Christmas Present

by Lauren Wood

  “I suppose you have a list of the guests and where they’re going to be sitting.” I touched to my nose and my due diligence had already informed me of what kind of wealth and influence was going to be at the table.

  “We do think alike. I’m looking forward to the honeymoon. I hope you have been thinking about ways to make it special. I have some interesting attire which should be perfect for the occasion.” Anybody who had amazing hearing would think mistakenly I was talking about lingerie. The attire in question was black with a mask.

  “I would like to see what you have, but I would rather be surprised. I took the liberty of acquiring some toys with many different settings for your pleasure.” I heard somebody coughing and an elder lady was obviously using her hearing aid to listen into conversations.

  Those implements weren’t necessary and I had no interest in laying my hands on a gun. If everything went according to plan there was not going to be a reason to hurt anyone.

  “I’ve never been partial to those things that can take away from the fun. We might need them in the future, but the honeymoon should be more skin to skin. I hope you live up to the hype.” I smiled lovingly, basically telling him guns were forbidden unless he wanted to reconsider this partnership.

  “I think you might change your mind when you see what I have to enhance things. If not, then we can certainly find some kind of compromise to make us both happy.” I was willing to discuss things.

  “There’s not a moment to lose. There are so many things we want to see and experience before the wedding.” I was getting that itch I wasn’t going to be able to scratch alone. After the job, I would find some unsuspecting young stud and put a smile on his face. The last time still stuck with me.

  We got up and I froze completely terrified like the hand of death was on my shoulder. Standing in the front lobby was Timothy with a buxom young blonde. Somehow he had gotten away and his threat of retaliation was never forgotten.

  Chapter four

  Time stood still and I was unable to move from where I was standing. Seeing him was like being hit with a sledgehammer between my eyes. I didn’t recognize the blond. I knew I didn’t say anything about this job to him or the others. It was an amazing coincidence. I didn’t believe in them.

  “You look like you have seen a ghost…if you would pardon the pun.” Thankfully, Graham was in front of me and what I was seeing was over his shoulder. The very idea of him getting his hands on me was causing me some concern.

  “I don’t want to alarm you, but there might be a party crasher.” I was lucky to be able to think fast on my feet. Others would be dropping the guise and saying what was on their mind.

  “Just don’t tell me it’s your ex-boyfriend. You know he’s the jealous type and I’ve done my best to stay away from him for your sake. If he gets in the way of my happiness then the gloves will come off.” Somehow he had deduced what was going on from my body language.

  “He can’t see me or we will never hear the end of it. He knows your name, but he has never seen you in person. It might be advisable to know the reason for his impromptu visit.” He was way ahead of me and already moving through the crowd. I sat back down, trying to control my breathing and on the edge of hyperventilating.

  “I wouldn’t worry about it. I’ve been married five times and it always works out the way it should. An ex-boyfriend is an unnecessary obstacle, but your fiancé seems to understand what needs to be done.” The elder lady who was listening was giving me her advice. I didn’t ask for it, but she felt compelled to share her experience.

  “I’ve never felt like this and having him here puts a damper on our big day. I don’t want to cancel it not when we have come all this way. The best thing to do is to avoid an unnecessary confrontation.” I could almost feel his hands wrapped around my neck squeezing the very life out of me. Forgiveness wasn’t in his vocabulary.

  She had no idea what the stakes were. The poor old lady thought we were really talking about a wedding. I could almost feel the money slipping through my fingers. I prayed to god I was never going to smell like old cheese and hand lotion when I was her age.

  “It’s a big place and I have found myself lost from time to time. You could leave and that would take away the possibility of running into each other. It’s not like you’re having your wedding at this venue. There are other hotels.” The job was underneath this roof, but staying in close proximity wasn’t necessary. It was easier. I could roll with this variable.

  “I’ve always been one to listen to my Elders. I appreciate the kind comments and I will certainly give it some thought.” I sidestepped around her no longer interested in what she was going to say as a rebuttal.

  I went into a darkened alcove where I could see Timothy fondling the blond. I wasn’t close enough to hear what he was saying, but he was using a tactic I had mastered. It appeared I wasn’t the only one getting married or at least pretending to.

  I had to get a little closer with the possibility of getting caught in the act. I stood right beside Graham who was leafing through a pamphlet of amenities. I let him shield me from his scrutinizing eyes.

  “You are all set, Mr. Anderson. I hope you enjoy your stay. If there’s anything you need call, Ramon. I cater to those with discerning tastes.” The man wasn’t very subtle and no doubt could get his hands on whatever illegal substance came to mind. Escorts were legal, but he most likely had some interesting names in his talent pool.

  “We’re going to settle in and then hit the tables. I have some money to burn and I’m hoping to double it down on red.” He was playing the part and the white suit with a red shirt made him look like Miami had thrown up.

  “I would be remiss if I didn’t give you a $50.00 token for staying with this establishment. I also have some tickets to some live shows including a magician seen on television along with a ventriloquist.” He was going to give them to them anyway but wanted to wait until the last minute to make it look like he was catering to just them.

