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Authors: S. J. Lewis

Tags: #Erotica

Urban Prey (9 page)

BOOK: Urban Prey
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He thought back to the few westerns he’d read when he was a boy, and the handful of old western movies he’d seen that seemed relevant to his dilemma. The outlaws weren’t always hardened criminals. Sometimes, they even turned out to be the heroes. So, how could he turn himself into a citified version of one of them?

He moved from one piece of equipment to another, pacing himself and thinking. Different possibilities came to his mind. He rejected each of them in turn for various reasons, and went on to the next. He had just finished his last set when he finally came up with something that could very well work. He turned it over and over in his mind, trying to find the flaw he’d missed. When he was satisfied that there was no flaw, no false note, he got up and headed for the showers.

Lisa was waiting for him by the front counter when he came out. Jason was still manning the desk. He seemed to be trying to hit on Lisa, and having very little luck.


There
you are!” Lisa beamed when she saw him coming. She ran towards him and threw her arms around him. “You’ve kept me waiting
forever
!” she said, loudly enough for Jason to hear. “Get me out of here and away from this muscle-bound idiot, will you?” she went on in a whisper. “He’s too dim to take a hint.”

“Sorry, darlin’,” Ron grinned and slapped her lightly on her rump. She yelped. “I just lost track of the time.” He looked at Jason and smiled. Jason returned the smile, nodded, and suddenly found something urgent to do with the computer.

“That wasn’t necessary,” Lisa said as they stepped out into the street. It seemed even colder outside now. The air had a heaviness to it that could mean that snow was coming.

“You’re right,” Ron agreed. “But it was fun. What was that little act of yours about, anyway? He saw us come in together. Hell, he checked us both in. He knew you were with me.”

“Yes, and he kept trying to convince me that a younger man would have more stamina anyway. He wasn’t creepy about it, but he was too damned persistent, and all the time I had to just hang around, waiting for you.”

“Why didn’t you just tell him you were into girls?”

“Right. After he saw me come in with you? He wouldn’t’ve believed
that
at all.”

A gust of wind blasted down the street and she tried to put him between it and her again.

“So,” she said, changing the subject, “How did it go? You think up a plan?”

“Yes, I did,” he told her. “How did it go for you? Get any phone numbers?”

“As if,” Lisa sighed. “Only half a dozen secretaries there, all starting to spread a little from all the sitting they do. None of ‘em were my type. We going back to your apartment now? Please tell me we are.”

“Yes, but only because now we need the car.”

“We could have driven here. I told you that.” Lisa sounded aggrieved.

“I needed a walk,” Ron shrugged. “I’ve been cooped up in that little place for too long.”
“All right,” she sighed. “What do we need the car for?”

“Is there a limit on that company credit card you’re carrying?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

“Good. First I need to go to a barber. Then we need to find a place that sells men’s suits. It doesn’t have to be top of the line, but it does have to be better than average. After that, we go to a shoe store.”

Lisa looked up at him. She looked very puzzled. “What kind of plan did you come up with?”
“I’ll tell you later. Can you find those places for me?”

“I can. Man, you’ve got me really curious now.”

***

“Well?” He turned around slowly in his new suit so Lisa could make a judgment. It was a tan color, three-piece, beautifully cut, and it fit him perfectly.

“Looks okay to me,” Lisa shrugged. “The sneakers kinda spoil the effect, though.”

“We’ll take care of that next,” he grinned. He regarded himself in the full-length mirror. No doubt about it, the suit looked great on him. He’d need another one, of course, in a different color, and some dress shirts, and a couple of ties.

“This is really weird,” Lisa commented. “A girl watching a guy model clothes. And why did you have that barber shave your head, anyway?”

“Didn’t you hear?” he asked, still admiring himself in the mirror. “Bald is sexy.”

“Oh, yeah, right,” Lisa nodded. “That’s why bald guys are on the covers of all those romance novels.”

He laughed. “I don’t have time to grow flowing locks, and I don’t think they’d flow very well anyway, even if I did.” He ran his hand over his head. It felt as smooth as a bowling ball. He’d have to keep it that way now. It shouldn’t be too difficult. “This I could do right away, and it stands out.”

“You kinda stand out anyway,” Lisa commented. “I mean, what are you, six-five, six-six? You almost look like one of those pro wrestlers.”

“Six-four,” Ron said. “Is that supposed to be another one of your odd compliments?”

