A Sorority of Angels

by Gus Leodas

  It was Laura.

  No mistake. What was she doing here? I followed her for two blocks. She didn’t hesitate or window shop, walking as on a mission with a fixed destination. Then she entered Bellini’s, an Italian restaurant.

  Should I go in and surprise her? Would she be happy to see me? She’d be surprised, I concluded. Confused and disoriented, I crossed to a building’s entrance opposite the restaurant trying to figure out the dilemma.

  Then I saw Judy Heller.

  I decided to watch Judy. I strangled when she entered Bellini’s. Would Laura come to Washington to have lunch with her? If so, why? What’s going on?

  Were they having lunch together or coincidence? Why would Judy come all the way here for lunch? I tried to remember my conversation with Laura about Judy. Have they been in touch? I decided to find out.

  I crossed the street and approached the restaurant. I’d been there before and knew the owner. When I entered, he greeted me with European warmth, bowing. The main dining room was upstairs, no chance seen by Laura or Judy unless they were downstairs in the bar.

  “Enrico, good afternoon. I was supposed to meet Ms. Heller and Ms. Johnson. Have they arrived?”

  He checked his reservations book. “Yes. Miss Heller and another woman are upstairs.”

  “Did the other woman have blonde hair, attractive?”

  “Yes. I believe Miss Heller called her Laura.”

  “Thanks Enrico. I can’t make it. Don’t tell them I was here.”

  I left, leaving Enrico confused. Where did that leave me? What do I say when I see them? Unsure, I crossed the street like a crippled vulture and leaned against a building to lick my wounds, determined to wait for them; work had to wait; Laura came first.

  “Laura, what’s important to fly here to have lunch?” Judy reached out and touched Laura’s hand under the table. “Thanks for a fabulous weekend.”

  “I enjoyed it, also. You’re fun company.”

  “You didn’t come here to tell me that.”

  “I’ve been thinking about Bender. I’m going to ask you questions for your reaction.”

  “That sounds ominous. All the way here for a reaction?”

  “Sounds like the CIA doesn’t it? Regarding Bender, do you hate him enough…to bring him down, to disgrace him?”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. How do you react?”

  Judy shrugged in resignation. “It will cost my job, but I would relish his downfall. Why do you ask?”

  “If Bender toppled or dropped dead, you wouldn’t mind?”

  “If Bender dropped dead, I would hope he suffered first then I’d glory in his demise. I’ll drink to that.” She did. “What’s important to meet Bender? We could’ve had a phone conversation.”

  Laura laughed. “I also want to surprise Adam later.”

  “What time did you plan to call Adam?”

  “Towards the end of the working day. I’ll do research in between for my food project. I’m here for three reasons – to ask if you can arrange for me to meet Bender. Maybe invite me to one of his socials, then to see Adam. I had problems with him since our weekend together. I don’t want him getting ideas if I come to Washington to meet with you.” Judy received that well. “And third, I wanted to see you again.”

  “What do you hope to accomplish by talking to Bender?”

  “I don’t know. I feel I have to meet him outside an office environment.”

  “Why? To undermine him?”

  “I wanted to hear your response and if you said yes, then I would ask how.”

  “I never thought in those directions about undermining the son-of-a-bitch. If I come up with a solution or find a weakness, I’ll tell you. I mean beating him to death would be a trip, but never thought about compromising him.”

  “If I were a novelist, I’d create a scenario on how to eliminate a senator. I had a fantasy about Bender the other week when watching the televised hearings.”

  “Fantasy meaning sexual? Are you losing your sanity?”

  “No, that’s an absurd extreme. As I watched you and Bender, I fantasized a perfect way to eliminate Bender. Where do you get your water, the pitcher you had on television?”

  “There are several pitchers with ice and water in the next room. I take one and bring it in.”

  “That fast and simple?”

  “Yes. No big deal.”

  “What took you long to come back to the hearings?”