  The young blonde began to bounce up and down. Her amusement was fake, but her plastic credentials were certainly getting her the required attention.

  “You have made my fiancé very happy.” He leaned forward and I couldn’t believe what was coming out of his mouth. “I have another reservation under the name of James Brown.” The manager became quiet and scribbled something on a notepad before tearing off the page. He was no longer smiling.

  Timothy folded the paper and put it into his breast pocket. He curled his hand around the waist of the blond with the bellboy following with their luggage. The manager turned his back and I snatched the notepad and used a pencil on the counter to confirm my suspicion.

  “I told you I didn’t believe in coincidences. The manager wrote down a room number.” I showed the number and it was the exact one we were going to hit in less than 24-hours. He was going to be the wolf in the henhouse. Somehow he had acquired an invitation. I was slightly impressed.

  “This does make things a little more difficult. I’m assuming from your reaction the parting of the ways wasn’t amicable.” The elevator closed leaving me to sigh with relief from how close we were to each other.

  Timothy was a leader. Bringing him and his brothers aboard was a big mistake. They were never going to listen to me with him whispering in their ears.

  “I actually don’t mind the challenge.” I was looking forward to seeing his face unconscious with the rest of them after breathing in the invisible gas in the air. “I’m guessing you have somebody you can contact for the party favors.” He ushered me out the door and he flagged down the first taxi at the curb.

  “I don’t want to say his name to jinx it. We’ve always had a good working relationship. I don’t know how he’s going to take strangers.” We drove away from the glitz and glamour with his hand on my knee.

  I felt my stomach turning and it took every effort to keep down my breakfast. His touch wasn’t repulsive. I grabbed for the same pill I had popped earlier. I had acquired them fro
m an alternative healer in medicine. Graham was looking at me funny

  “Don’t worry; it’s only an upset stomach. It must’ve been something I ate.” He didn’t need to know the truth. I was still trying to grasp the concept.

  “If there was anything seriously wrong with you, I would need to know before going forward.” He was showing his concern even though we barely knew each other.

  “It’s nothing.” I looked out the window and suddenly flashed on the night where I lost control.

  Dancing provocatively and sliding my hands down all over his body on the dance floor was putting on an obscene spectacle for the bartender. I still couldn’t remember him, but he had left me with a permanent first impression.

  We arrived in an up and coming neighborhood. Those in the know were getting in on the ground floor. It was in transition, but the remnants of criminal activity was still there lingering in the shadows.

  Graham gave the taxi driver an extra 20 and then we walked up to this brick building. It had seen better days. It didn’t look like much, but I was about to learn a valuable lesson about judging a book by its cover.

  “I don’t like strangers.” The voice was startling and came from seemingly nowhere.

  “She’s the ghost.” There was a moment of awkward silence and the smell of putrid fish assaulted my old factory senses. It was hanging in the air.

  “Against my better judgment, I’m going to allow you to enter. Call it a curiosity and nothing more.” The steel black door popped open with a hiss from being hermetically sealed.

  One step beyond the threshold gave me a new understanding. The place was immaculate with a wide open concept. The windows were blackened leaving those outside unaware of the opulence inside.

  “I’m sure you know who I am. I certainly know you by reputation alone. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nicholas Hammond AKA the hamster.” I was in the presence of a world-class hacker and someone who could get practically anything given enough time.

  “The ghost is most appreciative to get an audience with you. I’m sure my colleague has mentioned what we are in search of.” I wasn’t going to use his name as a courtesy.

  “Graham and I are friends. I won’t go into details, but our past is checkered. I do have what you want, but it comes at a price. I don’t want money down. I haven’t gotten wealthy by being cautious. Whatever job you are pulling, I want 10% and not one percent less.” He was going to get four million dollars, possibly more for doing practically nothing and I couldn’t argue against it.

  His hair was wild in dreadlocks. He was wearing no socks or shoes with a ratty old white bathrobe covering his red silk boxers. I only knew because the robe wasn’t cinched closed. He had nothing I wanted other than the canister we had come for.

  “I would say you have us over a barrel. Your terms are reasonable with one caveat. Your payment will be secured in an undisclosed bank account. We will let this blow over for five days before contacting you with the bank account information. Take it or leave it.” He was listening closely and he smiled before vanishing down the hall.

  “Nicholas is just one of many contacts I have in many different states and countries abroad. My vast network will be missed.” I had my own contacts, but nothing to the extent of having one in every port.

  “Take this and leave out the back where there’s a car waiting for you.” We were going to have to pump the gas from the canister into the room using the ventilation system.

  I’d already gotten the plans and knew exactly where to place it for the best shot of being successful. He was waiting impatiently for us to leave, looking at his watch and pointing to the door leading to the alley in the back. I was worried he had found a better offer with Timothy. I could only hope his connection to Graham was strong enough for him to resist the allure of more money.

