Alistair listened as the two women spoke. The more he heard, the more he was finding himself agreeing. “Did they find what they were looking for?” he asked.
“They destroyed my laptop, but they wanted the camcorder. I told them I didn't have it and if anything happened to me, they'd never get it. I think the only reason I lived as long as I did was because I told them that. Speaking of your source, did you ever get in contact with him?”
“Not yet I haven't. He's still not answering and I've called over a dozen times. If it's true what they told you about killing the mayor's dominatrix, Jason may be in trouble too. I never knew what relationship he had with her, but it had to be something serious. He came to me with the story because he knew I worked for the Chicago Word. He was also very concerned about her getting free of Dwight,” Felicity said.
“I know Dwight's Mistress. We should call her just in case they were lying to you. Felicity call Mistress Veronica Daily. She also has another number under: Mistress V,” Alistair said.
Felicity took the cell phone he handed her and began to scan through his phone's contact list until she came upon her name. It was in a list of many “mistresses and masters”. She started the call. The phone rang several times until her voicemail picked up. Again, Felicity called both numbers, and again then she left messages on the last attempt. A simple one, just for her to contact Alistair as soon as possible.
“She's not answering either,” Felicity said.
“They're cleaning house, you think? Anyone who would know about the mayor?” Allison asked.
“If that's the case, they'll be coming for you,” Felicity said, looking at Alistair. “We can't go back to your house and you need to get Bernard out of there.”
Alistair's head shot towards her, his brows creased as he registered the ever increasing seriousness of their combined situation. “Call my home, now.”
Felicity did just that, calling the main number. The telephone ranged repeatedly until the voicemail picked up. She hung up and dialed again, still nothing.
“Call his cell,” Alistair said.
Felicity dialed that number, too and someone answered, but it wasn't Bernard. “Hello, Alistair,” said a male voice.
“This isn't Alistair,” Felicity said.
Alistair looked at Felicity, noting her terrified expression, then gestured for her to put it on speaker phone. She did. He pulled the car over on the shoulder.
“Who is this?” the male voice asked. “Where's Alistair.”
“Who am I speaking with and where's Bernard?” Alistair said.
“I'll be asking the questions,” said the man.
“Where's Bernard?” Alistair demanded.
“He's here, can't say that he's doing very well right now, don't think he'll last the night unless you do as I say.”
“What did you do to him?”
“Like I said, I'll be asking the questions.”
“Not without answering a few of mine, that is how this will go,” Alistair said.
Allison's eyebrows shot up as she watched him negotiate with a possible hit-man. He's not a man easily manipulated. He stays in control. I see how he swept Felicity off her feet, she thought.
“Now, what did you do to Bernard?” Alistair asked.
“He's in pretty bad shape. Didn't want to tell me where you keep the files on your clients. He's pretty loyal.”
“That's because he doesn't know, only I have that information. Killing him won't help you, so just let him go.”
“Now, how does letting him go help me? He's seen my face and letting him live poses a great risk to me. What are you willing to offer to sweeten that kind of deal?” the mystery man plotted.
“What guarantee do I have that you'll let him or even me live once you have what you want?”
“None, I guess we have to trust each other.”
Alistair sighed. “That's just it, I don't trust you.”
“Well, this stalemate just won't do.”
“I need to speak with him, let me hear his voice first,” Alistair demanded.
“Sure, I can arrange that,” the man said.
There was the unmistakable sound of a bullet leaving a silencer and the last groans of a dying man. All three of them jerked, their eyes bulging as they looked at one another. Felicity covered her mouth to stifle the scream that nearly erupted when she realized that Bernard was dead.
“Is that good enough for you?” the stranger asked. “Now, answer my fucking question before I decide to visit that club of yours and terminate some of your employees. Or maybe I'll even start subtracting members off your client list. How many more lives are going to be lost this night while you pretend you're still in control?”
Alistair was silent as he thought about his butler laying murdered in his home as a result of Felicity and Allison's actions and one man's ruthless desperation to keep his secret hidden. He had no doubt that he would be killed... he already knew too much. Alistair also knew Felicity and Allison be next, even if he did give up the files, they'd come after all of them. He found himself growing angrier by the second. “Hang up,” he told Felicity knowing any information he gave wouldn't bring Bernard back. “Call 9-1-1.”
Felicity dialed the number, keeping the phone on speaker. When the dispatcher answered, Alistair began reporting the crime and Victoria's disappearance. He answered what questions he could and he did imply the killer or killers may be dressed as policemen. He gave them the information Allison provided about their badge numbers. He also said, his life was in danger and he was not going home.
“Hang up and remove the battery and SIM card,” he told Felicity, wanting to end the call before any more questions could be asked. She did. “Allison, did he sound like either of the men who attacked you?”
Allison shook her head slowly, still in shock. “No, that voice was completely different. Huskier. The cops who attacked me had more baritone voices.”
“So now we know there's at least three people out there looking to kill us,” Felicity said.
“Where are we going to go for safety, now?” Allison asked.
“To a hotel downtown,” Alistair replied. His voice was leveled in his rage, hands gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.
