Adam approached the reception desk at Industrial Pneumatics and asked if Bill was available. The receptionist, Irene, a pretty little teen, blushed and said she'd call and ask. Adam leaned on the reception counter and perved on her firm young globes as she made the call. Her ripe breasts were begging to be groped, but Adam knew she was spoken for, and she had resisted all his previous advances. So he did no more than look.
He was rudely interrupted by a gruff voice from behind.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
Adam turned to face the CEO, Harry Croft.
"I'm your office supplies rep. I sold you all those laser printers last year. I'm waiting for Bill Harrison."
"Well, wait over there and let my staff get on with their jobs," he snapped, pointing to the couch beside the entry door. He handed the receptionist a folder of papers and retreated back into his office, slamming the door.
Adam had noticed a marked change in the receptionist's demeanour when Croft appeared. But before he gave it more thought, Bill came around the corner. They shook hands, and Bill told Irene to hold his calls for half an hour. Then he led him away to meet the department heads, and take their orders.
Adam had been working for an office equipment company for over a year. It was not a job he wanted to do for the rest of his life, but he was on a commission for all he sold. They had a hot new product that was pouring out the door and putting more dollars in his pocket than he would earn anywhere else.
Bill was an old mate. He’d known him for years. After he had taken all the orders, Bill led him back to his office for a coffee. They sat and caught up for fifteen minutes. He asked, “What's up with your boss? The grumpy old bastard had a go at me just before you turned up. He didn't like me talking to Irene.”
Bill looked uncomfortable, "No, he wouldn't. I'm a bit worried about her. She changed a couple of months ago. She became all sullen and withdrawn, whereas she had always been lots of fun and flirty before. I think Harry might be bonking her."
"What makes you think that?"
"Lots of little things, but the main one is that I'm pretty certain Harry bought her a new car two months ago. Harry denies it and says she paid for it, but they put the car through the company books. He says, to get her a discount. But there is no record of her having paid any money into the company accounts. Seems to me there is only one reason he’d buy her a car."
"Anyway, changing the subject. When are you going to get a proper job and put your brain to use again?"
"I'll probably stay put for another year. I'm selling these new electronic whiteboards, which have taken off with the schools. I sold twenty of them last month and will sell another twenty this month. I could sell more, but that's all we can get into the country. I must make hay before all the other office supply companies get a hold of a similar product."
"Are you on a commission?"
"Yes, 5%, and each one retails for nearly $4,000. Do the maths. I bet I'm earning twice what you are currently earning. I'm sticking as much in the bank as I can, as I want to start my own business."
"You should come into business with me. I'm not that happy here, and I want to start my own company."
Adam changed the subject. Going into business with your best mate was not a good idea.
"I thought you had just been promoted to director?"
"I have, and given some shares too. But Harry's a bit dodgy, and I don't know how long I'll last. I hear that you have to travel a lot. Does that not piss you off."
"No, I enjoy the travel. Not good for my love life though."
"I bet you have a woman in every city. You're not going to Wellington next week, are you?"
"No, I have a couple of schools to visit in Rotorua. Why?"
"Harry and I are travelling down to Wellington. We have lost some of our best clients to the opposition down there. So Harry and I are going to try and stop the rot."
——
That evening, Adam got a call from Bill, "You know you mentioned going to Rotorua next week? I mentioned that to Harry, and he wants to meet with you. He has a proposition to put before you."
"That's cool. I can call in the morning. What time does he get into the Office? Oh! He's not going to offer me a job, is he?"
"I don't think so. He's not told me what it's about. He's usually here before 9:00 am."
——
Irene escorted Adam to Harry's office the following day around 9:15. Harry stood up and shook Adam's hand like he was drawing water from a well. Adam thought, ‘You slimy bastard,’ such a change from the reception he had gotten the previous day.
"Sit down. Coffee?" asked Harry.
"That would be great thanks."
Harry got right to the point after yelling at the retreating Irene to bring coffee.
"This is rather delicate. I think my wife is playing around. Next weekend she is going to a netball tournament with her girlfriends in Rotorua. If I paid your expenses, would you stay the weekend and keep an eye on her for me? Maybe get photos of her with another man."
Adam wanted to say no, but he had seen Harry's wife at an Awards evening several months before. She was a trophy wife, an absolute stunner. And the chance of getting paid to watch her was tempting.
"What are you thinking would cover my expenses?"
"A thousand dollars?"
"I don't think so. Are you aware the town is booked out? I had already considered staying Friday night, as I've been in town for that tournament before. The town rocks with horny women everywhere. But the room I got for the Thursday night was the last they had."