  “I want to thank you in advance. You’ve always come through and this is just another one of those markers you can call in. I owe you big time.” I thought the money would suffice, but they also had an understanding.

  Chapter five

  It was a tight fit, but I was able to situate the canister and set the timer to go off at exactly 5:00 AM. It was a unique design and one that favored an immediate release of the gas. There was even of redundancy where I could use my phone to set it off if anything technical was to go wrong.

  It was 4:00 AM with only 1-hour remaining. Graham had set up a camera in the room using a key from the maid’s cart. We had the perfect vantage point by watching them from our room. I came out in a janitor’s closet and lowered myself without making any noise. I opened the door and casually strolled down the hallway until I was going back inside to find Graham staring at the screen.

  “I’m glad you were able to compromise. It does make me feel naked to have a gun without any bullets in it.” I went into the bathroom and turned on the water loud enough to prevent him from hearing me dry heaving. I suddenly got this image of him on top of me with that contorted face of release.

  I was standing with my hands on the white marble counter. It all came back from him saying he felt naked with a gun with no bullets in it. He had used the same phrase for an entirely different purpose. Different phrasing, but familiar enough to jog my memory.

  “This is one gun locked and loaded with many bullets.” I felt this shiver like somebody was walking over my grave. He didn’t recognize me. How could he when we were both drunk. That was one night he didn’t pass out.

  The bun in my oven was put there by Graham. The blackout of that night had given me more than a one night stand. I was with child, two months along. I was foolish to get involved with anybody in that bar. Marbles was known to cater to those elements better left in the shadows.

  “We have to get ready.” I couldn’t tell him and risk his impending fatherhood getting in the way. The whole evening was nothing but fragments of distorted images with our limbs tangled together.

  “Give me a few minutes to get my game face on.” I was pale not that it was a big deal considering my moniker of being the ghost.

  I could see it vividly playing out like a movie in my head. How we were giggling and he was pulling at my clothes upstairs in a vacant room. The bed was a single cot and the sound of it breaking while he was fucking me was jarring, to say the least. It was precisely at that moment he grunted and gave me something to change my outlook forever.

  I threw cold water on my face to snap me out of the long and forgotten memory of that night. It was no wonder I had these feelings of pent-up frustration when I was around him. My body knew what my mind was trying to catch up with. It was that craving for his form which had us all over each other in the elevator the first night.

  I came out disheveled and sat down to look at the haggard expressions on the players’ faces on the screen in the room. We waited with the clock ticking slowly. It was almost like Chinese torture.

  “These last couple of days getting to know you made me see you differently. In my eyes, the ghost has always been a legend and it’s nice to put a name to the reputation. I do wish we could have done more than work together.” That night was still a blank slate to him.

  “It was probably for the best. We don't want to make things more complicated than it already is.” He had no idea and was oblivious to the major change about to smack him in the face.

  “I don’t know why, but I think we would have been good together. I’m not ruling out something in the future happening between us. This partnership is a one time deal, but it doesn’t mean we can’t spend time together. I would enjoy getting to know your body and taking my time to figure out where your erogenous zones are.” It was after 5:00 AM and the gas was making them drop like flies.

  Timothy must have realized something was wrong and tried to get out of the room. Graham had already tampered with the lock.

  Timothy was desperate and wildly looking around until he stared right at the camera in the ceiling. He was barely able to stand on top of the chair, shaking his head and trying to kee
p his equilibrium.

  “We should have been in there a couple of minutes ago. His high tolerance for the gas is ruining everything.” I could have reiterated what Graham was already saying, but there didn’t seem to be a need.

  We ran into the elevator and refrained from putting on the gas mask until we were on the top floor. We knew exactly where the cameras were and made sure to keep our heads down low to avoid detection. The guards were preoccupied trying to get into the room to notice the threat right behind them. They went down like a sack of potatoes using a Billy Club to the back of their neck.

  He used an electronic device to disengage the lock. He showed me the small piece of metal which had gone unnoticed making everybody in the room a virtual prisoner.

  We went inside and closed the door using the same piece of metal to keep anybody from entering. We gathered the money on the table into two black bags.

  I was reasonably certain there was over $65,000,000. The hamster was looking at a lump sum of 6.5 million. Most of mine was going to charity with the rest to live on for the rest of my life. I had a feeling the lure of danger wasn’t going to be a stranger for long. The baby on the way was making it necessary to secure its future. The unconditional love was something I had never experienced before and probably never would again.

  We weren’t going to go out the same way we came in. Graham produced a black cord and went over the side of the balcony down to a room we knew to be vacant.

  “I fucking knew…it was you.” The words were like a teacher raking their nails down a blackboard to get the students’ attention.

  “I hope there are no hard feelings. I left you something as a consolation prize.” The money earmarked for the charities was down one million dollars.

  “This doesn’t…make us even.” He was barely awake and fighting the influence of the gas. His tolerance was amazing, but even he had his limits. The door to the balcony being open had kept him from succumbing to the gas to the point of being unconscious.