  “I don’t remember. How long was I gone?”

  “About five minutes.”

  “In the rest room. What about the pitcher? What was your fantasy?”

  “If someone wanted to get rid of Bender, all that person need do is add poison to Bender’s pitcher and bye, bye.”

  The premise forced Judy to lean back in her chair. “Wow. You’re merciless.”

  “Proving who did it will be tough, many people lurking about in the next room, no?”

  “Sure. All the aides and assistants plus others.”

  “Let’s say I persuade Adam to poison his boss Senator Josephs. How could they possibly accuse him?”

  She started Judy thinking, who nodded. “You know, you have a fiendish mind. I’ll think of other ways, something may come up.”

  “Just think undermining.”

  Poisoning Bender was an extreme theory discussion to further their bond, a way to keep Judy close in the early stages of friendship.

  “Laura, forget about eating and Bender and go straight to my place.”

  “We can if you like.” Continue to do whatever was necessary.

  “Wonderful.”

  Judy put a twenty-dollar bill on the table as they left.

  I bolted upright when they left the restaurant; their prompt departure from Bellini’s erasing my wild imaginings about a relationship between them. I felt relieved. I wouldn’t know how to cope if Laura had or planned to have an affair with Judy. I chastised myself for doubting Laura and ran across against the light dodging traffic.

  “Laura! Judy!”

  My voice blared as a paralyzing alarm. They looked at each other bewildered and guilty at discovery, Judy visibly upset. Laura beamed, ran to me, and we met at sidewalk’s edge. She hugged and kissed me.

  “Hi, lover. Surprised to see me?” she asked – a quick offense.

  “Shocked. What’re you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  I looked at a grinning Judy, but her eyes threw daggers and hellfire.

  “I planned to call you after lunch to surprise you. I can’t believe we met like this. What a coincidence,” Laura said as we approached Judy.

  Her expression hadn’t changed. I kissed her cheek.

  “Hello, Judy, nice to see you.”

  “Always good to see you.”

  “Have you had lunch yet, honey?” Laura added quickly to neutralize the awkward meeting.

  “No, I was across the street shopping and here we are.”

  “Let’s have lunch then. I’m starved. Judy and I were about to eat when she received a call to return to her office. Bender is in a panic over something. We were about to hail a cab. I thought I’d surprise you by walking into your office.”

  “I would have fallen off my chair.”

  “Bender is impossible,” said Judy. “Listen, you guys. I’m happy I brought you together, a positive for today.”

  Laura looked sympathetic. “I’m sorry we couldn’t finish our lunch.”

  Judy hailed a cab. “Enjoy the day you two. Laura, call me again. Maybe I can get the information for you. Goodbye.” She left.

  We entered Bellini’s. Enrico looked confused, palms outstretched.

  “Enrico, don’t ask questions. Give me a nice table for two.”

  He escorted upstairs to a window table. I ordered drinks to hasten Enrico on his way.

  “Laura, what’s going on? We miss a whole weekend and you’re here without my prior knowledge. We’ve always been honest with each other, without secrets, unlike you to come h
ere and never tell me.”

  “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “But why Judy Heller? Come on. I want to know. What’s going on? Is she after you or what?”

  “Adam, stop! I can’t believe you’re jealous of a woman.”

  “I want the truth.” She hedged and I knew it.

  “I need her to provide information about Bender. I told you about my necklace, I believe. Didn’t I?”

  “You did.”

  “I mentioned it’s symbolic of our group at the UN parties.”

  “Correct. The group’s mission is to help in eliminating food shortages around the world. And I thought it was something sinister, at first. So, what’s your point?”

  “There’s more substance.”

  “Like what?”

  “Our organization may commit to also retarding warmongers to divert billions to food instead of funding wars and since Bender is our warmonger I want to know and learn all I can about him. Maybe I can slow down his progress. I need Judy since she’s close to Bender to learn more about him. Do you understand now?”