Felicity lightly touched his thigh. “I wish I could take it all back. Everything, Alistair, I'm so sorry.”
“We need to figure out our next move,” Alistair said, keeping himself focused, but also not wanting to address Felicity's guilt at the moment.
“Oh God, I'm so scared!” Felicity said as she looked from both Alistair to Allison.
Alistair reached over, taking her hand into his and squeezing gently. He could feel her trembling, her fear growing stronger as was his.
“Why didn't you tell them that the mayor is involved?” Allison asked.
“Because I wanted them to take me seriously. We don't have any proof to give them detailing Dwight's involvement.”
“What about your club?” Felicity asked.
“I closed the club tonight in preparation for the time we were to spend together. My clients and employees will be safe for now,” Alistair said.
“Can't they break in and get that information?” Allison asked.
“It's possible, but they have to know how to crack my security system and my computer's password. Then be able to unlock every file on my computer's encrypted hard drive,” Alistair said.
“Okay, sounds complicated,” Allison said.
“It is.”
“I'm so sorry, I swear I didn't think anything like this would happen,” Felicity said, once again, feeling the burden of his pain.
“I know Felicity. You thought the risk would be minimal, not really taking into account all of the players or angles,”Alistair said, each word clipped off in his anger.
“Felicity, please tell me you still have the camcorder?” Allison said, changing the subject. She crossed her fingers hoping her friend had the little device.
“Yes, it's
in my pocket,” Felicity answered sadly. She couldn't help but feel responsible for everything that was happening. A part of her was wishing she'd never agreed to write the story even if so much was riding on it.
“Oh, thank God. You know if we can get that story out there, the mayor will be linked to the murders, and attempted murders. That's what our next move should be,” Allison said. “I don't care if we got to go on Youtube, we need to do this shit tonight. We can't run and hide forever until they kill off everyone who knows or may know about Dwight's crazy, sick-ass sexcapadeds.”
“Allison, remember, we're not judging,” Felicity reminded.
“Man, ain't nobody got time for that shit. Fuck that! When you start murdering people because you want to hide the fact that you're a filthy, fucking, sexually-psychotic, cheating bastard, I'm judging your bitch ass. Crazy ass probably wanted her to shit on him and that's why she wanted to drop his ass!” Allison retorted. “Fucking maniac.”
“There's definitely a Domme in there somewhere, I know it,” Alistair remarked.
“Huh?” Allison looked at him, confused.
“You have a very dominant personality, Allison. I could easily see you wielding a whip,” Alistair clarified.
“Don't be trying to drag me into your world. And since I'm on this rampage, don't think I didn't notice my girl crying. I might as well say this, too. Felicity's head-over-heels in love with you and I see why,” Allison said.
“Allison!” Felicity yelled.
“What? We're telling the truth around here, right?” Allison said. “I hope you know how lucky you are to have a woman like Felicity in your life, Sir Alistair.” She was Felicity's best friend and she took her job seriously. Checking your best friend's man is in the guidebook. Page seventeen. “Yeah she messed up and this whole situation is fucked up, but I hope you know how much she cares for you.”
Alistair cocked an eyebrow, but didn't make a comment.
Allison left it at that. The rest would be up to Felicity. “So how does my plan sound?” she asked, getting back to the situation at hand.
“After tonight, he didn't leave us any other option. It's not like he's going to just agree to leave us alone,” Felicity said.
“If he can kill over this, there's no telling how much blood is actually on his hands, metaphorically speaking,” Alistair said. “Incidentally, your sex scandal story may reveal a past darker than any of us could have fathom.”
“So, that's what we're going to do. We just have to have a computer and internet connection,” Felicity said.
“Do you have a computer with you?” Allison asked.
“No.” Felicity looked at Alistair. “Do you?”
“No, but Target is still open. We can purchase a laptop there,” Alistair said, then he drove off Lake Shore Drive onto Columbus.
“We have to hurry, they're almost closed,” Felicity said, looking at the clock on the cell phone.
Alistair turned down Roosevelt. “We'll be there shortly.”
“So, who's buying this laptop?” Allison asked, looking at Alistair.
Felicity turned to her, then to Alistair.
“I can tell by the amount of eyes I have on me that my wallet is being volunteered for this,” Alistair said.
“I didn't say anything,” Allison stated.
“Except implying that you weren't going to buy it,” Alistair pointed out.
“Yeah, you have me there. I just want to expose this bastard for what he did and for what he's still trying to do.” Allison leaned forward, putting her hand gently on his shoulder. “I'm sorry about your butler, Bernard,” she said, sincerely.
“Thank you, Allison,” Alistair said, acknowledging her sympathetic condolences.
He pulled into the parking lot and they all climbed out. Alistair fell into step beside Felicity as they walked into the store. They wasted little time gathering some first aid products for Allison's wounds, a disposable cell phone and a prepaid Visa card. Then they made their way to the electronics department, grabbing the first laptop that had a decent processor.
“He seems to be handling all of this well,” Allison said to Felicity as the two women stood off to the side waiting for Alistair to purchase the items.