“Yeah,” Lisa grinned. “Can we go now?”

“Not just yet. Where did that clerk get to?”

“I think he’s helping that gorgeous woman who came in to get her boyfriend a tie for a present. Want me to drag him over here for you?”

“Think you can?”

Lisa stood and smiled sweetly up at him. “I may be into girls,” she said. “But I know how to get a guy’s attention. Give me a minute.”

She walked away slowly, putting one foot directly in front of the other, like a model on a runway. He noted how well filled out her jeans were, and how much hip action was going into her stride. He turned away to look at his reflection again.

***

“So, what’s the plan, boss?” Lisa asked as she took another swig of beer from her bottle. They were back at his apartment, sitting at the miniscule table in the kitchen, eating Chinese takeout. “A topcoat, two suits, four shirts, two pairs of shoes and half a dozen ties? How is this going to bring in whatsername? You think maybe she’s a cross-dresser?”

“It really bugs you, not knowing what I’m planning to do, doesn’t it?” Ron teased her. He dug around with his chopsticks in the white cardboard container and pulled out the last shrimp, glistening with tangy sauce. It tasted great.

“You dragged me around over half the city today,” Lisa sniffed. “I think I deserve to know.”
“To be honest, I can’t tell you because I don’t have a whole plan figured out. I think I know how to do it, but I’ll need to gather a little more intelligence before I can make my move. I’m really going to need your services tomorrow.” He paused as she looked at him warily. “As a driver,” he concluded.

“Well, that I can do.” Lisa put down her beer and swirled her fork around in what was left of her chicken chow mein. She yawned hugely, covering her mouth with her free hand. “What time do you want me here tomorrow?”

Chapter Seven

When he heard the knock at his door, he checked his watch. If it was Lisa, she was right on time.
“Come on in,” he called out from the kitchen. He couldn’t see the door from where he was sitting, but he heard it open slowly. The hinges needed a little oil. He preferred them to stay noisy.
“Hello?” It was Lisa’s voice.

“In the kitchen,” he said. He heard the door shut, and then the sound of the deadbolt being set.
“You really shouldn’t leave your door unlocked here,” Lisa said as she came into the kitchen. She was back in her chauffeur’s uniform, complete with a peaked cap. She was carrying a bag from the donut shop on the corner. “It’s dangerous.”

“I had it locked up until five minutes ago,” he replied. “Anyway, if someone did try to come in while I was here, what do you think they’d be able to do?”

She plopped the bag down on the kitchen table and then plopped herself down in the chair opposite him. She regarded him for a moment.

“Not much, I guess, unless the creep had a gun. They do carry guns sometimes, you know.”

“I know. But a gun isn’t a magical thing that somehow gives special powers to whoever carries it. It’s the person carrying the weapon who might or might not be dangerous.”

“No philosophical discussions, please,” Lisa winced. “I see your point. I’m sure anyone who tangled with you would be sorry about it afterwards. I brought breakfast.” She waved at the bag. “I didn’t know what you’d prefer, so I brought you a selection.”

“Very thoughtful. Get yourself some coffee. I need to pick your brain a little.”

Lisa got herself a mug of coffee with a sprinkling of sugar and a couple of drops of half-and-half and sat down again. She took off her cap and set it on the counter.

“You aren’t hungry?” she asked. He hadn’t touched the donuts.

“Sorry. I was thinking.”

“Mind if I…?” she asked.

“Go right ahead.”

She reached into the bag and took out a chocolate-covered chocolate donut. She bit into it with evident relish. He looked into the bag and picked a cruller. He took a bite. It was fresh, still warm, and very good.

“So what’s your question?” Lisa asked around a second mouthful of chocolate excess.
“What time of day does our subject usually leave her hotel?”

“Anywhere between eleven and one,” Lisa shrugged. “Usually close to noon, though. Why?”

“So she goes out when there are a lot of other people around.”

“Yeah,” Lisa nodded.

“When does she come back?”

“That varies too.” Lisa took another bite. “She’s always back by a little before six, though.”

“Does she ever go out at night?”

Lisa frowned, thinking. “Sometimes,” she said. “But she’s never alone then. Once she went out with some other guests from the hotel to see a play. They took a limo. I think she might have some friends here in the city, too. One evening she was picked up by a party of four. They were riding in another limo. That one was privately owned, I think.”

“That party of four: Were any of them Japanese?”

