32.
Donovan Creed.
Sensory Resources Headquarters.
THE VIRGINIA COMPOUND will become Sensory East, and I’ll build a Sensory West in Las Vegas with my own money. I’m not moving into Lou’s old office. I’m happy with the one I’ve always had. It’s comfortable and well- located. See that door on the left wall? That’s actually an elevator that leads to my underground sleeping quarters.
I’m leaning back in my chair, feet propped on the desktop, sipping bourbon, basking in the warm afterglow of my phone conversation with Callie.
She didn’t laugh.
She actually shares my feelings!
I think about our future together, sip some more bourbon. My cell phone vibrates. Caller ID says it’s Dani Ripper.
When I answer she says, “My opinion? Callie came through with flying colors.”
“Did you really test her limits?”
“I really did. I pushed as hard as I could.”
I take a deep breath before asking, “How far did she go?”
“She was hanging in there really well until the phone call. What in the world did you say to her, anyway?”
I laugh. “I told her she was pretty, said she was a great assassin, told her she had great reflexes…”
Dani laughs. “You’re insane. First you concocted the whole ‘Creed must be gay’ routine, which is pretty narcissistic of you, if I’m being honest. Then she calls to ask how you feel about her and you tell her she’s got great
“That was my intent.”
“Risky business,” Dani says.
“Not as risky as marrying a younger, beautiful woman.”
“You’re planning to marry her?”
“Someday, absolutely. But I can’t afford to fall in love with a woman I can’t trust.”
“Which is why you called me last week.”
“Exactly.”
Dani’s a private investigator, but makes most of her money doing decoy work. Wives pay her to learn if their husbands are cheaters. Fiances pay her to test their prospective husbands’ integrity. Attorneys pay her to test the fidelity of their clients’ spouses. Campaign managers pay her to test their opponents’ characters.
I hired her to see if Callie was ready to enter into a monogamous relationship with me. I figured if she could stop short of having sex with a goddess like Dani Ripper, she’d be a good investment for my love. In my line of work, being in love’s a luxury. I can’t afford to take chances.
Dani says, “Well, she was everything you claimed, and more. Absolutely stunning! Prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Did you see her naked?”
“Sadly, no.”
“How far did she go?”
“You really want to know?”
“I need to know. That’s why I hired you.”
“Nothing happened before the phone call. After you shot her down, she was into it big time.”
Dani pauses, waiting for me to speak. When I don’t, she says, “We kissed.”
“Did you kiss her first?”
“No. That wouldn’t be honest. The target has to make the first move.”
“Is that it? She kissed you? Nothing more?”
Dani pauses again. Then says, “She touched me.”
“When you say she touched you…”
“If you want me to be more specific, I’ll need to bill you for two stiff drinks and a cold shower.”
I chuckle, then say, “Did you touch her back?”
“No. Like I said, that’s not part of the job.”
“After I called her back and told her I loved her, did she stop immediately?”
“Yes.”
“Completely?”
“Yes.”
I smile. “And when she hung up, did you keep applying pressure to try to get her to continue?”
“I can honestly say I’ve never worked so hard to seduce someone.”
“And she came through for me.”
“She did. And I have the recording to prove it.”
“Video?”
“You wish. Audio.”
“Thanks Dani.”
“You thanked me already, by keeping me out of jail last month. Not to mention the generous check you sent.”
“Is there anything you’d like to add before we hang up?” I say.
“Two things. First, you’ve got a hell of a woman there, Donovan.”
“I agree. And second?”
“If you hadn’t called when you did, I would have surrendered.”
“Surrendered?”
“By noon tomorrow, I’d have picked out an engagement ring.”
“What would Sophie say about that?”
“Who cares? We broke up tonight.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay. We’re still going to be friends, still going to live together.”
I’m confused. “Which part of breaking up am I failing to understand?”
“The sex part. It screws up friendships.”
“You’re sure about that?”
“Positive.”
“Then do me a favor, okay?”
“What?”
“Don’t say that to Callie!”
33.
TEN MINUTES AFTER Dani and I hang up, Callie calls.
“Did I wake you?” she says.
“No. Can’t sleep.”
“Me neither.”
“What’s up?”
“You think we can make it work?”
“Yes, of course.”
“You’ve really thought this through?” she says.
I wait an appropriate time before saying, “What’s on your mind, Callie?”
“All the things you’d have to give up.”
“Such as?”