  “Forget these way-out causes,” I countered, exasperated. “Let someone else worry about the world. You want to save the starving. I’m starving for you. Forget this cause waving crap. Settle down with me and live a normal, healthy, and productive life, and have a family. That’s the real world.”

  “This hunger and poverty project has my priorities. Be patient. You know I love you. Take the afternoon off and I’ll show you how much.”

  Laura knows where my mind’s control center is located.

  I was satisfied about her humanitarian causes, if they stayed legal.

  More important, I had a lost weekend to make up.

  Jealousy overwhelmed Judy when she reached the Senate Office Building. Instead of going inside, she walked the grounds. Laura dwelled on her mind. But for me, she could’ve spent the afternoon with Laura. I turned into a thorn in her side and as irritating as Bender. If Bender were out of her life, she’d have a happy professional life and if I were out of her life, she’d have a happy relationship with Laura. Maybe then, she could relocate to New York and move in with her.

  Laura perceived her as masochistic by staying and working for Bender. Finding another visible senator more humane would be smarter, another professional reason. Bender would make a viable candidate for the nomination for president, or vice-president. If he won, his current staff wouldn’t be invited to work in the White House. Judy had no job security if he won or lost. And Laura couldn’t foresee anything in the future to make him fall short of a scandal.

  If nominated, he could win. If he lost, he could make a comeback. Failing, one doesn’t fall into obscurity when losing a presidential election. One becomes immortal in American history books.

  Judy analyzed her situation objectively. Any reward for her ‘loyalty’ was never forthcoming. Bender must fall before his nomination, the sooner the better. Laura had the right idea. A scandal would hurt him. Bender never expressed a sexual attitude towards her since working for him. Judy was certain he knew her partner preference. For her to make sexual overtures to him would be ludicrous. Bender might reject her or laugh in her face. He had to have a sexual outlet. She’d investigate and watch him closely; screen and review his calls, on alert.

  Laura may want to create a scandal with him. Maybe have an affair with him. She did ask to meet him. The thought of Laura and Bender together could nauseate Judy. The combination, one she hated and one she loved was indigestible and unpalatable.

  Wouldn’t it be perfect for Judy if Bender and I had a homosexual affair and were caught? That would rid her problems of Bender and me, and she’d have Laura.

  Judy would start her undermining strategy with Bender. When that problem solved, would she come after me?

  The platonic relationship between Judy and me altered. Friendly hugs ended. She remained standoffish and formal.

  When I saw her the next two days, her change was obvious. I saw her daily the following week during preparations for hearings to replace the secretary of Defense who resigned last month. Her coolness continued.

  I called Laura daily since the Bellini afternoon and flew to New York over the weekend.

  I didn’t know then what bugged Judy and why she turned hostile. If I knew, I would’ve kicked her ass. I stopped being concerned about Judy by Wednesday, to hell with her. Maybe she’s going through an early menopause.

  Judy called Laura at home on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. Laura was out. On Thursday, Laura answered the phone.

  “Judy, nice to hear from you.”

  “When will I see you again?”

  “Come on up.”

  “Impossible. We’re preparing for hearings. Can you come down during the week?”

  “I don’t dare chance what happened last time. If Adam sees us again, he’ll get curious, suspicious. An explanation will be hard. Better if you come up.”

  “I can make it up this weekend.”

  “Forget it. Adam will be here.”

  “Oh.”

  “I’ll come there early next Friday to watch the hearings again. Seeing you alone will be impossible, but maybe we can all get together for dinner.”

  “I need to see you. I miss you.” Laura didn’t answer. “I have good news about Bender. I may be able to arrange for you to meet him within a month. He is entertaining politicos from California, and has demanded and conscripted his staff. You can come with me.”

  “What day is it on?”

  “On a Friday.”

  “I can have Adam join us and eliminate the backstreet maneuvering.”

  “I prefer Adam not be there.”

