"Make sure the chauffeur realizes who their clients are?" was all James could say.
Laughing at that, Cathleen suggested dinner. They walked back in to the dinner hall. She ordered for both of them as James seemed conflicted with the menu.
"Now that I have you in my service, there are certain benefits I would like to offer you; should you agree to accept their conditions." she began.
"I am working to put myself through college so that I can go into criminal justice." he explained, "Should the benefits aid in that endeavor, I would be willing to agree to any stipulations put forth to me."
"I am aware of your situation, James. However, you are unaware of mine." she replied. "Should you choose to do my bidding, I would compensate you through gratuities for your services."
"Are the services any more than I already am providing?" James needed to know.
"I have certain clients that require more personal service than others." Cathleen hinted.
James suspected that whatever the 'service' was, it bordered on illegal. He wanted to fight crime, not create it.
"I would only request that I not be asked to do anything illegal." James stipulated.
"Let's evaluate your circumstances, shall we?" she reflected, "You are a college student with no significant other, your parents live five states away who have no means to support your efforts, your best friend, Michael Goodman, is the only acquaintance you have, and the only assets you have are your wits, charm, and good looks." taking a breath, "You seek a career in law enforcement which yields you 50k a year to start should you not be cut back by the government, a possible pension plan that nets you no more than social security pays, and you risk life and limb for a losing battle you could hardly put a dent in."
"All true but I have a moral obligation I wish to keep." James pointed out.
"I'm not quite finished." she interrupted, "You are a male with sexual needs that could be met should you choose to do so, yet you've refrained for moral reasons. You removed any consequences that could occur from your sexual adventure Saturday night before you committed to the deed. The only moral obligation you have is the fear of emotional stress you could incur should the partner you bed wish for a permanent relationship. You even took the initiative to forward the text back to Lisa in case she didn't remember her agreement with you, keeping you guilt free of your actions."
"Yes, but I had no legal issue with Lisa." James started explaining. "Should the services you request be considered, let's say ... prostitution, which is a crime that I want no part of, I would have to decline."
A giggle left her lips as he tip-toed around the intricacies of his sexual exploitation, "But you indeed have a legal issue with Lisa when I gave you a gratuity for satisfying her, should you approach it with your ideology."
This gave James a jolt as he hadn't thought of it in that light. Technically, Cathleen was correct. He agreed to satisfy Lisa when Cathleen handed him the tip.
"You have a point, but it doesn't relieve me of my moral obligations preventing the emotional trauma of women I may bed with." he singled out.
"Ah, but what if every woman you slept with didn't want to date or marry you?" she offered.
"I would still not know that for sure." James pointed out, finishing his last dish.
"We are talking about a scenario where you wouldn't need to worry about that. Love and lust would not cross." she explained. "Lust would be the only thing they sought." pushing her plate back.
“So; there is no moral or legal issue?" James asked, wiping his lips with the napkin.
"No, not at all." she replied, finishing her drink.
"Then I would agree to the services. What about the benefits?" he asked.
A smile crossed her lips with his question, "Take us home James." she instructed, and got up from the table.
Chapter Four
The ride back consisted of talk about the company she purchased and the procedure used to reserve and dispatch trips. He made a few recommendations in that regard and left it at that.
Arriving back on the Spencer estate, James pulled the car up in the circle drive. Letting Cathleen out, he stood for instruction.
"Park that car in the garage." she ordered and headed into the house.
James was a little perplexed. He hadn't seen a garage. He walked around the sides of the mansion and seen a tennis court, a lake, and a swimming pool with a golf course in the distance. No garage to be found.
It was James' experience that if the logical was not the fact, the illogical had to be. He drove the car off the circle, carefully looking for another driveway. He found it just as he met the drive to go down and out. Making his right, he drove to the two-story, four bay garage located practically in the woods. No expense was spared here either, as the garage reflected the mansion's decor.
A bay was already open and he had a spot free there. He went ahead and parked it in the available slot. Before he could get out, the garage door began closing. Two other cars filled the other bays. One was a BMW and the other was an SUV.
Two African American men exited a side door and approached him. Stepping out, he was greeted with, "Your weapon and keys please."
James found himself in a dilemma of sorts as he had never relinquished his weapon to anyone before, usually just storing it, preventing the need to turn it in. Considering his options, he pulled holster and all then said, "I'll want that back." handing both to one.
"I don't know stud, is it better than mine?" the taller of the two said, pulling out a gold plated .44 magnum and flashed it around before holstering it.
"9 millimeter, 16 round clip." the short one admitted. "Not bad." unloading it.
"Follow us." the taller one said, and off they went through the side door the two came out of.
James picked up his pace and followed. He was led up the path to the mansion. Entering from the side, he found himself in a parlor. Cathleen waited for him there.
"First, a phone call." she announced, and picked up the phone. Dialing, she listened for the other end.
The short man asked James for his wallet. Instinctively, James reached for it but caught himself. Seeing his hesitation, the man motioned with a hand gesture to cough it up. James reluctantly handed it over.
