Courted by Karma (The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod) (33 page)

Wednesday, 11/21/2012

4:40
PM

We arrived back with twe
nty minutes to spare before Luke, John, and Maria were due. Anna went off to the Fare while I greeted all the staff. Crookie whispered that everything was fine and took off to go meet some old friends. We were all meeting later after the Florida girls arrived. I rounded up Stella and Billy for a quick meeting in my office. I told them my concerns about weak spots in the bookstore’s existing security measures, both when the shop is open and closed for business. They agreed to look for other flaws, research ideas, and we’d meet again after the weekend to implement some changes.

My phone buzzed as I was headed to the ladies room to wash
my hands.

Surprised, I
answered, “Hi, Godmama. Do you have something for me already?”

“I’m not sure, Anabel, but after thinking over what you told me about strangers, I’ve
also been spreading the word around to people I know in Faribault and Farmington. My friend Bobby, who tends bar at Grampa Al’s in Faribault? He says a guy was asking not a half hour ago about where to go to quote, “find some foreign pussy in town”, unquote.” She sniggered at my giggle. “He described the guy as looking like a skinny twenty-one-year-old nervously looking for his first hooker. But Bobby had never seen the guy before. This young kid mentioned Russian women and I remembered you said this person could be sneaky, right honey?”

“That’s
a great idea about the other towns, Jamie,” I complimented, admiring her resourcefulness. “You are so right. Thanks for the heads up.” Fascinated by this glimpse into the underbelly of Rice county, I asked, “How would you describe the ethnic demographics of women prostitutes in our area?”

Jamie’s laughter was deep. “I don’t know about demographics, Anabel honey, but in Northfield we have your
basic homegrown American hookers, some Mexicans, your Eastern bloc types this kid was looking for, and a handful of Indians, of the American kind.” She added as an afterthought, “Maybe a couple of Asians, though none that I know of personally. You should talk to Chief Jack since his police have most likely arrested them all at some point.”

I said dryly, “Have I done something to
be on your shit list, Godmother, that you’d suggest such a thing?”

Jamie guffawed in agreement at her
senior moment, and after describing the questioning young guy spotted in Faribault, she promised to be in touch.

“Wait!” I exclaimed. “Ask people to try to get a picture with their phones, but onl
y if they can manage it without being seen, okay?”

I had realized something during my con
versation with Jamie. Now that I’d set this train in motion out of the station, I had to think of a way to utilize the information to keep it on the right track.

S
ighing deeply at my image in the bathroom mirror, I washed my hands and wished my training had started months ago with Luke. It was clear I needed training in self defense, hand-to-hand combat, weapons, interrogation, and how to manage a surveillance team effectively and efficiently. I may as well add security to the list, too. My building was far from impregnable with every Tom, Dick, Harry, and Luke breaking-in whenever they damn well felt like it lately.

Emerging from the bathroom, I almost ran into Luke’s friend John. The short hallway
’s overhead light fixture was weak compared to the bright store a few feet away. His brown eyes and shaved head still shined in the reflected glow. In my high-heeled boots, John was only a few inches taller at around 5’8”. He was built slim and wiry with smooth, golden skin.

“Where is everybody?” I
smiled and asked John.

“Luke’s
talking to some guys at the Deli and Svetlana’s with your niece, Stella again,” John supplied helpfully.

They must not be too worried about whatever car Svettie thought she saw out
of Bel’s windows, but I felt my eyes narrowing at the caressingly silky tone of John’s voice when he said Stella’s name.

Up close, t
his guy oozed oily seductiveness like a hooded cobra bobbing and swaying in mesmerizing time to an ageless dance. I wasn’t surprised. Those fuck-and-run types have to be really good at what they do, and very quick. After all, it wasn’t about the mutual pleasure of both parties with this man. For him, it was all about silently stalking his prey. Then it was the lightning fast strike to sink his one-eyed trouser snake’s fangs into his targeted small mammal for the kill. After he filled them with his venom, he’d quickly slither off to lay under his rock to escape the heat, until it was cool to come out and hunt his next little animal again.

He smiled quizzically
while passing me to go into the men’s room. Checking my cell it was only 4:54 p.m., so I leaned against the hallway wall and waited patiently for John to do his business. I heard a toilet flush, water run, and then a few seconds later he stopped abruptly upon exiting the washroom and seeing me still standing there.

Hoping he washed his hands, I put mine out.

I laughed a little self-consciously and said, “Hi John. I’m Anabel Axelrod. We’ve never officially met.”

John looked puzzled, but
then he smiled slightly.

He took my proffered hand and replied, “I guess we never were introduced. I’m John Smith.”

I grinned back in a friendly manner. “Sure you are. Well, John Smith, welcome to Northfield. It’s nice to meet a friend of Luke’s.” I made a wry face and joked, “Since today I’m not covered in blood or sopping wet like last Sunday, you might actually recognize me the next time we meet.”

John
shook my hand and said with a small smile, “Thanks for the welcome. I feel special.”

“Oh, I do think you’re special.”
Shaking his hand in return, I placed my other on his shoulder and leaned closer to speak softly near his ear, “Hands off any of the female staff in my store or your ass is mine, capice?”

John Smith’s shoulder stiffened under my hand, but then he relaxed
.

I st
epped back and put some space between us, but he held onto my hand while looking me swiftly up and down. It was in the same appraising manner I noticed he used on the other women in my office two hours ago.

The
friendly smile in John’s voice did not reach his eyes when he replied, “I’m flattered at your faith in my abilities. You seem to be quite concerned with my…activities. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe you’re to thank for making my local entertainment less available on the lonely farmstead this visit?”