  “What if he finds out?”

  “He won’t. I hope you don’t intend to bed down with Bender.”

  “Ugh. No, no. I want to meet your enemy. And mine.”

  “Enemy? You’re right. That’s what he is, the shit. I’m following Bender after work. I missed him a few times. By the time I pulled out of the parking lot, he was gone. Now, I wait and follow him. He lives in Georgetown. Twice, he went straight home and stayed home. I waited outside for about three hours each time. He never came out. At seven-thirty or so, a heavy African American woman comes out – probably his housekeeper and cook, unlikely they’re having an affair. If they were, she’d stay late.”

  “It may be advantageous talking to her.”

  “Good idea, maybe after the hearings. Other times, he visited a condominium in Arlington after work and stayed indefinitely. Last night, I decided to wait him out. I gave the door attendant twenty dollars to tell me whom he visits – a Mrs. Beech. He left at two in the morning. Maybe there’s a connection. She could be your scandal.”

  “If she’s married. If widowed, single or divorced what have we got? It’s no disgrace to date.”

  “Also, I sent to you personal background data including his early years highlighting the clubs and associations he belonged and belongs, a thorough dossier to update you.”

  “That’s perfect. Can you make a positive connection with the military or industrial complexes? If he’s their spokesman, he could be profiting – a foreign bank account or foreign investments? How did his son get that big job with Lockheed? A question to investigate.”

  “I’ll do that in between my other work. To continue to follow him is a waste of time. Disappointing, but somehow I’ll get the pig.”

  “Adam and I can vacation in California this year and see my family. I can research there.”

  Judy never hesitated to add, “I’d go with you if Adam is unavailable.”

  “If I ever go on vacation without him, he’ll turn into a lunatic. I wish he wasn’t possessive, but want him that way.”

  “And I wish you could make time for me.”

  “Forget Adam. I’m sorry I haven’t called you but other problems dominated my life. What if I call you next Wednesday?”

  “If we can’t talk sooner then I’ll settle for Wednesday.”

  “Maybe
I’ll see you next weekend. I don’t know how but maybe we can meet and talk alone.” The comment was more to appease than practical was.

  “When we’re alone, you can talk if you want. That’s not what I want to do.”

  Laura worried. Maybe she overdid Judy. Intimacy with a woman differed but no way could Judy displace me. Laura didn’t want their friendship to evolve into a physical habit whenever they were alone. Laura made a mistake encouraging Judy or agreeing to hook up with her for the afternoon in Bellini’s. Right there, Laura should have ended the physical relationship. Where I’m obsessive about Laura, Laura is obsessive about her causes. She planned to talk to Judy next week if I prefer to avoid Judy on the weekend. Laura doubted being able to get out of my sight for five minutes except to go to the bathroom, and that was questionable.

  Judy called Laura again on Wednesday. “I’m upset you haven’t called me.”

  “I did. You were out.”

  “When? Last night?” She continued before Laura could answer. “In Arlington. Bender visited there again.”

  “I called to learn what you found in those other areas. I thought you decided to stop following him.”

  “I needed to obtain more data on the Beech woman from the door attendant and as I turned the corner, Bender entered the building. I don’t think the door attendant knows who he is from the way we talked. Anyhow, Mrs. Beech is the widow of a former admiral in the submarine service. If a widow, we have nothing. Further, it turns out she’s a big poker player and the reason he goes is to play poker.”

  “Strip poker?”

  “No. Four or five other men join the game. She’s alone in the world and enjoys hosting the games. I promised the door attendant secrecy after yelling at him for failing to tell me this the first time. It’s impractical to trace his foreign accounts if numbered. He’s a wealthy man, and hard to trace new money with his diverse holdings. I don’t know why he’s the standard bearer for the war profiteers. Forget your cause. It looks like I’ll hate him forever. I’ll give it a few more months then leave. Maybe a miracle will happen.”