"I need to speak to the supervisor on duty." she asked then waited.
"This is Cathleen Spencer." she said. "To whom am I speaking?" and paused.
"A pleasure to speak with you as well. Has Frank Davies made contact with you, Dale?"
"Good, would you pull up James Farlow's itinerary for today?"
"Yes, the third trip is indeed mine." she continued, "I'd like to discuss some things regarding that and other concerns."
"No, I have no concern regarding James' performance, his duties were met with excellence." she went on, "I need to add a five hundred dollar gratuity to my time trip he is currently on."
"Thank you! Now I need you to fire him." she quipped.
James could actually hear Dale Harris yell "What?!" through the phone. Then his own concern hit him, raising a hand to protest, Cathleen waved him off, listening to Dale's rant. James was certainly at her mercy now.
"I know..." she huffed, "The best you have ... yes." getting impatient, "Mr. Harris!" clearing her throat, "James will be my personal chauffeur. I'll need his record and W-2s." then waited.
"Well, let's just say I needed my ass wiped and he did it front to back as requested." she sneered.
James dropped his head with that. A woman with this much wealth and power speaking like a commoner, it was baffling to him. But, Dale brought that on himself; the loud mouth S.O.B.
"Yes, write him a check for last week and today then remove him from your payroll." she ordered and then waited.
A young woman dressed in a maid outfit brought in a drink for Cathleen and sat it on the table. James couldn't help noticing her youth and beauty and wondered if maid service was the only service she provided. He chastised himself for the raunchy thought as it was against his nature.
"Listen, you hired James, you can hire someone else." she rationalized, "What will you do without him? I guess you'll have to do without!" pausing.
"Could I recommend my roommate?" James whispered, and then grinned.
"There will be an application for a Mike Goodman coming across your desk. I want him hired." she demanded.
To James, this was almost fun. But, even the gratuities he'd racked up last week and today wouldn't last. The bills would have to be paid next month. He hoped whatever Cathleen was offering would at least match his lost income.
"You'll make copies of his record. Put on the end date that he was promoted to upper management." she explained, "Now, for my final instructions; find the license and registration for the Cadillac Mr. Farlow is driving and mark it decommissioned. That will be James' personal car."
That was unbelievable, they just got that car! Tonight was the first time it went out. James had forgotten about the paperwork until now, perhaps Cathleen had asked for the newest car. Normally, they send the oldest out first, putting as many miles as possible on those and saving the newest for last.
"No! Keep him on the insurance, for Christ sakes! He won't have the title." covering the microphone she asked, "Do you really have to do all the thinking for him?" then went back to her conversation.
"That will do for now, thank you for the help Mr. Harris." ending her little chat, "Oh, give James eight hours pay for my time trip, good bye." then hung up the phone.
Turning to him, "Liking the benefits so far?" she asked.
"I certainly have, but I have nothing but questions now." James answered.
The man that took his wallet brought it back to him.
"Niles, was everything sufficient?" Cathleen asked.
"Yes ma'am, license and CCW were in it. Copies were made." he replied.
How they knew he had a weapon was puzzling enough since Cathleen never called anyone while James was with her. Now, they had copies of his personal information as well.
"Excellent." she said, and dismissed Niles. "First, let's talk more about the company you used to work for, James." sipping on her glass.
"What would you like to discuss?" James asked. Wondering what knowledge of his would be found so interesting to her.
"Ever heard of Spenco?" she queried.
Indeed he had, "Spenco is an international corporation owning businesses in various markets throughout the world. I understand the founder has recently passed away." James kept up on business as most of his clients were the big wheels of industry and commerce. Even as he recalled it, the name Spencer rang out in his head.
"You are quite good, James. I'm impressed with your business knowledge." Cathleen praised. "The founder was my father."
"My condolences, I'm sorry for your loss." James consoled. This was starting to make some sense now. It hadn’t been a week since the staunch founder had died.
"Thank you, I am the sole heir to his estate and holdings." she explained.
"I have met royalty and stand humbled." James said sincerely, he was in the midst of one of the most powerful people on the planet. At 20 years old or so, she could collapse economies. He wondered if she was savvy enough to realize that fact.
"Once again, you dazzle with words, James." eyeing him, "Wherever did you get your sense of phrase?"
"I've studied etiquette for my part-time profession." James responded.
"That will be an asset for our future. Now, back to the company I just purchased." she took a pause to sip her drink. "Spenco has many assets here in the U.S. and our owners, managers, and stock holders travel in and out of the city frequently. Instead of Spenco or its affiliates spending money on transportation, they could be spending money on its own transportation company." pausing to let that sink in.
"So, a traveler of Spenco and its subsidiaries will, in essence, pay itself to travel." Cathleen explained.
This was sheer genius. A company pays itself, writes it off as a business expense while profiting from the same money through another company.
"Spenco would be profiting from a loss that was written off." James summarized.
"Yes, and it is perfectly legal." Cathleen almost giggled, sitting her drink down.
"So, I fit in where?" James wanted to know.