"I'll get you a room. The $1000 is on top of that."
"You'd pay twice as much for a private eye."
"Three times the amount. I've already inquired, but they can't do anything for weeks."
Against his better judgment, Adam replied, "$1500 then, and you book a room for me Friday and Saturday nights."
"Harrison tells me you're pretty hot with the ladies. I'll double that if you can seduce her and give me some proof."
Adam had no intention of telling Harry if he got lucky. But the thought of a weekend with dozens of horny females running around looking to get laid was pretty tempting. Harry pulled a photo of his wife out of his desk drawer and wrote her name on the back. Jimena Croft. Then he added Sanders, stating that was her maiden name. “She may have booked under that, as we've had some problems lately, which is why I want you to watch her.”
Looking at the photo, Adam remembered her well. It brought back some enjoyable memories. Industrial Pneumatics was one of the Award Event's sponsors, and Bill had invited him along. Bill’s wife, Sandy, watched with amusement as Adam ogled Jimena, and she fed him some details about her. She stood out from every other woman in the hall. At one point, he was introduced to the couple and shook Harry's hand, but Harry obviously didn't recall their meeting. Adam remembered, though, and Sandy telling him that Jimena was twenty years younger than Harry. Meaning she was close to the same age as him.
——
Two days later, Bill called after work and handed Adam an envelope from Harry. He had not told Bill anything about their arrangement, so Adam filled him in on all the sordid details over a beer.
"I thought there may have been some issues," said Bill when Adam had finished. "There were some rumours about the way the last receptionist left. And I walked in on some heated discussions between Harry and Jimena. It sounded like he had been caught out bonking the old receptionist."
"Any other stories I should be aware of. I feel like bailing on the whole deal, but I'm intrigued to get another gawk at Jimena again and get paid for it."
"For Christ's sake, don't go bonking her, you dodgy bastard. Harry's a mean bastard, and I seriously think he'd shoot you. There is a nasty rumour about how he acquired this company. The previous owner committed suicide, and many don't think it was suicide. But Harry was out of town when it happened, so it may just be jealous rumours. Lord knows he has plenty of enemies."
After Bill left, Adam opened the envelope. There was $3000 in cash and a note telling him that the only room he could book was the penthouse at the Millennium Hotel. The note also said that was where the Dangerous Damsels were staying. The extra cash was to pay the hotel bill, as the room was over $500 for each night. Adam laughed at this. His motel for the Thursday night was only $98. He hoped the penthouse lived up to his expectations.
——
Adam rose early on Thursday morning and was on the road before 7:00 a.m. He arrived in Rotorua at around 10:00 a.m. and went straight to his first school. After an hour-long presentation, they ordered two whiteboards, and then he drove down to the netball courts to see if he could learn anything about the tournament.
It wasn't difficult. There was a notice board with the schedule of play for the next day. He saw the Dangerous Damsels were playing on Court 3 at 10:30 a.m. He noted down the times of their other games. Then he drove to his next school. He was hoping to knock off most of his visits that day, leaving Friday free.
Friday morning, he checked out of his motel room and drove to the netball courts. Busses were dropping teams of excited women off, and squealing women were catching up with old friends. The place was humming. There were few men in the crowd. So he attached himself to a group that contained a couple of men and followed them to a spot where he had a clear view of Court 3. He picked Jimena out straight away. Several of the ladies were attractive, most in their thirties. Jimena stood out hands and shoulders above any other woman on the court. Her long legs protruding from the short tight skirt, and her breasts hardly contained in the tight pink cotton top took his breath away. He pulled out his phone and took a photo. Then he made a mental note to bring his camera back in the afternoon, as he would never be satisfied with the phone's quality.
He didn't stay. He still had two business calls and needed to check into the Millennium at 2:00 pm. But he did go back to the courts twice more that day. When he saw the ladies boarding their minibus at the end of the day, he ran to his car. When they disembarked at the Hotel, he was standing in reception holding his phone to his ear. They poured off the bus and collected their room keys. He heard one of the ladies call out to a group entering the lift, "Be back in the lobby at 7:00. We're booked into the Pig & Whistle at 7:30, so don't be late."
Adam made it to the Pig & Whistle at 6:45, and just as well, the place was fully booked. But he secured a two-seat cubicle on the far wall, on the understanding that he would exit before their second seating at 9:00. The Dangerous Damsels arrived at 7:15 and were seated at some tables on the other side of the room. He looked down at his plate when he noted Jimena scanning the pub and, in his peripheral vision, saw her weave her way over to where he was sitting.
