On the Heels of Evil

by D. E. Daum

  “You think you know where the bomb is? Tell me.”

  “First you are going to make mad passionate love to me. I can see you are dead tired. This will be good for you, and you will be rested, relaxed, and more efficient. It won’t take long.”

  “Mariam, we don’t have time for that, besides that was on our honeymoon, several years ago.” Kelly remembered, marveling at how many of Saleem’s memories seemed like his own.

  Mariam took off her shoes and her blouse. She turned on some music. It sounded like the Rolling Stones, “Harlem Shuffle”. She took off her skirt and slip and sauntered over to Kelly. She reached down, unbuckled his belt, and unbuttoned his shirt. Kelly could not help the building in his loins. She pulled his shirt off, unzipped his fly, and fondled him. He unhooked her bra, and started to pull her panties down when she stopped him. The song had ended. She turned on the tape player then removed a vhs tape from her purse and played it. There they were, ten years earlier, except it wasn’t Kelly. It was Saleem entwined with Mare on the big screen. Mare came back to Kelly pulled his pants down while he pulled her panties down and off. Kelly couldn’t take his eyes off of the screen. It was the biggest turn-on he had ever experienced. He led her over to the table, while making sure he could still see the TV, bent her over the table and entered her from behind. She was warm and ready. The erotic excitement from the screen was transferring to Kelly. It was too much. He lost it, having one of the best finishes he ever had. He fell over Mare’s back shivering, and stayed that way for a minute. Finally, Mare said, “I told you it wouldn’t take long. Are you going to let me up?”

  Kelly looked over at the VCR. Only four minutes had elapsed since Mare had started her gyrations. Kelly laughed. “If I knew that video was such a turn on, I’d have watched it weeks ago. We’ve got to watch the rest of that when this hunt is over.” Kelly straightened up and asked, “OK sweet pea, where are the terrorists?”

  Mariam straightened up, took hold of Kelly’s hand, and pulled him toward the windows. “Some lover you turned out to be.” She laughed and smirked “What was that, about thirty seconds?”

  “About twenty, I think. It was the video . . . wait, what are you doing?”

  “What does it look like? I’m opening the drapes.”

  “Whoa, baby, we’re buck naked, and it’s night. We’ll be clearly visible.”

  Mariam kept opening the drapes and said, “I don’t think anyone will notice, but if they did, so what? I’ve been hidden away for so long under all those sheets and veils that I feel like going the other way and showing off a little. You can hide behind me if you wish.” When the drapes were open, Kelly stared. There in front of him was the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline. “What is that place?” he asked.

  “It’s called New York, New York Hotel and Casino. I’ll bet my whole Islam-correct wardrobe that’s the planned destination of the bomb.”

  “Baby, baby, I think you’ve got it!” Kelly realized this was what had bothered him as they flew over the Strip. He figured Mariam had a ninety percent chance of being correct. New York, New York was a perfect symbol for the terrorists. Two successful attacks and many planned attacks had all been directed at New York City. “I’ve got to call Jane. Get dressed.”

  “Oh spoilsport, I feel so liberated.”

  “Suit yourself.” Kelly started to put his robe on.

  “Why bother?” asked Mare, “Jane’s seen you.”

  Kelly smiled and said, “Yeah, I know. We don’t want to make her jealous of you.”

  “Very funny. She probably feels sorry for me.”

  “Oh yeah?” Kelly chased a fleeing Mariam, got her down on the couch, and started tickling her. “Stop it,” she yelled. “You’re going to make me pee.”

  Kelly said, “Is that anyway for a lady to talk?” He redoubled his efforts but suddenly switched from tickling to petting.

  Mare could not hold back. “God, I love you,” she said. “Thank you for giving my life back.”

  Kelly was touched. Mariam was his dream girl, and he was living his dream. He reached down with both hands and took her face gently in his hands. He kissed her nose, her lips, her nipples, then her belly button. Mare stopped him and said, “No more. We must call Jane.”

  * * * *

  When Jane entered Kelly and Mare’s room, they both were in robes. “What have you got?” she asked. Mariam took her by the hand and led her toward the window. She looked where Mariam had pointed out the window and she knew immediately. “That’s it. It is obvious as hell. I hope it’s not too obvious and scares them off. Nah! They just couldn’t resist that target. Let’s go over there and scope it out. Saleem, you are too much of a celebrity. If they’re there, they might recognize you and it might spook them. Mariam and I will go. We’ll take Haman with us.”

  Kelly said, “That could be dangerous. You can’t go over there.”

  “Saleem,” Jane reflected, “Danger is the business we’re in. Did you forget that I trained you and that your wife underwent weeks of vigorous training?”

  “All right but you’re going over my objections. If anything happens to you I will, I will….never mind. Just be careful.”