"Some of the clientele that will be traveling will require special treatment. Between those, my family and friends, and I, you will be one busy man." she smiled.
"I don't know how I could help that much, being part time." James pointed out.
"Ah, back to the benefits. You will finish out your degree online for your precious piece of paper. You should also consider seek more training in defense. I will fund your education, whatever you decide." leaving him reeling.
"I'm in." whatever the price to pay, James decided his future would be better off in the service of this woman. Besides, if he refused her, his future would be in jeopardy. She had him either way. With one phone call, she could ruin his name forever.
"I'm pleased James. You will find your decision will be the best one you will ever make." she purred.
"Am I replacing anyone?" James thought this blanketed question could mean volumes to him.
Cathleen grinned, "I've never had such a boy toy as you." then yelled. "Niles!"
Niles entered the room and bowed.
"Take Mr. Farlow on a tour and get him prepped please." and waved him and James off.
James was led away and was shown each room on the ground floor. The elegance of the estate was breathtaking. From the artwork, antiques, and woodwork, the estate was above first class. A panel door in the kitchen was opened for him, which brought up his eye brows. Entering the room, it was apparent that it was the security for the mansion.
Monitors lined one wall, computers on another, and a very large TV on the side wall. The taller of the two guards manned the control panel. Niles explained the usual tech while James looked at the monitors. Some were views of the hallways in the estate including every floor. Another showed an access road from the rear. An unmarked truck was unloading boxes. Another monitor showed two more hallways with doors on each side, ending with a metallic door at the end.
"Where's the camera for the walkway?" James wondered out loud. Niles pointed out a walkway towards the tennis court, explaining that it could be turned in any direction.
"I was referring to the walkway from the garage to the mansion." he explained.
Niles thought for a moment and turned a camera on another monitor. It focused on the garage and a part of the walkway came into view. "I think that's the best we have on it."
"You should adjust a camera to get a better view." James pointed out.
"Yeah, you're right. I'll get Virgil to adjust it" Niles agreed, walking over to a drawer. He pulled out a box and handed it to James. "Don't take this off. Replacing it is a bitch."
James opened the box and found a ring inside. It had a cat's eye gem with a letter "S" inside it. James remembered seeing it somewhere before. If he remembered correctly, Lisa had one similar to it.
"That is your GPS tracking device. It also opens the gates and garage door when you are one half mile away." Niles informed him. "It also represents your employer, so others know you are legit."
It wouldn't fit on any finger but his pinky. He put it on while Niles programmed it into the system. Getting James straight on the security, and access card, and how to prevent accidently tripping an alarm somewhere, he handed him a smart phone with the phone number of it stickered on the back. This was his phone; the calendar had all the appointments. His old phone would forward his calls to the new one, but Niles told him to give everyone who needed it the new number.
The new phone rang and James answered puzzled, "Hello?" and it was his roommate and best friend Mike.
"What the fuck is going on?" he sounded scared.
"Well, I really don't know about your end but mine has taken a turn for the Twilight Zone." he stated.
"Some guy was here and made me sign papers, paid the re
nt off, paid my college and had me fill out an application for your workplace and…" he spat out.
"Look, just go with it for now, whatever they want just do it." James interrupted, "You'll thank me for it later." and hung up the phone.
Niles led him to an elevator set inside the wall of the hallway between the kitchen and parlor room.
James noted the four floors listed in blue and two floors listed in red. Niles pressed a red L2 button and they descended with a hum. James asked what was on L1 and Niles only offered, "Servant Quarters."
Exiting the elevator, James found himself in a carpeted hallway ending with a metallic door. He was led to a door on the right and used a card James had been given to open it. A bed was the first thing James saw. The room had to be twenty by twenty at least. The closet, shelving and dresser drawers were next to catch his eye. A remote was on one of the dressers. James picked it up and looked at the buttons. It seemed a little complicated. Niles explained that it was for the vents, door, intercom, alarm clock, and TV hidden in a cabinet above the largest dresser. He explained that this was staff quarters, handed him the swipe card he had used to gain access, and informed him it was his room to use.
"I'm not sure what I would do with it, but thank you." James said, puzzled.
Niles looked at him funny, shrugged his shoulders while shaking his head and continued down the hall.
Pointing with his left hand, Niles informed him that room was Lisa's to use. Then on down two more doors, Niles pointed at his room, then his partner "Virgil's" room. Two more rooms remained, which belonged to two other guards named Harry and Phil.
They reached the metallic door where no lock kept it from opening. Upon entering, James discovered a rec room. Complete with a sunken level with a couch that filled half the circle, it certainly provided all the comforts of home. A projector TV was mounted on one wall. A pool table sat on one raised side and ping pong table on the opposite side. A bar aligned towards the end.
"During any leisure time, you may spend it here. The bar and kitchen is stocked daily." Niles continued with the tour. Opening yet another door, it had the same hallway and bedrooms as the previous one. Without entering, Niles explained that the rooms were all for staff members. Then, pointing at the opposite wall, he claimed the same layout was through that door.
Driven Lust Page 4