“You have a wonderful body, Ida. Let’s give it the outfit it deserves. I’m sure you can keep the Virgin Queen at home for one evening.”
Ida gave a half-smile and looked down at the table then looked up again.
Tina checked her watch once more then took out her phone and tapped through it before frowning and shaking her head.
“Oh, that bastard, he always does this,” she said. “He said he’ll meet us at the party tonight. I’m sorry about this.”
“Oh, ok,” said Ida. “That’s fine. It can wait.”
“You get used to it,” said Tina, giving Ida a reassuring smile. “So let’s finish up. I’m sure you want time to relax and get yourself ready after you go shopping for your dress.”
“Yes,” said Ida, standing up simultaneously with Tina. “Thanks again for that.”
“Of course,” said Tina, shaking Ida’s hand. “See you tonight.”
“See you then,” said Ida before pulling her handbag close and leaving the office.
Matthias Vidrik stood at the end of the hallway and watched Ida from behind as she walked toward the stairs. The sight of her caused his skin to prickle all over and his vision to scatter momentarily. Patience. You’ll have her soon.
When Ida disappeared through the stairway exit he sauntered down the hallway and turned left to find Tina Radara perched on the edge of the table. She stared directly at him with that icy stare of hers before taking off her wig, revealing her shaved head. He took up a spot some distance from her.
“She’s a charming a girl,” said Radara. “I can see why you and Abel are so captivated by her.”
“What’s she wearing tonight?”
“That’s a surprise.”
“Mmm, I can’t wait.”
“I’m sure,” said Radara. “Stay out of sight until it’s time. I want her to myself first.”
Vidrik curled his fingers and toes tightly.
“I understand the plan,” he said with a raspy whisper.
“Good,” said Radara sharply.
“If Stirner finds out what we’re up to—”
“As long as you take care of Abel when the time comes, we’ll be fine.”
“Of course I will. And before he dies, he’s going to know exactly what I have planned for her.”
“I don’t want to hear about your sick games,” said Radara while looking away. “Your idea of fun is different to mine.”
“At least I’m honest with my prey.”
“What are you saying?” said Radara with a sudden venom in her voice, turning back toward Vidrik with her deathly stare. “That I’m dishonest?”
Vidrik snickered. I could kill you right now, you cow.
“Your approach has its uses,” he said. “Even I can admit that.”
“I’m glad,” said Radara. “So show some appreciation. Without me, Ida would still be hanging around in some filthy Berlin dive bar, and you would have no way of getting to Abel. Without me you’d have nothing.”
Vidrik sighed and lifted himself off the edge of the table.
“I’ll be waiting downstairs for the two of you tonight,” he said as he walked away. “Don’t take too long.”
Radara said nothing. Vidrik reached the doorway then turned around, finding her staring directly at him without a shred of emotion in her face. She remained motionless, not bothering to acknowledge that he was leaving. He froze, tormented by his inability to break through her walls. He was desperate to leave the room but her stare held him in place. The seconds ticked on, and still she remained, unflinching, inviting him to hate her even more. What a disgusting… She was so… so…
“Ah!” he finally yelled out in sheer frustration, slapping the air and forcing himself through the doorway before stomping his way through the corridor toward the stairs.
14
Ida carefully focussed on the reflection of her face in the mirror, inspecting every blemish that needed her attention. It was too quiet in the room for her liking, and she scoured around for the remote control and turned on the television. A French-dubbed Hollywood action movie which she had never seen appeared, and she flicked through the available channels until she found the English cable news.
“Where is Michael Inselheim?” said the presenter immediately. “The CEO of the Inselheim Group has been missing for over a week now after a break-in at his house, raising fears that he has been abducted. Concerns are growing for his safety, and a company spokesperson has made repeated calls for any information that could…”
They played old video footage of Inselheim at a business gathering as the presenter continued to speak. Ida shook her head disapprovingly. She had an idea what happened to him, but also had no intention of getting involved in that mess again.
Wearing the hotel robe over her dress to guard it against smudges, she got to work on her makeup while the television continued in the background. She put on moisturiser first followed by the primer. The foundation evenly spread, she picked up the concealer bottle and went about dabbing beneath her eyes before spreading the formula out with a sponge. Makeup done, eyelashes evenly spread and cheeks blushed, she grasped her lipstick and began painting her lips plum. She paused suddenly and moved her hand away while turning to the television. Two words had forced her to take notice of the current story. She watched as the newscaster recapped the details of the gruesome killings in Poland, then turned stiff when the victim was revealed to be the Berlin Bomber. Frederich. Hours after he had come to see her, he was brutally murdering someone. Thirty stab wounds. Her hands grew clammy. She was taken back to their conversation at Lustgarten when she first found out about him joining The League. How had he described himself? ‘Not normal?’ I belong there, he had said. Her affection for him was already hanging by a thread. What would cause him to act like that, she wondered? Only a monster could do such a thing. Frederich was not… or was he? She blinked hard and shook her head before mindlessly turning back to the mirror to finish what she was doing.
Within minutes she picked up
