Blackmail

by John Charles

  Chapter 2

  Karl awakened early and made his way to the trade show entrance. Much to his surprise, only members of the show were allowed in prior to opening. As a visitor, he has to wait another two hours.

  Like most conference facilities, the Convention Center had a vast maze of restaurants, quick food stands, slot machines and other venues around the huge conference room itself. A person could spend all of his time outside the trade show and not retrace his steps.

  Deciding to make good use of his time, Karl wandered around the vast halls outside the show looking for information about his prey. People were talking about the companies they visited the prior day. Others talked about the list of booths they had to see during their time at the show. Many people talked about the money they lost the prior evening at various casinos.

  Then Karl stumbled onto a group talking about Damien’s presentation. Coffee in hand, Karl introduced himself to the group saying he was a student doing genetic research and was interested in hearing their thoughts about Damien and Valentech. As with most people in similar environments, the people in this group opened up to this student answering all of his questions.

  Several in the group complimented him on his ability to understand the complex subject of gene spicing or gene re-sequencing. One woman was so impressed with Karl that she gave him her business card and suggested he contact her. The morning was turning out quite well for the virgin spy.

  By the time the show opened to visitors, Karl was equipped with more information than he imagined he’d have. Now how do I get Damien in private so I can dig into his secrets?

  There were hundreds of booths at the show. This was the pharmacy’s biggest event of the year, bringing out every company from the smallest manufacturer of prescription labels, to the largest manufacturer of generic drugs. Companies made their annual sales at these shows and were staffed with their finest salespeople, chemists, and engineers. Many booths had hired women in skimpy bathing suits handing out brochures and samples of everything from bottles, to prescription pads. Karl’s goodie bag filled up quickly.

  The text message he received reminded him why he was there. It read, “You’re not here to enjoy yourself. You’ve had enough time to play, now get back to work.” He didn’t respond.

  Goodie bag in hand; he meandered back to the Valentech booth. It certainly isn’t a booth. It’s an island in a sea of sharks. He found himself standing near a large screen display showing a video of many of Valentech’s products. It was impressive, even to a person with his experience.

  Valentech founder Ferris Valente, started the firm over 30 years ago. He saw the need for a company that provided high quality pharmaceuticals that helped people. Many if not most of his competitors were firms that provided drugs and medications to suppress symptoms of the common illnesses of the day, rather than provide cures. Ferris had other ideas.

  A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Ferris spent ten years in general practice. He saw the manner in which drug companies recruited doctors into prescribing their high priced drugs. He had no intent then or now to be in bed with the likes of those companies. When he refused to sell their drugs, they blacklisted him. His practice began to die when other doctors offered his patients the drugs he refused to prescribe. After selling his practice and mortgaging everything he owned, Valente started Valentech with the focus on real cures, not money-making schemes.

  Life was not easy in those first few years. He second guessed himself almost daily, but kept moving in the direction he intended his company to go. His first few products were not big sellers. Doctors didn’t believe a small family owned company could produce a real cure for disease when big pharmaceutical houses could not. They were more than skeptical.

  Slowly some smaller practices came around and started prescribing his products. To their amazement his medications worked. Patients got better and began telling others about the miracle cure their doctor prescribed. Word of mouth testimonials were better than all the advertising he could buy. Orders for his products began to increase. He hired new research scientists who had the same integrity he had. Valentech became a real company selling real products that people wanted to buy. Doctors had no choice but to prescribe his products. Their patients insisted.

  Other pharmaceutical houses accused him of false advertising, witchcraft, promising results he could not deliver, but he continued with his quest against all of the naysayers. Valentech continued to grow.

  Thirty years later, Valentech is the recognized leader in genetic research. Damien Hadwyn’s name was added to the list of renowned genetic scientists on the forefront of discovering real cures to the illnesses that plague the world today.

  “Impressive isn’t it?” said the voice behind him. Karl turned to face Damien merely two feet behind him. “Very impressive, but what I’m looking at right now is more so.”

  Damien, caught off guard, had no reply. He looked around to see if anyone heard the comment then said, “What did you just say?”

  “I said the video is impressive, but not as much as you are Damien. From the first moment I saw you receiving the award, I thought you were something special. Then talking with you yesterday, confirmed my feelings. You, Damien, are the impressive one here,” he said as he closed the short space between them. Whispering he said, “I’d love to find out just how impressive you are. What do I have to do to get you alone after the show today?”

  Damien was spared a response when Andrea approached. “There you are, Damien. Hello Karl, what a nice surprise seeing you two days in a row,” she said. “Damien, would you join me in the conference room. Two of our key clients want some time alone with you.”

  “Seems like everyone wants some alone time with me,” he said looking at Karl, and then walked toward the conference room with Andrea at his side.

  “What was that all about?” asked Andrea as they made their way. “Is he bothering you? If he is, I can have security remove him from the show.”

  “No he’s not bothering me, but he sure is insistent. He just propositioned me. That is the last thing I want right now,” he said.

  “There is something about him that bothers me, Damien. I think you should stay clear of him.”