"Are you following me?" she asked as she slid into the seat opposite.
Adam tried to stammer out a denial, but Jimena stopped him mid-sentence.
"I've seen you before. And you were at the netball courts and lobby when we checked in. Has Harry put you up to following me?"
Adam must have looked startled that she had clocked him, as she held her hand up again to stop him.
"Don't try to lie. It's written all over your face. Where have I seen you?"
Adam told her he'd been introduced to her at the Awards Dinner by Bill Harrison.
"Oh yes. I remember you now. You didn't ask me to dance that night. I was expecting you to."
"Every other guy in the place was trying to get your attention, and you were not looking too happy about it. So I didn't join the queue."
"Well, I may have danced with you. What is Harry paying you, and why?"
Embarrassed, Adam hung his head, "I didn't want to do this, and it certainly wasn't for the money. But he's asked me to see if you meet with any men. He says he suspects you of playing around."
Jimena snorted, "Me! Playing around! That's a joke. He's the bastard that can't keep his cock in his pants. If it wasn't for the money, why are you here?"
"Bill Harrison is one of my best mates. I was visiting him last week, and it came up that I had business in Rotorua this week. Your husband heard of my plans and asked me about checking you out. I must admit the offer of two nights in the penthouse at the Millennium and all expenses paid had a lot to do with my accepting his proposal, considering I was going to be here anyway. But it had a lot more to do with the fact that you are a beautiful lady. I must admit I feel a bit of a jerk now, and I regret that I said yes."
"He's a fucking arsehole. Sit here, and don't you dare run away. I need to tell the girls who you are."
Jimena walked back to the table. Then, there was a chorus of hoots and hollers as she weaved back to sit with Adam.
"The girls think I have picked up a guy and are giving me shit. But I told them you are an old platonic friend. So play the part, please.
The waitress came and took their order, and then Jimena dropped a bombshell. "You know you are not the only person watching me?"
Adam thought quickly. Was he the one being set up? He realised that Harry could have someone taking photos right now. Glancing around, he attempted to catch anyone watching them, but to no avail.
"Don't worry. The PI is not here. One of the girls chatted him up earlier and told him we were dining at the Sequoia Eatery to the east of the city tonight. So I imagine he's there, already wondering where we are."
"How do you know you are being followed?"
"I caught Harry out messing around with his receptionist at the end of last year. I moved into the spare bedroom, and he's had me followed ever since. It took me a while to sus out that Harry had put a tail on me, but once I did, he's been easy to spot."
"Look, I'm feeling like a right bastard. Harry offered me a substantial sum if I could seduce you, and I'm guessing your other follower has been tasked with getting photos of us together.'
Jimena's face changed. She looked livid.
"Look, I promise you I had no intention of trying anything. I just thought it was ironic that I was taking Harry's money to watch you when I'd have done that with any beautiful woman."
Then, seeing Jimena's face. "Sorry, that came out all wrong. But I promise you I wouldn't have approached you. I just intended to tell him you weren't messing around, no matter what I saw. I've never paid for sex, and have never been paid for it either. Well, that's not technically correct. The first sex I ever had, the girl, our neighbour, paid me sixpence."
Jimena laughed. "So you're a slut."
"I guess I deserved that. Why don't you leave the bastard? I've hardly met him, and I think he's a sleazeball."
"I would like to, but he's told me he will kill me if I ever play around or leave him."
"And you don't think that's just an idle threat? Many men and women say that but don't mean it."
"That's the problem. I think he was serious. And once, I wouldn't have believed it of him, except I met his son early in our marriage, and he and his siblings believe that Harry killed their mother. But the police rejected their concerns. As I said, that was early in our marriage, and we were still on cloud nine, so I just discounted his concerns as jealous sibling crap, as they all hate his guts. But now I'm not so sure.”
"You should go to the police."
"They wouldn't listen. They must have thousands of wives approach them every week about threatening husbands. I 'kind of' don't think he will, as our house and holiday home are both in my name - for tax purposes. When we married, I was made the director of the business. Again, it was for tax purposes. So killing me would cause him some serious problems, I think."
"Still, you should register it with the police in case he ever gets violent. Where did you meet?
"Ah, that's a sleazy story. I don't know you well enough to share that."
At that moment, their meals arrived, so all was quiet while they picked at what they had ordered. Then Adam tried again, "Well, I told you I got paid for sex, so I think you owe me a good story in return."