  Chapter 3

  New York, New York Hotel

  Heads turned when the two stunning beauties rode down the escalator from the mezzanine and walked into the New York, New York Casino. No one noticed the giant Middle Eastern man walking twenty paces behind them. One person walked into a slot machine and fell over; another spilled his drink on the craps table, causing a minor commotion. After a customer carrying a handful of chips ran into a cocktail waitress, knocking her down, drinks and all, Jane and Mariam decided it was time to get out of sight. Jane spotted a couple of lounges, The Big Apple Bar on the left and The Bar at Times Square at the end of a tree lined path on the right. Heading toward The Bar at Times Square, Jane saw two familiar faces sitting at a blackjack table, two of the men in the photos Hayden had shown her. Which ones, she wasn’t certain. She was sure that one had noticed them, however. He was moderately good looking and he was staring, so Jane aimed a provocative smile at him, just before they went into the lounge.

  Mariam asked, “Shall we grab a table?”

  “No, hookers don’t sit at tables. They sit at the bar.”

  “Hookers?” Mariam sounded incredulous, “We’re going to pretend to be hookers?”

  “Heck, no!” Mariam looked relieved as Jane continued, “We’re not going to pretend, we are the hookers! This is the kind of work for which you signed on. You’re not going to chicken out now, are you?”

  Mariam was pale, but Jane’s prodding stiffened her resolve. “I can stand it if you can.”

  “That’s the spirit,” Jane said as they sat at the bar, just as their admirer walked in. Jane pretended not to see him.

  The bartender appeared and asked, “What’ll it be?” Mariam started to order but was interrupted.

  “Dom Perignon for the ladies. Nothing but the best for these exquisite creatures.”

  It was him—the admirer.

  The bartender nodded.

  Jane gave him a coy smile and purred “How charming. Won’t you join us?”

  He smiled broadly at the invitation, revealing even white teeth. “My pleasure, Mademoiselles. I am Yosef.”

  Pay dirt. “My name, sir, is Courtney.” She placed a hand over his and her other on Mariam’s bare shoulder. “And this beauty is my associate, Denise.”

  The bartender brought the champagne over. Yosef dropped three hundred on him and requested in addition, a bottle of Perrier. “Shall we grab a table, my beauties? Over by the piano would be nice.”

  Yosef poured the champagne into a glass for each of the women, but poured only the Perrier for himself. Yosef picked up his glass of water and offered a toast. Jane giggled, and then she and Mariam clinked their champagne glasses to his. “To your beauty, the sight of which, I’ve never experienced greater.”

  Jane forced a sigh, “Oh, you’re so sweet, Yosef
. Aren’t you going to have any bubbly?”

  Raising his hands chest high, he shook his head “Unfortunately, no. Thank you, anyway. I’m afraid I’m a recovering alcoholic.”

  Mariam, speaking for the first time, asked, “What kind of accent is that you have? Spanish?”

  Yosef chuckled. “Hardly. I come from the land of the Pharaohs.”

  Jane caught that Haman came in and took a seat at a table near the entrance.

  Once more she put her hand over Yosef’s. “I saw you at the blackjack table. Were you winning?”

  “I’m about even,” Yosef said.

  “What about your friend?”

  Jane noticed his effusive smile deserted him at the mention of his associate. “He’s actually ahead, that’s why he’s still at the table. That and he doesn’t like girls like I do.”

  “You mean he’s gay?” asked Mariam.

  Now Josef was frowning. “I don’t think so. He just seems to be in his own little world. He just has a woman thing.”

  Jane saw Haman nod. “Lots of men have a woman thing, and that’s how we make our living, in case you hadn’t guessed. Are you interested?”

  Yosef’s initial reaction revealed hurt, but he regained composure, quickly. “I guess I figured you were high-priced call girls. You’re too good looking to be anything else. I’m interested. How much?”

  “Sorry, but first I have to ask you, are you any kind of law enforcement agent? Business, you know?” Jane smiled seductively at her mark.

  “No way, I hate cops.”

  “Good! We each get seven-fifty an hour, but if you’re interested, both of us could entertain you for twelve hundred. And if you feel you could keep up with me, two thousand for all night and an extra fifteen hundred for Denise if you want to double your pleasure.” Jane winked and ran her tongue over her lips.

  Not to be outdone, Mariam dipped her finger in her Dom Perignon and put her finger in her mouth. Jane smiled, Mariam was getting into the swing of things.

  Yosef seemed to be hooked. He and Jane dabbled on details for a few minutes. They’d agreed to both girls for one and a half hours, for a flat fifteen hundred. He wanted to go back to his room, but Jane said they never went back to the man’s room. He would have to get a room while they waited at the elevators. He balked at having to pay for another room until Jane told him that’s the way it was, but if he said, “Courtney sent me,” the room clerk would give him a penthouse suite, which included a balcony, a heart-shaped whirlpool tub, and super king bed for the regular room rate.

  Apparently, the idea of the penthouse suite increased Yosef’s libido, for he changed his mind and agreed to the all-nighter for a flat three thousand. The trio headed out of the lounge and after a minute, Haman left too. He didn’t need to follow too closely. He knew what room Yosef was going to get.