“Yes I am and no need to thank me.”
Laughing, I motioned for my hand back with a pointed look at his obvious power play. John waited a beat to show me who was boss and then complied.

I
went on in a low voice, “So, about that. It just wasn’t cool, you know?” I shrugged one shoulder. “Perhaps you’ve heard of a thing called hotel rooms? I believe I’ve heard somewhere there are some even available by the hour?”

At his exaggerated wince, I grinned. I didn’t underestimate the danger of this man to the female population or to any bad guys, but I
couldn’t deny that I enjoyed a man with a good sense of humor.

I glanced quickly over to my left to verify we were still alone
in the short hallway and away from any possible prying ears. Someone was at the cash register ringing up a sale, but we were far enough away to remain undetected.

Turning my attention back
, I said, “Tell you what, because of my utmost belief in your abilities and to be on the safe side, why don’t I make it easy on you. We’ll just agree the entire city of Northfield is off limits as your hunting ground.” I raised my eyebrows and grinned. “Deal?”

John
moved slightly so that his back was to the store and replied in a low voice, “You appear to appreciate blunt speaking, Anabel, so I will be blunt in return. I know your type of woman. I have the utmost belief in your abilities, too.” The smooth brown skin of his forehead wrinkled as he frowned. “I have heard about your…shall I say exploits…”

I giggled a little and interrupted,
“Blunt is saying you’ve heard of my legendary fucking, John, not my exploits, but thank you for considering my tender sensibilities. Go on, please.”

He met my
cool eyes with a slightly malicious, delighted look on his face. “You are quite the legend in this town, did you know that?” He nodded at my continued level gaze. “Yes, I am well aware of how you hunt, Anabel. Thanks to the fine people of Northfield, I can make a fair estimate of the number of men you have fucked and walked away from.”

On a bored sigh,
I replied, “You don’t know shit about me, but do tell. What’s your point?”

His wide grin showed
off a pretty set of pearly teeth below his hooked nose, but his eyes were flat and cold. “My point is, mind your manners with my friend Luke here, and I’ll mind my manners like you’ve requested in Northfield. Deal?”

This time my burst of laughter
was in genuine enjoyment of the man named John Smith. Grinning at him, I took in his slightly smiling, slightly questioning face and stuck my hand out again.

H
e accepted it and while we shook hands firmly on our deal, I leaned forward and said confidingly, “It’s a pity you and I can never be friends because now I wish, just the teensiest bit, that we could’ve been. Your personal loyalty to Luke is impressive.” I pumped his hand once more before starting to let go.

He stayed me
by holding on tighter, curiosity in his liquid, golden-brown eyes. “Why can we never be friends?”

“I have no desire to hurt your feelings, or score points. It doesn’t really matter, does it?”

He squeezed my hand and smiled, “I think I can take it.”

“Okay then.”
I shrugged at his insistence. “You’re repulsive.”

He let go of my hand and repeated flatly. “I’m repulsive.”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Seriously?” At his curt nod, I shrugged again. “You are a little glutton, aren’t you?” I sighed. “Do you want the bullet points, John, or the detailed explanation that comes complete with an armchair quarterback analysis of your psyche?”

He laughed and put a
slender hand to his forehead. “Hit me with the details. I’ll try to not cry.”

I laughed
in response and warned, “I’m holding you to that because you’re repulsive enough to me, John Doe Smith, and crying like a baby would make you downright unbearable.” Pausing for only a beat, I then told him why. “You’ve had the execrable taste to be with a woman I find intolerable. You treat women like meat, which I find intolerable. You are old enough to have sown any “wild oats” many years ago, so your behavior is that of a predator without a conscience, which I find intolerable. This is indicative of deeper issues in your past life where women are concerned. I see the cause for your sexually addictive behavior resulting from one of three possible reasons.” I paused and raised my brows. “Still interested?”

John graciously waved me on to continue, a small smile on his lips.

“No tears near the surface, right?”

“Right
,” he acknowledged, but there was an edge to his smooth voice.

I tilted my head and regarded the man waiting expectantly. “Are you super smart, John Smith? And don’t be coy,
but answer me truthfully, please.”

“Yes
I am.”

“Great
. Then I won’t need to give details after all. I’m sure you’ve read everything written about your type—whichever that proves to be. One possibility, you’re a pathological narcissist, whom I find…”

John
held up a hand and said dryly, “Whom you find intolerable.”

I smiled
slightly. “No, John. This I actually find pitiable. A narcissist is made, in my opinion. A parental figure, usually a mother if the narcissist is male, did their damage long before the poor guy stood a chance. No, if you’re a pathological narcissist, I’m sure you are a very lonely man once you get past all the fucking around and treating women like slabs of meat. I mean, the extreme loyalty and preference of male companionship in all things only goes so far, unless you are bisexual, as well? No? Well then, I’m sure it’s lonely when your men friends get involved in relationships that you have no clue how to navigate and maintain with any degree of happiness.”

I listened for a second, and hearing
nothing to concern me in the store, I looked at John again. “More?”

He nodded, leaning
back against the wall and motioning me to continue with that little head bow.

“The second
possibility could be you weren’t made, but were born the way you are. That would be more on the order of a pathological sociopath, which I find…”

John
raised his brows and supplied, “Pitiable again?”

I laughed
. ‘Sorry, but no, this behavior I find intolerable. It means you go around deliberately trying to get women to fall for you so that you can fuck them with no concerns of the emotional damage you cause in your wake. Rather monster-like, wouldn’t you agree?