"Ha! That's nothing. OK, I was a flight attendant with Qantas. I was based in Auckland and mostly did the Auckland - LA route. It was a wild five years. Towards the end, I got in over my head and had some crazy adventures with other flight crew. One night there was a group sex session, and I realised I needed to change my ways and think about settling down. The following night I met Harry in the bar. He was handsome and obviously loaded, and I wound up in the sack with him.
He was on my flight back to Auckland and tried to get me in the toilet. I fended him off, telling him I was not like that, and that I must have been drunk the night before. He pursued me for weeks and finally proposed. We've been married for five years. The first two years were good, but the last three years have gone downhill fast. That is my story. I've never had much luck with suitors."
"Did Harry know about your past?"
"I think that's where things began to go wrong. No, he didn't. I believe he met a Qantas Captain, and the guy dropped something about my past."
Adam looked at his watch and saw it was already 8:30. "I have to finish my meal and get out of here before 9:00. Can I talk to you tomorrow and get you to point out your watcher?"
Jimena pulled out her phone. "Give me your phone number, and I'll send you a photo of his car. Also, one of the girls got her photo taken with him. I'll send you that also."
Adam's phone pinged, and he opened the first photo. It was a light blue Corolla, and the registration was vaguely visible. The second photo showed a nondescript man posing with one of the ladies he'd seen on the netball court that morning.
"How did you get these?"
"The girls think it's a hell of a joke Harry having me followed, and they've been baiting the guy and trying to pick him up. I don't think he has a clue yet that he's been rumbled. And yes, I want to talk some more. It's probably best if we talk at the Hotel tomorrow night, as the girls think he's staying elsewhere. Maybe at a motel called the Concord, or something like that."
Adam left the Pig & Whistle and drove back to the Millennium. He lay on his bed, thought about Jimena, and decided to give his mate Peter Millar a call.
Peter was a top dog in the Auckland CID. Adam and Bill met him in England while playing for the London Scottish Rugby Club. They'd kept in touch over the years, but infrequently, as the pressure of his job limited his social life.
Peter answered his phone straight away, "Adam, you bastard, what are you doing calling at this time of night?"
"You're not in bed, are you?"
"No, I'm at work. No rest for the wicked, you know. Night shifts are a bummer."
"Well, I know you can't share privileged information. But I've gotten myself into a situation. I've met a woman who says her husband is threatening to kill her."
"Why am I not surprised, you amoral bastard? I'm surprised you haven’t had your balls shot off years ago."
"No, it's not like that. Well, I hope not, anyway. But she's frightened and says the kids from her husband's first marriage believe he killed his first wife. I just wondered if there is any truth to that, and should she be worried?"
"Well, you're right. I can't tell you much, but give me the name and I'll look it up and see what I can tell you."
There was silence for a few minutes. Then Peter came back on the line.
"Okay, there is some truth in that. Harry Croft was one of the suspects in his wife's death but was quickly dismissed as a suspect. He was out of the country at the time. However, there were suspicious circumstances, and the case has never been closed. She had a very high alcohol count, and a brake hose had burst, sending her over a bank. You can find all this out by reading a newspaper from that time. But that is all I can tell you."
"Why did the kids think he had killed her then?"
"They reckoned she didn't drink. And would never have driven out on the West Coast where the accident happened. But the detective's summation was that she might have hit the booze, as many people reported problems in their marriage. Can I give you some advice? Stay away from your Harry Croft and his wife. There are several other cases on the books regarding your girlfriend's husband. None of them have been closed. He's not a very nice man."
"Thanks, Peter. And she's not my girlfriend. I'll tell you a bit more when we next catch up. It's a funny story."
"They are always funny stories with you Adam. Take care." And he hung up.
The following morning, Harry called before Adam left the Hotel. He filled him in on all he'd seen, telling Harry there was no sign of any funny business with any of the girls. And he'd spoken briefly with Jimena at the Pig & Whistle, where they had dinner, but she had shown no interest in hooking up."
Harry retorted that he had heard the Damsels had dined at a different eatery. He made it sound like Jimena had told him.
"No. I followed their bus from the Hotel. They were definitely all at two tables in the Pig & Whistle."
Harry asked a few more questions, then said he'd call again the next day and hung up. Adam drove to Concord Motel. He parked on the road and waited until he saw the light blue Corolla with the KZ6247 number plate drive off. Adam guessed the guy was off to the Netball courts. He wandered inside and caught one of the cleaners outside the room he had seen the PI leave.