“He believes in maintaining control over one's emotions. Trust me, he's super fucking pissed at me and probably you, too. But above all, I'm sure he's pissed at Dwight,” Felicity said.
“I know one thing, I ain't taking my black ass to work tomorrow,” Allison said.
“I wish I could see the look on that bastard's face once this story leaks out,” Felicity said.
“Try your source again,” Allison said.
“I can't. My phone died and you know Alistair's is out of commission. Even still, I couldn't reach him before,” Felicity said.
“Is he ever that hard to reach?” Allison asked.
“Never. At least not in my experience with him.”
“What's his last name?”
“You know, he never told me, even when I asked him.”
“Where did you meet him?”
“Waiting in line at a grocery store. I told him I worked for the Chicago Word, it just came up in our idle conversation... I can't even remember how,” Felicity said, chuckling sadly. “When he got wind of the story, he thought I'd take him seriously and be willing to work with him under his conditions. I wanted the opportunity to move up, so it all worked out. Until tonight, of course.”
“Were you friends before that?”
“We saw each other on occasion at the store, but that was it.”
Alistair was done purchasing the items. He made his way over to them, towering over both women. “We need to go,” he said. He pressed his hand on the small of Felicity's back as he led them out of the store. Back inside the car he began asking more questions.
“At what point did you think this story would cost you our relationship, Felicity,” Alistair asked her.
“I was hoping it wouldn't.” Felicity looked down at her hands as she fiddled with his cell phone.
“Why did you lie to me as long as you did about your real name? Even after I gave you the key to my home?” Alistair spared her a few glances as he drove.
“Can we not talk about this now?” Felicity asked.
“Fine, but when we get to the hotel, I want answers, Felicity,” Alistair said.
Allison was sitting in the back feeling grateful that Felicity opted to have their verbal confrontation outside of the close quarters of his extremely awesome automobile. She looked around admiring the nice leather and the beautiful dashboard. I swear I can smell the money this car cost in the interior, she mused.
It didn't take the trio long to find a nice hotel downtown. He pulled up in front of the Hilton on Michigan Avenue. Valet immediately ran to his driver's side door as he climbed out. Other valet attendants opened the passenger doors assisting the two women. Alistair handed him his keys, he took the ticket and the three of them walked inside. Again, the ladies stood off to the side as Alistair paid for the hotel suite using the pre-paid Visa. He didn't want to have to wait for a room to be cleaned out and the suites were readily available.
“Come on.” Alistair led them toward the elevator. When the doors opened, they stepped inside. “As soon as we get into that room, load up this computer,” he said once the doors closed.
“Did you see everyone looking at us in the lobby?” Allison asked. “They probably thought we were two hoes going to have a threesome with this rich dude. Or maybe they thought he was our pimp since I'm all beat up. I did feel some hateful vibes.”
“Perhaps they just assumed we were polyamorous,” Alistair said.
“What the hell is that?” Felicity asked.
“When a couple has no problem consenting to their lover's desire to have more than one lover,” Alistair said, explaining the term in its most simplistic definition.
“Oh,” Allison said. “I thought that was polygamy.”
“Not quite the same thing,” Alistair
said. “For one, marriage is not a necessity and it can involve same sex relationships. This is our floor.”
The elevator doors opened and he stepped out with them following behind him. Once inside their suite, he handed Allison the computer, took Felicity by her arm and led her into the master bedroom, closing the door behind them. Allison looked at the closed door, feeling a bit worried for her friend, but this time she had to stay out of it. Instead, she opened the box and began setting up the computer.
Inside the room, Alistair stood over Felicity as she sat on the bed.
“My questions, answer them?” he demanded.
“God Alistair... I didn't know you from the man on the moon when I walked into your club. All I knew was that people were doing weird shit with their bodies and getting off on it. I went back, looking for the mayor but he wasn't there yet again. Then you found me, standing in the doorway, afraid to go inside because I was beginning to like what I was seeing. Then you asked me to come back and I went back... not for the mayor but because you asked me to. I came back for you!”
“Go on.”
“You swept me off my feet and exposing the mayor seemed so unimportant when I was with you,” Felicity said. “I didn't tell you my real name because I was hoping when the story broke out, you wouldn't connect me, at least not right away. I'm actually surprised you didn't have me investigated before I signed the contract.”
“I find it more exciting to get to know the person you are one day at a time. It's part of the trust that I wanted to establish with you. You were taking just as much of a chance signing that contract as I was, even more so as you were agreeing to give me control over you. So no, I didn't have you investigated. Did you look my information up?” His jade eyes studied her.
Felicity shook her head. “All I knew was that I wanted you.”
“And I, you.” Something inside him began to warm up to her, his anger slowly subsiding as they spoke. “About your fake name. Wouldn't your newspaper place your photo next to your real name for the story?” Alistair asked pointedly.
“I was going to try to avoid using my photo for a while, at least until I knew...” her voice trailed off, then she sighed. “You're right. It probably wouldn't have worked out the way I was trying to plan it.”
The Pleasure Room Page 27