  “I’m a big boy, mom. I know how to take care of myself. Anyway doesn’t the saying go ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?’ Maybe I should let him have his way with me. I could use the diversion, don’t you think?” he said with a huge grin on his face.

  “Men, they’re all alike. Can’t get their minds out of the gutter,” said Andrea as she escorted her prize into the conference room. “Gentlemen, here is your star. Have your way with him,” she said punching him in the arm. “Be good now, boys” Damien put his business smile back on his face and greeted everyone in the room.

  Karl was not going to let this little set back bother him. I know he wants me, and I certainly want him. But how do I get him alone?

  The day was a blur for Damien. Ferris, Andrea and others at the huge booth pulled him in every direction. Meet this client, talk with this investor, answer questions from this group of students; the day was a whirlwind of activity. By the time the closing announcement came from the P.A. system, Damien realized that he had not had time for lunch. He was tired, hungry and for the first time in many years content with himself. Life was starting to be fun again.

  One of the many Valentech employees at the booth asked him to join them for dinner. His first thought was to say no, but he changed his mind and went along. He rarely got the chance to mingle with others in the company, so he thought this would be good for him. And it was.

  After changing into casual clothes, the Valentech group made their way to one of the buffet dinners, got last minute tickets for a magic show, and topped off the evening with a turn at the roulette table. Even though they all lost their bets, they had fun.

  Not seen by anyone in the group, Karl learned more about his target then he expected to do. He watched Damien interact with his co-workers, saw what
he ate for dinner, watched him laugh at the magic show, and saw the amused disappointment on his face when he lost at the roulette table. “This guy is so much more private and confident than we ever imagined,” he said to his boss later that evening. “I think we have to move in a different direction with this. I doubt I’ll be able to get into his pants here at the show.”

  “I’m beginning to agree with you, Karl. I have an idea that might work, if you can pull it off. There are two more days till the show ends. Let’s work it this way instead.” The two spent the next half hour developing a strategy to get Karl and Damien closer, much closer.

  Chapter 3

  The remaining two days of the conference were intense. Valentech’s island booth was one of the busiest on the floor. People wanted to meet someone with information, not the sales clerks that staffed the front line of the booth.

  Thousands of brochures and novelties found their way into the hands of the crowds. Investors, clients, potential clients and those seeking just a little more about Valentech’s next new discovery did their best to meet one of Valentech’s scientists. Ferris was thrilled with the success of his endeavors to the point of being giddy.

  On the fourth day, Ferris made his way out of the crowd for a much-needed break. Seeing this as an opportunity, Karl followed and accidently bumped into the man as he rounded the corner near the rest rooms. “Excuse me, sir,” said Karl. “Didn’t see you.”

  “No problem, young man. It’s just as much my fault as anyone’s. I only had a few minutes to take a break and took the time to hit the head,” said Ferris looking at Karl. “Aren’t you the young man that held Damien captive on Monday?”

  “Captive, I wouldn’t call it that, but yes, that’s me. I’m so impressed with what you are doing that I just had to learn as much as I could. Seems your booth is the hit of the show and I’ve not been able to get close enough to talk to anyone since then.”

  “Well, I’ve got a few minutes so let’s get out of the crowds here, and you can ask me what’s on your mind.” Ferris led Karl away from the crowded area to a small snack booth. “Coffee or soda?” he asked.

  “Soda would be fine, sir,” said Karl.

  The two men chatted for a while, exchanged cards, and phone numbers then broke apart. Ferris walked back to his booth, Karl in the opposite direction. When his phone beeped, he knew what to do without looking at the text.

  He walked to the appointed location and waited for his boss to arrive. They were just two people in the midst of thousands who made their way to wherever they were going. “Listen to this,” said his boss, as he handed Karl the ear buds.

  Karl looked up to see his boss smiling face. “Yeah, you bugged their conference room,” said the man.

  Karl stopped walking and said, “No way man. I never signed up for that. I’m out of here” He threw the ear buds at the man, and started to walk away. A hand gripped his shoulder, pulling him to the side of the street.

  “You can go if you want, but the info on this disc will be very incriminating if you do. The man gave Karl the ear buds again and told him to listen. Karl heard himself describing his efforts to get Damien to cooperate. Before he could say anything the man stopped the recording, looked at Karl, and said “I have enough here to put you away for twenty years. Industrial espionage is a federal offense. If you thought I would do this without some personal protection, you’re more of a fool than I originally thought.”

  Karl was petrified. He knew he was doing something very wrong, but never thought of the real consequences. Now he was facing a potential criminal charge, jail term, and blackmail. “What do you want from me?” he asked his blackmailer.

  “Nothing more than our original agreement. You get the formula for Valentech’s leukemia cure and you’re free to do whatever you want. Just remember I have enough evidence to fuck you for life if you fail or even think you can put anything on me.” He turned and walked away without another word.

  Karl just stood there watching his blackmailer’s back until he blended into the crowd. He needed the money but not the risk of a jail term. Damn, I’ve really gotten myself in too deep. He started to walk. Well there’s only one way out of this so I might as well go for it. He turned and walked toward his hotel to make plans.