  In the elevator, Jane told him she hoped he didn’t mind, but they needed to make sure he wasn’t carrying any weapons. When Yosef started to balk, Jane grabbed his crotch and said, “Of course, this weapon is not only acceptable, it is desirable.” Mariam smiled. This creep obviously thought he was smooth, but Jane had him enthralled. Yosef let her finish frisking him. He had a nine-millimeter automatic, which Jane let him have back, after pulling out the clip and clearing the chamber. The man was Jane’s lap dog.

  The suite was exquisite, furnished and decorated in thirties-style art deco in purple and greens, with chrome and stainless steel accents. The main room, which featured a sit-down bar, a small kitchen, and an entertainment center, was twenty by thirty feet, with a master bedroom located at each end of the room. Off of the main room was a balcony, which overlooked the Strip and the MGM Grand. Jane walked out on the balcony. “Isn’t this grand?”

  Yosef gaped at the gorgeous creature. He grabbed her hand. “I’m not paying you three grand to look at the view. I am paying, among other things, to look at you and Denise. We’re going inside.” He took her hand and forcefully led her through the balcony doors.

  Inside Jane stated, “Money first, then we play.”

  Yosef gave her thirty one-hundred dollar chips. They could be counterfeit, but it doesn’t matter. Appearances are what’s important. Our mission is to locate the bomb, not to make money.

  “Good, what do you want us to do first? How about we start by putting on some music and doing a striptease?” Yosef nodded. “But every time we take off a piece of clothing, you do likewise, okay?” Yosef again nodded, as if in a trance.

  Jane sashayed to the stereo and inserted a CD. It was a limited collection, but she picked out an old CD by “The Boss” that she’d always liked. Out of the speakers blared “Born in the USA”. Mariam glanced over and rolled her eyes, but the irony of the selection seemed wasted on Yosef. Both girls started to dance. They did a good job of following each other, and it seemed like a choreographed routine. Jane was an expert at erotically shedding her clothes, so Mariam followed her lead. Yosef, as agreed, matched each girl by removing an item of clothing.

  For a terrorist, he isn’t bad looking. Jane decided. He was a smallish man, no more than five-eight, one-sixty, dark, with piercing, dark brown, almost obsidian eyes and a hawk-like nose. He looked around thirty. As his clothes came off, she noticed he was well built, though on the thin side. Could I screw this Philistine? I can, if I have to, it wouldn’t be terrible, but I’d rather not.”

  After Jane and Mariam were down to just their panties, Yosef removed his boxers and started masturbating. When the song ended, he directed them into one of the bedrooms. He told the girls to pull off their undergarments and get it on, while he sat down in a chair and continued his self-stimulation. Mariam looked at Jane, looked her up and down, then shrugged and pulled her down on the bed with her. She surprised Jane, by whispering, “Don’t worry, this isn’t my first time with a woman; I tried it in college.” This was all the invitation Jane needed, and she started to work her pleasure on Mariam’s vulva.

  Yosef was in Nirvana. he’d always wanted to fuck a redhead, but never had a chance, and this was the most beautiful redhead in the world, he just knew it. The other one, the exotic one. What might she be? Definitely some Asian influences. I must be sure to save some energy for the main course. Then I

  will turn them over to Ali, the woman hater. He does not know what he is missing. He is weird. He gets his kicks by spreading pain, even death, by torture. It is too bad, these exquisite women have to meet Ali. Too bad, they have to die.

  Yosef watched and continued massaging himself. These women are good. Let them prepare each other, for me. Experience had taught him that seldom was a woman able to take his oversized length and girth without extensive preparation. After about fifteen minutes, Yosef rose and shoved Mariam off Jane. Before Jane could move, he mounted her. With some difficulty, he entered her.

  After the initial shock, she became accustomed to his unusual size. This is the largest man I have ever been with. While she was beginning to take his measure and almost derive pleasure, she decided his technique really sucked. He fucked like a crude trucker—bang, bang, bang—even banging her head into the headboard. No finesse.

  Chapter 4

  Jane was feeling sore and helpless. Earlier, she’d noticed his oversized member, but it felt even bigger inside her. Yosef seemed to be the size of a horse. How long has he been hammering me? She glanced over at a clock on the nightstand. It had only been two minutes. Sure, she could whack him easily enough, but she needed him alive. In addition, subduing him in the position she found herself would be no easy proposition. Doesn’t he want to stop and at least change positions or something? Where is Mariam? What is she doing? I sure hope she isn’t panicking on me.

  * * * *

  Although, Yosef was near orgasm, he kept forcing his mind to drift to mundane, innocuous subjects. After all, he had to pace himself for the long haul. This week was going to be the pinnacle of his life. First bedding these lovely creatures, then attacking this den of the sinful infidels.

  “Yosef,” a voice
said. He felt a hard cold object against his temple. “If you value your life, you won’t move,” Mariam continued. Yosef froze in place. He did not move a muscle. “Slowly, put your hands behind your head and get off of her.” Yosef put his hands behind his head and gradually shifted his weight off Jane. As he did this, Mariam moved the gun to his back and clicked a handcuff onto his right wrist. Jane got out from under him, stood up in the bed, clicked the other half of the first handcuff to the headboard and kicked him in the balls as hard as she could. Yosef screamed and rolled around the bed, temporarily immobilized.