow drip that filled the succubus with his life and stolen memories with each nocturnal union. Sadly, he did so willingly in a haze of pleasure. Giving wanton gratification at the cost of life was an ace that immortals played too often. Few humans could resist the searing touch of a creature designed for seduction and Marcus, although resilient, was fortunate we could intervene. If he let us.

  I thought for a moment. “Marcus, could you arrange an introduction with Delphine? Soon? I think that, in her line of work, money talks. Maybe a very generous offer can bring the lady south for a date with a tall, ravishing Midwesterner, skilled in the ways of love, a man whose very presence in the room makes women swoon.-“

  “Okay, we get it, Your Highness. You want to play stud again and bring this succubus to us, rather than be in her lair.” Risa could not roll her eyes any more dramatically in mockery. It’s a good thing I’m not overly sensitive.

  “It peels her away from the staff, which is probably complicit in her needs,” Wally elaborated. “Getting her out of there gives us a chance to see if she makes contact with any other immortals while she’s on our turf. I can convince the hotel staff to give us access. Or Risa can do it with a kick to the balls,” she finished, earning a wintry smile from Risa, no matter how true. Risa simply cannot accept the fact that Wally is the consummate charmer, especially when it comes to bellhops and bartenders. I walked over to the table and picked up the necklace given to us by the Baron, watching the jeweled eye glint flirtatiously in the light.

  “I don’t know about all this, man. She’s set up like a queen. Why the hell would she leave? Just to bang one single john a thousand miles away? What have you got that she needs?” Marcus openly doubted me.

  “What she needs? A woman with money, staff, virtually eternal life? Dominion over men and a never ending river of lust and pleasure? You think I can lure her solely on the basis of my boyish good looks and some cash? No, Marcus. I don’t think that, no matter how dashing I may be,” Wally cooed mockingly, batting her eyes at me “—well, I could never have anything that she needs. But I have something far better.”

  “What’s that?” Marcus asked me, puzzled. I brandished the necklace, turning lazily on its chain.

  I tore my eyes away from the dancing horse to look at him. “I have something she wants.”

  Morning broke gently. Intermittent sunspots strutted across the canal in shards of whites and yellows, reluctantly giving way to the blue that shouldered upward towards the streaky clouds. I pulled on shorts and decided that I would watch our resident long-necked heron fishing by the dock until the house woke up, along with our guests. I walked softly past a deeply breathing Marcus, sleeping on the couch with Gyro, who had insinuated himself onto the couch in a tangle of knobby legs. Oddly, Marcus looked cradled in comfort, despite sharing his bunk with a beast. Crossing the yard, my feet welcomed the rough wood of the dock, and I perched, legs dangling, as the neighborhood came to life.

  A click from the sliding glass doors announced I had a visitor, but I was so content, staring at the water, that only a waft of rose scent identified Risa, who dropped a familiar arm over my shoulders and leaned against me as she lowered herself to lean on my side.

  “You smell like roses . . . and Wally. Sleepover last night for you girls?” I teased, nudging her as she yawned and slapped my thigh lightly in protest.

  “Something like that.” Her grin was wicked. “Suma took Wally’s bed. We kicked Marcus to the couch after you went to sleep and we were done discussing our brilliant plans for the tramp from Louisiana.”


  “Hey now,” I chided, “She’s a courtesan, not a tramp. Big difference. Like three grand.” I leered at her with what I hoped was my creepiest smile. I’m quite the charmer, especially before coffee. “Do you feel like things are changing beyond our control?” I asked her, giving voice to the vague fear I was carrying.

  “I think I do. I know Wally does. We talked about it. You know her impatience makes things seem much more immediate, but,” her voice softened as she formed her thoughts; “I think she’s right this time. I keep looking around corners, mentally, you know, wondering what it is that we’re missing here in the larger scheme. I don’t like being toyed with. Elizabeth is mocking us, somehow. All of these things are related. I just know it. I’m out of my element a bit here because you and Wally are so much better at using instinct. I just grind facts and then point you like a weapon. A very handsome weapon, especially when you don’t shave or brush your teeth. One thing I don’t understand about Elizabeth and her so-called daughters. Do they all get along? I’ve never seen a family that didn’t squabble or compete in some way. If there’s a way, maybe we can drive a wedge somewhere to make them come out and play.” She kissed my shoulder, and I savored the familiarity of that small act, reminding myself to groom thoroughly in appreciation of the gesture.

  “I’ll call the Baron and throw a few things his way. Sibling rivalry . . . yes. Yes, every family fights. And these are killers. Good idea. Maybe he’ll see a thread and run with it,” I told her, but for the moment, we just sat quietly in contemplation of the water, the sun, and each other.

  Wally drove Marcus back to his hotel after a late breakfast, but not before extracting a promise that he would return the same evening for dinner. There were many more questions to ask of him after a day of our minds percolating with the possibilities his information broached. Suma took my Wagoneer to the Hardigan Center in order to spend the day with Boon. Her leave of absence from work, taken at first as a simple vacation, looked to be more valuable each day, as her presence was welcome in our group. With quiet humor and an aura like a furtive smile, she complimented our rabble nicely.