  As the busiest day of the conference ended, Damien and Andrea found themselves with more invites to parties than they could attend. “I’m not sure I want to go to any of these,” said Andrea. “I think I’ll pick one, show my face then leave, unless it’s a great party. Then who knows what I’ll do.”

  As the two walked across the street to their hotel, Damien said, “I am surprised at how much partying goes on here. I thought the convention would be boring, but I must admit, I’m actually having fun. Tonight, I’m going to the party at the Rio. Some of the sales guys said it was great last year and suggested I join them. Why don’t you come with us?”

  “No, you go and have some fun. Having one of the bosses there will crimp their style. I have plenty to keep me busy tonight. Go have some fun. You deserve it. Just remember tomorrow is a half day and we are not on duty, so you can sleep in.”

  Damien was actually looking forward to an evening off and the chance to see what this mysterious town had to offer.

  The sights and sounds typically found in a huge casino assaulted him as he entered the building. Slot machines ringing, music playing, people talking, wait staff with trays of drinks everywhere he looked. It made his head swim and he liked it. He needed to be free of his job and his thoughts. Tonight would be memorable, but in a different way. He was there to have fun.

  The Valentech group found him before he even realized they were there. “C’mon, we’ve been waiting for you,” said Bennett, the young Valentech salesman, as he grabbed Damien by the arm and just about dragged him to the bar. “You look like you can use a drink,” he said. Before Damien could answer, Bennett placed a drink in his hand. He offered the group a toast, “To Valentech the company that’s going to make us all millionaires.” Everyone cheered and drank.

  After several additional rounds, the group moved from the bar and found their way to the main casino where five sat at a Blackjack table surrounded by the others for support. Damien was no gambler, but knew enough to play the game relatively well. His chip pile grew as those of the others dwindled. Bennett, found Damien’s enthusiasm and confidence extremely compelling.

  When Bennett ran out of chips, he let a sales clerk take his chair at the table and stood behind Damien who continued to play. Resting his hands on Damien’s shoulders, Bennett could feel the strong muscles below his shirt. He gently massaged the solid muscles allowing his hands to move farther down his chest. Damien didn’t object to the very sensual massage he received from his co-worker. “I’m going to let someone else take a turn. I’ve won enough for now,” said Damien as he pushed the chair back. When he turned to get off the chair, Bennett, only inches from him, reached out and gently ran his fingers down Damien’s face. Then Bennett ran one finger across Damien’s slightly parted lips.

  “You’re a good player, I’m impressed,” said Bennett as he allowed the hand to fall from Damien’s lips to his chest. “I wonder what other games you know how to play,” he said moving his hips to make full body contact. I bet you could teach me a lot.”

  Taken off guard by Bennett’s sudden aggressiveness, Damien stepped back only to find his retreat blocked by others in the party. “I’m not used to this type of attention in public,” he said, but didn’t remove Bennett’s hand. “I guess no one really cares what people do here, do they?” he questioned.

  “Let’s make our own party. They’re having so much fun, they won’t miss us,” said Bennett as he pulled Damien from the group. “My place or yours?”

  Before it fully closed, Bennett pushed Damien against the door and planted a kiss on his lips. Damien pulled Bennett into his strong arms allowing Bennett to ravish him, then picked the slender man up, never letting his lips loose and carried him to the bed. Gently slidin
g his lover and himself down, he held Bennett beneath him as they continued to get lost in the lust of sex.

  Bennett Janek had wanted this moment from the first day he started at Valentech. He was teamed with Damien for a company tour and explanation of their products. Bennett found Damien so attractive and sexy that he had great difficulty concentrating on Damien’s words. Several times during that first day, he had to ask Damien to repeat what he had just said. Damien just smiled, repeated his previous sentence and continued with the tour.

  Not new to pharmaceutical sales, Bennett was a top performer at a competing company when a recruiter told him of the position at Valentech. He gave the recruiter an immediate yes when asked if he wanted to apply for the job. The interview process was intense as three other salespeople were being considered for the one opening. Bennett’s knowledge, past experience, and his positive attitude allowed him to win the position. Ferris and Andrea were quite pleased as Bennett turned out to be an excellent choice. His sales performance was exemplary and his clients loved him.

  He attacked his job with enthusiasm, worked out daily at the company provided gym, and partied with fellow workers. He loved his job and it showed. At 29 years old, Bennett was the perfect example of a young man on his way to the top.

  Now he was under the man he lusted for since that first day. Their lips parted as their breathless bodies inhaled deeply. Damien’s smell was a combination of strong manliness, alcohol, and something else that Bennett couldn’t place. He loved it and wanted more.

  Taking advantage of a break, Bennett pushed Damien over and straddled his body. Both hands resting on Damien’s chest, he said, “I’ve wanted to do this since that first day you took me on the company tour.”

  Laughing, Damien said, “At first I wasn’t sure why you kept asking me to repeat things. Then I saw the look in your eyes and realized you had it bad. I had the feeling, back then, that given the chance you would have jumped my bones right there in the lab.”