“Well, at least one of them was Oriental, but I can’t tell Japanese from Chinese. Anyway, I didn’t get a real good look.”

“That’s okay. I think those were business contacts, not friends. So she does go out in the evenings sometimes.”

“Yeah. So?” Lisa finished off her donut and took a gulp of her coffee to chase it down.
“Nothing,” Ron shook his head. “It’s just a little more information. I might or might not have some use for it.”

“You know, if I knew what you were thinking of doing, I might be able to offer some suggestions.”
“I know, and I appreciate that, but like I said, I don’t really have a plan yet. How about we get in the car and you drive me around her neighborhood? I need to get a feel for the ground.”
“And then what?”

“And then, if she comes out today, I’ll do some more walking.”

“You know, you’re a big enough guy that you’re not going to be inconspicuous, even in a crowd. She’s bound to spot you.”

Ron smiled. “I know. I want her to spot me.”

“Why?” Lisa frowned again.

“I want her to see me just about every place she goes today.”

“Okay, but
why
?”

“She’s looking for an adventure. Going by what she said on that tape, she wants to be taken captive by one strong man. At the same time, she’s put this cocoon of safety around her. I want her to see me inside that cocoon. I want her to know that she’s being stalked.”

“Isn’t that likely to freak her out?”

“It might, but I don’t think it will. If anything, it should pique her interest. It’ll also answer one of my big questions early.”

“What question would that be?” Lisa fished another donut out of the bag and bit into it without looking to see which one it was. All of her attention was fixed on him.

“Whether or not she finds me attractive,” Ron said. “She might not care for me at all. It’s best to find that out as soon as possible. It can save you a lot of wasted effort.”

“Really?” Lisa was dubious. “Why wouldn’t she be interested in you?”

“I didn’t say that there was a big chance that she wouldn’t,” Ron smiled. “But it’s always a possibility.”
“All right,” Lisa shrugged. “When do you want to start?”

He looked at his watch. “Why not now? She won’t be out for at least an hour yet. We can use the time for me to familiarize myself with the terrain.”

Lisa chuckled. “I wondered what made me put on my uniform this morning. Now I know. You make this feel like a military operation.”

“I was in the Rangers. Old habits die hard.”

***

“There she is,” Lisa said.

“Where?”
“Right there, see? She’s just coming out of the hotel.”

Ron looked. Once again, she was impossible to miss. She was smiling, saying something to the doorman who was smiling back and nodding. The day was chilly. The sky was full of heavy dark gray clouds. He’d already seen a couple of snowflakes drifting by as they circled the block that the hotel occupied. There hadn’t been any place to park.

“She’s a little late today,” he said as he looked at his watch. “Pull over and let me out here. If I need you, I’ll call you on your cell phone.”

“What do I do in the meantime?”

“Go have lunch, do a little shopping, I don’t know.” Ron opened his door as she came to a stop and hopped out quickly. Behind them, somebody honked impatiently.

“Gotcha,” Lisa said as he shut the door. She pulled away. He picked his way between parked cars onto the sidewalk. He paused to put on his hat. It had been a last-minute addition this morning. A bald head gets cold quickly, and today was very cold. It was a stylish hat, wide brimmed and a shade darker than his nice, warm camelhair coat. He adjusted the hat carefully, keeping an eye on Elizabeth Anne to see which way she went. She turned to her left and disappeared around the corner. He followed, hurrying a little to catch up. It was just after noon, and the streets were filling up with people going to lunch or running errands. Even with the crowds, he didn’t think he’d have any trouble keeping her in sight. She was heading into a shopping district. If she was just going to do some window-shopping, that wouldn’t present any problems, but if she was actually going to buy something a lot would depend on what she was going to buy. He wanted her to notice him, but not while he was hanging out in the lingerie section of a department store.

He rounded the corner. She was half a block ahead of him, walking slowly, looking across the street at the merchandise on display in the storefronts. The light on the corner changed. He took a chance and dashed across to the other side of the street while he had a chance.
She seemed to like walking. That suited him. It gave him plenty of opportunity to watch how she moved, what seemed to interest her, and finally confirm that she was indeed left-handed. There was a street vendor on the next corner selling hot dogs and pretzels. She bought a hot dog from him and proceeded to eat it while she continued on her walking tour. She used her left hand. He wished he was close enough to see what she liked on her hot dog.

BOOK: Urban Prey
5.87Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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