Hey, do you know the name of the guy that just left? I'm pretty sure I know him."
"She looked at her clipboard. Yes, it's Mr Samuel Courtney."
"I thought it was him. I'll try to catch him later. Then, as he turned to go, he spun around and asked, "Do you have his mobile number."
"No, but they'll have it at reception. You can ask them."
Adam thought it was pushing things. But then I thought, 'What the fuck' and headed across to reception. He rang the bell, and when the man looked up and saw him, he asked, "Hey, I just saw Sam Courtney drive off. Do you have his mobile number?"
"Yes." And looking in his register he read out the number.
Amazed at how easy that had been, he drove to the Courts and searched for the PI. Sure enough, he saw him taking photos from the window of his car. Jimena was easy to find. He just had to look where the camera was pointing. There was little to gain by staying there, so he returned to his car and texted Jimena.
FOUND YOUR PI FRIEND. HE'S STAYING AT THE CONCORD MOTEL, AS YOUR FRIEND SUGGESTED. HE'S IN HIS CAR TO YOUR LEFT TAKING PHOTOS. HIS NAME IS SAM CORTNEY.' He added the phone number, then, 'I'LL SEE YOU TONIGHT'.
Then he thought he'd have some fun, 'IF YOU HAVE SIXPENCE. I'M IN THE PENTHOUSE ON THE SIXTH FLOOR. ITS P6, HAS CUNNINGHAM SUITE ON THE DOOR'.
Her reply came moments later. 'DON'T HAVE A SIXPENCE. BUT HAVE 5 CENTS. ARE YOU ALRIGHT WITH THAT?'
Adam texted back, 'YOU STRIKE A HARD BARGAN. BUT OK.'
Then he returned to the Millennium and spent the rest of the day reading, using the gym, and swimming in the indoor heated pool.
At 6:30 there was a knock on his penthouse door. Adam opened it and was happy to find Jimena, all dolled up, standing in the corridor. He ushered her inside and showed her around the suite. It had four rooms. A bedroom with a king-sized bed and ranch slider out onto a balcony, a lounge with a couch, armchairs, and a large flatscreen TV. A bathroom with a jacuzzi, as well as a shower, toilet, etc., and a small kitchenette.
Jimena was impressed. "This room is much better than what my husband has ever put me up in. He's a tight bastard at times.” Then she mentioned, “He flashes money around at other times like there's no tomorrow."
Adam sat opposite Jimena, told her about this conversation with Peter, and explained how he knew the detective. Jimena looked worried when she heard that Harry had been a prime suspect and the case had never been closed.
"Jimena, I think this is serious. Peter warned me to be very careful around your husband. He tells me there are other unsolved cases in which Harry is a suspect and hinted that he's a dangerous man. We need to get you out of your marriage somehow."
"Where would I go? If he can have his wife murdered while he's in LA, it seems I won't be safe anywhere."
"We need to get something on your husband. I'll ask Bill if he can get into Harry's office. Or even better, get me in there. I think he said Harry is going to Wellington next week."
"If he has anything incriminating, I doubt it's at work. But we have a home office that's locked up like Fort Knox, so it's more likely that is where he keeps his secrets. When we were first married, he often didn't bother to lock the office and would proudly show off his wall-safe. It's the size of a fridge and always had bundles of cash on the shelves."
"Could we get in it while he is away?"
"I doubt it. Harry's not let me in there for years. The door is always locked. I've searched for the key, wanting to find out what I had done that made him stop trusting me."
"Let me think on that. There must be a way to get in. Do you want me to take you to dinner?"
"No. Let's order room service. Then I'd like to spend my five cents?"
"I was teasing you about that."
"I know. But I'm horny. I haven't had any sex for more than two years, and I think I should honour my husband's wishes and have you fuck me. After all, he put you up in this lovely suite so you can make love to me."
Adam had no response to that. His cock had jerked to attention at her request, and he wasn't surprised to see his hands shaking as he picked up the folder containing the room service menu.
They ordered and ate. There was an awkward silence when they finished, neither knowing quite how to proceed. Jimena moved first. She stood, turned, and asked Adam to unzip her dress. He was nervous but caressed her neck and shoulders as he unzipped and pulled the dress down so she could step out of it. Then he grabbed the TV remote, changed to a music channel, and turned the sound down. As Jimena turned to face him, he delayed further by reaching out and turning the lights down.
"Are you nervous," asked Jimena. "It's the first time I've seen you lacking confidence."
"I am. And it's not because of your husband. It's because you're so bloody beautiful, and I want this to be perfect."